Chapter 2 – Five Months Later
RAQUEL
FIVE MONTHS LATER
I stare down at the large, sparkling engagement ring he gave me five months ago, remembering that very day he proposed.
My finger brushes over the firm edges of the round diamond and I breathe in a soft inhale, my eyes closed, the smell of freshly cut grass filling my senses like I’m back there again.
After he slipped the ring on my finger, he told me he wanted us to have an actual wedding with all our friends and family. He wanted us to have something we could look back on, something to show our children. And to be honest, I wanted that too. So, we decided on having a small wedding in our home.
Here we are on our wedding day, five months later. A shiver runs up my spine, knowing in a short while, I’ll be walking down the aisle to him.
My husband.
The word still gives me butterflies.
“Damn, cuz,” Chiara says from behind. “Your train is massive. You could hide a dead body under here.”
She’s not exactly kidding. It is pretty long. It was the first dress I tried on, and I knew, no matter how many I slipped into, it’d be the one. And in the end, it was.
It’s a good thing I didn’t leave that decision to Chiara because the one she liked for me . . . well, let’s just say I wouldn’t be caught dead in it.
“Come on, try it on.” Chiara holds a slinky white gown that cuts so low in the front, it would show my belly button.
I pull back my lips in a grimace. “I’d never wear that,” I whisper, looking around to make sure the saleswoman isn’t around.
Dante closed the store for me, and the ladies and I get to sip on champagne while I decide what dress to buy.
There are a crap ton here—short, long. I mean, they have everything, and it’s all crazy expensive.
He told me not to concern myself with that and has instructed the saleswoman to put whatever I choose on his card.
But I still don’t want to take advantage just for one day.
“No one said you had to marry the dress.” She rolls her eyes teasingly. “But try it on anyway. Never know.”
“Oh . . .” I scoff, popping a brow. “Believe me, I know. But sure, let’s add it to the pile. What’s one more?”
“That’s my girl.” She eagerly hangs the dress beside the others I have chosen, or more like they have chosen.
There are a good ten dresses waiting for me and I only picked two.
I’ll be honest, I’m not much of a try-on-hundreds-of-outfits kind of girl.
But it’s for my wedding, so I want to be sure I get the right one.
“Oh my God,” Aida gushes, running her hand past a sweetheart lace dress. “Look at this one.”
“Okay. Fiiine.” I huff out with a small laugh. “I’ll try that one on too.”
Jade strides past us, holding an ivory gown with sparkly straps falling off the shoulders.
“Not you too!” I slap a hand over my face.
“Sorry?” She grimaces as she tiptoes to hang the dress next to the rest.
“Okay, group meeting,” I tell them, raising my palms in the air. “I officially have thirteen dresses there and I’m calling a stop. So get your butts on that sofa, ladies, because I’m heading straight to the dressing room.”
“All right.” Chiara runs her fingers past another white gown. “But you may wanna see this one. It’s got a rhinestone belt.”
“Nope.” I lift a finger in the air. “No. Not doing it.” I rush to grab a few dresses I’ve gathered, and Brianne, the saleswoman, hurries over to me from around the counter and assists me with the rest.
“You should at least try it on,” Chiara calls even as I dash to the back of the store, toward the dressing rooms.
“Not happening!” I burst out over my shoulder, my voice traveling to them.
As we enter the suite, Brianne hangs all the dresses in the large space. “I’ll be right outside to help you, just let me know when you’re ready.”
“Thank you,” I tell her as she exits, closing the door behind her.
I take my time, looking at all the dresses, lining them up from most to least favorite, and the one Chiara picked out, well, that’s going all the way to the back.
The one I decide to try on first is the one that made my heart skip a beat as soon as I saw it. Strapless and fitted with a dropped waist, the intricately woven floral lace reaches all the way down the swooping train.
Removing my clothes, I place them over the loveseat in the corner, and as soon as I take off that dress from the hanger, I grin.
I step into it as soon as I place it on the floor, dragging it up and holding it against my chest, my smile widening.
“Brianne,” I call.
The door instantly opens. “Oh my,” she gushes, her gaze taking me in. “That looks like it’s been made for you.”
