Borrowed Bride: Chapter 36

I’m getting married.

It’s not a joke or for show this time. It’s real.

With Gianna’s sweetness lingering on my tongue, I hurry to the hotel staging area, where Anton stands at the end of the aisle as my best man, with Ben beside him. They both look slightly worried until they lock eyes with me, and all thoughts of me vanishing disappear from their faces.

“Was worried for a second, boss,” Anton hisses softly as he grabs me by the lapels of my jacket and begins adjusting my tie.

“Did you really think I’d run?”

“Nah,” replies Ben. “Thought someone made it through Leonardo’s security and had run off with you.”

“I’d be impressed,” I reply softly, tilting my head up as Anton resituates the tie knot. “Leo’s got this place locked down like crazy.”

And I’m eternally grateful. It’s hard to believe that my once nemesis is who I am relying on to keep my wedding safe and secure from prying eyes and old grudges. The man himself sits in the front row right next to an iPad showing Emilia who flashes me a proud smile the moment our eyes meet. I’d been against her attending purely for her own health but with the wonder of technology, she’s here in spirit.

I know Gianna would have said yes to getting married in Emilia’s room if I’d asked, but it was Emilia’s planning that got us this beautiful hotel in the first place.

Then the music starts and my heart leaps up into my throat, pounding like a drum just beneath my collarbone. I only saw Gianna maybe ten minutes ago and suddenly I’m nervous again, like something will have changed in those few minutes. I cast an eye around the hall, taking in everyone we trusted enough to invite. There are a few guards of course, and a few of Leo’s men who dealt with the victims we found at the docks, along with the stand-in head of the Barrone family. All people vetted and trusted to carry on my legacy and witness my union.

The music swells and Tara appears in a pink dress, holding on to Freya’s hand as they walk down the aisle. Every few feet, Freya tosses out some petals from the basket hanging from her little arm, and emotions threaten to overwhelm me. My daughter. These past few months with her have been incredible, learning everything about her. Gianna did a phenomenal job raising her in captivity and now that she has a sibling on the way, Freya has really started to come out of her shell.

“Daddy!” she yells when she spots me, earning laughter from the surrounding people. She waves at me with a fist full of petals and Tara smiles warmly, then guides her toward the bride’s section to sit down. Given Gianna’s lack of family, it’s only right.

Cherry and Fawn are next, flowing down the aisle in beautiful dresses. Cherry wears the same pink as Tara, while Fawn is dressed in green. Gianna asked her to be the maid of honor to thank her for everything she did to keep her and Freya safe. It was a fitting choice.

It may be the first time I saw a real, genuine smile on Fawn’s face.

They take their place at the opposite side of the aisle to me, and then my fiancée appears and she is an absolute vision.

She’s wearing a glittering veil that covers her face and is adorned with sparkling petals that catch the light as she slowly walks down the aisle. With no one to give her away, Gianna insisted on walking herself and she does so with her head held high. I admire every inch of her, from the delicate nature of her curves enhanced by her dress down to the bump of our unborn child, then down to where the dress pools around her like liquid silk.

Tears sting in my eyes as I clasp one hand against my opposite wrist, trying to control the tidal wave of emotion that threatens to sweep me away. I want to laugh, I want to cry and yell my love from the rooftops until the entire city knows exactly who I am and every detail of why I love this woman.

She finally stops opposite me and through the netting of her veil, I catch the cheeky glint of her eyes.

“Hi,” she whispers as the officiate begins his greeting.

“Hi,” I whisper back.

“Nervous?” she asks.

Something about her presence instantly calms all nerves inside me, and I slowly shake my head. “Not in the slightest.”

She nods and reaches out for my hand, which I grip tightly in my own. The officiate speaks smoothly and carries us through the ceremony with a tailored speech about how we met, with slight adjustments, and the importance of our union.

Then it gets to the vows and at Gianna’s request, we wrote our own.

I go first.

“Gianna. When I met you, I was something of a knucklehead. I had one vision and one goal, and I was certain I knew what life was going to turn out like. I was planning every detail and I was in control. It felt like the world was made for me. And then, suddenly, you were in my life and business tangled with pleasure. Before I knew it, all that control I thought I had was just an illusion because you were dismantling everything. And I’m so glad you did. Suddenly, all I could think about was you. How to make you happy, how to make you smile at me in the way that made your eyes crinkle. I was falling for you so fast and just as I realized it, life split us apart. But I knew we were fated to be together because not a single part of me was willing to let you go in death, and I don’t ever plan to in life. You’ve given me a beautiful daughter and are soon to give me another, and I can’t express how you’ve guided me onto a brighter path in life. Just know that I love you, from the bottom of my heart, and from this day forth I will do everything I can to make sure you are loved, protected, and cared for until the end of our days. Days that we will spend together.”

By the time I finish, I’m crying and I don’t even try to hide it. I can’t. It’s too raw and honest but I need her to know, I need everyone to know how much I love her.

“Marco,” Gianna says, and her voice cracks as she fights to control her emotions. “When you found me, I was a penniless thief. It was fun, in its own way, because I tried to steal from people who deserved it, and boy, when I saw you, you really looked like you deserved it.”

A soft murmur of laughter rises up.

