Resisting the temptation to take her in a passionate embrace then and there, Matthew restrained himself and instead dropped the sweetest of kisses on her hands.
‘Matteo?’ prompted Padre Ugo.
‘Sarah, until I met you, I thought that I was defined by my work, my ambitions and who I strove to be. I never took the time to let anyone into my life, let alone my heart and I am so glad that in the end, the person my heart chose was you. You, Sarah, are who defines me now; how you make me feel, how you challenge me and guide me and how your presence in my life has changed me for the better.’ His eyes ran up and down her body, and he drew her in closer. ‘It’s always been aboutus. Always. And always will be. I am the luckiest man in the world because I’m allowed to love you like I do.’
In his thick Italian accent, Padre Ugo said, ‘Today, Sarah and Matthew have recommitted themselves to each other, to the love they share and to the life they have built together.’
Sarah’s parents wept, while Matthew’s parents beamed. Margherita, with baby Violetta in her arms, Riccardo and Angelo all smiled, looking on from their chairs in the decorated hall of Convento delle Viole. Alberto sat proudly front and centre, admiring the young couple who would continue his family’s legacy, who would inject new life, vitality and fresh blood into a history spanning centuries.
‘Please join me, everyone, in a celebration of this amazing couple,’ Padre Ugo welcomed. It was met with a roar of cheers and applause. ‘Matteo, if you would like, you may re-kiss your bride.’
‘Just try and stop me!’ he announced and dramatically scooped Sarah into his arms.
She threw her head back and gave a joyous laugh as he dipped her, and she melted in his hold for the most photo-worthy kiss.
Before righting her, he nuzzled into her ear and whispered, ‘It wasalwaysyou, Sarah.’
Standing in the centre of the courtyard under the moonlit sky, Alberto assessed his great-nephew at an arms-length. ‘Before I go, I want you to have this.’ He reached into the inner pocket of his navy blazer and withdrew a coin. Playfully, he tossed it in the air and Matthew instinctively caught it, as if they were a slapstick duo.
‘You’re tipping me, now? A lousy Euro? Cheapskate.’
Alberto’s hearty laugh echoed across the courtyard and disappeared into the dark abyss across the valley. He cleared his throat and locked eyes with Matthew. ‘I thought you might like to keep it. A reminder of where it all began.’
Casting his mind back to the coin toss in Alberto’s office on that fateful day, Matthew smiled. ‘Grazie,Zio.’
Alberto gave him a warm embrace, kissed him on both cheeks, and made his way to the waiting car. ‘Grazie a Lei,Matteo D’Adamo,Sindaco diFiorellino sul Monte.’ Matthew dropped his head humbly as Alberto feigned a regal bow. He paused for a moment to take in the sight of Matthew standing by the front entrance to Convento delle Viole, and exhaled a long and contended sigh.I know how to look after my own, he thought proudly, giving Matthew a cheeky wink before dipping into the car.
Matthew watched as it made its way up the driveway and eventually disappeared over the ridge, headed in the direction of theautostradathat would take Alberto back to Florence.
He looked down at the coin in his left palm and traced the outline of da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man with his right index finger. With a flick of his thumb, he tossed it into the air, catching it with a sharp snap. He held it out in front of him, wondering if he should frame it, or perhaps put it on display somewhere inside.
Just as he was about to toss it in the air a second time he stopped, noticing a small scuff across the Vitruvian Man’s torso.Was it there a moment ago?
He turned the coin over in his palm, shocked to find a second Vitruvian Man on the other side. Eyes wide, he felt his skin suddenly grow hot.
Turning to face the driveway, Matthew could just make out the hazy outline of the dust and gravel settling in the car’s wake.
Matthew clenched the coin so tightly in his left fist that it clinked against his wedding band. Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, he simply closed his eyes and said, ‘Grazie,Zio. You really did look after us.’
‘Everything alright out here?’ Sarah joined him in the courtyard, holding the very short train of her gown.
‘Perfect. How are you feeling?’ He gave her cheek a tender stroke with the back of his hand.
‘Just a bit dizzy. That metallic taste is back. Don’t know if I’m hungry or just nauseated again.’ She grimaced. ‘It’s been a long day.’
‘Are you still happy with the plan? Shall we go tell everyone now?’
Sarah steeled herself and closed her eyes. ‘Yes. I can’t deflect any more drinks.’ She stepped forward and he caught her in his arms. Her hands found their favourite position on his chest.
Looking down, Matthew noted how the diamonds in her wedding band glistened in the light emanating from Convento delle Viole. ‘Asking you to marry me was the best decision I have ever made.’
Resting her head against him, she asked, ‘Which time?’
Stroking her lower back, the fraudulent Euro coin now securely in his pocket, he laughed. ‘Both.’
The Modern Marriage 101: Next steps
As you go forth on this journey together, remember the reasons for which you married your partner.
