Chapter Twenty-Eight

Once I'm on the phone with my brothers, this wedding is starting to feel like more of a reality.

Marco thinks that giving me a few weeks to plan it is enough, and I agree that we shouldn't wait too long, but there are things that keep popping up that need to be planned, handled, and dealt with, and it's all feeling crazy.

Marco gave me my own phone yesterday.

He told Luca and Enzo to call me, since they apparently keep trying on the house phone and I keep missing them.

I just can't help but enjoy the freedom I have now in Mexico, taking every chance I get to go outside and explore the town and the beach.

"I'm sorry, Grazia, we shouldn't have left you there," Enzo speaks into the phone, but I know that Luca is there as well.

My brothers didn't act in character when they left me behind, but I know that they were stressed and unsure about what to do.

And I doubt that I could have done things any better, considering I was ready to double-cross Luca just a few months ago.

We might not be the best siblings to each other, but I am hoping that this wedding and marriage can help heal our family just a bit.

"I've forgiven both of you," I say to them, and I mean it.

My anger was deep when they first left me, but if they hadn't, things would not have turned out the way they did.

"It turns out it was for the best, anyway, because Marco and I have a lot in common. I want to do this. I want to join our families and live here in Mexico with him. I'd really like you all to come to the wedding if you can."

I'm nervous about their reaction to this news, but I have decided that I'm going to go through with it even if they refuse to give their blessing.

I'd really like for them to support me, of course, but I am now much more confident in making my own decisions.

"And you're sure about this? He's not forcing you into this by threatening to kill someone?" Luca's voice comes through the connection.

His comment almost sounds like a joke, but knowing Luca, I know it's not.

He doesn't trust Marco, and for a while, I think he probably didn't trust me after finding out I was sleeping with the enemy.

"No, he's not blackmailing me," I tell him, hoping he can hear how serious I am through the phone. "And yes, I'm sure. I love him. This wedding is happening, but I would love it if you both—and your wives—would come here to see us get married."

I hold my breath for their answer.

Family is the most important to me, and my wedding day will be empty without the only family that I have left to watch me get married.

"Sure," they both say in unison.

I breathe out, relieved that they're not fighting me on the matter. They agreed much faster than I thought they would, actually.

"Thank you." I smile and drop the call.

Now I need to do some more wedding planning.

My brothers and their wives arrive at Marco's house—or, I should say "our house", but that will take some getting used to—a few days before the wedding.

Marco has set them all up at the same resort that we're having the wedding at, since it would be a bit crowded in the house with all of our guests. But we're having dinner here first.

I welcome them in, giving them a tour, and we settle outside on the terrace, where I admit to them is my favorite place in this entire house.

"You look good, Grazia, happy." Emelia smiles at me.

I'm grateful for her comment, partly because I didn't leave home on the best terms with her, and partly because I know it will put my brothers slightly at ease.

"You're looking great yourself, Em!" I return the compliment. "Is the baby doing all right?"

She tells me that the pregnancy is going smoothly, and we chat about baby stuff for a little bit until Luca chimes in about how nervous he is.

Enzo and Lori give him some helpful advice.

Suddenly we're all chatting and giggling together, and I wish Marco was here to be a part of it.

He had to handle business today, and decided to do it out of the house so that it didn't interfere with my family arriving.

"Em, Lori, I have a sort of favor to ask you both…" I break a lull in the conversation and look at both of my sisters-in-law.

They look back at me, waiting to hear my request. "Would you both be my bridesmaids? We're not doing full traditional bridal parties, but I would love for you to stand at the altar with me, and to go dress shopping, if you'd like."

"Of course!" They both exclaim, and Lori hops up to hug me. Emelia follows her, just a bit slower, since she's still getting used to her baby bump.

I smile at them both, happy that they're willing to be a part of this. Then I look at my brothers.

"I was also wondering… if you two would give me away?" I ask them, looking from Luca to Enzo hopefully.

"Both of us? Zia, I won't mind if you just ask Enzo, you know. He did do most of the work to raise you."

