It begins!  Video above is the song that's been in my head knowing this event has been coming lol enjoy having it stuck in your head too!

Golden rays of morning broke through the sheer white curtains billowing in the warm summer breeze. I rolled onto my back and stretched, grinning from ear to ear.

It's our wedding day.

The door to the bedroom flew open and running feet lightly pounded across the floor.  With a happy squeal as she jumped onto the bed, Carina clapped her hands excitedly.

"Today you marry Papà! Today you marry Papà!" she cheered happily then fell to her knees and cupped my cheeks. "And you become my Mammina."

Tears glistened in my eyes even though a smile curved my lips. I embraced this sweet angel and pulled her to me. From the first day I met Carina, I told her I would never replace her mother.  Since then, though I felt like she was mine and cherished every moment as a precious gift.

"Ancora a letto! Bontà! Alzati, Madison! Devi prepararti!" Aza barked, clapping her hands and shooing Carina toward Martina as she set down a breakfast tray.  "Eat quickly while I run the bath then take your dress out.  We have a lot to do before 6:00!"

(Still in bed! Goodness! Get up, Madison! You have to prepare yourself!)

My stomach rolled when I smelled the food.  Usually breakfast was my favorite meal but this morning, as with many lately, it made my nose crinkle.  I had been dismissing it as stress.  Aza returned to check on me and pursed her lips with hands on her hips.

"You likely won't get another chance to eat today so get going."

I nibbled at the toast, sipped some orange juice and ate some of the yogurt.  This couldn't be nerves, could it?  I wasn't nervous one bit about marrying Luca.  Maybe it was stress over everything going well today.  Yeah, stress about that but never about marrying Luca.

There hadn't been any major hitches during the planning.  The chairs, arbor and tables were delivered yesterday, glassware and the decorations would be arriving this morning.  Drake should be arriving shortly to photograph the getting ready for both Luca and myself then will continue through the ceremony and reception.

Aza ushered me into the bathroom once I had eaten a little, enough for her satisfaction. She promised to leave the fruit for me to graze on while getting hair and makeup done.

I soaked for a few minutes, sipping at a mug of coffee Aza brought in. After washing, I shaved everywhere. Aza's voice out in the bedroom giving directions made me smile as I dried off and applied lotion all over.  Next was detangling, brushing and semi-drying my hair.

Martina had gone all out helping with little things especially pampering.  A white satin robe hung on the door knob along with a white lace balconette bra and panty set, with blue flowers etched into the lace band.  I burst out laughing when I saw the embroidered "HIS" on the front.  A knock on the door followed by Martina's voice paused my giddy spell.

With a wide grin on my face, I slipped on the robe then opened the door, beckoning Martina in.  I held up the panties braced on my thumbs.  We shared a knowing grin then both of us burst out laughing until we held our stomachs because they ached so much.

"Enough silliness, girls," Aza called pounding on the doors.  "Drake is here now for your getting ready session!"

Quickly I shimmied into the panties but folded the bra to pack in my overnight bag for later.  I had to wear a strapless bra for my dress because of the shoulders. This bra would join the few other lingerie sets I had purchased this week specifically for our "weekend getaway" Luca promised.

"Let's get you dolled up," Martina cheered.  She led me by the hand out the door.

Squeals ensued as a familiar face greeted me.  Mackenzie jumped up and down clapping her hands excitedly while I stood with mouth agape.  When she finally embraced me, I realized this was not a dream.  Luca had sent for her to be here with me.  Tears began to flow.  I hugged my first friend from my time underground.  I had worried about her deeply until I found out she had survived, just been relocated out of Los Angeles.  Any hope of ever seeing her again had long ago dissipated. Yet she was here!

"Oh, stop crying," Mackenzie scolded through laughter.  "You'll get all puffy for your big day!"

A whirlwind of activity surrounded me as soon as I was seated.  I sat at an elegant vanity Luca had gifted this week.  Every day this last week he did something special for me.  A foot massage, the vanity, breakfast in bed, back massage another night and the lingerie set.  I felt spoiled and absolutely adored.  He should be getting the gift I bought for him any moment now.

I didn't even mind we couldn't take a formal honeymoon right away.  Tensions had been rising, rumors spreading, whispers of threats and dangers.  Luca was too worried about something happening, Carina being without either of us and we couldn't get to her right away or at least within half an hour.  Still, he promised a "mini-honeymoon" this weekend so we could have time completely to ourselves.

Sitting at the vanity watching all the activity around me was almost overwhelming.  The laughter that filled the room erased any chance of tension or nerves which was wonderful.  Martina worked at my hair, delicately braiding to do an updo, Mackenzie did my makeup and Jane, Jarrett's sister, worked on my nails.

A knock on the door drew all of our attention as Drake entered, immediately snapping pictures of everything.  Carina bounced in after him carrying a tupperware of snacks for all of us.  Her wild raven waves were tamed and elegantly twirled, twisted and pinned in an adorable updo. 

