Epilogue

EPILOGUE

D iana

I take a deep breath, staring at my reflection in the full-length mirror. It's hard to believe this day has finally arrived. My wedding day.

The ivory dress fits perfectly, hugging my curves without revealing the tiny bump that's just starting to show. Lazaro and I decided on a short engagement so I wouldn't need a maternity gown. Well, the truth is, I didn’t want to wait and neither did he.

The last six weeks have been a whirlwind. The night Lazaro confessed his feelings and asked me to marry him was the most amazing night of my life. The next morning, the worry wormed its way in. Not about him, but about how his family would react. Yes, Lana had said Lazaro needed me, but that didn’t mean they saw me as wife material.

Lazaro had held my hand as we entered the dining room for breakfast. Elio, Piper, and Elysse were already there. When Elysse saw me, she jumped up and rushed to give me a hug.

“You’re back!” Her welcome was sweet, even as I wondered if she thought I was back to working for the family.

“I am.”

“And not a day too soon,” Lana said, entering the room with Henry in tow. They both had a look on them as if they’d spent the morning indulging in sexual activities.

“She’s here to stay,” Lazaro said, putting his arm around my waist. “We’re getting married.”

All motion stopped except for the turning of heads to look at us. My breath held as I waited for their response.

Piper was up first, congratulating us.

Lana was second. “Thank God. I don’t know if I could stand to be around this grump without you."

Elio, too, seemed happy and not concerned about what this meant for his business with Rinella.

“There’s one more thing,” Lazaro said. “We’re having a baby.”

“Already?” Lana quipped. “Seriously, did you forget how to use birth control?”

Lazaro cut her a glare, but it was mixed with love. “How else could I keep her if I didn't knock her up?”

Elio rolled his eyes.

"What is knock up?" Elysse asked.

"I'll tell you when you're thirty," Elio said.

Piper congratulated us and talked about how our babies would be close in age.

“We’ve got work to do to catch up,” Henry said to Lana, making her blush. A sight I’d never seen before.

Later, Lana had pulled me aside, telling me she knew Lazaro would want to marry me. She knew it the minute she realized how shattered he was when I’d left. She also apologized again for her behavior. I told her it was okay. After all, she did it to protect her brother. How could I hold that against her?

“Are you okay?” Piper’s voice brings me back to the present. She fusses with my hair while Lana touches up my makeup. Elysse twirls nearby in her flower girl dress. It still amazes me how quickly they've accepted me into the family.

“I’m perfect.”

"You look absolutely beautiful, Diana," Piper says warmly.

Lana nods in agreement. "Lazaro won't know what hit him."

I feel a rush of emotion, tears threatening to spill. "Thank you both, for everything. I never imagined I'd have sisters on my wedding day."

Lana squeezes my hand. "We're family now. Get used to it."

There's a knock at the door, and Elysse runs to open it. Matteo peeks in, grinning. "It's almost time, ladies. You ready to become a D'Amato, Diana?"

I nod, my heart racing with excitement and nerves. "More than ready."

We’re getting married at the mansion. It’s a little too cool to have the ceremony outside, but the home has a large room that is only used for large parties. It’s surrounded on three sides by tall windows that let in the sun.

As we make our way to the space, I’m still in awe at how I’ve arrived here, still wondering if it’s a dream. My life has changed immensely in such a short time, from a wandering soul to finding my home, my family, and the love of my life. Lazaro and I may have had a rocky start, but I've never been more certain of anything than I am of our love.

The music starts, and I take another deep breath.

“Ready?” Elio steps up next to me. He’s not that much older than me, and yet I feel a sense of his being fatherly. Or maybe an older brother. Either way, like Lazaro, he’s my protector because I’m his family too.

I nod. “More than ready.” I'm about to marry the man of my dreams, surrounded by the family I've always longed for and new friends I've made since joining the family. I step forward, ready to begin this new chapter, overwhelmed by love and joy.

As the music swells, we begin our walk down the aisle. Lazaro stands at the end looking so handsome, so sexy in his fitted dark suit. I want to run and jump his bones right here and now. I don’t think that’s just baby hormones talking, either. The man is the epitome of sexiness.

