Page 41 of Forbidden Pregnancy (The Buffalo Italian Mob Family #2)

Chapter Thirty-Four

Myra

I walk down the aisle arm in arm with my father, who still doesn’t approve of me marrying a white man.

He has never approved of anything that I’ve done since I didn’t follow the family tradition of enlisting in the Air Force when I turned eighteen.

My mother has been a lot more supportive, even if it’s only because she “had a prophetic dream” that I would marry a white man.

Dad feels offended, like I’m choosing to defy his style of masculinity by marrying Michael.

When he learns that Michael shares his enthusiasm for the Buffalo Bills, I hope he’ll change his tune. For now, I can feel his reluctance and the undercurrent of disapproval that has always permeated my parents’ opinions of my choices.

Holding Michael’s gaze steadies my nerves and the doubt that I feel about everything disappears.

I never told my family about what happened to me.

I was too ashamed to admit that I slipped up and slept with a man as dangerous as Michael Corsini.

I never meant for Michael to know the truth, but when he found out…

he just destroyed everything that threatened me.

His power scares me, but when I look into his eyes, I just feel safe. My bond to Michael defies explanation. Maybe it’s just as simple as the good girls fall for the bad boys… and we both need someone to grow old with.

Father Barzini preaches for a while about the importance of love and commitment.

Michael stares at me. He can’t make out the details of my face through the veil, but I still feel like he has insight deep into my soul just from the way he looks at me.

I hang onto Father Barzini’s words as if deep listening could make the whole thing go faster.

Finally, we get to say our vows. It’s the most exciting and nerve-wracking part of the night.

Michael wanted us to write our own vows, which surprised me, because I didn’t think he was the type of man who would want to write his feelings down.

I don’t mind writing my feelings down, but I’m a little too introverted to get excited about reading my deepest inner feelings out loud.

Michael and I both have to tackle some of our fears before we commit to each other, kiss each other, and promise to look after each other through the highest and lowest times of our lives.

Father Barzini drops his gaze to the audience, glancing from my side of the backyard pews to Michael’s side slowly.

My side of the family is just as big as Michael’s.

He was surprised there were so many people in my family, but just because I’m not close to the Brent family doesn’t mean they’re not plentiful.

More Italians show up to the wedding than we can allow inside.

Those who can’t fit into the church linger outside for the reception so they can pay their respects and drop off gifts for Michael.

I’ve been suspicious for a few weeks that his position within the family might shift significantly, but he hasn’t revealed anything new.

He wants me to focus on our daughter and my plans to re-enter the workforce once our little girl is a bit older, and as long as I’m safe, I don’t want to know more than necessary about Michael’s family business.

I find it strangely… triggering. I don’t want the past to cling to me and rip away my sanity, so I have to let it go.

Right now, that means putting up a wall between my life and Michael’s.

This seems to work for us. I don’t need to know the details and Michael has the strength to handle his business without my support.

It feels strange to have a man who I can lean on emotionally – who doesn’t need to steal my strength.

All I want is to live in peace. Michael brings me the peace I want.

Once Father Barzini has the room quiet, he speaks authoritatively.

“This is no ordinary vow. This is a promise before God and before both of your families. These two have chosen to speak words from the heart, and have departed from the liturgy to share their own thoughts on God’s eternal love.

Michael Corsini, you may state your vows to Myra Brent, before God and the entire world. ”

Michael isn’t often nervous and when he is, I’m not often able to tell how nervous he truly feels.

This time, he’s so transparent that I wonder if he’s going to throw the vows away and run out of the church.

I must be just as nervous to think something so damn crazy.

We’re going home to our child tonight. Of course Michael wants to go through with this.

“I fell in love with you the first day you visited our home. I knew from the second I saw you that you were too good for me in every sense of the word.”

My heart skips a beat. I didn’t know Michael felt that way from the moment he saw me.

“I regret every minute of my life I didn’t spend by your side, Myra. I promise never to leave you again,” he says. “Until death. I promise to be the best man that I can, to always fight for you, and to love you each day of my life. I love you, Myra.”

He repeats those words. “I love you. I might not always know the right words to express it, but I will always do right by you and our daughter. I promise.”

Father Barzini nods, but his lips don’t move to indicate approval or disapproval.

This moment belongs to me and Michael, anyway.

I don’t care what he even thinks because it makes my heart so happy to hear Michael proclaim his love for me in front of everyone.

I feel so safe with a man who has proven that he will burn the whole world for me and force his world to change just so I will be accepted and happy.

I’m sure it won’t be the last time we face hardships for our relationship, but Michael has shown me exactly where he stands.

“Myra,” Father Barzini says. “I call upon you to state your wedding vows in front of the Lord, and all of us here today. Your bridesmaids may now remove your veil so that your husband can look upon your face for the first time as you exchange these powerful words.”