*2 months later*

I sit down at the full dinner table with a smile that stretches from ear to ear.

Mateo places his hand on top of mine. "You are making it obvious."

"I'm just really happy," I reply interlocking our hands.

Mateo lets go of my hand and stands up. He grabs his wine glass and a butter knife, clinking the knife against the glass. "I have some news to share," he says.

Everyone stops eating and turns their attention towards their Mafia Capo.

Mateo extends his hand and I place my heavy hand onto his.

"We are engaged."

"Angela!" Mateo yells.

"I'm over here," I reply from the kitchen. My hands messy with flour and eggs from making traditional homemade Italian pasta with Nina and Mateo's mom.

"She's busy," Maria, Mateo's mother says.

"Mateo, porta il culo fuori di qui," Nonna yells as Mateo enters the kitchen. (Get your ass out of here)

Disregarding the threat from Nonna he says," I am not stealing her away.... not yet."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask turning to face him.

"Wear something nice tonight. We are going out," he winks as he wipes some flour off my nose.

"Okay?" I reply smiling.

He leaves the room and I continue making the pasta with the king ladies. Maria hangs up the pasta to dry and Nonna pushes me out of the kitchen.

"Devi essere sexy stasera," she says pushing me. (You gotta look sexy tonight)

I laugh and walk into the living room to where Ella, Eliza, Gabby, Mark, Gio and Stefano are sitting watching a movie.

"Punch him in the face!" Giovanni yells.

"Bro, we are watching Beauty and the Beast." Stefano shakes his head.

"And your point is?" Gio argues.

Stefano dramatically raises and drops his hands. "I give up."

"Ella can you help me?" I ask.

She quickly stands up and with a sigh and releaved tone says, "Yeah, what's up?"

We walk out of the living room and to the elevator.

"I need your help with my hair. Mateo says we are going somewhere and I need to look good for tonight."

We step out of the elevator and Ella replies "I got you girl."

I grab her hand and pull her towards my old empty room. I go through my drawers and pull out bobby pins, hair ties, and a few small combs.

"I just want my hair to be up, please," I smile, handing her the hair tools and sitting in front of the mirrored vanity.

"No problem. Where are you going anyway?" She asks brushing through my hair.

"I'm not sure."

"Well, wherever you go, you should wear gold jewelry. It looks amazing on you."

Ella divides my hair into a few sections, teasing the back parts. She starts curling my hair and pinning it against my head.

"How's college going?" I ask to pass the time.

"Honestly, it's going really good. Just don't go into my room. There are books and notes everywhere," she laughs as she opens the bobby-pin with her teeth.

"Yeah, one of my professors told me to retake her class since I missed 'too much' and 'need that class for my future.' I don't know how the hell I'm going to use Thermodynamics in my future but..." I say before we both start laughing.

As we stop laughing a knock comes from the door.

"Come in," we say in union.

Gio, Gabby and Eliza busy through the door and jump onto the queen bed with dark blue bed sheets.

"So what's the tea? Where are you and Mateo going?" Giovanni asks, kicking his feet back and forth, and his hands holding up his face.

"I'm not sure," I reply.

After 30 minutes of laughter, hairspray and jokes, my hair looked perfect.

"Clothing timeee," Gabby sings.

Gabby runs into the closet and grabs a cream colored dress. After seeing the dress, Gio goes in and helps Gabby choose a pair of matching heels. As they looked for the shoes, Ella and Eliza choose jewelry for me to wear.

They place all the items into my hands and push me into the bathroom. I quickly change, avoiding my hair, and walk out of the bathroom.

"Get that bread, get that head," Eliza starts before I cut her off.

"Then leave, peace out," I say dramatically strutting out of the room.

I turn the corner and run into a tall man, Don Alexandro.

"Shit- I mean sorry," I stutter.

"No worries, child." He says nodding.

I give him a small and respectful nod, and enter the elevator. The elevator rings and I exit, pulling out my phone.

I shut off my phone and grab my coat from a closet. I slide on my tan coat and run outside to Mateo's car.

"You look beautiful zemer," he says as I open the car door.

I sit down, put on the seatbelt and look him up and down. "You don't look so bad yourself.

Mateo laughs and leaves the driveway of the mansion.

We drive for around two hours and Mateo finally says, "We are here."

"Thank God," I sigh.

He parks the car and walks over to open my door.

"Where are we?" I ask.

"Verona," he replies with the beautiful Italian accent.

He grabs my hand and leads us down the street. Beautiful, pastel colored houses line the streets. Children laugh and run about, while Elders drink and play chess with their old friends. Couples in small boats smile and parents tell stories as they walk their kids down the street towards the park.

I look at Mateo and he swiftly pulls us into an alleyway. He pushes me lightly against a wall and kisses my lips. His hand travels under my coat and onto my waist. I place my hands onto his shoulders and deepen the kiss.

Mateo pulls away and asks me to follow him.

We slowly walk to a bridge and I lean over the railings, captivated by the beautiful water that meets perfectly with the sky.

I look back at Mateo and see him on one knee.

"Angela. I may have only known you for over a year but during that time you helped me find myself. You helped me become a better man. I've fallen in love with, not because you are gorgeous, but because you are kind, funny and selfless. I felt as if I lost myself when Rose died, but you entered my life and patched up that dark hole. I will promise to continue becoming a better man, and hopefully one day a good father. Will you marry me, Angela Alfanso?"

I look down to see an open black box with a diamond ring sitting inside. I kneel down in front of him and whisper against his lips," Yes."

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-Ayeeee they marrieeeeddddd

-the speech was probably really cringy but I've never proposed to anyone.

-the book isn't done yet btw! I plan to have 48 chapters!!

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Angela's hair