She helps secure the corset back, tightening it to give me an hourglass shape.
“I really think this is the one.”
“Me too,” she says from behind me.
“Could you tell me how much it is?”
“Oh . . .” She waves a dismissive hand. “Mr. Cavaleri informed me not to tell you.”
“It’s okay.” I turn to her. “I won’t tell him you told me.”
“I don’t know. He was very specific.” Her fingers go to her side bun, all the blonde hair perfectly coiled, not a single hair out of place.
“It’ll be between us.” I don a smile, hoping she tells me.
“Okay. But you didn’t hear it from me.”
“Got it.” I tighten my lips for effect.
“It’s twelve.”
“Twelve hundred?” That’s definitely reasonable.
“No,” she laughs. “Twelve thousand.”
“Oh my God.” My brows fly up. “There’s no way I can get this.”
“It’s up to you.” Her lips thin into a smile, a thick eyebrow bowing. “But it’d be a shame for him not to see you in it, especially when he insisted that I not let you out of this store until you’re happy. And from the looks of it, this dress? Makes you very happy.”
I huff out defeatedly, staring at myself once again. It is pretty and he can easily afford it . . . but still.
“How about we go show your friends and see what they think?”
“Okay.” I follow her out, my heart racing, strutting in my three-inch heels, feeling like a million bucks.
Chiara’s mouth drops as soon as she sees me. “Holy. Fucking. Shit.”
“Wow,” Jade breathes, just as Aida’s eyes glaze over.
“You look so beautiful.” She sniffles.
Chiara’s eyes glaze over. “Forget my dress, this is the one you have to wear.”
I stare at myself, my palms running down the floral lace grazing against my fingertips. A matching veil hits my shoulders, my face beaming. I’m internally counting down the seconds until he sees me.
“I can’t get enough of how gorgeous you look!” Aida gushes, wiping away a tear. “I promised I wouldn’t cry, but I can’t help myself.”
She leans into my side, her dusty-rose strappy dress looking stunning on her. I wrap her in my arm, pulling her close. “I’m so happy you and Matteo are able to join us.”
“We wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“Mom!” Robby calls, running into the room, looking for Jade. “Daddy said to get the rings from you now.” Chiara finishes fluffing my dress as we turn to him, excitement riddling his face. He takes his ring bearer duties very seriously.
“Oh, no!” Jade’s face twists with a scowl as she peers up at me with a coy smile, then turns her attention to her son. “I don’t know where in the world I put those things.” She looks behind her, under the fluffy pillow in my bedroom.
Robby laughs, not buying it at all, glancing up at Aida who zips up her lips. “Come on, Mom! I know you have them!” He grabs her black handbag and opens it as she laughs, attempting to take it back but fails.
“Ha!” He yanks out two ring boxes. “I knew it!”
Her eyes enlarge, her features melting with joy. “Completely forgot that was there.”
“Ha. Ha.” He narrows his gaze.
“Get over here, you.” She tugs him to her, kissing the top of his head. “You look very dashing in your tux.”
He fixes his bowtie, tipping up his chin. “Dad said I look even better than he does.” Pulling away, he stands up tall. “And considering how good he looks, that’s saying a lot.” He even imitates Enzo’s voice, which cracks us all up.
Jade rolls her eyes with a smile tugging. “That does sound like him now, doesn’t it?”
“Damn, if that’s not Enzo, I don’t know what is,” Chiara throws in with a snicker. He’s growing on her more and more though, even while she doesn’t quite want to admit it.
With a small knock, Janet enters the room, donning a long black gown, her strawberry-blonde hair pinned up in a tight bun. “It’s time, ladies.” She smiles and my pulse ticks up, my breath leaving in a whoosh.
Jade gets to her feet, holding Robby’s hand as she sets to go.
“Thank you again for playing the piano for us. I feel so bad you’re not an actual bridesmaid,” I say.
She tilts her head to the side. “I love to play, and playing for you all, it’s a gift.
” Her eyes water. “For someone who never thought she’d play again .
. .” She places her free hand on her chest, her long French nails biting into her chest. “I’ll see you girls out there.
” Together with Janet and Robby, she walks out the door.
