Epilogue
Rosie
I stand in the bridal room inside the cathedral, dressed in white, with Mom in front of me and my bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath in my hands.
For a few seconds, neither of us says anything.
Mom just looks at me with tears shining in her eyes, and the love on her face makes my chest ache in the best way.
“You’re going to make me cry,” I whisper.
She lets out a shaky laugh and carefully pats a crumpled tissue beneath her eyes. “Dammit! I promised myself I’d behave.”
“You’re doing a terrible job,” I tease her.
“I know.” Her smile trembles as she reaches for my hand. “How am I supposed to keep it together when my daughter looks so beautiful on her special day?”
My throat tightens, then she steps closer and cups my cheek, her thumb brushing gently over my skin as she takes me in like she’s trying to memorize this moment.
“You are the most perfect part of my life, Rosie. I’m so proud of how hard you fought for your happily ever after.”
I blink fast, refusing to ruin my makeup before Enzo gets to see me.
“I love you, Mom,” I say, my voice hoarse.
“I love you, my baby.”
“Aaaand I’m crying again,” Gianna groans from behind us. “Why did I even bother putting on makeup?”
I glance over my shoulder to find my best friend standing by the mirror in her maid of honor dress, trying to save what’s left of her makeup.
“Screw it,” she mutters as she throws in the towel. “I’m going to cry my eyes out because my best friend is marrying my brother.”
Mom laughs and reaches for the back of my dress. “Come, Gianna. Help me make sure everything is perfect.”
Gianna moves in behind me, and together, she and Mom fuss with my dress and veil one last time, then she smirks as she says, “I can’t wait to see the look on Enzo’s face when you walk down the aisle.
Christiano, Valentina, and I have bets. I say Enzo cries like a baby.
Valentina thinks his stubborn armor isn’t going to crack, and Christiano wholeheartedly believes Enzo will be too stunned to remember his vows. ”
Mom and I chuckle at their silly bet, then there’s a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” Mom calls out.
“The love of your life,” Dad replies.
“You can come in, Uncle Dario,” Gianna says, her tone filled with laughter.
When the door opens and Dad steps inside, he freezes the second he sees me. His whole face changes, and for once, my strong, always playful father looks like the sight of me has ripped the ground out from under his feet.
“Christ,” he gasps, his eyes drifting over my dress and veil before settling on my face, and the pride and emotion that tighten his features make my heart squeeze. “Rosellina,” he breathes reverently.
Gianna quickly takes my flowers while I give him a trembling smile. “Hi, Daddy.”
Slowly, he walks toward me, like he needs a second to take it all in, and when he reaches me, he holds out his hands, and I place mine in his.
I feel the same steadiness he’s given me my whole life in his tight grip.
God, I’ve been blessed with the best parents anybody could ask for.
“You look perfect,” Dad murmurs, his voice hoarse.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
His mouth lifts at the corner. “I’m already hanging on by a thread.”
Mom laughs behind us, and I feel the happiness spread through the room.
Dad leans down and kisses my forehead. “Are you ready to marry Enzo?”
Just hearing the words makes my heartbeat speed up.
I glance at the closed door, knowing Enzo is waiting in front of the altar for me.
I once said it would never happen, but apparently never only lasted until today.
“Yes,” I whisper. “I’m ready.”
Mom presses one last kiss to my cheek while Gianna smooths the train of my dress, then Mom comes to stand in front of me, and she lowers the veil over my face.
Do not cry. Do not cry. Do not cry!
“Perfect,” Gianna says, sounding emotional all over again.
Mom gives me a loving smile. “We’ll be right behind you.”
Dad offers me his arm, and I slide my hand into the crook.
Gianna opens the door and signals to everyone that we’re ready, then the music stops.
Silence hangs in the air for a few seconds before the song Enzo and I chose begins to play.
As I Get To Love You by Ruelle fills the air, I walk beside Dad, and with every step, my heart beats faster and faster, and I fight the tears with all my might.
When we reach the beginning of the aisle, Dad stops, and everyone remains seated. I wanted it that way so no one’s view would be obscured.
The pews are filled with the most important people in my world, all of them looking at me with smiles, tears, and so much love it makes my perfect day… perfect.
Then my eyes land on Enzo, where he’s waiting for me in front of the altar, dressed in a black suit that makes him look even more powerful than usual.
