The last five months have been hectic. All I've done is work, prepare for the wedding and eat cake.

The only the reason that I have been getting to eat cake everyday is because I can't decide which one I want for the wedding.

All in all, everyone helped me prepare for today's special day. Kim helped me choose my dress; Alex, Dom, and Noah helped me choose a wedding gift for Dante; Zane helped me choose the snacks for the party.

And lastly, Elijah helped me choose the wedding ring.

My wedding ring would be bought by Dante so I hadn't seen it yet.

Dante arranged the things like photography, decorations and the venue of the wedding.

Our wedding is going to take place just outside a church where there is a small garden-like place that was very beautifully decorated.

Now, I was walking around in my dressing room, waiting for Kim to arrive.

The wedding dress that I was wearing wasn't too extravagant. It had a simple design; the dress was made of satin, which was very soft, by the way, and the back was made of lace.

My hair was tied into a waterfall braid, leaving my natural curls the way they were.

As for my makeup, it was simple. I put shimmery eyeshadow on my whole eyelid, mascara and eyeliner.

For my lips, I put a nude lip gloss; which was vanilla flavored.

"Girl, you look so pretty !" Kim said, running into the room.

She was wearing a long emerald gown with a slit that went till her thigh.

Her long silky blonde hair now reached just her waist. She looked so beautiful.

"Thanks, Kim. You look beautiful too."

"Awwie, thanks." She cooed. "Anyway, we need to get you out there. I think Dante will actually kill me if I don't let him see you." Kim said, fixing my hair.

I chuckled at that. For the whole day, no body let us see each other. Initially, I wanted to see him too but I got used to it.

On the other hand, Dante kept threatening everybody, including Zane.

In the last few years, Dante, Dad and Zane have gotten closer. Although they treated him badly, he managed to forget all that they did, putting it behind him.

This made me love him even more.

"It's time to go." Noah said, opening the door. I smiled and nodded at him. He is wearing a navy blue suit with a flower pinned to his suit pocket.

Kim and I walked out of the room together.

"I gotta go. See ya out there." She said, walking away.

"Now, go. Dante has been yapping about seeing you since morning." Noah said, running his hands through his hair.

I giggled. "Oh, I'm sure he has."

Just as I left the room, I saw my Dad standing out, adoration evident in his eyes. "You look so beautiful."

"Thanks, Dad." I smiled, locking my arm with his.

"I have to go too. Bye !" Noah said, sprinting to the venue.

Dad and I walked out to the garden together. When we did, everyone's heads turned towards me.

There weren't many people here because we wanted to keep this wedding small; only for friends and family.

The only people who were invited were few of Dante's relatives, few of the people that worked for the Italian mafia and few who were from the American mafia.

I walked across the aisle glancing at everyone around me. When I looked in the front, my eyes locked with those long awaited olive green ones.

Dante looked fine. I mean, like, fine. His black tailored Armani suit fitted perfectly, making him look well-built and handsome.

His hair was styled perfectly; not a single strand out of place.

I smiled at him and then broke eye contact with him to glance at the groomsmen; Alex, Noah, Dom, and Zane.

Looking at all of them lined up, Liam's face flashed in front of me.

If only he was here. I thought.

I looked at the opposite side and saw Kim standing along with Mia, Dom's fiancé.

Both of them were wearing the same dresses because they were my bridesmaids.

Along the years, Mia became a close friend of mine and I couldn't imagine my life without her. I smiled at them to which they returned.

When we reached the end of the aisle, Dad unhooked our arms and kissed my forehead. "I love you, Azalea. Always remember that."

I smiled and walked closer to Dante and stood opposite him. The priest, named Arthur, started speaking.

"Good morning everyone !

From this place, we take ourselves out of the usual routines of daily living to witness a unique moment in the lives of Azalea and Dante. Today they join their lives in the union of marriage.

To all their guests, they are happy to share this moment with you. They have known most of you for many years.

You watched them grow up, you went to school with them, or you worked with them.

Because you are the ones who have supported them and known them so well, it is only fitting that you are the ones to share this once-in-a-lifetime moment with them.

A wedding day is often a day when couples miss family members no longer with them. For Azalea and Dante, there are family members whose memories they hold dear.

Rose and Nicolas, Dante's parents; Andrew and Anastasia, Azalea's foster parents; and finally Liam, a best friend who is still loved and will always be remembered."

To be honest, this is scary. There are almost fifty people in here who are going to watch us kiss. What if I forget how to kiss ? Or worse, what if I forget how to speak ?

Just then, I felt and hand interlock with mine and squeeze it lightly, in assurance.

I knew who it was, without even having to look. I look up at Dante and see him smile at me brightly.

