40. Aria
Chapter forty
Aria
One Month Later
Elio is on his way to becoming free…free from the danger, free from the mafia.
The weight of that realization fills my chest with a sense of security I never thought I’d have. After years of living with the fear that his world would swallow him whole, he’s finally making the big move to walk away and choose a future where we aren’t constantly looking over our shoulders.
Knowing it wouldn’t be a day’s job to fully separate himself from the mafia, he’s promised to get there within a year. While he’s working toward that day, today marks the day we officially march into our forever. It’s our wedding day.
The grand ballroom of Elio’s latest luxury addition, the Dona IV Hotel, is bathed in a soft golden light from the towering chandeliers. Ivory and gold drapes cascade from the high ceilings, and the air is fragrant with white roses and peonies.
I stand at the entrance, my fingers curled around my bouquet of white roses. My wedding dress clings to my body in all the right places before flaring into an elegant train behind me. The fabric is a delicate ivory satin shimmering under the lights and hugging my curves, including my baby bump.
The dress had to be tailored to accommodate my growing stomach, and though I was self-conscious at first, seeing Elio's face light up when I stepped into the ballroom made all my worries vanish.
My gaze darts towards the makeshift altar again.
Elio stands there?sexy as ever?dressed in a black tuxedo with a crisp white dress shirt and a black silk bow tie. A single white rose is pinned to his lapel, matching my bouquet. His dark hair is neatly styled, but a few strands have fallen onto his forehead, making him look both polished and effortlessly handsome.
And his eyes…those deep, dark, unreadable eyes that have held so much violence and power now only hold one thing: Me .
Cortez is standing beside him in a navy tuxedo with a white shirt but he doesn’t have a bow tie on. Mia is standing across from him on the opposite side of the altar.
I take a deep breath and begin walking forward, my arm looped around my dad’s.
“It’s okay, honey. Don’t be nervous. I’m sure your mother would be proud,” Dad soothes and I smile.
Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit with a silver tie, Dad’s graying hair is slicked back, his sharp blue eyes trained forward…at Elio. He’s the only man who’s ever truly terrified Elio, not because of power?but because he’s my father. Because he knows that if he ever made me unhappy, my father wouldn’t hesitate to make him pay.
At least that’s what my father told him when we went to inform him that we’d be getting married again, for real this time. Even though my father has eased back from his workaholic ways, he remains just as formidable as ever, especially when it comes to people he cares about.
The fact that Elio had saved his life in the most unfavorable situation had already made Dad softer toward Elio, but the turning point for him was when he heard that Elio was giving up the mafia for me. That made him finally give his blessing for our marriage.
The ceremony begins as soon as I arrive at the altar. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my fingertips. When Dad lets me go, I clutch Elio’s hands, my fingers trembling slightly in his warm grip. Elio’s adoring eyes hold my shaky gaze as the priest begins to speak.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Elio Donatelli and Aria Abruzzi in holy matrimony.” The priest’s voice sounds far away like all of this is happening somewhere in my head and not in reality. “Marriage is not just a bond of love, but a promise, a vow to walk together through all of life’s joys and trials.”
Elio squeezes my hands, and I exhale slowly. The world feels smaller in this moment, like it’s just him and me, standing on the edge of forever.
“Mr. Donatelli,” the priest nods at him, “please share your vows.”
Elio clears his throat, his thumb brushing over the back of my hand. “Aria,” he says, voice thick with emotion, “I have spent years in a world that demanded force, control, and sacrifice. I never thought I’d find someone who could pull me out of it, someone who’d make me want more. Until you stepped into my life. You showed me that true love does exist. Something I never thought I was capable of feeling…or giving. You gave me something worth leaving everything behind for. You are my peace… You are my home . And I swear, for the rest of my life, I will love you, honor you, and protect you.”
A lump rises in my throat. My eyes sting. I squeeze his hands back, trying to breathe past the emotions swelling inside me. My eyes blur with tears, but I don’t let them fall.
“Miss Abruzzi,” the priest turns to me, “please share your vows.”
I swallow, my throat tight. I raise my teary eyes to look into Elio’s eyes. “I…” I pause, collecting myself. “I once heard that love isn’t just about finding the right person, but choosing them every day. Elio, I choose you. I choose you over and over, every single day. I choose you in the quiet moments and the loud ones, in the easy days and the impossible ones. I promise to love you fiercely, to challenge you, to laugh with you, and to hold your hand through every chapter of our story. You have all of me, and I have you.”
A single tear escapes down my cheek, and Elio catches it with his thumb, his smile soft and knowing.
Looking stunning in her champagne-colored satin gown, Mia steps forward to hand me the diamond ring with a proud smile. I collect the ring, just as Elio does the same with Cortez. Smiling at each other, we slip the rings onto each other’s ring finger.
The priest clasps his hands together. “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He nods at Elio. “You may now kiss the bride.”
The words are barely out of the priest’s mouth. His hands frame my face as he leans in, his lips pressing against mine. He tastes like home. The room erupts in cheers, but all I hear is the sound of my own heart beating in time against him.
***
The music shifts from instrumental jazz to a soft, romantic melody floating through the room as the lights dim slightly. A hush spreads as Elio and I step onto the dance floor.
The moment we take our first step, wisps of artificial smoke curl around our feet, creating the illusion that we are dancing on clouds. Elio’s hand is wrapped firmly against my waist, his touch anchoring the small of my back as we move in perfect rhythm. The music swells, and he spins me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.
A soft murmur ripples through the crowd; awed whispers, quiet sighs, and the occasional “They look perfect together.” The ballroom is jam-packed with Dad’s colleagues from work, my friends from both school and my internship, a few of Mario’s friends from Mia’s newspaper, and Elio's rich acquaintances. Initially, it was supposed to be a small celebration, but then we both decided, since it’s our real wedding, it should be an elaborate one.
