I Niccolò Luca Marchetti take thee, Arianne Carmen Lina Capizola,
to be my wedded wife,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part.
This is my solemn vow.
“Now Arianne…”
I, Arianne Carmen Lina Capizola take thee, Niccolò Luca Marchetti,
to be my wedded husband,
to have and to hold,
from this day forward,
for better, for worse,
for richer, for poorer,
in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish,
till death do us part.
This is my solemn vow.
“And now the exchanging of the rings.” The officiant called Enzo forward. “The ring is symbolic, it is without beginning and without end. I believe this exchange of rings not only reminds us of the unending love you have for each other, but also reflects the eternal love God has for each of you. May I have the token of the groom’s love for Arianne?” He turned to Enzo who offered up a small velvet pouch.
“Niccolò, repeat after me…”
This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
Nicco slid the band onto my trembling finger, his touch lingering as if he wanted to savor the moment.
“And now may I have the token of the bride’s love for Niccolò?” Enzo handed the officiant Nicco’s wedding band and he offered it to me.
This ring I give in token and pledge, as a sign of my love and devotion. With this ring, I thee wed.
I pushed the plain gold band onto Nicco’s finger. The officiant placed our hands atop of one another’s and took them in his. “Niccolò and Arianne, since you have consented together in holy matrimony, and have pledged yourselves to each other by your solemn vows and by the giving of rings, and have declared your commitment of love before God and these witnesses, I now pronounce you husband and wife in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those whom God hath joined together, let no man separate.” He smiled. “Niccolò you may kiss your bride.”
Nicco turned to me and moved in, pressing his palm against my cheek. “Ti amo più oggi di ieri ma meno di domani.” His lips brushed mine, but I fisted his jacket, pulling him closer and deepening the kiss.
This man was mine, just as I was his, and I wanted the world to know.
People began to cheer, but it was the officiant who cleared his throat. I buried my face in Nicco’s shoulder.
“It’s okay, my wife.” Nicco coaxed me out. “We have time.” His eyes glittered with promise. And I knew he was right.
We did have time.
We had all the time in the world.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the officiant’s voice rose over the thud of my heart, “it is my privilege to introduce to you for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Marchetti.”
“You know, Nicco is a good guy, but I think you picked the wrong Marchetti.”
“Nice, Dane, real nice.” Enzo approached us. “Don’t let him hear you say that. He already beat your ass once, but he’ll do it again.”
“I can take him,” Dane scoffed.
“Keep telling yourself that, kid. And lay off the liquor before your old man realizes you're drunk.”
“I’m not drunk...” He swayed on his feet. “I’m just happy.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Enzo clapped him on the back and gave him a gentle shove toward where Arabella and Bailey were sitting. “Go hang out at the kiddie table.”
“He’s a sweet kid.”
“He’s trouble.” Enzo smirked. “You okay?”
“I’m good.” I smiled. “Just resting my feet.” I kicked up my dress to reveal my lack of shoes.
“That’s just... weird.” He jammed his hands in his pockets, his eyes fixated on the dance floor.
“You could go dance with her you know?” I said. I didn’t really like the idea of Enzo with my best friend, but the tension between them was undeniable. Only I couldn’t decide if they were harboring sheer hatred or burning lust.
“I don’t dance.”
“Matteo seems to have no problem.” He spun Nora around like a rag doll, the two of them laughing and smiling.
“I’m pretty sure the bride isn’t supposed to be hiding in the shadows, watching as everyone else enjoys her big day.” He cast me a sideways glance.
“I’m not hiding, I’m just... taking a breather.”
The Marchetti family was big. Full of loud characters and overbearing women. Nicco had spent the first hour of the evening introducing me to the people I had yet to meet.