“But then, somehow, you took me from that and placed me right into a life that I was certain I’d have to act through. And instead, I fell for you. What I was pretending to be real became something I was desperate to be real. And then I was having your baby and suddenly I had this new strength to protect what was mine, this little family that we were growing. We haven’t had the smoothest of starts, and so much has gone down that I don’t think I’d even recognize myself from all those years ago. But I do know one constant, and it’s that my love for you has never faltered. It’s been the source of my turmoil when people were telling me different things, and the source of my strength in bringing this family together. Because you’ve given me what I thought I could never have; a home and a family and a future. So thank you. I love you.”

By the time she finishes, her voice trembles violently, and she sniffles constantly as the officiant quickly asks us to exchange rings. We do so as smoothly as we both can, and then he says the words that finally break the hold.

“Now I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride.”

I sweep Gianna up in my arms and throw the veil back, revealing her beautiful face. Her mascara runs and her eyes sparkle as she looks at me and laughs, then winds her arms around my neck and shoulders.

“Hi,” she whispers.

“Hi.”

I kiss her as the people around us rise with cheers and clapping, but it’s all background to the surge of love that bursts through me like a firework. I cuddle Gianna to me as tightly as I dare, kissing her repeatedly as she clutches at me.

This is true happiness.

“I love you.”

“You’re married!” Emilia cheers a few hours later as by some stroke of luck, she wheels herself into the reception party. Normally I’d be annoyed at her for being so careless with her health but tonight I don’t care, I’m just happy to have her here.

“Are you proud?” I ask as she takes my hand to examine the ring.

“So proud. I never thought I’d see the day. It almost seems too normal for someone like you.”

“Thanks sis. How are you feeling?”

She prods my side. “I’m fine. Tonight is not about me. Now, where is your beautiful bride?”

“She’s right over …” I scan the sea of dancing people and spot Gianna a few feet away engaged in animated conversation with Tara. She’s changed into a blue dress the same shade as her roses and my shirt, and it’s much easier for her to move about in. “There. Gianna!”

Gianna looks up immediately, one hand on her belly, and waves at me. Her eyes widen when she spots Emilia. She quickly departs from Tara, who scoops up Freya and begins spinning her around to the music as Gianna hurries over.

“Emilia! Oh my God! What are you doing here?” Gianna clutches at Emilia’s hands and kisses her cheek, then clasps my hand and threads our fingers together.

“I couldn’t pass up on the chance to see the happy couple,” Emilia says with a smile. “And I wanted to give you something.”

Gianna and I exchange a curious look. “What is it?” she asks.

Emilia digs under her blanket, then she pulls out a small silver brooch in the shape of a butterfly. It matches the trinket attached to my wallet, and the decorations Emilia used to have in her greenhouse.

“Emilia … oh my God,” Gianna breathes softly, examining the jewelry and then immediately pinning it to her dress.

“Welcome to the family,” Emilia smiles.

Gianna throws her arms around her in a tight hug and my heart, which has already taken an emotional beating today, swells further at the sight of my wife and sister being so affectionate.

“Actually,” Gianna says as she straightens up. “Can we tell her?” She gazes up at me and I can’t say no to that face.

“Sure.”

“Tell me what?” Emilia asks.

“Well, since the old estate is in ruins and you’ve been living at one of the safe houses, Marco and I had a thought. We want the family to be together so we’ve set up space for you at the house for all your medical equipment and staff, and we’re even constructing a greenhouse so you can return to your gardening when you’re feeling up for it. We originally planned to tell you once construction was complete but honestly, I think this family has been apart long enough.” Gianna clutches her hands together. “What do you think?”

“I think the two of you know better than to get a sick woman excited,” Emilia scolds with a tear in her eyes. “You don’t need me cramping up your new life.”

“I do,” I say gently. “Emilia … all my life, you’ve been in hiding. I want you to live with us, to be a part of our family and to enjoy your last days, however many there may be, surrounded by people who love you.”

“Really?” My sister blinks up at me as a few tears fall, and she hastily wipes them away.

“No more hiding,” I say, clutching her hand. “Really.”

After thoroughly upsetting Emilia in the best way, we collect Freya and wander the party to say hi to all of the guests. Cherry and Tara dance together, arm in arm and tease that soon we will be nothing more than the dusty parents, in bed by ten. I tell them I welcome a life as peaceful as that. Fawn and Leo are equally happy for us and while there’s still slight friction between Leo and I, I’m happy to now call him a friend. They congratulate us and Leo reassures me that from here on out, life will be good.

I’m not sure I believe him but it’s sentimental all the same.

Then Freya begins to get cranky so we take her out on the patio where the cool night air is enough to soothe her overheated skin and she falls asleep in my arms. As I hold her, rocking back and forth, Gianna jumps suddenly and grabs my hand.

“Marco.”

“What? What is it?”

With a wide grin, Gianna moves my hand over her belly where suddenly, I feel little bumps rising across her abdomen.

“The baby’s kicking?!” I gasp, lowering down to my haunches and caressing her belly, following the movements. “Oh fuck!”

“Language,” Gianna scolds with a laugh. “Our little bean wants to be felt this day too.”

“Hey bean,” I whisper at her bump, stroking softly. “Mommy and I can’t wait to meet you.”

“No, we can’t,” Gianna smiles. She touches my jaw and I rise to my feet, keeping an angle so that Freya doesn’t wake up. Gianna kisses me slowly.

“I love you, Mr. Barrone.”

“I love you too, Mrs. Barrone.”