“Someone’s a grouchy motherfucker.” Rafe snorts. “What’s the matter? Getting a little blue over there?”
“Vaffanculo.” Romeo flips his brother off, then promptly picks me up, just in time for Mariella to enter with a disapproving look on her face.
“Romeo, your stitches.” She sighs.
“Fuck the stitches.”
He carries me off, and I wave goodbye over his shoulder, a ridiculously stupid smile on my face.
He might be a caveman…but he’s mine.
EPILOGUE
GABRIELA
“Gabs, you look like a princess,”Abella gushes.
“You really do,” Val agrees.
I glance at my reflection in the mirror for one final check. The dress is unapologetically me—endless layers of blush pink tulle and a sweeping skirt dotted with rosette appliqués. The bodice sits off the shoulders, wrapping me in delicate tulle blooms. It looks like something out of a fairytale.
I still can’t believe Val was able to orchestrate this in such a short amount of time. I suspect Romeo and his bank account had a hand in that, too, because she told me he didn’t care what it cost to make this wedding happen. I didn’t want anything over-the-top. Just a pretty dress, a few flowers, some cake, and of course, my charming serial killer of a groom.
He's given me everything I ever could have wanted, and some days, it’s hard to believe this is my life. I choke up when I think about how far we’ve come and where we’re going. I’m more than ready to spend the rest of my life with Romeo Vitale.
All my girls are here with me, dressed in dusty rose satin slip gowns, and of course, Nonna too. Beppe is in his tuxedo sweater, prepared for his role as ring bearer. Antonella will be the flower girl, carried down the aisle by Abella. Nonna will bethe one to give me away, and Romeo’s cousin Pepe will officiate the ceremony.
The wedding party will be the only guests, and after celebrating with the family tonight, Romeo and I will leave for our honeymoon. We’re spending a week at the Vitale-owned cabin in Leavenworth, the perfect cozy winter retreat.
I’ve been promised warm fires, scary movie marathons, and of course, lots of time lounging around in bed. It sounds like pure bliss, and I can’t imagine anything better.
“You ready?” Val brings me back to the present.
I turn to face my bridesmaids, and when I do, Abella is smirking at me.
“You’re thinking about the honeymoon, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I smile innocently.
“Let’s focus on making it down the aisle first,” Val says.
“Okay.” I nod. “I’m ready.”
Val shepherds us down the hall, lining us up outside the ballroom. We opted for a modern processional, with the groomsmen waiting at the altar beside Romeo and the bridesmaids walking before me.
Val cues the music from her phone and starts issuing orders like a tiny drill sergeant, sending each of my bridesmaids marching.
The duet of "You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis drifts from the ballroom speakers—the perfect song for everything that’s led us to this moment.
Just before Abella’s turn, she takes a moment to check in with me. “You good?”
“I am, surprisingly.”
I’m completely relaxed for once.
“Good.” She smiles. “Love you.”
“Love you too. I’ll be right behind you.”
