When music began to play, Tammy looked over at the bandstand. Natasha was standing in front of the microphone while Gianni sat at a piano.
“Oh my God,” Tammy gasped, covering her mouth with her hand.
Tears began to well. She looked around the room at her loving family with blurred vision. What they’d done for her had touched her soul. It would've been perfect if…
“May I have this dance?”
Tammy turned toward the sound of her husband’s voice. Luca was standing tall and beautiful like the Adonis that he was. One glimpse of him in a custom-tailored tuxedo that was unable to conceal his muscular form was making Tammy go weak in the knees.
“Luca,” she sobbed, shedding tears of happiness at the sight of him.
He approached with a smile and Tammy threw herself into his arms. He held her tight and whispered, “Surprise,” in her ear.
“Oh, my God, Luca. I love you so much.”
“I know. Come. Dance with me.”
He led her to the dance floor and placed his hand on the small of her bare back. The same bolt of electricity that she felt every time he touched her jolted her senses. Tammy placed her head against Luca’s chest and held tight as they swayed to the sound of Natasha’s sweet voice.
Tale as old as time
True as it can be
Barely even friends
Then somebody bends
Unexpectedly
Just a little change
Small to say the least
Both a little scared
Neither one prepared…
Beauty and the beast
For however long it took for Natasha to belt out her soulful version of Beauty and the Beast, Tammy felt as if she and Luca were the only ones in the room. She was consumed by everything Luca. His touch, his scent, and even the sound of his beating heart put her in a state of euphoria. At that very moment, Tammy couldn't imagine that she could ever be any happier.
Tammy clung to Luca, not realizing that the music had stopped until someone tapped her on the back. She stepped back, instantly feeling a sense of loss from their severed connection. Luca turned her around by the shoulders and pulled her against his hard body. Victoria, Tracy, and Natasha were standing in front of her with cheesy grins.
“Tasha, you have such a beautiful voice,” Tammy gushed.
“Thank you,” Natasha responded in a bashful tone.
It always amazed Tammy how shy Natasha could be at times. She was tough, gorgeous, and extremely talented. When she was on stage, there was absolutely nothing shy about Natasha.
“Come on, baby girl. This dance belongs to us,” Victoria declared, grabbing Tammy by the hand, pulling her away from Luca.
When the music for Sister Sledge’s We Are Family began to play, Amy, Mia, and Emily danced their way to the dance floor. The ladies formed an impenetrable dance circle around Tammy. She giggled and blew Luca a kiss. Accepting the fact that he was outnumbered, Luca laughed and abandoned the dance floor to go hang out with the menfolk.
