Since he took me in his arms in the garden and said he loved me.
He proposed less than a week later.
In the kitchen, while I was remaking my roast so he could actually appreciate it.
He was standing too close behind me, one hand on my hip.
“I’m not interested in dating you for two years,” he’d said.
I’d blinked at him, trying to remember what I put in the garlic mashed potatoes last time.
“Okay?” I’d managed.
“I’m not interested in moving slowly,” he’d added.
“What are you talking about?” I’d said and turned to find him on one knee, a velvet box in hand, and a beautiful diamond ring nestled into it.
Seeing Nico on one knee was something I never thought I’d see, given his very dominant nature. Which only made it all the more special that he’d done it for me.
Then he said, “Marry me,” in true Nico fashion, and slipped the ring on my finger.
If it were up to Nico, we would’ve been married the next weekend. The only reason we waited this long at all was because my dad needed time.
Time to heal. Time to get strong enough to stand in a suit and walk me down a long aisle.
Time to insist, repeatedly, that he was fine.
He is fine now.
Not perfect. Not like none of it happened.
But he’s here.
He’s alive. Not in a hospital, with tubes coming out of him. It was damn near a miracle.
He’s in the next room now, dressed and ready to walk me down the aisle, and I can barely look at the door without my eyes burning.
The bridal suite is too bright. Too white.
There are flowers in vases and a little table with tissues and bottled water.
There are women moving around me—helping hands, warm voices, soft laughter.
Elena is here, hovering in her gentle way like she’s trying not to hover. She’s holding Alessandra on her hip, and Alessandra has decided my veil is her personal enemy.
“Alessandra,” Elena murmurs, trying not to laugh. “No, sweetheart. That stays.”
Alessandra ignores her completely and reaches again.
Caterina swoops in like a professional problem-solver and distracts her with a little sparkly clip.
“Look,” Caterina says brightly, holding it up like it’s a treasure. “For you.”
Alessandra’s eyes go wide.
She grabs it with both hands and immediately tries to put it in her mouth.
“Perfect,” Caterina says, deadpan. “Excellent choice.”
