Page 89 of To Have and To Hold

I held on to his left hand. “Emiliano, I don’t have a ring. All I have is me.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed.

“Receive me, my body and my soul, my future and my past. I give you all of me as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name…”

Father Gallo lifted his hands. “In the sight of God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Emiliano, you may now kiss your bride.”

His warm palm cupped my cheek as our lips came together.

“May I be the first to introduce to you, Señor and Señora Ruiz.”

“My wife,” he whispered.

My heart fluttered within my chest. “My husband.”

“Go in peace,” Father Gallo said.

Valentina hugged me again. “You and Em decide what you want about wedding rings.” She lifted my left hand. This ring belonged to my abuela. When she and my grandfather married, they couldn’t afford rings. They made rings out of string. Many years later, my grandfather surprised her with this band. She treasured it all of her life.” She touched the band. “The filigree is worn. And inside, in the right light you can see the inscription.” Her smile grew. “You will not hurt my feelings if you want Em to get you something new and shiny. I’ve had it in my jewelry box. I don’t ask that you wear it forever, only that you treasure it.”

I nodded. “I will. Thank you.”

“It’s late,” she said to both Em and me. “Andrés and I will walk Father Gallo out to his car. We will see you both in the morning.”

I looked up at Em.

This was real.

I am Isabella Ruiz.

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Emiliano

With Isabella’s hand in mine, I led her up the stairs. With each step, her grip of my hand intensified and her breathing shallowed. When we reached the top, I stopped walking and took both of her hands in mine. “You can trust me.”

“I do.”

“This door is my father’s office.”

She turned her soft gaze to the door.

“That direction” —I motioned to the left— “is my parents’ suite. Tradition states we’re supposed to spend our wedding night in their bedroom.”

Isabella’s eyes opened wider, and her lips parted.

I lifted her knuckles to my lips. “I informed Mom that we wouldn’t be following that tradition.”

She let out a long breath and color returned to her cheeks. “That would just be weird.”

“Since I’ve lived here as long as I can remember, I agree.” I tugged her hand. “Come, let me show you the other wing. I had it all to myself until my parents brought Cat home and then Camila. It seems that my days of having it alone are over.”

She chuckled. “The same thing happened to me with Noemi and Tony.” She shook her head. “I’m afraid my family won’t come for Sunday’s ceremony.”

What the fuck?

“Of course they’ll come.”

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