Chapter 20 #3
Twisting the top off and drinking deeply, hoping to push down the growing emotions, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand.
“Yeah. It really upset them not to be. At first, it wasn’t that strange to have them miss something so important, but I kind of feel like something good happened in that conversation. I guess we’ll see.”
“Well, you’ve told me how you’ve come to expect their absence, but I just think it’s time you talked to them about it openly.”
I rubbed my jaw. “Maybe you’re right. I never want to hurt their feelings, though.”
Niko was quiet for a few minutes. “Wouldn’t it be better to have an uncomfortable conversation with some of the most important people in your life than let bitterness take root?”
Just then, Luke and Miles walked in from setting things up outside. “I hear you and thanks, man,” I said to Niko, turning my attention to the guys.
“Ah, Mike. Grammy, and the Granny Squad just got here in that fancy car you ordered for them.” I was already headed for the front door when he said, “You might want to go rescue their driver.”
Sure enough, the four ladies were dressed as if they were headed to a coronation, and Gemma was hanging on to the young driver, whose eyes were as wide as saucers.
“Gemma, let the man go now,” I called out as she frowned and slowly released him.
“The poor guy looks scandalized,” Edna said with a sneer as I helped Grammy out of the back seat of the luxury car. I had sent one for Ren, her parents, and the girls as well, loving that I could spoil them all.
“It’s like a disco in there,” Doris marveled, not wanting to exit the vehicle. “Lights and a tiny bar.”
“Let’s go, you crazy women. We’re burning daylight,” Grammy grumbled, kissing me on the cheek. Her eyes scanned mine, and I smiled as brightly as I could.
“Ladies, you look lovely.” They beamed at my words.
Grammy narrowed her gaze. “You talked to your parents, didn’t you?” How she knew these things, I had no idea.
“Yes, they finally got to where they had internet. They were worried about you,” I answered, walking her towards the door. I planned to let the ladies rest inside until the ceremony.
“I’m glad they got through. And your news? How did they take it?” she asked, letting me help her into a chair once inside. Niko, Luke, and Miles had gone out to help the rest of the crew.
“Surprised, naturally. Lots of tears and apologies.” She watched me carefully, her head tilted to one side.
“They love you very much, Mikey. Don’t forget that.”
“Yes, I know.” I wasn’t sure what else to say.
Niko walked in, side-eyeing Gemma. I didn’t see any red lipstick on him, so I figured she’d decided to tame it down for the day. One could only hope.
“It’s time,” Miles said a little while later, as I heard music playing from the backyard. “I’ve got your parents’ number ready to go.”
The guys had helped Grammy and her friends to their seats outside, as well as Mrs. Valenti. When Luke walked back to me as I stood at the French doors, his eyebrows were lifted high.
“Did one of the ladies try to see if your butt was nicer than Niko’s?” I joked.
“No, but I think they’re less scary than Ren’s mom,” he whispered, making me choke on nothing.
“Yeah, I know. I can’t even get a smile from her. Not yet anyway.”
“Did you try showing her some of the ridiculous videos you’re always sending us?” he said, his tone mocking me.
“Gonna take more than fainting goats, dude.” He snorted, and I hugged him as I walked to the front, where a beautiful white arbor stood, covered in gardenias, reminding me of Ren. Vicky had done an amazing job decorating the space.
I shook Pastor Danny’s hand as I stood in front of him, both of us smiling widely.
He and his wife, Lauren, got to meet Ren and me for coffee a few days earlier, and we made plans to spend more time together soon.
They had hoped to do some pre-marital counseling with us, but we promised to sit down with them as soon as possible.
My black suit was uncomfortable because the sun was still warm, even though it was after five in the evening. I adjusted my tie and smiled at Niko, who tapped me on the back, reminding me he was right beside me.
Keeping with our decision to have a small, intimate wedding, only our close friends and family were there. Looking around at them, I was reminded how grateful I was for each of them in my life.
Grammy smiled up at me, seated next to Mrs. Valenti, and I pinched my lips together at the thought of the two of them spending time together. It was a toss-up who would come out the victor.
When Vicky appeared, soft music playing, everyone turned to face her. Miles inhaled deeply as his wife walked slowly down the makeshift aisle in a flowy peach-colored dress. She winked at him as she passed his seat and smiled at me when she got into place.
An instrumental version of one of my favorite worship songs began to play as Ren and Paolo appeared at the end of the aisle and paused. Everyone stood and looked at her in awe. She was so beautiful that she’d rendered me speechless, along with those gathered.
Ren and her father exchanged an emotional look before I saw her nod.
All I could think about was how brave this woman was to walk away from a life she’d created to be here, trusting me with her future.
The realization was like an explosion inside me, its impact making me step back as if I’d been hit.
Once again, my doubts about my worthiness set in.
Niko steadied me, his hand at my back, as I smiled and tried to reassure him I was fine. When Ren took a step toward me, peace replaced my earlier concern.
My bride floated gracefully down the aisle in her silky white dress, which made her look like an angel.
I didn’t know much about women’s fashion, but it looked like it was made for her.
The dress had short sleeves that fluttered in the light breeze, reminding me of butterfly wings, and fell just below her knees.
Lace accentuated her waist, the only adornment on it. It was perfect. She was perfect.
That’s when her smile created another detonation inside me, making my breath stutter in my throat.
Ren may not be ready to say the words yet, but she has chosen me.
I rubbed my chest and shook my head, making her giggle as I mouthed, ‘wow.’ Caught up in that moment of joy and gratitude, I lifted my eyes heavenward and said ‘thank you’ to my Father. When I looked back at my bride, she was a few feet from me with tears in her eyes.
Ren held a bouquet of gardenias, only enhancing her fragrance that had stolen my breath and my heart from the moment I saw her in that airport.
When a single tear slipped from her beautiful, wide eyes, I lifted my hand and gently wiped it away.
Pastor Danny’s voice broke the spell as he asked, “Who gives this woman to this man?” Paolo answered, “Her mother and I do.”
His voice was scratchy, but he stayed composed as he kissed her cheeks and sat beside his wife.
Ren had prepped him on that American tradition since it wasn’t the norm in Italy.
She then handed her bouquet to Vicky as they shared a sweet, silent moment together.
I loved that they had a friendship similar to Niko’s and mine.
“Hi,” I said nervously, taking her in as she stepped closer to me. The moment brought a solemn feeling to it, realizing her father had officially entrusted me with her care, something I promised him I would never take lightly.
Ren smiled and tilted her head, her curls moving with her as she answered, “Ciao, Mike.” I wondered if we could skip to the part where she was officially my wife.
Pastor welcomed our guests and began speaking about love and respect for one another, about God bringing us together, but my thoughts were focused solely on Renata, the woman who had captured my heart.
Her skin glowed, dark and tanned, her white dress only enhancing it.
I was so in love with her, and I wanted to shout it from the rooftops.
“Mike, would you like to say your vows, please?” he asked, snapping my attention back on him.
“Oh, y-yes,” I stuttered, praying I remembered what Paolo had taught me. Holding her hands in mine, reveling at how soft they were, I looked down at them. These were hands I’d hold for the rest of my life.
She smiled as I looked back into her eyes and spoke.
“Renata, quando guardo nei tuoi bellissimi occhi, vedo l’eternità.
Prometto di camminare al tuo fianco e di essere il tuo sostegno.
Oggi ti dono il mio cuore, la mia vita; tutto ciò che ho è tuo, ora e per sempre.
” I had practiced them for hours and hoped anything I said incorrectly she’d forgive me for.