"Oh, tesoro! Come here!" I beckoned, smiling wide at the precious little grown up before me.  She giggled up to me, twirling proudly about her hair.  "Who did this for you?"

Carina and Martina exchanged a knowing look, both grinning before she looked back at me. 

"Papà did it!"  She squealed with pride.  "We've been practicing for weeks.  He gave me a chocolate for sitting extra still."

My mouth dropped open in amazement.  I looked over her elegant hairdo.  Drake stepped over, showing me on the screen of his camera several pictures of Luca hovered over Carina who sat in his leather desk chair. Luca's brows were furrowed in deep concentration and several hair pins were secured in his lips.

I just fell even deeper in love with that man.

"This was also an epic moment," Drake giggled showing me several other pictures. 

They were of Luca in a series of one specific event. First him pulling the sapphire blue satin ribbon wrapped around the black box.  In the next, he had the top tipped back, eyes alight with curiosity.  Then his head was tossed back, mouth open.  He surely bellowed with laughter.  Finally, he was holding up the evergreen silk boxers over his front.  The best part was the "HERS" embroidered in elegant cursive down the center seam of the boxers.  How we planned identical gifts, was beyond me and completely a coincidence but I loved it.

All the women around me were laughing in delight seeing the series of pictures, too.  My beautification continued, surrounded by endless laughter and delicious snacks.  Carina sat on my lap while I placed blue forget me knots in her hair.

When finished, Carina turned towards me, threw her arms around my neck and said, "Thank you, futura mamma,"  as she placed a soft kiss on my cheeks.

I was speechless but smiled from ear to ear at the honoring title.

"You're finished," Martina declared happily.  "Time for the dress!"

I rose and slipped off the robe, accepting Martina's help with putting the strapless bra on. Next was stepping into the half slip.  Drake resumed pictures from safe angles.  Aza brought the dress over from its hanging spot in the closet. 

Cheers, ooo's and ahh's filled the room. Butterflies of excitement fluttered in my belly.  I pointed each foot and stepped into the dress.  Aza and Martina helped pull it up then I held the bodice while Martina, as my Matron of Honor, did up the buttons. Drake took dozens of pictures from all angles, capturing the whole moment.

I ran my hands over the expensive feeling fabric, smiling in admiration of this delicate piece of art.  I sketched out what I wanted my dress to look like and Luca sent it along with my measurements off to a designer in Italy to custom create it for me. The slight sweetheart neckline gave a deep enough dip to show a hint of cleavage but wasn't an  inappropriate display.  Gingerly I ran my fingertips over the tiny, delicate, exquisite flowers in a thick row along the neckline continuing upward to cover the shoulder straps.  Morning sunlight caught on the diamond centers making them sparkle beautifully.  A diagonal strip of material draped over the bust while the rest of the bodice went the opposite diagonal direction flowing perfectly into the skirt and over my right hip.  The full skirt swished with each step feeding my delighted smile. The silhouette this gown created was breathtaking.

It had been pure torment fighting temptation not to show the dress to Luca.  He saw the sketch and loved it but that didn't come close to this breathtaking creation in reality.

It would be another of the surprises in store for Luca today.

"What about Luca finishing up?" I asked Drake.

He winked at me playfully.  "My very special assistant slash boyfriend is covering the groom's side preparations so I could be here with you."

I raised my eyebrows at him, grinning my approval.  "Good job, Buddy."

Another few knocks at the door brought our attention there.   "Come in! Unless you're the groom," I called, giggling. "Luca, you'll have to wait until it's time!"

Dom opened the door, chuckling at my comments.  "Guests are almost all seated and Luca is in place."

A wave of excitement to finally see my groom washed over me.  "Let's go, then."

With a fluff of my dress, last minute hair and makeup check, Mackenzie deemed me ready. They disappeared with Carina into a guest room to change, promising to be right back.  Drake took the chance to get a few pictures of just me.

As promised, Mackenzie, Martina and Carina returned shortly once dressed.  I was surprised and thrilled to see Mackenzie in an identical dress to Martina, dressed as a bridesmaid. She explained that Luca had her send measurements for a dress to be made along with Martina's.

The tiffany blue floor length A-line dresses were exquisite on both women.  The lace bodice gave an extra elegant detail.  Carina twirled like a true princess in her empire waist, A-line gown.  The satin bodice was just the right amount of girly and the "twirlable" tulle skirt added the princess touch Carina requested.

"Little man is all ready, Mac!" Dom chuckled, leading a toddling boy in a grey tuxedo down the hallway.  "He was asking for Momma."

"Ohh, Bubba!" Mackenzie cooed, squatting to accept the chubby cheeked boy into her arms. 

Smiling wide, I rubbed the boys back, looking back and forth between him and Mackenzie.  He was a miniature version of his mom. 

