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EPILOGUE

O ne year later

Lea

If there’s one thing more impressive than being the guest of honor at a Morandi family party, it’s being the bride at a Morandi family wedding.

“She’s going to throw the bouquet!” Sarah screams, jumping around as she tries to gather the rest of the women.

I tremble a little as I turn around and clutch my flowers in my hand. I used to picture my wedding day. I described the perfect one to Sarah so many years ago, I can’t remember how old we were. It was nothing like this.

There are so many people. I barely know any of them. There’s a senator here. I don’t even know why! He’s just invited to things for some reason, and everyone just nods about it like it’s one of those things you know, but don’t talk about.

But I guess this part is familiar. Throwing the bouquet. I glance over my shoulder once, then prepare myself. I don’t care who catches it, but I’m sure Sarah will try, even if she doesn’t have a boyfriend or any prospects that I’m aware of.

“Alright, ladies,” I laugh. “Whoever catches this is the next one to take a trip down the aisle!”

I hurl the bouquet overhead and spin around as soon as it’s airborne. It’s more a clumsy turn than a spin, thanks to my dress, but I get to see everyone jump for the flowers.

“Mine!” Sarah giggles, jumping much higher than her petite frame would suggest she is capable of.

Sarah’s fingers tip the bouquet, which causes it to bounce away from her. She nearly knocks the girl next to her over trying to get to it, but it gets tipped several times before sailing away from the group—right toward Cadence, who isn’t even paying attention.

“I don’t want this!” Cadence shrieks, throwing her hands up, along with the bouquet.

“Give it to me!” Sarah laughs, jumping for the bouquet again.

The bouquet gets bobbled a few times, then lands in the hands of Massimo’s cousin, Cassandra. She’s barely eighteen and like Cadence, she isn’t really trying to catch it. Cassandra holds the bouquet like a deer caught in the headlights and her face turns beet red.

“It’ll be a long fucking time before that wedding!” her father growls from several feet away.

Sarah looks disappointed, but she joins the others in congratulating Cassandra. Cassandra looks as timid and shy as I was before I met Massimo. I don’t know her very well. She’s spent more time in boarding school than with the family, so she doesn’t visit Massimo as often as the rest of his family.

I slip away from the crowd, now that my duty is done. Massimo is talking with his parents, but as soon as he sees me, he excuses himself and walks over to me with a smile on his face.

“My beautiful bride,” he says lovingly. “Are you finally ready to change out of that dress? Most brides do that before the reception.”

“Yeah, I guess so,” I say, looking down at my gorgeous white dress. “I love the way it looks so much I wanted to wear it a little longer.”

“Let me put in a quick appearance with a couple of guests and I’ll go with you,” Massimo says, glancing over his shoulder.

“I think I can manage,” I laugh. “I can get Sarah to help, if I need someone.”

“No way, bambina ,” he chuckles. “Nobody is taking that dress off you but me.”

I look down and blush, then shuffle to the side so Massimo can make his rounds.

A few people stop by to offer their congratulations. Some rave more about my namesake wine than the ceremony. After several minutes, Massimo rejoins me and leads me toward the bridal suite.

“Still nothing from Emilio?” I ask, interlocking my hand with his.

“No, but I’m not surprised,” Massimo sighs. “I was hoping he’d show up for the wedding, but he may never come back. Wounds like that are difficult to recover from.”

“At least Leo came,” I say. “It was nice of him to officiate the wedding.”

“He said nobody was going to pronounce us husband and wife but him.” Massimo opens the door to the bridal suite, then glances over his shoulder before stepping in and closing the door. “Now, let’s get you out of that dress…”

Massimo’s lips press down on my neck, kissing and teasing while his hands roam my body. I feel rather stiff in my wedding dress, but I lean against him, enjoying the heat between us.

“Careful,” I gasp when I feel his hand on my ass. “There won’t be much of a wedding night if you start now.”

“If I start now, I might finish before sunrise,” he chuckles. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the spanking you’re going to get for acting like a Bridezilla the last few days.”

“You’re going to spank your wife?” I pretend to be shocked.

“Damn right I am,” he growls into my ear. “I’m going to give you a good one tonight, so you learn your place.”

“You can try,” I giggle, turning to face him. “But you’ll never make me obedient .”

“No, not even my belt could do that,” he chuckles, putting his hands on my hips. “I love you, Lea.”

“I love you too,” I say, looking up at him with a smile. “Oh, and I have a gift for you.”

“We exchanged gifts at the rehearsal dinner,” Massimo says, motioning to the necklace I’m wearing that matches my grandmother’s treasured earrings.

“Yes, I know.” I walk over to the table, pick up a small box, and turn to him. “But this one is just for you. I don’t want everyone else seeing it.”

“Kinky,” Massimo jokes, taking the box and pulling at the ribbon. “I bet it’s sexy lingerie you’re going to wear for me tonight, isn’t it?”

“No, that’s in my bag,” I tease, motioning to the box. “Open it!”

Massimo nods and tosses the ribbon aside, then he opens the box. He stares at it for a moment, then his face goes blank.

“I-is this…” he asks, pulling a pregnancy test out of the box and holding it up. “Are you…”

“Surprise!” I say, biting my bottom lip.

Massimo rushes to me and wraps his arms around my waist. He pulls me into a tight embrace that lifts me off the floor. I melt into it, happy that Massimo is as excited as I am.

Life is still guiding me on my adventure.

But I’ve found my direction.

The End