I returned the smile and continued listening to the priest.

"And so it is that Azalea and Dante present themselves to be married today, surrounded by the people they love the most.

As they prepared for the ceremony part of this wedding celebration, they reflect on what it is that they love about each other."

Arthur turns towards Dante a little and speaks,

"Azalea Martinez loves that you blend in so comfortably with her family. She sees in you a funny, kind, and sweet man.

She loves that you think she is funny and that you always find a way to compliment her.

She loves that you always want to be close to her. You remember details of the stories she tells.

You want to be part of her family and circle of friends. Most importantly, you are so close that even when she is at her worst, you have never made her feel like you want anything but to be closer to her."

Then he turned towards me.

"Dante Romano loves that your love gives him hope. Your smile gives me joy. You make him a better man.

He loves your brain, your smile, and your beauty. He loves your kisses.

You both look to a shared future that includes raising a happy and a healthy family.

That future also includes a richly lived life together going out to restaurants, hanging out with family, singing and dancing.

The years will come and go but you won't take each other for granted, you will laugh a lot, you will be the best parents you can be, you will grow older and wiser together."

I took out the crumpled piece of paper from the small pocket in my dress and started speaking, "Over the last two years you've shown me what a great love looks like and every morning I wake up and fall more in love with you.

You have stuck by me through the best and worst, and loved all that I am. You help me to be the finest version of me that I can.

Whatever our souls are made of, yours and mine are the same. I will celebrate your successes and mourn your losses as though they were my own.

I will love you, my husband, and rejoice in your love for me for all of the years of our lives.

I promise to do my best not be become a cranky old woman in the years to come."

Everyone chuckled at the last line. Now, it was Dante's turn. He didn't need a piece of paper, he just started speaking.

"I vow to wake up every morning and thank God that he gave me you, my perfect woman, and I vow to be your steady rock in turbulent times.

I vow to put your needs before my own. You showed up when I was least expecting you. I intend to love you, hold you, and grow very, very old with you.

These are my promises: I promise to always be there when you have troubles, and to know that sometimes simply letting you talk about your problems is enough.

I promise to be the most dependable person in your life.

My life is forever entangled with yours from this day on. My dreams are your dreams, and I'll build it all around you.

I promise you that laughter will always be common place in our house. I promise to unclog the tub, even though you are the only one of us with long hair."

I laughed at the last line, mainly because if I hadn't, I'm more than sure that I would've started crying there.

It was something that he has always been saying for the last few months.

Then Arthur continued,

"We come now to the words that everyone wants to hear the most today; the words that take them across the threshold from being engaged to being married.

A marriage, as most of us understand it, is a voluntary and full commitment.

It is made in the deepest sense to the exclusion of all others, and it is entered into with the desire and hope that it will last for life.

Before you declare your vows to one another, I want to hear you confirm that it is indeed your intention to be married today.

Dante Romano, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Azalea Martinez in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"

Dante looks at me and smiles, "I do." He answers.

The officiant says to me, "Azalea Martinez, do you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to Dante Romano in marriage? If so, answer 'I do.'"

I glanced at Dante and repeated, "I do."

Looking at the small book in his hands, Arthur reads out, "Your wedding ring are the outward and visible sign of the inward and invisible bond which already unites you two hearts in love."

"Groom, place the ring on Bride's finger and repeat after me." He instructs.

Dante slipped the ring onto my finger and repeated, "I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever."

"Bride, place the ring on Groom's finger and repeat after me." Arthur says.

Doing the same, I said, " I give you this ring. Wear it with love and joy. As this ring has no end, my love is also forever."

Arthur then spoke up, "May the wedding rings you exchanged today remind you always that you are surrounded by enduring love.

Everyone has advice for newlyweds. Azalea and Dante, I offer these good wishes to you on this special day.

May your life together be blessed with prosperity and good health. May you respect each other's individual talents and gifts and give full support to each other's professional and personal pursuits.

May you cherish the home and family you will create together. May all the years to come be filled with moments to celebrate and renew your love."

Dante and hold each other's hands.

"And so now by the power vested in me, it is my honor and delight to declare you husband and wife. You may seal this declaration with a kiss."

As soon as he said those words, Dante didn't waste another second. He grabbed my face gently, and placed his lips on mine.

"I am pleased to present the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Romano."

"Ti incorono la regina del mio cuore. " He whispered.

I knew enough of Italian to understand his sentence so I replied back to him, but in Spanish.

"Te coroné el rey de mi corazón. " I mumbled, looking into his mesmerizing olive green orbs.

He smiled and I mirrored his expression.

Cuore Mio...

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