Isabetta handed me a blue handkerchief, bringing me back from my thoughts.
“Something borrowed, something blue. You’ll need this. You’re pregnant, and your hormones will be all over the place today.”
I kissed her cheek. “Thank you.”
There was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” I called, as the makeup artist gently pressed foundation into my skin.
“Claire, you look beautiful,” a familiar voice said.
I blinked at the mirror. “Hope!”
She hugged me tightly. My sister visited me occasionally when work brought her to New York. We were always cautious. She never understood why I refused to leave my small apartment. I explained it was due to my hectic schedule, but she had no idea I was hiding from Ivan, fearing his men might have tracked her.
“I wish Mom was here,” I said, a tear rolling down my cheek.
“Me too,” Hope replied, sniffling.
“I can’t believe Vino managed to get you away from your sewing machine,” Hope laughed.
I chuckled. “You have no idea. We have so much to catch up on.”
“Is Noah here?” I asked.
“Yes, I’ll introduce you to him after the ceremony.” Hope beamed.
Knocking sounded at the door once more.
“Claire?”
I turned and froze. That voice—I hadn’t heard it in person in years. I stood, tears instantly falling.
“Daddy,” I breathed, wrapping my arms around him.
“I missed you, doll baby.”
“I missed you too.”
I looked to my left. “Miles!” I yelled.
He lifted me and spun me around. “I miss you, big little sis.”
After setting me down, Miles said, “I can’t believe Ivan turned out to be a bad guy.”
“How do you know about Ivan?”
“Vino. Spoke to us a couple of weeks ago. He wanted us to understand why we hadn’t seen you in person until your big day,” Miles said.
I kissed my brother’s cheek.
I couldn’t stop staring at my little family, who I hadn’t touched in years.
After our happy reunion, I introduced them to Vino’s mother. Then I sat back in the chair to finish getting glammed.
When it was time, my father walked me down the aisle. I smiled and waved at Gia, her brother, the mafia wives, and their husbands, sitting amongst each other.
Vino stepped off the stage, and Dad placed my hand in Vino’s.