He smiles, his eyes filled with love, and maybe he thinks I’m sexy too. My eyes lock with Lazaro's, and the world falls away. He’s my center.

As we reach the altar, Elio places my hand in Lazaro's, giving us both a fond smile before taking his seat. Lazaro squeezes my hand, and I feel grounded, safe, loved.

The officiant begins the ceremony, but I barely hear the words. I'm lost in Lazaro's hazel eyes, in the promise of our future together.

When it's time for our vows, Lazaro speaks first, his voice thick with emotion. "Diana, you came into my life like a ray of sunshine, illuminating the darkness I didn't even know I was trapped in. You've helped me find the light in this world, showing me that I'm capable of love, of gentleness, of being more than the man I thought I was destined to be. With you, I've found peace, purpose… I love you."

Tears stream down my face as he continues, “I promise to cherish you, to protect you and our child, and to spend every day showing you that you've finally found your home, your family, with me."

Emotion nearly swallows me whole, making it difficult to get out my own vows. “Lazaro…”

He smiles, his finger wiping a tear from my cheek.

“You are my home. My life. Thank you.”

He leans in and kisses me.

“We’re not there yet,” Lana quips.

“Just wait until your turn comes and see if you don’t want to jump Henry,” Lazaro teases back.

“I guess we’ll find out around Valentine’s Day, won’t we?” Henry adds.

The officiant clears his throat, and we all turn our attention back to the task at hand, Lazaro and me joining our lives together.

As the ceremony transitions into the reception, I’m blissfully happy. Lazaro and I share our first dance, and I discover he has some smooth moves. He’s quite graceful. He holds me close and whispers sweet nothings and a few dirty somethings in my ear.

The party is in full swing, with laughter and music filling the air. I've never seen the D'Amatos so relaxed and happy. Even Elio seems to have let his guard down, twirling Piper around the dance floor with abandon and then later, Elysse standing on his feet as he dances her about the room.

I notice Matteo slipping out early. He's been quieter than usual today, and I realize I haven't seen him smile much. It's a change from his usual gregarious demeanor.

"Did you notice Matteo leaving? He's seemed a bit off today,” I say to Lazaro as he pulls me to a corner to kiss me.

Lazaro nods. "I noticed. He's been acting strange lately. I think he might be feeling a bit left out, now that he's the last single one in the family."

I hadn't considered that perspective before. "Do you think he’s lonely?”

He laughs. “I’m sure he’s off to the club where plenty of women will help him not feel lonely.”

“That’s sort of sad, though.”

Lazaro shrugs. “He’ll figure things out.”

I nod, feeling a twinge of concern for Matteo. But as Lazaro leads me back to the dance floor, I push the worry aside, allowing myself to be fully present in this moment of pure happiness.

A little later, we say our goodbyes to family and friends and Lazaro takes my hand, leading me to the waiting car that will take us to the airport. The D'Amatos’ private jet awaits, ready to whisk us away on our honeymoon. I wonder where we’re going.

Stepping onto the plane, I'm amazed by the luxurious interior. Lazaro grins at my wide-eyed expression, clearly enjoying my reaction. He guides me through the cabin, showing me the various amenities.

When we reach the back, I laugh as I spot the bed. "Really?" I tease, raising an eyebrow at my new husband.

Lazaro's eyes sparkle with mischief. "What? I thought we might want to get comfortable during the flight. We can join the mile high club."

I shake my head, unable to contain my smile. "You're incorrigible, you know that?"

He pulls me close, his voice low and full of promise. "Only for you."

Once we're in the air, Lazaro suggests we "make the most" of our private accommodations. His eagerness is infectious. Okay, so I don’t need much encouragement to have sex with my man… my husband. I mean come on, Lazaro is handsome, sexy, and an incredible lover.

As he lays me back, settling his body over mine, I push at him, reversing our positions.

His eyes light up with amusement. “Taking the lead, Mrs. D’Amato?”

I nod, loving being Mrs. D'Amato. “I’m going to initiate us into the mile high club, Mr. D’Amato.” I settle over him.

“I’m ready to be initiated.” His hands hold my hips. His gaze holds mine as I sink down over him, again joining my body, my soul, with his.

He levers up, his lips finding mine. “Mine. Forever.”

I close my eyes, savoring the love. Savoring finding my place.