The Accardi Twins: A Mafia Romance Duet

Epilogue

Elisa – Six Months Later

“ Y ou look beautiful,” Dad says with tears in his eyes. “Too good for that punk.” It’s said in jest, but I’m not sure he’s fully forgiven Caleb for what he walked in on that day when he showed up with Joshua and a team of men to rescue us from the dungeon Cruz and Anais had locked us in. They burst into the room, all guns blazing, to discover Caleb and me fucking in the blood of our enemies.

That story is now legendary in mafioso circles, and no one refers to me as the little virgin anymore.

Dad almost killed Caleb, but Joshua managed to wrangle the gun out of his hand before he could pull the trigger.

It was fun times, for sure.

“I love him.” I know I have a dreamy look on my face, like always when I think of my fiancé. Caleb took me to Paris for my twenty-third birthday and proposed in front of the Eiffel Tower, exactly how I had drawn it all those years before. It’s just one memory, in a long list of memories, I will cherish until the day I die. “I adore him, and I can’t wait to start a family with him.” My hand gravitates to my stomach, and I smile at the secret I’m carrying. No one knows yet, including Caleb. It’s going to be his wedding gift, and I’ll tell him after the ceremony.

“You’re truly happy, honey?” Dad asks, scrutinizing my face for any signs of cold feet.

“Incredibly so.” I take his hands. “You don’t need to worry. He treats me like a queen, Dad. I have never felt more loved or cherished.”

“I see that. I just had to make sure. I know I bust his balls, but it’s mostly for fun. He’s a good partner, and he’ll make a good husband and father. I wouldn’t have given my permission when he came to see me otherwise.”

“I’m honestly surprised you didn’t try to shoot him again. It wasn’t even that long after?—”

“Let’s not go there, Elisa. I worked hard to scrub that awful image from my brain.”

I burst out laughing, but Dad isn’t even mildly amused.

“I fail to see the humor. No father should have to witness that.”

“You didn’t actually see me naked or?—”

“I saw his naked butt as he was driving into you, and that was enough to scar me for life, trust me.”

“Aw, Daddy.” I place my hands on his chest and smile. “You’d swear you never had sex.”

A mischievous grin washes over his face. “Did I ever tell you about the time?—”

I cover his mouth with my hand. “Point made, Dad.” I shiver all over. “Never share sex stories with me.”

“Agree not to have sex with your husband while rolling in the blood of dead assholes, and we have a deal.”

I giggle again. “Love you.”

“Love you too, sweetheart. So, so much.” His eyes rake over my gown again. “You look like a bona fide princess in that dress. You are stunning, Elisa. A beautiful woman, inside and out.”

I twirl in front of the mirror, admiring the way the fitted corset top molds to my curves, enhancing my natural assets. Tiny diamante embellishments are dotted over the top before it gives way to a wide satin sash, tied at the back in a bow. The skirt is full-on princess with layers upon layers of chiffon over tulle. I decided not to wear a veil so the dress speaks for itself. Instead, I’m wearing a crown as I prepare to marry my king.

My dress is the opposite of Gia’s sleek, sexy, figure-hugging gown. Gigi’s dress is also strapless but in an hourglass shape with a fishtail train. She’s wearing a long lace veil, and I can’t wait to see it on her. We had fun planning our double wedding, and we did everything together, including dress shopping and fittings. In all my childish imaginings, I never factored in a wedding with my best friend, but it couldn’t be more magical or more perfect. The twins are close, and it’s only fitting they get married together.

“It’s time,” Mom says, slipping into the room. She had just ducked out to ensure all the guests were seated. We’re getting married at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and a bishop is conducting our joint ceremony. It truly is a fairy tale come to life. Over three hundred friends and family members are seated in pews outside, awaiting the brides.

“You and Gia will be the talk of the town,” Mom says as more tears well in her eyes. The makeup artist has already had to fix her up twice.

“No more crying, Mom. Ria doesn’t have time to fix up your makeup again.”

“I’m just bursting with happiness for you, Elisa.”

“So smile. Don’t cry.” I laugh as I pull her into a hug.

Out in the hallway, we meet Gia and Rico. I hold hands with my best friend as we make our way toward the main part of the cathedral.

“I’m so happy we did this together,” Gigi says as we walk side by side talking in hushed voices. Our fathers are conversing quietly behind us.

“It makes it all the more special, sister.”

Tears stab her eyes. “In so many ways.” Her face is aglow, and her lips look ready to burst with whatever secret she’s holding back.

