Chapter 20
PRESENT DAY
LATE SPRING
BASILICA OF SANT’EUSTORGIO
I opened my eyes, my heart galloping in my chest.
I knew then that all this time, I had been preparing for this moment.
This was mine. I had earned it. I had made myself worthy of the life I had fought to build with every shard of pain, every flaw and stumble, every mistake and right choice, every loss and every gain, every fall and every triumph. Shaped and transformed into the strong, mature woman I was.
It was the stones in the road that had made all of this worth it. I had overcome every challenge that had risen against me. I had overcome myself, conquered myself, and now…
I drew in a deep, exhilarated breath and lifted my head.
“I’m ready, Dad.”
Rocco gave a subtle nod, then the instrumental version of I Won’t Give Up began to play instead of the traditional wedding march, and the doors opened onto the immense aisle.
At the end of it stood my beautiful future husband, wearing a dark gray suit, vest and tie, and a white shirt.
Groomsmen and bridesmaids lined each side.
I tightened my grip on papà’s arm as we started walking.
My breathing grew heavy, matching the hard pounding of my heart.
Everyone was standing, looking at me with big, bright smiles, but I was too nervous to focus on anyone. Praying fiercely in my head that my knees wouldn’t give out. I couldn’t trip. I squeezed Rocco’s arm harder.
He tilted his head.
“You’re doing great, carina. Just breathe.”
As I did, I searched for my Thor’s eyes.
And when our gazes crossed, locking with immeasurable force, my heart nearly burst with happiness.
Everyone around us disappeared. I saw only him.
I was dying to control the urge to run and throw myself into his arms. Heithor was crying without a shred of shame.
He wiped his face a few times, but he never looked away.
A pure feeling of love spread through me.
Raw emotion curled in my throat.
I didn’t cry. It was my turn to be strong for him, for both of us.
I held my ground, taking several deep breaths.
One foot after the other…
I was sweating and breathing happiness. A rare and special kind, where the most perfect harmony between feelings takes place, fullness emerges, the soul floats, and the heart expands to the point of pain, overflowing with that rich, addictive feeling.
It was the most welcome, delicious ache.
I was warm. Feeling violently loved and loving.
Rocco gave me to the man I belonged to.
Heithor brushed a tender kiss over my forehead, lingering there, our hands intertwined, and he squeezed lightly, our secret touch of safety. He was trembling. Thor never trembled. But he was trembling, and still, I trusted him with all my heart.
“You look beautiful,” he said before pulling back.
They were simple words, but so incredibly powerful.
I smiled, licking my lips, speechless.
Don’t faint, damn it.
The priest greeted us, and the guests sat.
And then the ceremony began.
I could hardly keep my eyes off Thor. Smiling with my mouth, with my eyes, my whole body smiling at him with veiled enchantment, fascinated by my precious conquest.
This beautiful man coming undone with love beside me was mine.
Entirely mine. He had given himself to me in every possible way…
… I was his in every way, too… and forever.
When we exchanged rings, I tried very hard not to die from crying. Lucca, in mamma’s arms, handed them to us. Well, threw them, to be honest, making everyone laugh.
“I do,” I said.
“I do,” he said.
The priest spoke the final words, sealing our fate for good.
“… granted, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
It wasn’t the first time Thor had kissed me, but it felt like it was.
I froze. I yearned. I sweated. I went weak and shaky.
Thor lifted my veil, setting it back without taking his eyes off mine, heavy and intense with deep emotion, and kissed me deeply. I surrendered to the power of the act, to the power of that silent what she had said, forgetting the rest of the world.
Throats clearing, whistles, and shouts cut through us.
Thor pulled back, smiling, his cheeks slightly flushed.
“Ti amo, Mrs. Castellammare.”
“Ti amo, Mr. Castellammare.”
We received congratulations from the groomsmen and bridesmaids and a shower of rice before escaping to the car that would take us to my grandparents’ mansion, where the reception would be held.
“Are you happy, wife?” Thor asked me inside the car.
“Yes. And you, husband, are you happy?”
He laced our fingers together over his leg, his smile devastating.
“Throw acid on me, and I’ll still be smiling.”
I let out a breathless laugh, then kissed his mouth. I couldn’t keep my hands or my mouth to myself when I was around him. I needed to kiss him, touch him.
Thor reflected the same need back at me.
We entered the ballroom to a chorus of “bacio, bacio,” which repeated throughout the reception.
Compliments and congratulations came from the guests when they greeted us, before we could go to our seats.
My jaw ached from the kisses and smiles, but I couldn’t stop doing either one, even if I had wanted to.
Rocco opened the round of toasts to the bride and groom, tapping a knife against his champagne glass to get the guests’ attention.
Dinner was then served, and afterward, the band began to play.
Thor took me out to dance, and then Rocco and Peppe did the same.
Once the dance floor opened, everyone danced themselves half to death.
When it was time for the garter, I stood in the middle of the dance floor, held the hem of my dress, and extended my leg.
Thor knelt in front of me and set my foot on his thigh, his strong hand on my heel sliding up my leg over my stockings, and when he reached the top, at the lace, touching my bare skin, he caressed me.
I shivered. His dark gaze, loaded with mischief in that wicked expression, pinned me in place.
The soft touch of his lips on my skin when he caught the garter between his teeth and dragged it down caused every kind of shiver and erotic desire in me.
Laughing, flushed, covering my face playfully, I lifted my foot so he could pull it off.
To applause, my husband stood and showed it to everyone, then tossed the garter to the single men—Nathan caught it midair—then Thor wrapped an arm around my waist and kissed me hard, warming every inch of my body.