“I can’t believe I’m wearing pink,” Chiara sneers. “What has become of me?”
“You’ve become domesticated,” Aida jokes.
Chiara scoffs. “Not in this lifetime.”
Our soft giggles swell into the emptiness of the room until we set to go, making it down the corridor, the sound of a soft melody echoing closer. I could listen to Jade play all day long.
As we near the glass doors, leading out into the yard, I find Robby waiting there, along with the guys.
“You look great,” Enzo tells me, getting Dom and Matteo to nod in agreement.
“Thanks, guys.” My chest rolls with a deep breath just as one of the guards we still employ opens the doors.
A grinning Matteo hooks an arm through Aida’s, whispering something in her ear before marching down the aisle. Then it’s Chiara’s turn, both Dom and Enzo walking out with her.
I kneel before Robby. “You ready?” I ask, placing a hand on his shoulder.
He slaps a huge smile onto his face. “I promise to bring the rings down safely.”
“I have no doubt.” I wink, getting to my feet, and with another excited look my way, he proceeds, as all eyes are on him—all thirty of them.
My boss, Kerry, and a few friends from work are here, along with some of Dante’s employees and business associates.
After I texted Kerry, letting her know I won’t be able to return to my residency position, I called her again after my uncles were dead, and I begged her to meet me.
I wanted to explain everything, to get another chance.
She was hesitant at first, but then she invited me to her office.
Of course, I didn’t tell her the entire truth, just bits I could share.
At first, she refused to give me another chance, but I kept trying.
I called. I emailed. I showed up, again and again.
She’s always been tough, but compassionate, and I was hoping to find that side of her.
Once I did, she gave me my position back, but I had to start all over again, which was fine by me.
All I ever wanted was to become a doctor, to live a life I had chosen for myself. Now I have it all.
The music changes as Jade plays “Come Away with Me” by Norah Jones, and it’s finally my turn. I can’t wait to see him, to touch him. My stomach is literally flipping.
Tightening both hands around the bouquet of lilies, I start through the doorway with a single step, until the warmth of the sun hits my face.
Everyone rises, but they quickly melt away as soon as I see him, a hand falling around his mouth, emotions etched within his eyes as they fasten to mine.
With a shaky breath, I continue toward him until I’m near enough to find his love for me shining brighter in his gaze.
“Wow,” he whispers, cutting the rest of the space between us. He grabs my face within his strong hands, his eyes gleaming, and it’s not from the rays of sunlight bathing the sky. It’s from his love for me.
He leans his mouth to my ear, his breath tickling up my neck. “You’re the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life.” His lips land softly under that spot beneath my earlobe. “I’m never gonna forget this moment for as long as I live.”
He backs away, unable to stop staring at me, and all I manage to do is stare back.
“You’re my warmth on a cold day, and the strength when I’m at my weakest,” I say.
“Without you, I’d never know what happiness is.
I love you, Dante,” I pant, my own emotions swirling in my heart.
“Your kindness is the most beautiful thing of all.” I circle a hand around the back of his neck, staring deep into his eyes before we realize, the place is pin-drop quiet.
With a fluster, I look around and everyone’s smiling at us. My cheeks flush and he squeezes my hand tighter. “It’s almost like no one else exists but you,” he tells me.
My stomach turns, my heart going along for the ride. Because it’s true. He’s my entire world.
“Looks like you two already said your vows.” Enzo quirks a brow as my eyes quickly flick to my left.
But Dante doesn’t even look at anyone else, his mouth winding up, his intense gaze holding mine. “I’ve said my vows from the moment I met her.”
I suck in a breath, my eyes watering over as everyone else gushes. This man and the way he loves me—it’s magical. It’s beautiful.
There is so much love around us, it’s palpable, an energy taking its own life. Love between husbands and wives, between lovers, a mother and child—for once, we’re all where we’re supposed to be.
How we feel in this moment is how I wish we’d feel for the rest of our lives, though I know that’s not realistic. Life sometimes does have a wicked sense of humor, but even still, I want us to remember how we feel right now and take it with us through the trials fate may throw our way.
When the officiant starts, our attention finally falls to her, and with our hands clasped, we marry one another once again, knowing our life is only just beginning.