When Elio brings the soft waltz to an end, applause erupts, accompanied by a few whistles and cheers. I glance breathlessly at Elio, and he grins, brushing a stray curl from my face.
Elio and I make our way from table to table, greeting our acquaintances and loved ones, when I notice people stepping aside, voices lowering. And then I see... Ezra.
He is impossible to miss. Tall and broad-shouldered, his presence alone demands attention, just like Elio. He’s dressed in a tailored three-piece black suit, the crisp white shirt underneath unbuttoned at the collar, giving him an effortless yet commanding look.
His emerald-green eyes scan the room, sharp and observant, always assessing. Even here, at a wedding, he carries himself like a man still in control of everything around him.
His wife, Raven, walks beside him. She is a stunning woman with brown eyes and dark, long hair s tyled in an elegant twist. She’s wearing a golden brown silk gown that hugs her figure, the color a perfect match to her eyes.
Two cute boys are holding on to her hands, while their sweet little sister looks quite comfortable in Ezra’s arms. They all look so adorable together.
Elio straightens beside me, his posture shifting slightly?not tensely?becoming more alert.
“Elio,” Ezra says, his deep voice cutting above the room’s noise.
“ Capo ,” Elio responds with a nod.
Ezra’s lips curl into a smirk as his gaze flickers to my baby bump.
“I see you finally settled, my man!”
Elio chuckles. “It was about time, no?”
Ezra looks at me now, his sharp eyes softening just slightly. “And you must be Aria.”
I nod. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
He studies my sheepish smile for a beat before glancing back at Elio. “You did well.” There’s an approval in his tone as if he’s not just talking about the wedding but about the life Elio has chosen.
Turning to Raven, I smile. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Raven.”
She throws me a smile and winks. “Welcome to the club, Aria.”
Elio gestures toward a quieter corner. “Come, facciamo due chiacchiere (let’s have a chat).”
We step aside but I’m close enough to hear them.
Ezra clasps Elio’s shoulder before speaking in Italian. “ Allora, è vero (So, it’s true). Hai lasciato tutto (You left it all).”
“ Sì (Yes).” Elio’s voice is steady, as if whether Ezra approves of his decision or not, he’s proud for choosing me over the mafia. “ Era ora (It was time). Non potevo continuare su quella strada e avere una vita con lei . (I couldn’t continue on that path and have a life with her).” He looks back at me and I give him a small smile.
Ezra tilts his head slightly, the toddler in his hand squirming for attention. “ Capisco (I understand). Ma dimmi, è l'impero della famiglia al sicuro (But tell me, is the family’s empire safe)?”
Elio nods. “ Cortez è pronto (Cortez is ready). Sarà un buon capo (He’ll be a good leader).”
Ezra exhales, rubbing his jaw. “ Bene (Good). è importante che qualcuno di fidato tenga tutto sotto controllo (It’s important that someone trustworthy keeps everything in check).”
Elio smirks slightly. “ Pensavo che mi avresti detto che ero pazzo a mollare tutto (I thought you’d tell me I was crazy for giving it all up).”
Ezra chuckles, shaking his head. “ Forse qualche anno fa l’avrei fatto ( Maybe a few years ago, I would have). Ma ho visto abbastanza sangue (But I’ve seen enough blood). At some point, you realize peace is worth more than power.”
Elio nods in agreement. “ Hai mai rimpianto di aver lasciato (Have you ever regretted leaving)?”
Ezra’s gaze flickers to his wife, then back to Elio. “Never.” He claps Elio on the back. “Congratulations, Brother. You made the right choice.”
Elio nods, looking towards me again with a content smile. “I know.”
As Ezra, his wife, and kids move on, I look up at Elio, seeing the way his expression has softened, every sign of tension gone.
“You really did make the right choice,” I murmur as he walks over to encircle me with his arms. Elio turns to me, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I know,” he says, his voice lower, meant only for me. “Because I chose you.”
***
Four Months Later
The pain is unbearable.
I grip the sheets, gasping as another sharp contraction hits. The room is a blur of bright lights and hurried voices, but all I can focus on is Elio’s hand gripping mine. His knuckles are white, his face tight with worry.
“You’re doing great,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to my sweaty forehead. “Just a little more.”
I shake my head, panting. “I can’t...”
“Yes, you can, Princess.” His voice is firm and steady. “You’re the strongest person I know. You’ve got this.”
A nurse counts down, encouraging me to push. I scream through clenched teeth, every muscle in my body burning with effort. And then, finally…
A cry.
A sharp, piercing cry that makes my entire world shift.
Tears spill down my cheeks as the doctor holds up a tiny, wriggling baby. My baby.
I barely hear the words “It’s a boy!” over the sound of my own sobs. Elio’s grip on my hand tightens before he releases me, standing quickly as the nurse places our son in his arms.
My heart is thudding heavily as I watch Elio stare down at the small, pink bundle. His expression is unreadable for a moment… he looks stunned, overwhelmed… and then it softens into something indescribable.
Love. Pure, unfiltered love.
He turns to me, his voice thick when he speaks. “Aria… he’s perfect.”
I reach for our baby, and the moment he’s in my arms, everything else fades away. His tiny fingers curl against my chest, his eyes barely opening as he lets out a small, content sigh.
Elio sits beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pressing a kiss to my temple. “Aria, you truly showed me what pure love is: you, our baby, us… this moment. For that, I will cherish you forever,” he murmurs.
I look at him, then back at our son.
“I love you, too,” I whisper. “Both of you.”