“Nah, it’s all good. We sang to Charlotte and watched her make a mess of her snowman cake before we left.” Once Dillon showed his sweet pea what to do with it, the baby had marshmallow fluff everywhere—Dillon included. “Besides, everyone’s got to get home to play Santa tonight.”
Matt tipped his chin toward the tree in the corner, the carefully wrapped packages beneath it, and the lone silver ribbon he was waiting for Gina to discover, but those eyes that changed colors failed to follow his gaze.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” And sipping her wine, she cuddled closer. “It was special for me to be there for her first birthday, you know, especially since I took care of Charlotte when she was born.”
“I’m sure you’ll be there for her second birthday, too.”And every birthday after that. “I have a feeling we’ll be spending Christmas Eve at the Byrne house after the fish fest at your mom’s for many years to come.”
“Festa dei Sette Pesci—the Feast of the Seven Fishes.” Gina giggled, correcting him. “It’s an Italian tradition. No meat is served on Christmas Eve. The seven fishes are symbolic of the seven sacraments.”
“I thought that was for Lent, but what do I know?” An altar boy he was definitely not. “You’re in love with a heathen, baby. The roof might cave in if I ever set foot inside a church.”
“Just don’t tell my mother.” She winked.
With a chuckle, he topped off her glass. “I’m pretty sure she knows.”
Gina settled back against his chest, and sipping her wine, she gazed at their first Christmas tree in all its magical splendor. Twinkling white lights. The blue and copper ornaments she chose because they matched the veining in the stone.
Then, she leaned forward, pointing to the ribbon. “What’s that?”
Took you long enough.
“Maybe you should go see.”
The five-carat Dutch marquis diamond, twinkling like a star on the end, was damn near impossible to miss. She held the ring in her palm, her hazel-green eyes shimmering.
“You’re my forever, Gina, so I’m going to ask you again.” And with a hopeful smile, he kissed away her tears. “Will you marry me?”
“I will.” She didn’t hesitate this time. “Yes.”
Thank fuck.
He untied the ribbon, and after sliding the ring on her finger, Matt kissed the woman he’d love for the rest of his life. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” And she whispered, “I want everything, Matt.”
“Tell me what you want, bunny.”
“You can’t break me.” The diamond sparkling on her finger made a pathway down his chest. “So, let the beast out.”
And he grinned.
“Run.”
The roof did not cave in on him.
On the last Saturday in May, three weeks after Venery’s album with UMG came out, Matt and Gina were married on the altar of St. Vincent’s Church. Despite Rosemary’s protests that planning a wedding in five months would be impossible, it was a grand affair.
The bridesmaids wore blush, and Gina’s gown was ivory, much to her mother’s chagrin. Silly woman, he’d never seen any bride look more beautiful than his. The moment she appeared on her father’s arm and came down the aisle toward him, his heart skipped a beat, and the air was sucked from his lungs. Matt was almost certain he wept, because Kit was there at his side, discreetly lending him a handkerchief from his pocket.
Then, Anthony Rossi placed his daughter’s hand in his.
Everything passed by in a blur after that.
They had a surprise planned for Rosemary, though. It thrilled Matt that Danielle could capture the look on her face when the long-haired hooligans she’d thought little of in their youth, joined the choir to play “Ave Maria” as Gina laid flowers at the feet of the Blessed Virgin. Sloan sang his cold little heart out. Not a dry eye in the house. Even the priest was crying.
Afterward, in the church’s vestibule, where they formed the receiving line, the woman was still shocked speechless. Matt just winked at her. “You okay, pretty?”
Holding her newborn, Katie couldn’t hide her giggle.
