Episode Twenty-Nine
T oday is a day that’s well overdue. I can’t believe that we haven’t already done this. I tried to talk my wife into it on multiple occasions, but Holly always tells me she doesn’t need it and that life is just too busy.
Well, now I’m making time. I decided I wouldn’t give anyone a choice in the matter. I’ve wanted to give this to her since the first moment I saw her sitting in my chair at Helena’s café. And today, I’m making it happen. With the help of Savvy. My daughter-in-law. I would have rounded the other girls into the planning but they’re all way too eager to tell their husbands everything. Savvy knows how to keep a secret, especially when she knows how annoyed Matteo will be when he finds out she knew and he didn’t.
Those women are truly amazing. How my sons managed to secure such amazing wives, I have no idea. They’re all fucking hitting above their paygrades. Especially Matteo. Savvy has always been like the daughter we never had. I have a special place for her in my heart. It feels like just yesterday she was running around in pigtails, chasing my son down wherever he went. Now, Matteo is the one constantly doing the chasing. Although I think he’s been doing that since he was about thirteen.
Theo, my eldest, is the most sensible of all my kids. Then again, given his legacy and the fact he was destined to take over the family, he never had much choice but to adopt a serious nature.
The twins? They’re a whole other ballgame. If any of my kids were going to give me a heart attack, it would be those two. They’re not so bad now that they’re grown, but when they were young… Fuck, those boys were the very definition of trouble.
Being a father is one of the best things I’ve ever done. Being a grandfather, though? That’s even better. My grandchildren are fucking amazing humans. They’re going to be the next generation leading this family, carrying on the Valentino name, and they’re going to do a great fucking job of it.
“Why are we all here?” This question comes from Luca.
“You got something better to be doing than spending time with your family?” I ask him with a raised brow.
“Yeah, recovering from a gunshot wound,” he deadpans.
I roll my eyes. Luca is our catcher. Of bullets, that is. That one has been shot more than I can count. It’s as if his body is a magnet. “You’ll survive. Not like you haven’t done it before,” I tell him.
“You all need to relax. It’s important we’re here,” Savvy scolds everyone sitting around the table.
“You know? What the fuck, babe? Why don’t I know?” Matteo grumbles from beside her.
“Because you have a fucking big-ass mouth, and if I told you, you would have told them and then the surprise would be ruined.” She gestures to his three brothers.
“Not true. There are plenty of things I don’t tell these fools.” Matteo smirks. To which, Savvy shakes her head.
“What are we waiting for? The Pope?” Theo asks, getting impatient.
“We have two more guests arriving. But first, weapons in the basket.” I point to the table. I will not have today ruined by bloodshed, and when these fuckers find out who I’m letting into this house, who I invited to this event, there’s more than one of them who will want to spill blood.
“Pops, who you expecting?” Theo asks me.
“You’ll see. Weapons,” I repeat.
Groans and mumbles float around the table as everyone disarms themselves. Why the fuck these idiots think they need to be strapped up to come to a family dinner is beyond me.
Once the basket is filled, I pick it up. “This night is for my wife. If any of you fuckers do anything to ruin it… Well, let’s just say there are fates worse than death.” I point around the table. “And you all will do well to remember that everyone who enters this house is a guest of mine, so keep your opinions and thoughts to your-fucking-selves,” I warn.
I walk through the house before dumping the basket in the living room. I really don’t want anyone armed. Not that they need to be to cause destruction. They can do enough damage all on their own. I’m actually surprised this place is still standing with how rough my boys were growing up. My grandchildren are just as bad, but at least I can send them home with their parents.
“Nonno?” The voice has me turning around. I love this kid. She’s like a mini version of me, probably more lethal.
“Aurora, sweetheart, you made it.” I hold out my arms, and my granddaughter runs right into them.
“I missed you so much. As if I wouldn’t be here when you ask me to come,” she says.
My eyes stay on the Irish fucker standing in the doorway. His eyes, however, stay firmly planted on my granddaughter. Fucking idiot just walked into the enemy’s house and he’s acting like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Thank you,” I tell Aurora before gesturing to the basket. “You know the drill.”
“Really, Nonno?” she huffs.
“I made them all do it. It’s only fair you both do it too,” I tell her.
“Fine. It’s not like I need any of these anyway,” she says as she starts to unload everything she’s somehow managed to hide on herself. It really is an art how many weapons the girl can secure on her person.
When she’s finished, she turns to Connor fucking O’Malley. The reason my granddaughter hasn’t been home for the past six months. “Weapons,” she says to him.
The little prick walks up to Aurora. “You sure about this?”
She nods her head. “I’m certain it’ll be fine.”
Connor retrieves his own stash of weapons, which is somehow more than what my granddaughter had on her.
“Anyone ever tell you two that you’re fucking paranoid fuckers?” I shake my head. “Come on, everyone is outside.” I lead Aurora and Connor, who are walking hand in hand behind me, out to the back deck. Where the rest of the family is waiting.
“Oh, fuck no.” Lorenzo stands from his seat.
“Sit the fuck down.” I point at him.
“No fucking way, Nonno.” Enzo stands next.
“Aurora, princess?” Matteo pushes back from his seat, circling the table to approach his daughter.
