Page 87 of To Have and To Hold

“Come,” she looped her arm around mine. “Meet Emiliano’s father, Andrés, and Father Gallo.”

As we approached, moving farther into the house, it seemed as though Em and his father were in an intense discussion.

“Andrés,” Valentina said, getting his attention. “Meet Emiliano’s soon-to-be wife, Isabella.”

Andrés Ruiz dramatically bowed at the waist. When he stood erect, his dark gaze, similar to his son’s, met mine. “Isabella, welcome to our family.”

“Thank you.”

A man with a collar appeared. “Hello, Miss Luciano. I’m Father Gallo. May I speak to you and Emiliano for a few minutes?”

I turned to Em, who nodded.

“Yes,” I answered, unsure what this was about.

Em took my hand, and we followed Father Gallo deeper into their home. When I’d been here for Mia’s wedding, the house was decorated and filled with tables and chairs. Without all that clutter, it was stunning. Room after room of opulent décor. As we approached the back room, it extended the width of the first floor with a wall of windows looking out to the pool deck. In an abyss of darkness, the pool water glowed with changing colored lights. Beyond the deck, the sky was black and dotted with a million stars. The sound of crashing waves from the ocean below could be heard through the open glass door.

The large room had a fireplace at one end and multiple groupings of couches and soft chairs. Father Gallo motioned to one grouping.

Em and I sat on one couch and the priest sat on another facing us.

“Is everything all right?” Em asked.

Father Gallo smiled. “Of course. I’m not unaccustomed to being called in the middle of the night to marry members of your family.” He sat back. “When Mia called for Camila, I was satisfied with Camila’s desire to wed. I’d known Camila since she was young—her first communion—I believe.” He brought his stare to me. “Isabella, I don’t know you.” He turned to Em. “I do know you, Emiliano.” Back to me. “Isabella, before we proceed, I’d like to talk about you.”

I held tight to Em’s hand and replied, “Okay.”

“Please reassure me of your faith, your virtue, and your willingness to commit to Emiliano to be his wife.”

Inhaling, I sat tall. “Father, my faith is without question. I attended Saint Mary’s of the Woods throughout my twelve years of schooling.” I lifted Em’s hand and looked up at his handsome face. “I love Emiliano. It happened fast, but I believe it was meant to happen.” I turned back to Father Gallo. “I want to be his wife, tonight and until forever.”

The priest nodded. “Good answers. As the word of God tells us, a virtuous woman is worth more than rubies. The heart of the husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need for spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Are you this woman for Emiliano.”

Before I could answer, Em spoke up. “Father, I assume your next question will be about my virtue. I assume you will ask me if I am a virgin, if I’ve committed any sins…”

Father Gallo sat taller. “I’m doing what is right.”

“What is right,” Em said, “is to have faith that Isabella and I have had this conversation. If you’re so inclined to be told the answer, I suggest that as you say your bedtime prayers, you present the question to God. For he is all knowing.”

Father Gallo swallowed and nodded. “Emiliano, what are your intentions regarding Isabella?”

“I love Isabella with all of my heart.” His dark brown eyes shone down at me as he grinned. “She’s beautiful.”

“Sí,” said the priest.

“But she’s much more than that. I can’t explain the way she makes me feel. My mother was right. I’d never thought much about marriage. It’s different with Isabella. I want to protect her, love her, and make her every wish come true.”

Father Gallo stood. “Then I think I have a marriage to perform.”

“Will you be doing the ceremony on Sunday afternoon as well?” I asked.

“Yes, unless either of you have an objection.”

Em let go of my hand and stood. “I think we’ve cleared the air.”

Father Gallo held his hands together and bowed his head toward me. “I did not mean to offend, Miss Luciano.”

“As Em said, the air is cleared.”

---