“Spill it, sis.”

“I’m pregnant,” she whispers in my ear.

I slam to a halt, staring at her in shock.

“Is everything okay,” Rico asks.

“Yes.” Gia warns me with her eyes not to say anything. She loops her arm in mine and pulls me forward. “You really need to work on your poker face, Lise.”

“It’s not that.” My heart swells behind my chest. I look at her and mouth, “I’m pregnant too.”

This time, it’s her turn to stop. “Get out!”

“Girls, what’s going on?” Dad asks.

“Nothing,” we say in unison, sporting matching grins. We lean in to one another, whispering as we walk toward the entrance doors.

“Does J know?” I whisper. She shakes her head, and I giggle. “It’s your wedding gift too?” She nods, and I giggle again. We’re so in sync.

“How far along are you?” she whispers.

“Seven weeks.”

“Oh my gawd.” She’s practically bouncing. “I’m eight weeks.”

Happy tears fill my eyes. “We’ll be pregnant together, and our kids will be cousins and best friends.”

“I didn’t think this day could get any better, but it just did,” she says as we walk up to where our bridesmaids are waiting. Shea and Aria are standing with me, and Rosa and her cousin Tosca are standing with Gia.

“You are the most stunning brides, and those twins are lucky bastards,” Frankie says, earning a frown from the priest standing to one side of the inside door. The main church doors are locked to keep the large crowd outside from gate-crashing. New York society and the media have had a field day since we announced our engagements and double wedding. Hundreds of well-wishers line the streets around the cathedral, and security has been massively ramped up for the day.

Rico steps around me, offering his arm to his daughter. Joshua is the oldest twin, so we decided Rico and Gia would walk with their bridal party first and then we’ll follow. “Ready, tesoro ?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” She turns to look at me. “See you up there, sister.”

Mom and Frankie trade beaming smiles.

“Love you,” I say, stepping back as the music starts and Gia steps through the door into the church.

“I’m proud of you,” Dad says a few minutes later when we get into position. “I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect daughter.” He softly kisses my cheek. “Your mother and I wish you and Caleb every happiness for the future, Elisa.” Tears gleam in his eyes. “I’m happy you got your man.”

“Me too, Daddy.”

The orchestra starts up our song and I lift my head, clutching Dad’s arm tight as we step through the doors. Our guests are on their feet, every head turned in our direction as we make our way up the aisle, followed by Aria in her pretty pink dress and Shea in a different style dress made in the same material.

The smile on my face is genuine as I walk toward the love of my life, and even though the walk seems long, because the cathedral is huge, it isn’t uncomfortable. I find I don’t mind the attention. Seeing so many smiling faces only adds to the surge of emotion bubbling in my chest.

I look ahead, seeing Gia and Joshua watching with large smiles on their faces, before I switch my attention to my beloved. Caleb is wearing his emotions on his face, and I have a sudden urge to lift up my dress and race toward him. Somehow, I compose myself though Daddy chuckles when my steps quicken.

Caleb looks so hot, so fuckable, so gorgeous, in his custom-fit tuxedo. His hair is neater than usual but still in that messy style I love. His eyes twinkle with love and warmth, and he is all I see as we approach. Our eyes remain fixed on one another as Dad guides me toward the other man in my life.

“You are so beautiful, Lili, I can hardly breathe,” he says when we arrive.

“Take care of our girl, Caleb,” Dad says, guiding my hand to Caleb’s.

“With my life, Alesso.” They share a nod before Dad steps back to take his seat.

“Hi.” I beam at my intended. “You are literally my every fantasy come to life, Caleb Accardi, and I’m the luckiest girl in the world to be marrying you.”

“Sure you don’t want to ditch him for me?” Cristian grins as he tries to wind my fiancé up.

“Sorry, Cristian. I’ve only had eyes for this one since I was eight.”

“Some best man you are,” Caleb teases, pulling me in close to his side.

Cristian had previously agreed to be Caleb’s best man, so Joshua asked Vittus to be his. Rowan and Giulio are their respective groomsmen, keeping it all in the family.

“You are breathtaking, Lili. I love the dress.” Clear admiration shines from my groom’s eyes, and I bask under the glow of his attention.

