6. Leora
CHAPTER SIX
Leora
T here are people all around me, rushing back and forth in a noisy, beautiful chaotic and energetic buzz. I am so excited I want to scream.
It’s my wedding day.
I’m marrying the first man I ever kissed. My first crush.
I can’t believe it.
I’m the luckiest girl in the world.
When my father came home that night, after his meeting with Vincent Vece - when he told me I was going to be marrying the oldest son, Masaccio - I almost cried I was so happy. I really struggled to hide my emotions. I didn’t want my dad to know I even knew Masaccio because it might have upset him.
But today is different. I don’t care at this point if my dad finds out I knew Mas before the arrangements were made - it’s too late to change anything.
I don’t have to hide how I feel because today is going to be the happiest day of my life, and I want to celebrate every single moment of it.
“Here, stand still, wait, let me clip it in.” Isabelle grabs my arms and turns me to face the mirror. “Will you calm down? It’s like you’ve had too much caffeine or something.” She complains, trying to clip the tiara into the braided curls on top of my head. I am wiggling and dancing on the spot. I have too much energy to stand still.
“Put it further forward, the veil is going there.” I point to the back of my head.
“Oh, right?” She pins it into my hair and then rests her chin on my shoulder from behind me. “You really look so beautiful. I can’t believe it was my wedding just the other day - and now it’s yours - I never - in a million years - could have seen this coming.” She laughs.
“I think I always knew. Somehow. I’ve always felt there was something special between Mas and me.” I haven’t admitted that to anyone out loud. It feels good to say it. It feels real and true.
She shakes her head, still smiling. “Alright. Let’s get all the bridesmaids together and do a final make up check and then I think we are ready to get going.”
Isabelle turns away from me and calls the bridesmaids together.
Dalila, Masaccio’s sister, is my maid of honor. She seems just as excited as I am about her older brother getting married.
“Are we ready?” She asks Isabelle as she comes to stand with us. “Oh, my word, Leora, you look so beautiful.”
“Thanks.” I grin. I look beautiful. I feel like a princess.
I don’t know why but Masaccio’s father has gone overboard with everything. I saw the cake this morning. It’s the size of a car. And the decorations had my jaw on the floor. The venue is massive, I don’t even know how many people are coming, but every wall, every corner, every table is dripping with white and cream flowers. Chandeliers are hanging over every table too, and the lighting - oh my word it is to die for. I couldn’t even have dreamed up a more amazing setting. I think he hired the best of the best when it came to decorators and planners.
“Ladies, they are ready for you—” The wedding planner sticks her head through the doorway and starts ushering us out into the hall.
My stomach flips with nervous excitement.
I am about to marry the man of my dreams.
Someone hands me a bunch of flowers. Roses and lilies and giant cream daffodils. They smell lovely.
As I’m walking, Dalila rushes over to me and clips the veil into my hair. “I can’t believe we almost forgot that.” She laughs, then walks next to me towards the church.
My mind falls silent when the church organ plays and beautiful music seeps into my heart. The church doors open, and I walk towards them - my feet don’t feel like they belong to me. I feel like I’m in a movie.
I gasp when I see him standing at the altar.
He is wearing a crisp black tuxedo. A single white rose tucked into the pocket. His face is stern, serious, his eyes piercing into me.
A massive smile stretches across my cheeks, and I am sure he can see how happy I am. I want him to know how happy I am.
We haven’t even seen each other since the night we kissed.
I haven’t said a word to him since then.
And now I am about to marry him.
I walk past my friends and family, glancing towards my father with a broad smile. He isn’t smiling. I know this is hard for him. If only I could be really honest about how I’ve dreamed of this moment since I first saw Masaccio.
Then my attention is on him. My soon to be husband.
The priest talks for a long time, and I hear him in the distance, behind my thoughts of how gorgeous Mas looks. He is just staring at me. Not smiling, not moving. He’s taking this very seriously.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
This is the moment I have been waiting for. I take a breath, waiting for him to step forward and sweep me backwards like they do in the movies.
He steps forward. His hand touches my hip. He gently, quickly kisses my lips.
What the fuck was that?
Confusion seeps into me.
Was that it?
Was that our magical moment wedding kiss?
He takes my hand and pulls me down the aisle to walk towards the doors.
Maybe he’s shy, it might embarrass him to kiss me in front of all of these people.
The kiss we shared on the dance floor was a hundred times more intense than that one.
It’s ok. We have our whole lives ahead of us now and plenty of beautiful moments together.
A t the reception hundreds of people are congratulating us. Most of them I don’t know, but I’m so happy I just enjoy every second.
Masaccio gets called aside by one of his brothers and my father comes to stand with me.
He looks sour.
“Daddy, aren’t you having fun? This wedding is just—”
“It’s over the top. It’s way over the top. He did this on purpose.” He whispers in a harsh tone.
“What do you mean? Who did what on purpose?” I ask confused.
“Vincent Vece. He spent more money on this wedding that what he is giving me to clear my debt. And he invited the entire planet just so that he could rub it in my face.” He snaps.
I bite my lip. I wish my father didn’t see it that way. I am having the most incredible time.
“Daddy, it’s a beautiful wedding. It’s my wedding. Your daughter is only going to get married once - so please try to enjoy it.”
“Hmph.” He huffs, still angry, not letting go of his bitterness over this whole thing.
Masaccio returns to my side.
“Masaccio. Congratulations. I am sure you two will be very happy together.” My father says through tight lips.
“Thank you. I am sure we will.” Masaccio replies, just as tense and tight-lipped.
I roll my eyes. Are all the men in my life sulking on my most beautiful wedding day.
I slip my arm through Mas’s and grin up at him.
“Are you ready for our first dance as husband and wife?” I ask, deciding to ignore all the dark moodiness between the men.
Mas nods.
“Good.” I wave at Isabelle, and she comes hurrying over.
“You can tell them we are ready for our first dance.” My heart spins.
The lights are dimmed low and there is a soft spotlight on us. Fairy lights are glittering above us and the music is drifting through the air. I am pressed right against him, feeling warm, safe and happy.
My husband.
The man I kissed and started to fall in love with.
I can’t wait to spend every day with him for the rest of my life.
I smile as we move together, letting the music guide us.
He feels a little stiff, perhaps tense because there are so many people watching us.
I can’t wait to get home - our first night alone together - and the magical things that are going to happen.
It is, after all, our wedding night.