“Hey, Papa,” she says with a smile. “Surprise.” Usually she’d be in his arms by now, but she’s not letting go of that fucker’s hand.
“Baby, I didn’t know you were coming.” Savvy runs over and pulls Aurora into a hug. She returns it with her free arm.
“I’m going to kill him,” Lorenzo grunts.
“No, you’re not.” Aurora glares at her oldest brother.
“Yeah, who’s going to stop me? You?” He laughs.
“No, me. Sit the fuck down, all of you,” Theo yells over the chatter.
Everyone stops talking. Everyone except Lorenzo, who grumbles, “The night is young. Plenty of time for blood.”
“Come on, sit down,” I tell Aurora and Connor. Once the two of them are seated, I walk back over to my chair and hold out my hand to Holly, guiding her to her feet. “I wanted the whole family here for this. Bray and Reilly couldn’t join us in person, so they’ll be here on video chat.”
“Oh my god, T, what’s going on?” Holly asks, looking at her sister and brother-in-law as soon as they pop up on the large screen behind us.
“We’re getting married,” I tell her.
“Um… we’re already married, T. Have been for a really long time. Are you okay?” Holly narrows her glare at me.
“I’m well aware that you’re my wife. But I never gave you a proper wedding. And that’s what I’m giving you tonight. In front of all our family.” I lean in and kiss her forehead. “I’m sorry this hasn’t happened sooner.”
“I don’t need a wedding. I have you.” Holly smiles up at me. “Also, I have nothing to wear.”
“Ah, I have that covered. Come on.” Savvy stands before looking to her daughter. “Aurora, come with us.”
“Ah, Ma, I think I’ll stay here,” Aurora says while her eyes flick around the table.
“He will be fine, princess. Go with your mother,” Matteo chimes in.
Aurora looks to Connor. He nods once. “It’s okay. Go. I’ll be fine.”
I can see the indecision on my granddaughter’s face. “Aurora, I won’t let them do anything,” I tell her.
“But I might,” Theo grumbles from beside me.
“You know Dante and Josie are holding hands under the table.” Aurora smirks.
“What the fuck?” Dante hisses.
“Sorry. Need his focus elsewhere.” Aurora shrugs and then leans in and whispers something to Connor, who simply nods again. When she stands, she looks at everyone. “I swear to God, any of you idiots touch him, and I will show you a crazy like you’ve never seen before.” With that warning, she follows her mother and grandmother into the house.
“You knew what he was planning? That’s why you insisted on getting our nails done yesterday?” I ask Savvy.
“I knew. But I swear he made me keep it secret,” she admits.
“I have no doubt,” I tell her before taking my granddaughter’s hand in mine as we make our way up the stairs. “Now, Aurora, tell me everything. It’s been way too long.”
“I put your dress in the first guest room,” Savvy says.
“Thank you,” I tell her.
“Nonna, he is the perfect… well, everything.” Aurora smiles, a distant look on her face.
“I don’t want to hear anything a mother shouldn’t be hearing,” Savvy groans. “But I am happy you’re back.”
“We can’t stay, Mama.” Aurora shakes her head. “Not yet.”
“I know, sweetheart, but I can dream, can’t I?” Savvy’s lips tip into a sad smile.
The moment I walk into the room, I see the dress. My daughter-in-law really did go all out. “Oh my gosh, it’s beautiful.” I pull Savvy into a hug. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
“Your husband is a hopeless romantic,” she says.
As I look around, my palms in T’s, I can’t imagine being any happier. I can’t believe he did this. For me. My gaze falls to the screen. Bray is holding Reilly’s hand. Her gaze is distant. She doesn’t know what’s happening. And as sad as that makes me, I’m glad she’s still here to see this. And that her girls are here with us too.
“I love you. More than anything in this world,” T tells me.
“I love you,” I tell him.
“Let’s begin.” A celebrant was already waiting for us on the back deck, which is now covered in candles and flowers. I don’t know how T had the space transformed in such a short time. But when my husband wants something, he always finds a way to get it. “You have vows you want to share with your wife?” the celebrant directs to T, who nods.
“Holly, you have given me a life I never dreamed a man like me could have. You have been my rock, my best friend, the best mother to our children and grandmother to our grandchildren. With you, I’ve experienced more happiness than one person really should experience in a lifetime. With you, I feel loved beyond measure. Thank you for allowing me to be your husband and for living this life with me. I know it hasn’t always been easy, but you never complain. You never waver in your support. I have loved you from the moment I saw you and every day since. I will continue to love you for the rest of this life and the ones that come after.”
My cheeks are wet with tears. “I love you,” I whisper as I try to regain my composure.
“Mrs. Valentino, do you have vows you want to share with your husband?” the celebrant asks me.
“I wasn’t prepared for this.” I laugh. “But I don’t need to be. T, you have been my best friend since the day you barged into my life— unapologetically . There isn’t a single thing I’d change about the life we’ve shared. There isn’t a single thing about you that I don’t love. Life with you is always an adventure, and I can’t wait to see where the next episode of our love takes us.”
“I love you,” T says before leaning in and capturing my lips.
“You may kiss the bride, I guess,” the celebrant mutters, and everyone around us chuckles.
This man, my husband, really is my very own Prince Charming. The love he gives me every day is unwavering. It’s the kind of love I hope everyone eventually finds for themselves.