around before.
“That’s a lot of history.”
“History we will never be able to rewrite. But in time, a history we can change going forward. Are you with me?”
His grin is all I need. “Always.”
The crowd parts, and a nurse from the nursing home pushes Father Luke through in his wheelchair.
Raphael releases my hand as I walk down the steps, stopping before him,
his smile triumphant
“Hand in hand, they will rise, and you most definitely did,” he boasts.
Shifting in his chair, he looks up to his nurse. Digging around in her pocket, she reaches out and drops something in his hand.
“A long time ago, you gave me something to hold on to. It was only meant to be for a few days, but it turned into years. These belong to you. I have a feeling you’re going to need them.”
Reaching for my hand, he turns it over and drops two rings onto my palm. They’re the rings we planned to give each other on our eighteenth birthdays.
“I forgot all about them.”
“Raphael didn’t. He asked me to keep them safe, believing you would need them one day, whenever that day would be.”
Raphael stands just behind me, and I can’t express how much I love him. He vowed so many times to end me, but like me, he could never give the final order.
There was a time I set out to destroy Raphael Marocchi, but it was because of my heart that I failed again and again.
Epilogue
Raphael
“You’re finally getting what you want, Cousin.”
Cristian, my best man, sits across from me on our way to the church.
I can’t help but smile. “It’s about time, isn’t it?”
“Sure is.”
This day couldn’t have come fast enough for me. I was over the fucking moon when Mila said she wanted to plan our wedding as soon as possible. The prophecy said we’d rise hand in hand, and today we’ll tie ourselves to each other before everyone. Today, love triumphs hate, and light will shine in every dark corner. Vita has hope once again, and it’s giving life to the city like we’ve never seen before.
People greet me as I climb out of the car and walk into the church to greet every single person in return. The fight for control over Vita is over, and as I take my place at the altar, I can’t help but let the nerves attack me from every angle. So many nights I dreamt of this moment, only to have my bride crumble to ash at my feet.
The choir sings softly, and the candles flicker their small flames all around the church, decorated with black and red roses. The doors open, and there she stands, every inch of her clad in ivory silk and lace. The veil I dreamed about covers her face, yet I can still see her dark, stunning eyes. Our guests, the people of Vita, stand with those lined around the edges of the church while the harpist begins a melody Mila chose. Whispers of her beauty echo around me. But me, I’m struggling to remember that we’re not the only two in the room as she begins her walk down the aisle toward me.
We once planned to marry in this very church with Father Luke officiating, and two sisters we’d never met before for our witnesses. But having the people of Vita here to witness our union is so much better.
“You’re a lucky son of a bitch. She thought you were trying to kill her for a decade, and here she is, stunning, and about to become your wife,” Cristian murmurs.
It could be luck, but I’d like to think it’s destiny, that we were always going to be standing here. We were born on the same night, at the same time, because we were destined not only to bring peace, but to share a love so great, it’s not worth living without it.
The harpist slowly finishes her piece as Mila stops before me. My throat clogs with emotion as I step forward and lift her veil, her beauty achingly bestowing me.
She beams at me. “This is it.”
“Please. This is only the beginning.”
She doesn’t turn to ash, and just like that, all my nightmares are a thing of the past. I, Raphael Marocchi, takes this woman to be my wife, my lover, my fucking everything. Even on days when she might threaten to end my life—because I’ll no doubt piss her off—and on days she needs me to simply hold her. Eternity wouldn’t be enough with her, but I’ll settle for my forever.
* * *
Jamila
The reception is long past due to be over, but our guests are nowhere near finished celebrating. It’s been a long day, and as I look down at my wedding band, I can’t help but yawn.
“I’ve been wanting to get you home for hours, but I’m not taking no for an answer any longer.”
For once, I’m not going to argue with my husband. My chest heaves with emotion. My husband. Two words I long ago learned to dissociate with Raphael.
We’re able to quietly and discreetly slip out of the hotel, and Raphael helps me bunch up my dress so I can climb into the car without tearing the silk and lace.
Our driver takes us to the new home we moved into last week, and I don’t even care that there are still boxes all over the place. Raphael has stayed close since the ceremony, and even closer during the reception. Of course I didn’t mind, needing him just as close to me. There have been so many obstacles thrown in front of us, and because we fought through them all, this day is that much sweeter.
The car comes to a stop on our new drive, and I slip out a lot easier than I did getting in. As soon as I saw this dress, I knew it was the one. I couldn’t bring myself to change into a second dress for the evening party.
I’m slammed against the wall as soon as we step through the door. A new door for us opening to new possibilities for all. Every day that’s passed since the DiMarco’s took their last breath is another aspect of our lives that fall into place. Gabriella is running against the locksmith for the mayor’s position, and I’m backing her to win. The streets are alive with people celebrating our peace, and now our union. Work begins next week to rip down our homes and clear the lands to make way for housing for the poorer citizens. Life is great, and it’s only going to get better.
“I thought it would be enough knowing you’re my wife, but I still need more,” he growls, assaulting my neck with his lips.
“A part of me thinks I must have died, that this isn’t real. That I can’t be this happy and be alive.”
“I could shoot you again. I assure you, the pain would be very real.”
His grin lights up his eyes, along with my heart. A part of me understands him, but I’m no longer living, disbelieving anything. I’m enjoying every minute of every day. We have a lot to make up for, and I’ll be damned if I waste a second of it.
“And risk staining your beautiful dress in my blood? I’ll take your word for it.”
“Then kiss me.”
And he does. Like with every other kiss, he puts everything he’s feeling into it. It’s dizzying and overwhelming sometimes, but never a reason to deny him.
“I love you, Raphael.”
“My Mila, I love you more.”