"What's the matter, Stef, huh?" Mackenzie's smile faded.  She began to explain.  "I had been unofficially exclusive with one of Luca's men the last few weeks before everything went down. He was killed in the attack because he was one of the men who hid us girls.  I knew it's his son because Stef's the only man I had been with those weeks.  I found out after Luca relocated me that I was pregnant.  Since I reached out to Luca, he's been a great help getting me honest jobs and enrolled in school.  You've got a real catch, Maddie."

"I know," I smiled, placing a kiss on the two year olds head.

"OK, places ladies!" Dom called from the bottom of the stairs.

Chatter broke out as we got into our order.  I descended the stairs first, Dom holding my hand for extra support, while Mackenzie and Martina lifted the back of my dress.  The extra security in black suits and sunglasses throughout the house did not go unnoticed. 

Aza emerged from the kitchen dressed in her coral sheath style dress, looking elegant and motherly. Four clear boxes were carefully balanced in her arms.  The contents were precious.  Mackenzie and Martina ogled over their bouquets of coral roses.  Carina squealed at her miniature version that would be a corsage.

All chatter stopped and morphed to gasps as I gingerly lifted my bouquet from its secure haven. I took several deep breaths, fanning my eyes to send away the tears of joy that formed.

Luca was adamant about following the tradition of the groom purchasing the bride's bouquet.  When I argued, he found it in an Emily Post's etiquette book to prove it was his duty to purchase it as a gift. I gave him the swatches of our colors, told him a few flowers I favored and would likely include in other bouquets leaving him to it.  I hadn't seen it until this moment. It was breathtaking.

The coral roses intermixed with white ones were perfect for our color pallette.  What struck me was Luca's choice for the turquoise:  forget me nots.  As I twirled the arrangement delicately, a folded piece of paper stuck between some of the blooms caught my attention. I unfolded it carefully, reading the handwritten cursive note.

Il mio amore,

To symbolize all my love, all our memories and a vow to never forget, I present you the forget me not flower.  It symbolizes true love, fond memories between lovers and a promise to always cherish them. 

See you soon. 

~L

Light classical music began to play, signalling the beginning of the ceremony.  Fanning the tears away, I nodded to my bridal party to proceed then I followed.  Aza handed Carina her basket of coral and turquoise petals to carry with her.

The sun had begun to set, giving a vibrant color palette that matched the one chosen for the ceremony.  Brilliant orange mirroring coral mixing with the pale blue to make a light turquoise. Even though I planned most of this event, Luca gave his input and I clearly saw his touches.  Instead of walking across sand, he had a wooden aisle built.  The open bar perched off to the side surrounded by tall tables for standing while mingling during the reception.  He felt it safest to keep everyone moving so the security could blend it.  All in all, it was breathtaking.

Mackenzie began their descent down the aisle followed by Martina after a few beats.  Luca, Jarrett and Dom entered from their side, standing tall, confident and devilishly handsome in his light gray suit.  The boutineer adorning Luca's jacket pocket matched my bouquet perfectly. 

Following the bridesmaids went little Stef and then Carina.  Smiling ear to ear, the oohs and ahhs of adoration were creating a lovely din above the crashing waves.  Carina carried her basket with pride.  She and I worked together to decorate it ourselves.  Extra glitter, of course.  The ring bearer pillow I made out of the color swatches. The only time Luca's eyes strayed from where I was hiding, was to watch his niece delicately spread her petals.  She was taking her duty very seriously and doing a marvelous job.

I stood beneath a smaller arbor behind billowing sheer turquoise curtains.  They offered a semblance of privacy as the rest of the party strolled to their places.  My heart began hammering, a pit grew in my stomach and tears again welled, burning at my lids. 

Glancing up at the colorful sky, I exhaled and inhaled to steady my rapidly beating heart.  This was not related to any nerves or cold feet.  The one thought racing through my mind was how much I wished my father could be here to walk me down the aisle and give me away to Luca.

My groom shifted on his feet, hands clasped together in front of him.  Dom patted his shoulder in a gesture of reassurance.  I could feel Luca's gaze on me, probably wondering why I hadn't stepped out of the arbor yet to walk to him.  I had to force this nostalgic feeling away and take these steps forward.  Say goodbye to my past and hello to the future.

Luca was my future.

I could hear bells chiming the beginning of the chorus to the bridal walk music chosen.  Forcing another breath out, I stepped forward, left foot first and emerged through the billowing sheers.  Lights gasps sounded from the congregation and the rustling of chairs as they stood in welcome of their bride.

First one step then another in sync with the tempo of the song.  A warm, gentle hand touching my elbow made me stop my descent down the aisle toward my groom.  My eyes opened wide when I saw who stood beside me, donned in a light gray tuxedo identical to Luca's.

"Sono qui, mia principessa."

😭 *fans self* I'm not crying! Someone's cutting onions!

How do you feel about pictures?  I have several I used to inspire the wedding descriptions. 

Let me know if you'd like me to add them!

Happy Friday! 

Enjoy, vote, comment and share!

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