Page 42 of Innocent Union
It dawns on me then why my mom was so concerned about wanting to see me married. It’s because she’s missed quite a few of her children’s weddings. I know she missed Antonio’s because he got married when he was still in hiding from Franco.
Antonio claps Killian on the back. “I wouldn’t want to miss my friend’s wedding either.” Killian claps his back in return.
“You look amazing,” Francesca tells me. She’s carrying her son in her arms.
“You all look great,” I tell them.
Cecilia steps forward, looking like a model, and I try not to get jealous. “I’m happy for you, Mia.”
I know it’s time I move on from my bitter feelings toward Cecilia. It’s just hard to let it go. But I force myself to smile. “Thank you.”
She reaches her arms around me and pulls me into a hug. After a moment, I hug her back.
Father Enzo clears his throat. “Are we ready now?”
Cecilia lets me go, then stands beside Francesca.
Killian grabs my hand and squeezes it.
Father Enzo begins the ceremony. Surrounded by my family (and Lillian), I feel lucky. I haven’t felt this way since my dad died.
When Father Enzo gets to our vows, I know I’m ready to marry Killian. I’m ready to no longer be the baby of the family but a young woman on my own journey.
“Do you, Killian Brennan, take Mia Moretti to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Killian looks straight into my eyes as he answers. “I do.”
I suck in a quick breath. This is it. I’m going to be married. I’ll be on my way to a happily ever after of my own. Killian winks at me.
“And do you, Mia Moretti, take Killian Brennan to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do,” I say without hesitation. I know in my gut this is right.
Father Enzo smiles, closing his bible. “I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”
Killian does just that.
My family cheers us on. Even Lillian claps. Erin can only smile, but I see the warmth in her eyes when Killian and I pull back.
A nurse walks into the room at that moment. “Wow. We have a party going on in here.”
“My son just got married,” Erin says.
“Congratulations,” the nurse says, walking over to inspect Erin’s IV.
“You did it,” Emilia says, coming over and hugging me. “Our baby sister, finally married.”
“Aren’t I the baby?” Lucia asks.
“Mia was the OG baby,” Gemma says. “And she never let us forget that.” Everyone laughs at that.
“That was wonderful,” Lillian says.
Gemma looks at the old woman. “Who are you?”
“An unexpected guest,” I tell them. “I ran into Lillian in the hallway, and she wanted to join us.”
“Huh.” Gemma shrugs. “Welcome to the family, Lillian. We’re a bunch of crazy people, for the record.”