My whole body ached to be alone with him, but we were forced apart by guests who wanted their turn with the bride and groom.
The ballroom was full of joyful laughter, affectionate words, and loving looks. In any direction I looked, I could see happiness, except in one.
I went to Josie, pulling her into a tight hug.
“I’m so happy you came,” I said in her ear.
“I’m happy to be here, Ella. I would never miss my favorite crazy woman’s wedding, especially this wedding.” We pulled back. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Thank you, Josie. We’re so happy it should be considered a crime somewhere,” I paused, taking her hand. “I want this for you, too.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Ella.”
I raised an eyebrow in question, but she played dumb.
“Where are you going for the honeymoon?”
“Maldives. We’ll spend the night here and travel tomorrow.”
“How long?”
“A week. Maybe two. I don’t want to be away from Lucca for that long. He’s growing up too fast, and I don’t want to miss anything.”
“And what does Thor think about that?”
“All he cared about was putting the ring on my finger and making me sign the register.”
“Four months was a decent amount of time,” she pointed out in his defense.
I huffed, grabbed two glasses of champagne from the waiter passing beside us, handed one to Josie, and took a sip from my own.
“If it were up to him, we would’ve gotten married right after we got back from the island.”
She laughed, choking a little.
“I still can’t believe he kidnapped you.”
“My horse is very romantic,” I bragged, laughing.
“Are you two leaving soon?”
“We agreed to stay a little longer. After all, we intend for this to be our first and only wedding in life. So we’re going to make the most of it.”
“Not too much, or you’ll get in the way of the wedding night.”
“Oh, Josie, tonight that cock isn’t getting away from me,” I winked, wicked, enjoying the red filling her doll-like face. “But seriously. Thor agrees with the length of the trip. The important thing is that we’re together, no matter where.”
Josie smiled, then went tense when she looked over my shoulders.
“Congratulations, Antonella.”
“Thank you, Eric.”
“Josie,” he said, looking at her, the pleading in him pitiful.
“Eric.” Josie nodded back, blinking before looking away.
My girl was suffering for love. I didn’t like that one bit, and it made me feel for her. Eric spoke again, drawing my attention.
“I owe you an apology.” He paused. If it weren’t for the hard expression, I might even have said I saw a shy shadow there. “Forgive me. I didn’t treat you right, and I regret it.”
I waved my hand emphatically.
“It’s in the past, Eric. You’re forgiven…
And I understand. You were longtime friends, you had a history and a bond the two of us didn’t.
Let’s not be hypocrites here. I know I didn’t give you many reasons to like me.
And of course, that’s no excuse for disrespecting each other… Anyway, everyone makes mistakes.”
“You’re a great woman. Thor is lucky to have you.” I appreciated the sincerity of those words, but most of all, the respect in his voice.
“That I don’t doubt,” I said, smiling.
Eric looked at Josie, who was pretending not to see him, then at me.
“I’m heading out. I just wanted to tell you that. Best wishes.”
Thor came up behind me, hugging me.
“Don’t you want to stay a little longer?” I asked, receiving a surprised look.
“I told him to enjoy himself,” Thor murmured.
“Josie still hasn’t danced and she’s dying to.”
He looked at her, full of pain while she glared daggers at me.
“Go dance, Josie! At my wedding, being unhappy is forbidden.”
She went with a scowl, and he let himself be dragged away like a happy puppy.
Thor turned me around, wrapping his arms around my waist, and I linked mine around his neck.
“Trying to play matchmaker?”
“Weddings make me emotional.”
Thor looked in the direction where Eric and Josie were dancing.
“Do you think he has a chance?”
“If he’s as determined as you are, you can bet on it.”
Thor kissed me, then guided me to the dance floor to the sound of Imbranato. He spun me once and pulled me back against his chest, one hand on the small of my back, the other in my hand. He led me, moving with grace and elegance.
And then, my husband surprised me once again that night…
“… He sang that he was sorry for insisting, for becoming unbearable, but that he loved me… loved me… loved me.”
His voice, rough and deep, reverberated softly in my ear.
Heat rolled through my body as a smile split my face.
“… He sang that we had known each other for only two months, maybe a little more, and that he was sorry he couldn’t speak softly, because if he didn’t shout, he would die.”
Thor kept humming beautifully, making my eyes fill. I laid my head on his chest while brushing my fingers up and down the nape of his neck.
I closed my eyes and let myself be guided by his body, his voice.
“… He sang about looking at me and trembling, about the thought of having me beside him and feeling only mine, about standing there, speaking with emotion… awkward and overwhelmed.”
I lifted my head from his chest, my eyes fixed on his, smiling like a fool, feeling the brush of his breath, with a hint of wine, touch my mouth as he declared the last words.
His mouth touched mine, coaxing me.
For an eternity that passed far too quickly, we stayed trapped in the sweet magic of the moment… exchanging tender looks… small kisses… delicate touches…
Smiling.
Loving.
Sighing.
Declaring ourselves in a silence that was far too loud.
We danced one more song with our boy between us. We cut the cake. A little later, it was time for the bouquet, and only then did we say our goodbyes.
“We can stay a little longer if you want,” Thor said.
“Are you trying to run away from your husbandly duties?” I teased, warm, raising an eyebrow in feigned innocence, maybe a little under the effect of the champagne.
The look he gave me was enough to make me breathless.
Thor turned his attention to Lucca in his arms.
“Behave yourself, little man.”
“He will, won’t you, my little lion?”
“Of course he will. He’s already a little man and knows that papà and mamma need time to make him a little brother,” he joked, with a predatory smile.
As we went upstairs to the bedroom, my heart raced wildly.