~Aria 

I brushed my hands down the ivory satin that coated my body. In only a few hours, I would be Mrs Romano. 

Mrs Romano.

I never thought I would get married to be honest, but I am so excited. 

"You look gorgeous, Aria!" 

I turned to see all of the girls looking at me with joy in their eyes. 

I looked back at the mirror, admiring the beautiful dress. It's a ballgown type of dress, with small vines stitched across the skirt. The sleeves are long and off the shoulder which I love. My hair has been done up in an elegant hairdo which I honestly cannot describe and my makeup is minimal, courtesy of Bria. 

It's been a little over six months since we got engaged and we decided that we wanted a winter wedding. We set our date as November 8th, which is the day we first met in the airport. 

"I can't believe this is happening!" Bria squealed. 

I laughed as I pulled all of the girls into a hug. I asked Bria to be my maid of honour, and Astrid and Genevieve as my bridesmaids. They were all dressed in sage green dresses and they all looked gorgeous. Atrid and Gen had the same dress, but Bria's was slightly different because she was the maid of honour. 

A knock at the door stopped my nerves in their tracks as Leo's mother walked in. 

"You look stunning my dear, I still don't know how my son managed to get a woman as beautiful and wonderful as you."

"Thank you, Fiametta. Thank you for accepting me into your family, and thank you, for being a mother for me as well."

"Aria, you are the purest soul I have ever met and it is the greatest honour of mine to be your mother in law. I wish you only happiness my darling." She pulled me into a hug, both of us having unshed tears in our eyes. 

Another knock at the door sounded and Bria went to check who it is. 

"Its Theodore, we should all get going, we'll meet you there, Aria." 

One by one, they all gave me a hug and walked out, leaving me on my own in the bedroom I was getting ready in. 

"Wow." 

I turned around to see my big brother, tears glistening in his eyes and a small smile on his gace.

I had asked Theodore to walk me down the aisle, it didn't feel right to ask anyone else, and I knew that Enzo was Leo's best man so I couldn't have asked him even if I wanted to.

"How do I look?" 

"You look gorgeous, muffin. You look- you look just like Mum." 

A small sob escaped my lips at his words and he swept me up in one of his signature bear hugs. 

"I miss them, Theo." I whimpered. 

"I know, I know, Aria. But they're here, okay? They are right here above us, watching over us on this wonderful day. I know Mum is crying with happiness that her little girl is marrying the love of her life, and that Dad is probably still muttering under his breath that no man, even Leo isn't good enough for his little girl." we both chuckled. Dad is definitely doing that.

"They're going to be with us as I walk you down the aisle. They're both going to be here every step of the way throughout your life, protecting you. Even if they're not here physically, they are still here in our memories. They loved you so much, Aria, and I am so sorry that I couldn't protect you and them from everything that happened."

At this point, my tears had fallen. 

Thank god for waterproof mascara. 

"It's not your fault, Theo, you know that." 

"Anyway, I have something to give you." He mumbled, pulling out a small, white, box. 

I looked at the tag. 

To our little girl, on your wedding day. 

"What-"

"when they passed and Aunt Ophelia came to help you move, she found this, when we saw her a few months ago, she gave it to me. They had one for me as well." He chuckled. 

"What's in it?"

"I have no idea, muffin." he laughed. "Open it, Aria."

I sat down on a chair as I cautiously pulled the lid off of the box. 

Inside were two envelopes, both addressed to me, one written in my mother's writing and and one in my father's. There was also a small jewellery box.

I picked up the envelope from my mother and broke the seal. A handwritten letter was inside, dated only 5 years after I was born. 

Dear Aria, 

If you are reading this, it must be your wedding day, and I am so proud of you, babygirl. I hope I am there with you right now, but if for some reason I'm not, I hope you know much I love you. 

I know you have matured into such a kind and beautiful young woman and you should be so proud of yourself.

I hope that whoever has the honour of calling you their wife is your soulmate and I know that you made the right decision. I'm so glad you have found someone to share your huge heart with, you of all people deserve that simple happiness. 

Your father and I love you so much Aria, never forget that. 

Mum 

xxx

p.s. Give me grandchildren! 

I laughed at the end of my mother's letter and to be honest, it made them feel so much closer to me on this day. I put my mother's letter back into its envelope and opened my father's letter.

To my little girl, 

I'm not entirely sure what I should be writing, your mother just told me to do this, and hell, you're only 5 years old right now. I don't want to be thinking about you getting married. 

I guess I just want to say that I love you so much Aria. You are a pure ray of sunshine and you should never let anyone cloud that. I'm so goddamn proud of you, however far you've come. 

I seriously hope I'm with you right now, but if I'm not, just know I'll be plotting this man's death. No one is good enough for my baby girl, no matter how much you or your mother approve of him.

Well, if I'm not there, I hope Theodore is and that he agrees that this man is good enough for you. I think I trust his judgement. 

Good luck my darling, I'm so happy you have found love and I wish you only the best for the future ahead. 

Your mother and I love you so much,

Dad 

xxx

p.s. no grandchildren for at least a year.

"They said the opposite thing about me having kids." I laughed as I looked towards Theo. 

"Predictable." he chuckled.

I then turned towards the small jewellery box that also had my name inscripted into it in ornate gold letters. 

Inside was a gold locket, delicately held on a golden chain. It was engraved with leaves and to say it was perfect was an understatement. 

I took it out of the box, when I noticed a small clasp on the side of the locket. Inside were two spaces for pictures. There was a picture of my mother and father and the other side was empty. 

I noticed a small note in the box. 

Put a picture of you and your husband in the other side xxx

I clasped it around my neck just as Theo called my name. 

"It's time, are you ready?" 

"Yes." I smiled. 

Time to change my name. 

~~~

Author's Note: 

There will be a part 2 for the wedding, just in Leo's pov :)

only one more chapter left and the epilogue and then this book is finished!

honestly going to miss it ngl. 

anyway, vote, comment :)

thanks for reading! <3