door because he glanced over his shoulder, offering me a cheeky wink. He was trouble, that much was obvious, and I was relieved not to have to worry about him going after Nora. She might have enjoyed her newfound freedom, but she had boundaries, and Dane was still in high school.
Besides, the second the doors opened, and she took Tristan’s arm, she had the attention of almost every guy in the room. Including Enzo.
“Ready?” Luis approached me. He looked mighty fine in his sleek black three-piece.
“I am.” He crooked his elbow and I laced my arm through his.
“You look beautiful, Arianne. Every father should see their daughter take their wedding vows... I’m sure he will regret this day for the rest of his life.”
“He made his choice.”
“Well, his loss is my gain. It is an honor to accompany you down the aisle. Shall we?” We moved into place, waiting for the pianist and cellist to start the entrance music. The soft notes of Christina Perri’s A Thousand Years filled the room and everyone turned to watch as Luis walked me slowly down the aisle.
I felt their stares, heard their sighs of approval, and whispers of judgment. But they all fell away the second my eyes found Nicco. His gaze grew, shining with pure and unconditional love as he drank me in. I wanted to run to him, to rush into his arms and declare myself his for all eternity. But I knew Allegra was watching, ready to intervene if anything went off script.
With every step closer, my heart beat harder, until I felt sure it would explode in my chest. We finally reached the officiant, and Nicco stepped towards us.
“Bambolina, you look…” the words died on his lips, but I saw the intention in his heated gaze, and color bloomed in my cheeks.
Luis laid my hand in Nicco’s before dipping his head to kiss my cheek. “This is your moment, Ari. You deserve it.” He backed away and we turned to face the officiant.
“Welcome, family, friends, and loved ones,” he began. “We are gathered here today in the presence of God, to unite Arianne and Niccolò in holy matrimony. Marriage is a gift, given to us so that we might experience the joys of unconditional love with a lifelong partner...”
Nicco squeezed my hand, and I peeked over at him. He looked devastatingly handsome. The sharp, black three-piece molded to his broad shoulders and tapered in at his waist. His eyes were dark, swirling with possessiveness. But it was his smile that knocked the air from my lungs. He looked so happy.
He looked... free.
The officiant took a deep breath, smiling at the both of us. “Niccolò, do you take Arianne to be your wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to her as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
My heart beat so hard, I inhaled a shaky breath.
“And Arianne, do you take Niccolò to be your wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, remain faithful to him as long as you both shall live?”
“I do.”
He nodded with approval before looking out to the crowd behind us. “Who gives Arianne to be married to Niccolò?”
“I do,” my father’s voice rang out clear across the room, and my head whipped around.
He walked toward us, his eyes filled with pride and regret. “Sorry I’m late.” He looked at me. “Mio tesoro.” It came out choked. “Sei bellissima.”
Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them down. “You’re here?”
“I am.” My father turned his focus on Nicco. “Take good care of her, Son.”
“I will.” They shared a lingering look before he took the empty seat next to my mother.
She beamed at me, and a sense of rightness washed over me. I hadn’t mourned my father’s absence, but him coming here, being here to witness this, gave me hope for the future.
As the officiant continued, I was too lost in my thoughts to hear his words. Lost in a daydream of dark-haired babies with brown eyes, of laughter and happiness, and a home filled with love.
It wasn’t until Nicco squeezed my hand again, I realized they were waiting for me.