Family Ties (Morelli Family 4)

Mia stands in front of me, hands on each shoulder, grinning at me. “Are you ready to see yourself? I have to remind you, your make-up is perfect, so don’t tear up.”

Laughing a little, I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to tear up, goofball.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” she says, stepping back and gesturing to the mirror like it’s a prize and she’s hosting a game show.

As soon as I see the image of myself as a bride peering back at me, I get it. Mia decides to make it even worse by grabbing my hydrangea bouquet and giving it to me so I get the full effect.

I do feel a little burn behind my eyes, but I manage to keep it under control.

“Oh my God, I’m a bride. I’m getting married.”

Mia laughs at me, but she doesn’t understand. I know it’s silly, I know I’ve been planning this moment for months now, dreaming about it for longer, but now, seeing my reflection… now it’s real.

This is no fantasy. This is no dream. This is my reality. This is my future.

This is the day I marry Salvatore Castellanos.

This is the best day of my life.

Chapter Forty Nine

Francesca

“Why am I so nervous?”

Mateo turns to look at me, faintly amused. “I couldn’t say. I’ve never done this before. Maybe you’re marrying the wrong person.”

I roll my eyes at the utter ridiculousness of such a statement. “Yeah, right.”

“No doubts?”

“Not even a ghost of a doubt. A dream of a doubt. Doubt may as well not even exist as a word, that’s how few doubts I have.”

He nods his approval. “Good. I don’t think this would be a very easy divorce.”

I can’t hold back a smile as I roll my eyes at him for the second time in under a minute. “God, you’re a real romantic, you know that?”

“That’s what they tell me.”

Even though he looks impeccable all the time, I try to distract myself from my own nerves by focusing on him. The crisp black fabric of his tux stretches across his broad shoulders, a snowy white dress shirt that wouldn’t dare wrinkle underneath. The main difference from his everyday wear is the black cummerbund and the black bow tie around his neck. Mateo never wears bow ties, but he should, because he rocks it. Whichever woman he ends up marrying is going to love him in a tux.

“Phew, this is taking forever,” I remark, rocking forward on the toes of my pretty blue heels.

“I guess Isabella isn’t walking fast this time,” he says lightly.

My stomach is still a mess of nerves as we wait for our cue to step into place. Even though I already know what I look like, I feel hot from nerves and the prospect of so many eyes on me. Turning to Mateo, I ask, “Do I still look okay?”

His gaze moves over me briefly and he nods. “You look stunning. If you don’t take his breath away on sight, I’ll stop the wedding.”

That makes me grin. I clutch my bouquet and lean over to nudge him in the arm. He gives me a real smile, pearly whites and all, and I feel special.

Finally we get our cue. Mateo offers his arm and a fresh wave of nerves roll over me as I take it and he leads me to our position. Once we’re in place, I can hear the shuffling sounds of everyone rising just beyond the door.

“This is it,” I murmur.

The doors are pulled open. A sea of strangers stand turned to face us, but I don’t look at any of them. The music begins, alerting everyone to the start of my march, but I can only see Sal, standing there at the end. He does look a little stunned at the sight of me. I grin so hard it hurts and my insides feel like they’re overflowing with delight. I haven’t moved though, and the music has started, so Mateo starts. I squeeze his arm a little tighter, my stomach turning and tumbling with nerves and emotions I wasn’t prepared for. It’s the longest walk of my life, and I’m so overwhelmed, but I’m glad Mateo is escorting me, because he’s calm and confident, and I can’t remember how to even walk in front of people. He gets me to the end of the aisle like he’s supposed to, but all I can do is moon at Sal like a lovestruck fool. He looks so handsome in his tux and I feel so pretty in my dress. I just want this whole ceremony to be over so he can hold me in his arms while we dance.

A man in white robes holds an open Bible in his hands, his voice carrying across the room. “Marriage is the blending of two families, separate up to this moment, but united from this day forward. To honor this blessed union, the groom asks permission of the bride’s family.” He looks to Mateo. “Do you give your blessing for this woman to be married to this man?”