My heart skips a beat at the sight of him. My Enzo, the man who has stood beside me through every version of my life, and now he’s standing in front of the church and our family, waiting to become my husband.
The moment his eyes lock on me, his expression changes. The tight control he always has vanishes, and he looks at me as if I’m every wish he’s ever made, and today they’re all coming true.
His lips part, and pride, wonder, and love tighten his features, and I know, with every part of me, that he isn’t just taking in the dress or the veil.
Like me, he knows this moment is filled with every promise, every dream, and all the love we once held back and now get to give each other every single day for the rest of our lives.
My smile trembles as tears blur my vision because I finally get to marry the man I love.
When we reach the altar, Dad keeps me beside him for a little longer. Slowly, I turn to him, and his eyes shine as he gently folds my veil back.
God, there’s so much pride on his face, so much love, that I can’t hold back the tears any longer, and as he leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead, they roll down my cheeks.
“You were mine first,” he whispers, obliterating the last of my self-control.
“Oh God,” I sob. “I’ll always be yours, Daddy.”
Dad looks at me for another second, like letting go is the hardest thing he’s ever had to do, then he takes Enzo’s hand and places it over mine.
I do my best to rein in my tears and take deep breaths while Dad and Enzo just look at each other for a moment, then Dad says, “I give you the most precious thing I have, Enzo. If your love for her ever changes, give her back to me with the same respect I’m showing you now.”
Enzo’s fingers close around mine, warm and sure, but his eyes stay locked with Dad’s. “In front of all that’s holy and the family, I swear to you that I will treat your daughter with respect and love until my last breath.”
Dad holds his gaze, then nods once before stepping away and taking his seat beside Mom, who’s crying silently.
Enzo lifts my hand to his mouth, pressing a kiss to my knuckles while his eyes stay on mine, then he whispers, “Hi, bella mia. You look absolutely breathtaking.”
A laugh breaks through my tears. “Hi.” I give his hand a squeeze. “I’m glad you’re being forced to wear this suit the whole day because, damn, you look incredibly handsome.”
A few soft chuckles ripple through the pews, and Enzo’s mouth curves, but the look in his eyes remains tender as he asks, “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” I glance at our joined hands, then back at him. “I’ve been ready for years.”
His thumb brushes over my fingers, and his smile deepens until it makes the green flecks in his eyes stand out.
Father Gallo begins the ceremony, his voice carrying through the cathedral where my parents got married, where I was baptized, where my family had my funeral, and now, where my biggest dream is coming true.
“Enzo Custanti Falco and Rosellina La Rosa, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
Enzo doesn’t hesitate. “I have.”
I’m so emotional my voice catches as I answer, “I have.”
Father Gallo looks between us. “Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honor each other for as long as you both shall live?”
This time, we answer at the same time, “We are.”
I swear it feels as if a powerful emotion moves through the cathedral.
Father Gallo nods, then continues, “Since it is your intention to enter into the covenant of Holy Matrimony, join your right hands and declare your consent before God and His Church.”
Enzo turns fully toward me, and the entire cathedral fades until there’s only him.
He takes both my hands in his, and when he speaks, his voice is steady, even though his eyes are shining with unshed tears.
“I, Enzo Custanti Falco, take you, Rosellina La Rosa, for my lawful wife…” My heart pounds so hard it almost hurts, “…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I promise to be faithful to you,” he adds his own little twist while holding my gaze, “and to love and honor you all the days of my life.”
By the time he reaches the end, my lips are trembling, and a tear rolls down Enzo’s cheek. I reach up and brush it away, then Father Gallo nods at me.
I draw in a deep breath, but it quivers on its way out.
Enzo’s thumbs brush over my hands, grounding me in the steady way he always has.
“I, Rosellina La Rosa, take you, Enzo Custanti Falco, for my lawful husband…” His features tighten with emotion as he listens to my vow, “…to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. I promise to be faithful to you, and to love and honor you all the days of my life.”
Riccardo steps forward and places the rings in Father Gallo’s hand before stepping back again. The priest blesses our wedding bands, but I can hardly look away from Enzo.
“Enzo,” Father Gallo says, as he puts my ring in Enzo’s palm, “place this ring on Rosellina’s finger and repeat after me.”