A throat clearing reminds us of where we are. Holding hands, we turn and face the altar the same time Gia and Joshua do.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…”

The ceremony flies by, and most of it goes over my head because I’m so fixated on my love, and he is all I see. Gia and Joshua make their vows first, and when the bishop pronounces them man and wife, we join the congregation in applause. Caleb whistles as Joshua dips his bride down low, passionately kissing her as the crowd whoops and hollers.

Then it’s our turn.

We hold hands and lock eyes as we exchange rings and recite the formal vows before adding our own. My voice projects around the large cathedral from the small mic attached to my dress as I speak first. “I fell in love with you, Caleb Accardi, the moment I met you when I was eight. It didn’t matter it wasn’t appropriate for a little girl to daydream about a teenager five years older than her, or to doodle his name all over her schoolbooks, or to paint drawings of Parisian proposals and lavish weddings, because I always knew. In my heart, I always knew you were the other half of my soul.” Oohs and aahs ring out around the congregation.

My heart feels so full as I stare at the only man I have ever loved in this way. “I can’t explain how I knew, but that truth was always there. It took some time to find our way together, but when we did, it only confirmed what I have known for most of my life. We were always meant to be. You are the man I want to share my life with. The man I want to raise a family with.” I almost choke over those words knowing how happy he’s going to be when I tell him. “The man I want to grow old with. Being with you completes me, Caleb, and I promise to love you every day for the rest of our lives. I am honored to be your wife.”

Ignoring tradition, Caleb leans in and kisses me. It’s tender and full of emotion and it melts my heart.

“We haven’t gotten to that part yet,” the bishop quips, and our guests titter.

We break our kiss, and Caleb stares adoringly at me as he states his vows. “I have adored you, Elisa Salerno, from the first moment you entered my life as a vivacious, inquisitive little girl who loved to follow me around like a faithful puppy dog.”

I swat his chest as everyone laughs.

“There were times growing up, and later in life, when I felt lost and alone, and those were the times when I always sought you out because you alone had the power to make me feel like I belonged. Your soul has always called to mine. I couldn’t explain it back then and I didn’t try because I was a coward.” He squeezes my hand. “I was afraid to confront the truth hidden in my heart for fear of failing you. You have always been the braver one of the two of us, and you fought for us when I didn’t. Deciding to fully open up to you was the best decision I ever made. I have never been happier, and it’s all because of you. You have brought out the best in me, Elisa. I wake each morning with a smile on my face because you are in my arms.”

Quiet sobbing breaks out behind us, and I’m guessing Mom and Natalia will need makeup touch-ups several times today.

“I love you, Lili. You are the other half of my heart and soul, and I can’t wait to spend every second of every day of the rest of our lives together. I am proud to call you my wife.”

Caleb clasps my face gently as the bishop pronounces us husband and wife, leaning in to kiss me as applause breaks out around us. Caleb holds my face tenderly as he kisses me deeply, sliding his tongue against mine, pouring emotion into each sweep of his lips and thrust of his tongue.

The rest of the ceremony goes by in a blur, and then we’re walking down the aisle with Gia and Joshua, all of us smiling and laughing and bursting with joy.

We take copious photos in the cathedral and out on the steps, surrounded by armed guards, while news helicopters hover overhead and media vans line the sides of the road. Well-wishers call out and cheer, and by the time we finally crawl in the back of our chauffeur-driven car, my feet are aching, and my cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

“Well, Mrs. Accardi,” Caleb says, taking our joined hands and bringing them to his lips. “How does it feel to be a married woman?”

“It’s the most amazing feeling in the world, husband.” He brushes his lips against my knuckles as he smiles. “How about you?”

“I’m on top of the world.” He stares adoringly at me, and I can’t wait a second longer to tell him.

“I have news that will heighten that feeling.”

“Do tell, wifey.”

I scoot closer, fighting tears as I take one of his hands and bring it to my stomach. “We’re having a baby.”

His eyes widen before filling with emotion. “For real, Lili?” Shock splays across his handsome face. “You’re pregnant?”

“Yes.” I hold his hand to my stomach. “We created life, Caleb, and he or she is growing inside me right now.”

“This is officially the best day of my life,” he says, leaning down to kiss my tummy.

“Every day with you is officially the best day of my life.” I wind my arms around his neck when he straightens up. “I knew it when I was eight, and I’ll still know it when I’m eighty.”

“Thank you for never giving up on me, for always believing in us.” He brushes his lips against mine.

“Thank you for making my fairy tale a reality.”

He holds me against his chest, banding his arms around me in familiar protective strength that always makes me feel safe and loved. “I will always make sure your dreams come true.”