Page 99 of Till Death Do Us Part

She looked around. Felice and Cassio were standing off to the side. Cassio didn’t look happy, but Felice was staring at my face, gauging it. I smiled at him. His face softened, and so did my heart.

“John. He brought me here.” She smiled at me. “I wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”

“Was Hayden okay with you missing work? I know you don’t have any sick time left and—”

“John took care of everything.” She wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled me toward the property. “Lo told me about your dress. I know your mom helped you design it. I’m so sorry. Do you need a new one?”

That was something I hadn’t even considered.

“Yes. I do. But.” I turned to look at Felice. He was still watching me. “I don’t want to leave and have something happen. Alfonso and Jack…”

“We’ll get one. What about your sisters?”

I pulled out my phone. I must have had over fifty texts from my sisters, between our family chat and individually. My chest felt too tight to read them all. I sent one to our group chat.

Y:I’m with Felice and I’m okay. Wish you were all here, though.

It was a bit cryptic. No one knew we were getting married yet. But I felt compelled to say it. Even though my sisters could be major pains in my ass, having them around always felt like keeping Mamma close. When we came together, her presence felt stronger.

Elsa pulled me closer and started asking questions about the wedding and thecastello.

Between wedding plans and Elsa’s desire for information on the property, it seemed like the days went by in a flash. I found myself standing in front of a full-length mirror in a silk robe with frastaglio, makeup scattered around, my new gown hanging from the bathroom door, still covered up.

I’d given Elsa a description of what I wanted. The designer had seven dresses similar in style. I asked Felice to choose his favorite. I still had no idea which one he chose. I took the dress down and unwrapped it. I grinned. He’d chosen my favorite. A formfitting, long-sleeved, vintage lace design with a high neck. The veil hung next to it. I took it out of the bag and had to sit down for a second.

It was the veil Mamma had gotten made for me. It was perfectly clean.

A knock came at the door. I opened it, expecting Elsa to be on the other side.

Lo held up her bag of tricks, tears in her eyes. “If you think you’re getting married without me, bish, you—”

She couldn’t even finish. I pulled her in, Alina and Talia all getting in on the hug. When we broke apart, they all filed in. Isabella stood by the door, looking unsure.

“Thank you,” I said to her, my voice breaking, “for coming.”

Tears rushed down her cheeks as she wrapped me in her arms, kissing my cheek. “You’re my baby sister,” she whispered. “I love you.”

“Okay,” Elsa said, coming in. “We need to turn this beauty into a bride.”

Lo was already setting up her station. Alina and Talia were all over the place, helping wherever. Isabella went straight for the gown and veil.

“Babbo?” I asked, knowing the answer but asking anyway.

Lo shook her head, then Talia asked if the wedding was being held at thecastello. The reception was, but Felice was unmovable about getting married in church. It was an hour from thecastello, in Taormina. It was next to a clock tower and facing Piazza IX Aprile and the Ionian Sea.

We took three separate cars. Lo, Elsa, Celso and Fredo were with me. The square was pedestrian only, but the bridal car was allowed. I tried not to think about Babbo not being next to me. Lo held my hand the entire way.

“Mamma is here with us,” she whispered. “I feel her.”

My throat was too tight to answer her, but I hoped she was. I wanted her here with me.

The car slowed in front of the church. I’d never seen it before. It was of baroque style and made of Syracuse stone. White roses and baby’s breath lined the railings and were displayed in massive stone vases for the wedding.

Mywedding.

I took a deep breath and stepped out, Fredo offering me his hand. The scent of the sea was strong in the air. A tender breeze touched my skin, fluttering my veil.

My sisters and Elsa fussed over me, Scarlett appearing out of nowhere it seemed to help them. They all went inside a minute or two later to take their seats. A double staircase led up to the entrance. Uncle Tito fixed his suit as he came down one of them.

---