Epilogue #3
“Rosie, what can I say that everyone doesn’t know about you already.
You’re the heart and soul of this family, but the fact that you chose my youngest son to love so unconditionally and deeply –” I watch as emotion flashes over Dad’s face.
For a rare moment, he struggles to compose himself, then he shakes his head and looks at Rosie with love.
“I’m in awe of you, Rosie, and I’m incredibly honored to be able to call you my daughter. ”
Christ.
There isn’t a dry eye in the room as Dad stalks toward Rosie, who’s already getting up from her chair.
I have to clear my throat a couple of times as he wraps her up in a tight hug, then I hear him whisper, “I love you like my own, sweet girl. Thank you for fighting so hard.”
She brushes her hand over his back. “Love you too, Papa.”
That does it for me, and I quickly flick the tear away as it escapes.
While Dad returns to his seat, Rosie’s dad groans, “Thank God I’m not wearing makeup.” It breaks the heavy emotion hanging in the air while he dabs beneath his eyes with a tissue.
Next up is Christiano. As Capo dei Capi, he commands the room without even trying, but when he steps behind the microphone, he glances at our father and mutters, “That’s a tough act to follow.”
A ripple of laughter moves through the hall before his gaze settles on Rosie and me.
“Enzo, I’m proud to call you my brother, and I think I speak for every person in this room when I say, thank God this day is finally here.
We’ve all watched the two of you circle each other for years, and tonight, we don’t just get to witness a wedding.
We get to witness something all of us hoped for, prayed for, and refused to stop believing in. ”
His eyes move to Rosie, and his expression softens.
“Rosie, none of us understood the space you filled in our lives until there was only silence where your laughter used to be. I hope we never hear that silence again. I hope Enzo spends the rest of his life making sure your happiness fills every room you walk into, because you are loved by all of us, cherished by all of us, and I’m honored to call you my sister.
” Then he looks at Rosie’s parents. “From my family to yours, thank you for sharing her with us. We will treasure her, protect her, and love her as our own, always.”
We all raise our glasses before taking a sip of the champagne, and with all the speeches done and over with, I let out a breath of relief as the food is carried out.
I finally have a moment where I can give Rosie all my attention, and while we only eat something here and there, I keep brushing my hand over her back, or fixing a strand of hair, or squeezing her hand, or leaning in and kissing some part of her face and neck.
Her smile grows wider and wider, and when I lean in again, she suddenly hooks her arm around the back of my neck, grabs hold of my jaw, and kisses the fuck out of me.
By the time she pulls back, I’m stuck in a daze, then she says, “I get to kiss you all I want for the rest of my life. How lucky am I?”
A smile curves my lips as I stare deep into her eyes. “Not half as lucky as I am. That was one hell of a kiss, my bride.”
Grinning at me, she presses her forehead to mine. “I like hearing you call me that, my groom.”
We sit close together, whispering and once again falling in love with each other for what feels like the millionth time.
“Hey, love birds,” Riccardo suddenly calls out. “It’s time to open the dance floor.”
Rising to my feet, I help Rosie up and lead her to the middle of the floor, and when Anyone by Tommee Profitt and Fluerie begins to play, I pull my wife into my arms.
I sway Rosie gently to the song we both chose for this moment. Christ, we spent hours and fucking hours listening to hundreds of songs, and the moment we found this one, her face lit up.
When the chorus picks up the beat, I move her across the floor, and as I twirl her and her dress spins, the smile on her face has my heart overflowing with love.
The song is followed by the one that was played when Rosie walked down the aisle, and remembering how breathtakingly stunning she looked, I grin at her.
Our parents join us on the dance floor, as I say, “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Rosie nods as she brushes her thumb over the scarring on my hand. “I do, Enzo.” She pushes up on her toes, and framing my jaw, she gives me a tender kiss before whispering, “Trust me, I know. It’s as much as I love you.”
Our eyes lock, and everything around us fades away as I stare at the woman I’d walk through fire for, who I’d jump into the pits of hell for, because without her, I’d face a much worse fate.
I swear she can read my thoughts as emotion washes over her face, and her chin begins to tremble. “I would sacrifice it all for you too, Enzo.”
The End.