Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 245(@200wpm)___ 196(@250wpm)___ 163(@300wpm)
“Ready, baby girl?” my dad asked.
“Yes, Daddy. I’m ready.”
He guided me down the aisle, allowing me to pay no attention to where I was walking as I kept my eyes locked on Nic’s. It felt like it took forever to reach him, and then my dad was placing my hand in Nic’s, so we could turn to face the priest who would marry us.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, the joining of two hearts,” he began. “Today we witness the joining of Niccolo DeLuca and Gianna Martin in marriage.”
Nic’s hand squeezed mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles while the priest continued.
“If there is anyone present who has just cause why this couple should not be united let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Nic stiffened next to me, and I glanced up to find him glaring at the priest and then turning his fierce gaze towards our audience, as though he really believed someone might dare to interfere with our wedding.
“Be at ease, Niccolo,” the priest murmured. “It’s merely a formality.”
“Move on then,” Nic growled back, making me blush at the way he was speaking to the priest while standing in his church.
The priest chuckled, seemingly used to Nic’s ways, and turned his attention towards our parents. “Who gives this man and woman to be married today?”
“We do,” they all murmured.
“We have come together to witness the joining of these two lives. For Niccolo and Gianna, the extraordinary has happened. They met each other, fell in love, and are finalizing it with this wedding. It is their desire to love each other for life and that is what we are celebrating here today.”
Tears streamed out of my eyes. Extraordinary was an understatement when it came to how much I loved Nic. I gazed up at the amazing man standing by my side, incredibly grateful that he’d fallen in love with me, just as I had with him. The priest continued on with the opening of the ceremony and the reading of 1st Corinthians. I was so busy gazing up at Nic, in awe as he spoke his vows, that I missed it when the priest told me to repeat after him.
“It’s your turn, mia dolce,” Nic prodded.
“Oh,” I gasped. “Sorry.”
Everyone in the church laughed, making me blush and stumble a little when I began.
“I, Gianna Martin, take you, Niccolo DeLuca, to be my husband, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish our relationship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you. Laugh with you and cry with you. And, I will love you faithfully through the best and the worst, in sickness and in health, and for richer or for poorer. Whatever may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep.”
I stared at a lone tear trailing down Nic’s cheek through the prayers for the faithful, mine falling hard as we repeated our ‘I Do’s’ and listened to another scripture reading. And then, Nic was sliding his ring onto my finger. Once it was in place, I turned to the side and leaned down to whisper in Sophia’s ear. She beamed up at me, untying a ribbon on the side of her basket, which had carried the rose petals she’d tossed when she walked down the aisle.
“Here’s Daddy’s ring, Mommy,” she said sweetly, holding it up for me to take.
“Thank you, baby girl.”
The moment I saw the trinity ring at Cartier, I knew I had to get it for Nic. The three intertwined bands perfectly represented Nic and I, coming together in marriage with one of our children at our side and the other in my belly.
“Take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit.”
The priest started to speak again, but there was one more thing I needed to do before he could finish the ceremony. “Can I have a moment, please?”
“Of course, my dear.”
I turned back to Sophia and dropped to my knees. “Can I see your basket, sweetie?”
She nodded, and I reached into the bottom of it for the velvet bag I’d secured to it with a different ribbon earlier that morning. I pulled on the drawstring at the top of the bag, and withdrew the gold necklace inside. Standing up, I slid it over her neck.
“It’s so pretty,” she gasped, lifting it up to peer at the locket attached to the chain.
“Today’s a special day for you and me, Sophia.”
“It is?”
“From now on, not only am I your mommy, but I also have the same last name as you, too.”
Sophia smiled up at me, but was quickly distracted by her necklace. When I turned to Nic, love and adoration shown from his eyes. “Thank you, sweet Gianna.”