Clara giggled beside us and stepped forward, placing her small hand on my belly too.
“And I promise to share my toys with you!” she declared solemnly, making everyone laugh and grow even more emotional.
Enrico chuckled softly, touching his daughter’s face before standing again, his eyes shining as he looked at me, emotion fully visible.
Only then did he finally pick up the rings and continue the ceremony. His voice trembled with feeling as he repeated the vows:
“Valentina Ferrara, receive this ring as a symbol of my eternal love and fidelity. I promise to stand by your side in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, every day of our lives. And I promise to love you and our children with every beat of my heart.”
As he slid the ring onto my finger, I felt each word resonate deep inside me, the absolute certainty that the man before me was exactly who I wanted beside me for the rest of my life.
I took the other ring and looked at him as I spoke:
“Enrico Ferrara, receive this ring as a symbol of my love, my complete trust, and the certainty that there will never be another path for me except the one we walk together. I promise to love you in every moment, in good times and bad, and to build with you the family we have always dreamed of.”
When I placed the ring on his finger, Enrico squeezed my hand, smiling at me with shining eyes.
The priest smiled, sensing the depth of emotion surrounding us, and announced clearly:
“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Enrico, you may kiss your bride.”
Enrico pulled me close by the waist, and our lips met in a kiss filled with emotion, passion, and a happiness greater than any dream we had ever dared to imagine.
Around us, applause and joyful cheers filled the warm church. Clara jumped excitedly at our side, and everything felt absolutely perfect.
When we pulled back, Enrico smiled sweetly, still cradling my face in his hands.
“Thank you for the most beautiful gift you could have given me, Valentina. I love you more than anything in this life.”
“And I love you, Enrico. Now and forever.”
“Now and forever,” he repeated.
At last, we had found our true happy ending. And there was nothing left in the world that could ever change that.
EPILOGUE
ENRICO FERRARA
TWO YEARS LATER
Very few things in life could compare to that perfect moment.
The sun warmed my skin as I walked back across the sand with two small bottles of ice-cold water in my hands. Ahead of me, the ocean shimmered in a calm, deep blue, gentle waves kissing the white shore.
Under the umbrella’s shade, Valentina sat on a bright towel, her hair lifting in the breeze, her sweet smile lighting up my entire world. One hand rested delicately over her already rounded belly—Sarah, our third baby girl, who would arrive soon to complete our happiness even more.
A few feet away, Clara—seven years old as of last week—was fully committed to the serious business of building an elaborate sandcastle. Her focused expression said everything about how deeply she took the task as she directed Mariah, our youngest, only two. Little Mariah happily swung her colorful bucket, giggling while Toby, our tireless French bulldog, ran and bounced around the girls.
I smiled to myself as I approached, pausing for a few seconds to take it all in—memorizing the scene carefully, storing it away like something sacred. After everything we’d been through, moments like that were treasure.
When Valentina noticed me, she lifted her gaze and smiled in the way that still made my heart pick up speed. I sat down beside her and wrapped an arm gently around her waist.
“Looks like they’re going to need help with Toby,” I murmured, watching the clumsy dog try to “help” build the castle.
Valentina laughed, resting her head on my shoulder with a satisfied sigh.
“I think you’re right. Toby is especially excited today.”
