Epilogue

Theo

I give Alexie a friendly punch to the shoulder. "You clean up pretty good there," I say as I admire the black tuxedo on him.

He studies his reflection in the mirror and straightens the bow tie. "I am good looking." He turns to the side and admires the fit of the garment.

"Don't let it go to your head. You're here to be my best man, not a conceited one."

"I'm always your best man." He grins. "I'm just glad you got da girl."

I swallow a lump that forms in my throat. "Yeah, me too."

After a bit of an up and down with Fran, we finally got on the same page— that we're in love with each other.

After I surprised her in Miami and brought her back to Colorado — where she belongs — I proposed to her six months later. That was eight months ago. And now, here we are. Back in Miami surrounded by her big Sicilian family.

"You know if you mess up again, her brothers are going to kick your ass, right?"

"Thanks for the comforting words."

Alexie grips my shoulder with his massive hand. "I've got the rings in my pocket. No worries. I'm your wingman."

Francesca

In the dressing room at my church, Lucia fans out the long train of my wedding gown.

My mom can't hold back her tears. "You are a beautiful bride," she says as she dabs at her eye with a tissue.

"Mama, you're going to ruin your makeup," Carmella scolds.

"I can't help it. Your sister is stunning."

My dress is a floor-length ball gown style with a sweetheart neckline. The bodice is silk with intricate pearl beading and the skirt is full with layers of tulle over silk.

I feel like a princess.

Carmella holds my bouquet to her nose and then hands it to me. My bouquet is filled with all of my favorite flowers, including roses, asters, and carnations in beautiful fall colors— coral, bronze, and terracotta.

Lucia reaches up to the hook on the wall and pulls down my veil. "Can't forget about this," she says with a smile.

The veil is floor length and embellished with tiny pearls and lace edges. Although I would've been satisfied with a simple veil, my mom insisted on this cathedral veil.

"Thank you." I swallow hard. "You all look beautiful."

Their dresses are a lovely dark bronze color with rouging on the bodice and waistline. Like my dress, they have a sweetheart neckline.

There's a tap at the door. "Ladies?" The door opens a crack, and my wedding planner pops her head in. "We're ready for you."

I squeal. "This is really it."

Theo

I stand with Alexie, my brother Tommy, and Sam— my best friend from college.

"We're going to stand up front and wait for the bridal party. Just like we did at rehearsal last night. Is everyone ready?" The minister looks at my group. "What about you, Theo? Are you ready to see your bride?"

I chuckle. "Since she wouldn't let me see her dress until she was coming down the aisle, yeah, you could say I'm more than ready." Although I want to add so much more about my bride's attire and my plans for the honeymoon, I decide to leave that little detail out.

Alexie smirks and gives me a nudge. "Get your mind out of the gutter," he whispers while the minister is facing the other direction.

"I've barely seen her all week," I whisper back.

"You just saw her last night at the rehearsal."

The minister turns to us. "It'll be a few minutes. Hold tight." He turns to speak to the wedding planner.

I take a deep breath and my legs shake. "I saw her at the rehearsal, but then her family took her back to their house," I whisper to Alexie.

"You weren't invited?"

"Nope." I adjust my bowtie. "I went back to the hotel."

"They're just trying to stop you from getting in her?—"

"Are we ready, gentlemen?" The pastor smiles. "Follow me."

"Too late," I whisper to Alexie. "Already got in there."

We follow the pastor through a side door and into the sanctuary. It's full of our family and friends.

I take a deep breath and Alexie jabs me. "Bend your knees a little. I don't want to scoop your ass off this floor after you faint," Alexie says through gritted teeth.

"Not fainting," I whisper back.

"Just a few more minutes, gentlemen." The pastor grins. "Alexie, you be sure and bend your knees. Unfortunately, there isn't anyone here who could get you off the floor."

Alexie grunts.

Francesca

My cousin Valentina followed by Carmella and then Lucia file down the aisle. My father squeezes my arm. "Are you ready?"

"I am." I nod.

"You're marrying a good man, Mija. You know he won me over when he asked me for your hand."

I smile at the memory.

The wedding planner points to us, and my father and I make our way down the aisle.

Theo is looking so serious and handsome in his black tuxedo.

As we approach the bridal party, Theo wipes at his eye and blinks a few times.

Is he crying?

"Who gives this woman to be married?"

"Her mother and I," my father states. My father shakes hands with Theo and gives him a quick hug. "You promise to take care of my daughter."

"I promise," Theo says with a grin.

My father gives me a hug and quick kiss on the cheek. "Congratulations, Mija." He joins my hand with Theo's and takes his seat next to my mother.

"You are absolutely breathtaking in that dress," Theo whispers to me as the string quartet finishes their song.

"You're very handsome."

We exit the church and stand atop the front steps. Our family and friends wait for us to descend the stairs.

"Shall we, wifey?"

As we begin to descend the stairs, the hockey team moves to the center of the sidewalk just below us. They've created the traditional military wedding Arch of Sabers, but the sabers have been replaced with hockey sticks.

I let out a squeal. "Oh my gosh! I love this!"

Tom, Alexie, Aidan, and all of Theo's teammates hold up the hockey sticks for us to walk under. As we pass, the team pats Theo on the shoulder or pokes him in the ribs. They give me big smiles and winks.

When we exit the makeshift arch, the team cheers, claps and surrounds us. There are handshakes, hugs, and a bottle of champagne pops. We're each handed an overflowing flute.

Theo holds up his glass to mine. "Here's to us, baby."

"To us." I grin.

"To da happy couple," Alexie calls out.

If Chipper and Gavin were here, I'm sure they'd agree this one is ending in a happily ever after. And they'd be exactly right.

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