“Lil, here are the rings,” Dad says, handing them to her. She slips them into her pocket and grins at me, then holds her hand out for Callie. Mom and Becca follow, leaving me and Dad alone.
Just like Mom, there are tears in his eyes. I point at him. “Don’t start that. Then I’ll start, and I can’t get married with puffy eyes.”
“Ah, my sweet girl. I’m just happy. Today is one of my favorite days. Today, I get to walk you down the aisle and give you away to the man who adores you, who would do anything for you, and who loves every bit of you.”
“It’s a pretty fucking good day, Daddy,” I sniffle but smile. He takes my hand in his.
“Are you ready then?”
“So ready.”
Chapter 73
This most certainly doesn't fucking blow
Luca
I’ve never been one to give a shit about the weather, but I’m thankful today that it’s cool for June in Southern Nevada.
My mom and dad are sitting in the front row, pointedly ignoring each other. Dad looks happy. He adores Ariana, and while he’s been a shit dad for half of my life, he’s trying to make up for it now. And more importantly, at least to me, he’s going to be a wonderful father-in-law to my wife. I can’t ask for much more than that.
Mom’s not making eye contact with me. I tracked her down this morning and told her to behave herself, or she wouldn’t be welcome near my family. Any of it. Ever. She’s made no effort to repair our relationship or to get to know Ari at all. Part of me expected her to take off before the wedding. Actually, part of me hoped she would.
Mia and Becca sit in the front row on the other side of the aisle, smiling and fighting back tears. I grin and shoot them a wink.
Music starts playing, and Callie steps out from behind the sheer white curtains hanging in the doorway. She skips down theaisle, throwing flowers everywhere and grinning ear to ear. When she reaches the end, she runs up to me, and I crouch down.
“Did I do a good job, Luca?” she whispers.
“You did the best job, Callie.” She throws her arms around my neck, then skips off to sit between my dad and Danielle. Dad holds out his fist, and she bumps it with hers.
Lil walks out next. Her eyes meet mine, and we both smile. After she takes her place, the music changes and my heart starts to pound. The curtains draw up, and Ariana steps out with Marco.
And nothing else matters. I don’t know shit about wedding dresses, but I know Ariana looks like a fucking dream in hers. She’s stunning, my girl. But she always is. Her eyes don’t leave mine as she glides toward me with a hint of a smirk on her lips at the instrumental mix of “You Are In Love” and “Watermelon Sugar” she spent hours creating.
When they reach the end of the aisle, Marco kisses her cheek. She smiles at him, and I hear her whisper, “Love you, Daddy.” Then she’s next to me, holding my hand, and it’s all I can do to not grab her and kiss her.
The minx winks at me like she can read my mind. She probably can.
Lil places their bouquets in holders on a small table next to her, then turns to face us.
A couple of tears slip down her face. “Shit, I swore I wouldn’t cry, and now I owe Ari a hundred bucks.” A chuckle runs through the guests. “But today, I get to marry my oldest friend, my best friend, my sister, Ariana, to my newest friend, my other best friend, my cousin, Luca. Which sounds weird when I say it like that, but oh well. Ari and I grew up believing in romance and love because it’s impossible not to around our parents. But we also grew up with a fear of never finding a love like theirs. This in front of me, is a love like we always dreamed of. Two people who trulybelong together. Now they’ll say some lovey-dovey vows they’ve written.”
A beam of sunlight shines directly on Ari, and I realize she’s wearing the necklace she made herself last night. Not diamonds or pearls—a metal disc that says she’s mine. A tear breaks free and runs down my cheek.
I clear my throat. “Ariana, I was a goner the first time our eyes met. I didn’t know how to process it the beginning. My heart and soul knew that first day, even if my head had to catch up. Every day, I fall more in love with you, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be for the rest of my life but by your side. You’re my everything.” Her eyes are glossy with unshed tears, and her smile takes my breath away.
“Luca, you stormed into my life like this angry rain cloud, but somehow, I knew you were my safe place. The person who calms my soul and makes my heart sing. You bring me to a level of happiness I didn’t know was possible. I can’t believe I get to see your smile, hear your laugh, and feel your arms around me every single day.”
Lil hands me Ariana’s ring. I place it on her finger. Then she does the same with mine.
“By the power vested in me by the hopefully legitimate website I found, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Go on and kiss her like you’ve been dying to for the last ten minutes.”
Grinning, I kiss my wife, but not exactly how I want to since there are people around. Her smile shines brightly, warming my soul as we walk back up the aisle hand in hand.
The guests move into the house for coffee and cocktails while we take photos. Round tables are brought out, and the chairs are moved to sit around them, changing the aisle to a reception area. A dance floor and DJ table are added on one side, a drink station and a long table for the taco bar on the other.
I can’t keep my eyes off my wife. I can hardly keep my handsoff her. I thought I followed her around like a puppy at the Hello, Summer! party, but that was nothing compared to how I follow her around at our wedding reception. She thanks everyone individually for coming and takes their compliments with grace and slightly pink cheeks. Callie follows behind, stopping to let everyone know she’s available to play the part of flower girl at any other weddings in the near future.
