Epilogue #2
Enzo takes my left hand, and when he slides the ring onto my finger, the look on his face is filled with reverence.
“Rosellina,” he says, his tone deep and clear, “receive this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness.” My vision blurs again, and his thumb brushes over the ring.
“In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Amen,” I whisper.
Father Gallo places Enzo’s ring in my palm, and my fingers tremble as I take his hand, and for a second, I just look at him. This man, who has been my friend, my safe place, my heartbreak, and my greatest love.
This man, who is about to be my husband.
“Enzo,” I say softly, sliding the wedding band onto his finger, “receive this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”
“Amen,” he murmurs.
Father Gallo looks at us, then at the cathedral full of our family. “What God joins together, let no one put asunder.” Enzo and I don’t look away from each other as the priest says, “It is my honor to pronounce you husband and wife.”
My heart stops for one perfect second.
Husband and wife.
“Enzo, you may kiss your bride.”
My brand-new husband lifts a hand to my cheek, his palm warm against my skin, and the cathedral disappears around us as he leans closer. “My wife,” he whispers.
It feels as if my heart bursts wide open, unable to contain all the happiness I feel right now, then his mouth meets mine, and the kiss is soft and full of every promise we just made.
Cheers and applause erupt from the pews as people start calling out, Finally! and About damn time! and one very heartfelt Thank God! that makes laughter ripple through the cathedral.
But all I feel is Enzo as his arm wraps around my waist, holding me close as he kisses me like this is the beginning of everything, like every road we’ve walked has led us here, like from this moment on, the rest of our lives belong to us.
When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, and his smile is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
“Hi, Mrs. La Rosa-Falco,” he murmurs.
The name was Enzo’s idea. He said I’m my parents’ only child, and there was no damn way the La Rosa name would end with me when we had the power to carry it forward together.
I lift my hand to his cheek, smiling so hard my cheeks ache. “Hi, Mr. La Rosa-Falco.”
Enzo
Arriving at one of the hotels that belong to my family, I grip my wife’s hand tightly as I lead her through the lobby, barely taking in any of the heavy security that’s been arranged for today.
I only have eyes for Rosie as she walks beside me in a cloud of ivory lace and silk, her veil trailing behind her while the diamonds sewn into her dress catch the light with every step.
Christ, she looks fucking beautiful.
Rosie La Rosa-Falco is mine.
Forever.
When the double doors open to the ballroom, she stops beside me, and her fingers tighten around mine.
The hall has been transformed into a stunning sight that makes Rosie’s breath catch in her throat.
Tall crystal chandeliers give a warm light to the room while hundreds of candles flicker where they stand in gold and glass cylinders. White roses, orchids, and soft greenery climb the walls and frame the high windows, with long garlands running down the center of every table.
The place smells like flowers, champagne, and expensive perfection.
At the far end of the room, our bridal table waits on a raised platform, covered in ivory silk with gold edging and a heavy fall of white roses spilling over the front.
Behind it, a wall of flowers frames our names in glowing script.
Enzo & Rosie La Rosa-Falco.
Leaning in, I ask, “You okay, bella mia?”
She turns her face toward mine, a smile trembling around her mouth and so much happiness in her eyes that it makes my chest ache.
“With you by my side, I will always be okay.”
I tug her closer, and wrapping my arm around her, I dip her backward.
“Enzo!” she gasps, her veil spilling behind her while her hands fly to my shoulders.
The moment I crush my mouth to hers, the ballroom erupts with whistles and cheers.
I kiss my wife with every ounce of love and desire I feel for her, and when I pull her upright again, she’s breathless and glowing.
“Wow,” she breathes dreamily. “There you go making my heart skip a beat and giving me butterflies.”
I brush my thumb over her bottom lip. “Hopefully I can still manage to make that happen when we’re old and gray.”
Rosie’s eyes soften on me. “I like the sound of that.”
Taking her hand, I lead her toward our table, with everyone still cheering, ready to celebrate our special day with us.
Gianna and Aunt Eden meet Rosie at the bridal table and carefully remove the veil before my wife sits down.
I glance over the room. Christiano and Sienna sit at the table to my left with Dad and Mom. On Rosie’s side, Aunt Eden takes her seat next to Uncle Dario with Tyrone and Esmerelda, Rosie’s grandparents, smiling through tears as they look from her to me.
Around them, the rest of our family and our closest friends get comfortable, the low sound of voices and laughter filling the hall.
“Why are you so quiet?” Rosie asks.
I turn my body toward hers, and leaning in, I kiss the side of her neck before answering, “I’m just looking at everyone that’s here today.”
Servers flood the room, drawing my attention for a couple of seconds as they fill flutes with champagne, and when Riccardo, who’s my best man, takes his position behind a microphone, I know the speeches are about to start.
He taps the mic, and it screeches, getting everyone’s attention. “Well, that did the trick.” He chuckles. “Can everyone raise their glasses to our beautiful bride and the groom, who’s lucky that she said yes?”
A murmur of chuckles spread over all the tables.
I reach for Rosie’s hand, and settling it on my thigh, I brush my thumb over her knuckles while looking down at the soft pink nail polish she’s wearing.
My lips curve up, and I meet her eyes. “You actually put on nail polish for today?”
“Miracles happen,” she mutters. “I mean, you’re wearing a bow tie.”
Riccardo clears his throat, and we both look at him. Then he says, “Uncle Dario would like to say a few words.”
I watch as my father-in-law steps up behind the mic, then he grins at my father, “We’re in-laws. How do you like that?”
Uncle Dario has always been like a younger brother to Dad. “Gabriella and I love Rosie, but you, not so much,” Dad calls out.
“Nah, I don’t believe that. You love me,” Uncle Dario says into the mic, then he blows Dad a kiss, and everyone starts chuckling. “Admit it, you can’t live without me.”
“Yeah-yeah,” Dad grumbles. “You know I love you.”
Uncle Dario turns to look at me. “And now I get to call this amazing man you raised my own.” And just like that, emotions ripple through the room.
“Enzo, you are the only one I ever wanted by my daughter’s side.
From the moment I first saw her following you around like a shadow, my heart begged and prayed to all that would listen, you would be slapped upside the goddamn head because…
” he gestures at Rosie, “Just look at her. She’s my whole heart walking around outside my chest, and there isn’t another man in this world I would trust with her the way I trust you.
So thank you for finally getting your head out of your ass, because the rest of us have been waiting for this day for a very long time. ”
“Amen,” Adriano calls out, making laughter ripple around us.
“But in all seriousness,” Uncle Dario continues, “There is no greater gift than standing here today and seeing my daughter receive the love she has always deserved. Rosie has carried so much with grace, courage, and a heart that never turns cold, and Enzo, you’ve become the man who sees every part of her in a way that none of us do.
You love her in a way that’s so special, it brings me peace.
And that’s all a father can ever pray for.
Not perfection. Not an easy road. Just a love strong enough to hold through every storm, and looking at the two of you today, I know that’s exactly what you have. ”
Uncle Dario begins to move away from the microphone, but then pauses and looks me dead in the eye. “Oh, by the way, you better call us Mom and Dad from here on out. None of that awkward shit with you taking eleven years to do it.”
Smiling at him, I chuckle. “You’re never going to let it go, are you?” He shakes his head, then lifts an eyebrow at me, and I say, “Thank you for the beautiful words, Dad.”
Rosie turns her hand beneath mine and weaves our fingers while leaning in and pressing a kiss to my jaw.
Then my father climbs to his feet and walks to the small podium. When he stops behind the microphone, he takes a deep breath before looking at my bride.