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I press my fingers over his lips. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
He smiles and nods.
I throw my arms around him, holding him tightly. Niko may not have always understood me, but he's here now, supporting me on the most important day of my life.
Niko pulls back, his eyes glistening. "Shall we?" He offers me his arm.
I entwine my arm with his. "I'm ready."
With Niko by my side, I turn toward the ornate cathedral doors, my heart pounding in anticipation. They open. I’m vaguely aware of our friends and family in the small church. But all I really see is Luca, standing at the altar in his dark suit looking so handsome. He sees me, his breath hitching. He looks at me like I’m the center of his world. I hope I can keep him looking at me like that for the rest of our lives.
I grip Niko's arm tightly as we make our way down the aisle, my gaze fixed on Luca. As Niko hands me off to Luca, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. I know in my heart that this is where I'm meant to be. Where I was always meant to be.
Luca's strong hands envelop mine. "You’re absolutely breathtaking. An angel come to save me.”
"And you look incredibly handsome," I whisper back.
The priest begins the ceremony, but I can barely focus on the words. All I can see is Luca, his eyes shining with love and devotion. During the vows, we commit our lives to each other forever.
Tears glisten in Luca's eyes as he slips the delicate gold band onto my finger. My vision is blurred from tears as well as I slide the gold band on his finger.
“Don’t ever take this off,” I add at the end, a little reminder about the discussion we had when he wasn’t sure he wanted to wear a ring. All I had to say was “Electra” and he understood that it was important to me that other women could see he was taken. Sure, many women wouldn’t care. Many men wouldn’t honor the symbol. But Luca will. I know it as sure as I’m standing here committing my life to his.
He winks, letting me know he got the message.
The priest pronounces us husband and wife, and Luca pulls me close, his lips finding mine in a passionate, loving kiss. The world around us fades away, and in this moment, it's just the two of us, finally united as one.
When we finally break apart, breathless and giddy, Luca grins down at me. “I’m yours now, Mio Angelo.”
“That’s Mio Angelo Conte to you.”
He lets out a wonderful laugh and kisses me again. “Ready to make our grand exit, Mrs. Conte?"
“Ready when you are.”
He surprises me by swooping me up in his arms and carrying me down the aisle. I see Donovan patting Niko on the back and giving Luca a thumbs up. Even serious Liam is smiling, his arm around Kate as she holds their daughter.
As we reach the car, Luca presses a fervent kiss to my lips. “I’ve been waiting for this day since I met you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “And now we have forever.”
With one last, lingering kiss, we tumble into the car, our hearts racing with excitement as we embark on the next chapter of our lives. I don’t know what the future holds. I’m certain of happiness, but I’m not so naïve to believe we won’t face challenges. But I know for sure, the one constant will be our love. We’ll get through whatever life throws at us together.
And I’m right. The next six months have been a whirlwind of wedded bliss. Luca and I have settled into a comfortable routine in our villa along the Italian coast. Each day, I find myself falling more deeply in love with my husband and the life we've built together.
My Italian has improved by leaps and bounds, thanks to the patient tutelage of Lia over the summer, and Bianca and the wives’ help thereafter. Luca delights in hearing me converse with the staff and locals, his eyes shining with pride. Late at night, he often shares with me not safe for work conversations that involve our getting naked. I like those lessons the best, even if I can’t use the words outside our bedroom.
We've had the chance to visit New York twice since our wedding. The first trip was to meet Lucia and Donovan's newborn son, Giuseppe, after Luca’s father. Luca was beyond touched by their choice.
During that trip, I doted on my niece and nephew, amazed at how fast they were growing. It wouldn’t be long before I’d be able to take little Angelica shopping. I’ll bring Kate and Liam’s daughter, Sophie, with me as well.
Niko seemed genuinely happy to see me, his gruff exterior softening as he watched me with Luca. It felt good to have my brother's blessing, even if the road to get here was fraught with challenges.
Our second visit was for Christmas, and I was overjoyed to be surrounded by my loved ones once more. On that visit, it was decided that the Christmas tradition would be to spend it all together in Niko and Elena’s Long Island compound.
Today, spring is working its way in and I sit on the villa terrace enjoying the warming weather and view of the ocean. I’m waiting for Luca to arrive home from his meeting with Bruno that will include Rocco. I’m curious to find out about Electra, who had her baby two months ago.
The door to the terrace opens, and I can’t help but smile as happiness fills me.
