Chapter 60
Chapter Sixty
When Aria awoke the next morning, she yawned and turned over, blinking the sleep away. Her eyes landed on her simple but elegant wedding dress hanging over the closet door. She felt like her heart would burst from happiness. She squealed and kicked her heels under her covers like a little girl.
A memory of her and young Alex at his house that day when something significant passed between them. Their eyes had locked, and her breath caught just thinking about it.
I’m marrying Alex Rossi today.
She slid her left hand from under the warmth of her comforter, turning her ring around and around. Covering her face in her hands, she said a prayer of gratitude for finding love again. Her musings were interrupted when she heard Corinna knocking on her door.
“Get up sleepy head. Time to get you married!”
Laughing and throwing off the sheets, she answered, “Coming, mother.”
Corinna laughed in response and Aria could hear her talking with her mom and Sofia.
Corinna was not amused when Alex broke the news to her that there was no time for a bachelorette party, so Aria feared what she might have up her sleeve for the reception.
Aria had insisted on getting ready with her parents, Corinna, and Sofia at her house. There were ongoing conversations throughout the day, sprinkled with laughter and tears.
“Your wedding dress is so gorgeous, Aria. Alex is going to faint when he sees you,” Sofia said.
Touching the lace of her gown, Aria agreed.
“I can’t believe I found my dream dress so quickly,” she said as she looked at herself in the mirror.
Its corset top was made of white lace, and it hugged her hips before flaring out, the bottom falling right below her knees, decorated with ribbons that flowed to her feet. It had a mermaid look to it because of the shimmering material and it made her feel like something out of a fairy tale.
She felt like she was floating. She was about to marry the man of her dreams, her unexpected love.
“I couldn’t have chosen a better man for you.
And believe me, I thought about it,” Maria said as they both laughed.
“He waited for you for so many years. And now you two can start a new life together, a new adventure. It will be hard to be away from you for such a long time, but I know you’re in good hands. ”
Nodding enthusiastically, Aria answered, “I know he’ll take care of me, and I will take care of him.”
Aldo knocked on the door, asking if it was alright for him to come in and Maria enthusiastically told him he could.
“Oh, my angel. Now you look like one, too. I’m trying so hard not to cry, but it’s just not possible.”
Walking to him, Aria let him hug her gently so he didn’t wrinkle her dress.
“I know we’ve all done this once before,” he said as he looked lovingly at Maria and Aria, “but today is just as special. To see you love again, smile again, thrive again. It’s more than I could have dreamed or prayed for.”
Aria was fanning her eyes trying not to tear up.
While the rest of the family talked excitedly amongst themselves, Aria took a moment to herself, thinking about all she and Alex had decided.
She had told Alex she wanted to spend their wedding night at his house. He agreed, saying they would spend that special night in their bed, in their home.
They would be gone for a long time, but when they returned, this would be their place, their home, their sanctuary.
Natalia had been beside herself with joy when Aria came into the office a few days before and shut the door.
When she walked out, she called the staff together and introduced them to the new CEO of Libri Stellari, a job that she knew Natalia would be perfect for.
She would continue as editor-in-chief, but her new title would give her more decision-making authority in Aria’s absence.
Aria planned to come back to the publishing house, but in a different role as an owner/editor, giving her more time to pursue her passion.
But today she was getting married.
As she listened to Corinna and Sofia sing along to a familiar song nearby and watched her mother tie her father’s tie, she felt the joy that surrounded her fill every crack her heart had suffered. The pieces were put back together, held tightly and permanently by something as strong as gold.