“To answer your question, no, not tired of walking, but I don’t want to walk alone anymore, Vicky. You own my heart, every single piece of it. I understand you might not be ready for this yet, but I will wait for you. Wait as long as you need. Just please tell me that someday that you’ll want to spend your life walking beside me and MJ,” I said, looking at my daughter whose eyes were watering. Turning back to Vicky, I continued. “I love you, and I can’t imagine our life without you in it.”
“Miles,” she said through a sob. “Yes, yes. There’s nothing I want more. Absolutely nothing. I want to go on this adventure of life with the two of you beside me.”
I couldn’t get her into my arms fast enough. Her lips melted into mine, and I felt like I was in heaven. Whispering words of love and adoration, she looked at me with wonder. I kissed her lips softly again and again, and her eyes fluttered closed once more. “I gave you my first kiss, and I want you to be my last. My first kiss, my firsteverything,” she whispered so only I could hear. I adored when this woman blushed, knowing I made it happen.
“This is so romantic,” MJ said with a sigh. Vicky and I gathered her in our arms as she squealed with delight.
Vicky pulled away, fluttering her fingers on her left hand in excitement, her eyes going wide as I slipped on the emerald-cut diamond in a platinum setting.
“It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, as I kissed her again once the ring was on her finger.
Mine. She was mine.
The sun seemed to vanish in an instant, and suddenly the sky around us was filled with fireflies. I couldn’t have planned it more perfectly. I knew the moment she opened her eyes because of her gasp.
She stepped back, taking my hand with her. We were both looking up in complete awe.
“How did youdothis?” she asked, reaching out to them.
“Honestly, I tried to time it right to see a few of them. I hoped it would happen because you love them so much. Butthis? This is just God showing off, Little Fairy.”
Watching her turn round and round in awe, she looked every bit of her nickname. She looked like a fairy straight out of my dreams.
Turning back to me and cupping my chin, she said, “I love you so much. You’ve made me the happiest woman in the world. I can’t wait to spend my life with you. And I don’t want to wait, Miles. You, me, MJ. We’re a family. When Ren is ready,ifshe’s ever ready, we can figure out the logistics of starting our business. Hey, Elena did it in Rome and California. Why can’t I?” Her eyes twinkled with that determination I’d seen in her before.
“You, my beautiful,” kiss, “talented,” kiss, “goddess of a woman, you can do anything you set your mind to. You’re going to be a great inspiration to our daughter.”
“Our daughter?” Vicky asked in a gasp, pulling me in for more kisses.
“Yes, your daughter. But do you need me to go back to Mimi, guys?” MJ asked with a smirk.
Chuckling, Vicky held MJ’s hand. “Listen, I’ll never take your mom’s place, but yes, I’d love for you to be mine. If you’ll have me.”
“Daddy told me a long time ago that God gave us the ability for our hearts to expand and love. I’d love you to be my mom, too. I love you so much.”
Vicky couldn’t speak, but we held each other tight as the fireflies danced around us, illuminating our new family.
epilogue
. . .
Vicky
“Is it time yet?” I asked Sofia and Corinna for the third time, looking around the church’s bridal suite.
“Almost. Girl, have I told you how stunning you look?” Corinna asked, calming my anxious, giddy heart. I smiled and kissed her cheek.
“About a hundred times. I can’t believe we found the perfect dress. Elena’s contact in Milan was a dream come true,” I said, moving to the large mirror. Mama and Ren sighed happily as they watched from the large sofa.
“All I know is I feel sorry for poor Miles. I saw how he looked at you in that mermaid dress last night for the rehearsal dinner. When he sees this, he might faint,” Ren said from her perch. She had made herself the designated wedding planner.
“Papa would be so happy if he were here,” Mama said.
“No tears today, Mama. I know he’s with us. I’m grateful for Enzo being able to walk me down the aisle. This will be his only reprieve as my brother.” We laughed, knowing my brother was loving playing the role of my father one last time. He didn’t even give me grief about wanting to have the wedding in San Diego, saying they needed a vacation.
“No tears. I’m just so happy to see you this joyful, tesoro.”
“Sofia, is everything set for the surprise?” I asked, checking my hair one more time.