Luca looks uncomfortable, and I worry for a second that he's not fully on board with this wedding.

"I'd like you both to do it, but only if you want to," I say, playing with the hem of my sundress and looking away from the group.

"I'd be happy to," Enzo finally speaks. "And I also think it should be both of us."

"Okay, I'll do it." Luca smiles at me, and the tension is broken.

They go back to chatting about Mexico and the food that will be at the wedding, and I pick a time for the ladies to join me on a mission to find a dress.

Inside the bridal boutique, I try on my fifth dress. None of these seem like they suit my body.

The sixth dress that I try on feels different, though. It gracefully sweeps the ground as I walk, creating a sense of elegance.

The bodice has intricate lace on it, adding a touch of romance to the ensemble. The neckline is modest yet charming, framing my collarbone with subtle sophistication.

The dress takes on a classic A-line shape, cinching at the waist to highlight my figure. As I move, the fabric ripples delicately, lending a dreamlike quality to the entire look.

The back of it is complete with a row of dainty buttons. Finally, after almost two hours in this store, I feel like a bride.

Emelia and Lori gush over the dress when I show them. It seems to be a unanimous agreement that this is the dress I'll be wearing.

While the store assistant takes my measurements for alterations, the ladies quiz me on how I'm feeling about the wedding, and Marco in particular.

"We didn't have a great start." I laugh, but they're looking more concerned than amused. "But I promise, this is what I want. Marco isn't as evil as he seemed. He's had a hard life, and we understand each other." I try to calm their worries.

"So, you're happy to be marrying him?" Emelia asks me, her hand on her stomach and her eyebrows raised.

"I really am," I say, taking a sip of the champagne I was given. "I promise."

"And you think he's going to treat you right?" Lori asks now.

She's usually quiet, but I can tell that she is genuinely asking, not simply because my brothers might be wondering.

"Even when he was angry, or trying to make this deal happen, he was never terrible to me," I tell her. "In fact, I've felt like he's actually been quite protective of me. I trust him"

They both look happier now, and we spend the rest of the day finding their dresses, shopping for shoes, and doing all of the last-minute pampering that's needed for a wedding.

It's finally time.

I can't believe I'm walking down the aisle to meet my groom on the other end.

I have Enzo on my right arm and Luca on my left, and I've chosen Coldplay's, "Us Against the World", as my song to walk to.

Marco is looking at me with pride, and I can't help but smile at him.

His strong and protective stature fills me with peace and his smoky gray eyes stare straight into my soul, letting me know this couldn't be more right.

The ceremony doesn't take as long as I thought it might. We chose to write our own vows, though, so when the time comes, Marco starts.

I believe he means every word, and I have to wipe away a tear that has escaped down my cheek.

I take a deep breath and pull out the piece of paper with my vows on them.

Next is El Lazo. At the altar, both our hands reach for the lasso suspended above us. Marco takes one end of the lasso, and I hold the other, our fingers brushing lightly.

The priest"s voice fills the air with blessings, emphasizing the intertwining of our lives and the challenges we"re about to face.

We weave the lasso around each other"s hands. Each loop signifies a promise, a commitment to navigate life"s twists and turns together.

Marco and I embrace and share our first married kiss, the lasso now a tangible symbol of our journey and the eternal bond we"ve just declared.

Cheers from our loved ones surround us, marking the beginning of our shared path as a married couple.

The entire party moves from the chapel into the main hall, where tables are set up around the dance floor.

Marco and I sneak away to take a few photos before we join everyone else for dinner and dancing.

The reception hall is alive with chatter and laughter from all sides.

Everyone feasts on the buffet of food, and then Marco and I open the dance floor with our first dance.

We also do the money dance, which my own family does not understand.

This whole wedding has been more than I have ever imagined it could be.

Throughout the night, I keep looking at Marco, proud of how far we've come.

Who would have thought that I'd be marrying my kidnapper?

And who would have thought I would be so happy to do so?