And with all these great people, the core group here, for whom I'm having this formal, blueberry-stained wedding, I know I'm lucky.
I'm not alone.
They are family.
Enzo's eyes light up as his dad hands me over.
His gaze hits the stain.
He presses his lips together, trying not to laugh.
"I know. I look like I lost a fight with a Smurf," I hiss, remembering that old cartoon.
He shakes his head. "No, you look like you massacred a heap of Smurfs."
"Your daughter painted me in blueberries."
And he grins. "That's my Squish."
"Your kid is a year and change old and is trying to walk, speak, and rule the planet."
"Good girl." His chest puffs out.
I glower, fighting my own sigh. "She's havoc in pink."
"Lucky she's so freaking adorable, just like her mommy," he whispers.
Hell. Tears blur my eyes as I melt.
"Yes. And God help us when she's a teenager."
Before he can lose his shit, the priest says, "Dearly beloved..."
Because Mario wanted to be involved in the wedding, he's got a world-class chef and team for the food and drinks.
We celebrate in the great room turned dining room and ballroom.
I've danced with everyone, and now I'm back in my husband's arms, swaying with him as the music plays softly.
Eliza's fingers pull at my hair as he holds her too.
I smile at him. "We're married."
Enzo kisses my mouth as I look up, trying to keep my eyes open. "I noticed. I'm sorry if it wasn't the wedding you wanted."
"I would have been happy with you and Squish in City Hall or in Vegas, and I'm just as happy here. I realized the part of the day for us was the vows. Not the words we said, but the meaning behind them. It's forever. We have each other's backs. Thick and thin, good and bad. This is real love. And I'm here for it."
"God, I fucking love you, Lola. And you, my little Squish."
"Even though she's not a boy?" I can't help teasing him. Because even when we found out the sex, he insisted the doctor was wrong.
Now? He's adamant she's exactly what he wanted.
"A boy?" He sounds utterly outraged. "Who wants a stinky boy? I never did. A perfect little girl, that's for me."
I laugh. "Liar, liar, pants on fire, you know?"
"Only if you're a snitch." And he holds me tighter.
