Bella Mafia

Chapter 60

(Continuation of chapter 59)

Bri had managed to get me in my gown, minus my shoes and veil when we were stopped by a knock at the door.  It was Clarissa and Aunt Ines.  Thank God!  We needed all hands on deck at this point and I was starting to panic.

Bri let them in and all I heard were gasps from the two women.  "Oh Calli, tesoro!" Said Clarissa and then Aunt Ines chimed in with "My darling nephew will have his hands full with you tonight, my little gattina" she said wiggling her eyebrows up and down and I blushed immediately.

"Calli, your Nona is waiting in Alberto's study.  I thought you might want to put your veil on in there so she can see you before she is taken to her seat."  Leave it to Clarissa to be the only one still thinking clearly because I was not.

Ines grabbed the bag with my veil, I picked up my shoes, Vincent's ring and my vows, Bri packed the rest of my toiletries and brought my luggage and Clarissa made sure my dress was out of the way as we went down the stairs.

We made it to the study in one piece and everything in tow and when I saw my Nona, it was all I could do not to cry.  She looked like a vision!

She was in a soft lilac colored gown, the top portion was lace, just like on my gown, but her dress had long sleeves where mine did not.

Her beautiful, silvery hair had been swept up in an elegant chignon with a few pieces curled to frame her face.  She was elegance personified.

"Nona!  Sei bellissima (You look beautiful)!"  I cried as I knelt down to greet her with a kiss to each cheek.  Her bright eyes glazed with tears.

"Calli, tesoro, sei una visione in bianco (Calli, sweetheart, you are a vision in white)" she said softly.  "Let's get your veil on and have a wedding, shall we?"  Her face shining with happiness.

I nodded as Clarissa stepped forward, the photographer poised for photo opportunities, clicking away as my veil was attached.

We took pictures as a group, then some of me by the fireplace, me with Nona, then Bri, Clarissa and Aunt Ines and when that was done, we were ushered to towards the backdoor.

When we got into the kitchen, Alberto was waiting for me as Clarissa went to fetch the bouquets and I couldn't help but be stunned at how handsome he looked in his tux.

Then there was Luca.  Damn he looked good too, he and Bri smiling at each other, they were happy and I was overjoyed for them.

When Clarissa returned, she kissed me gently on the check and then was escorted out to her seat.  Ines and Nona had already gone.

I turned to Alberto, the look of pride and happiness not easily ignored, as he said "I truly hope my son knows how blessed he is."  Placing a kiss on my forehead as the photographer snapped the picture, he got another one as Alberto pulled the veil over my face.

We heard Glasgow Love Theme start to play and that was Luca and Bri's cue to start heading down the flower-laden path and then, I heard the stringed instruments start the Wedding March.  This was it!

I looked at the hundreds of guests, standing in respect, as I walked down the aisle on the arm of my father-in-law but nothing prepared me for Vincent.

His hair was beautifully wild and his sexy smile decorated his handsome face.  He was wearing a black fitted tuxedo with a lavender bow tie and elegantly shined black leather shoes.  I was the blessed one, no doubt.

I couldn't help but notice the look on his face when he saw me, his mouth drew up into that smirk I adored.  Yeah, he knew how lucky he was!

Before I knew it, we were standing next to him and in front of the priest.  "Who gives this woman, to this man?" Father Trombotta asked.  Alberto said very clearly "We do, Clarissa and I."  Turning to me, he gently lifted my veil, pecked me on the cheek and joined mine and Vincent's hand.

I could feel my body heat up under his gaze as his sexy lips formed You are so beautiful, cara mia.  I mouthed back You are so handsome, mi amore.

Father Trombotta went on with his prepared text as Vincent and I couldn't keep our eyes off the other, until our priest cleared his throat, repeating it was time for our vows.

I giggled, he smirked and our guests got a good chuckle, then it turned serious as Vincent recited his own vows he'd written just for me.

"My Calli, I will pick you up, whenever you fall.  You can always trust me with your heart.  Today, I take you as my wife and I take no greater honor in doing this.  I will cherish, love and protect you as long as we both draw breath.  Ti amo baby."

I just couldn't absorb his words quick enough, they had come from his heart and delivered with such sincerity, I clung to them as though they were a life preserver.  They were mine.  All mine.

Then it was my turn and I silently prayed I could get through them without breaking down.  I inhaled, exhaled and began.

"Today I ask you to be my husband, my partner for the rest of our lives.  I will be loyal to you and love and adore you.  I will laugh with you and I will strive to bring out the best in you and for you, I will be the best possible version of myself.  Ti amo baby."

Then it was time for the rings and those vows.  Vincent said his with so much emotion and feeling and I felt our hearts become one the minute he placed my ring on my finger and sealed it with a kiss.

Bri handed me his ring and as I slipped it on and repeated those vows and it solidified what I felt earlier and I followed his lead, lifting his hand and sealed it with a kiss.

Father Trombotta concluded everything and then said "Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, for the very first time, Vincenzo Alessandro and Calliope Rose Siranni!"

We'd done it!  We were married!  My face hurt so much, from smiling, as we walked back down the aisle, husband and wife, our lives were just beginning!

Everyone was instructed on where to go for the reception as our wedding party went for more pictures and when we were finally done, we headed that way as well.

The DJ announced us as we prepared to enter the covered dance floor.  "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome to the dance floor, for their first dance, Vincent and Calli Siranni!"

Vincent had let me pick all of the songs and for our first dance I chose Maybe I'm Amazed by Paul McCartney.  The words and music truly were wonderful as it said everything I wanted him to know and as he held me in his arms, I knew he got it.

Our song and dance ended to the applause of our guests as the DJ announced the Father/Daughter dance.  I had chosen Daughter by Loudon Wainwright III and as soon as it started playing, I knew I had chosen well.

Alberto was light on his feet as he gently guided me to our song and when it was finished, he blessed me with a kiss to my head and a hug.  He was going to be just what I needed in my life.

Now it was Vincent and Clarissa's turn and for their song, I had picked A Song for My Son by Mikki Viereck and I knew I had chosen well the minute I watched them dancing.

Today, this part, had been everything that I had wanted and more.  If there was such a thing as heaven on earth, it was this place, my home, here in Sicily, with mi famiglia.