Hearts & Souls

HEARTS she's seen me go through it all and was the one person I relied on during my darkest days of Lena's absence, and later, our mother's death. Cancer took her from us way too soon, cutting her life short at seventy.

"You'd be a mess without me, that's what." She winks and smirks. "I went to see Lena, ask if she needed anything. She looks incredible. Wait till you see her!"

Lena's beauty captivated me the moment I saw her at the Florentine, fifteen years ago. Her long, dark curls, vibrant green eyes, and curvy hips. The more time passes, the more beautiful she becomes.

"You saw her? She's here?" My voice trembles.

"Of course she's here—" Stella steps toward me and smacks my arm "—she's downstairs in the bride's apartment with Luci and her two sisters."

Luci is Lena's childhood best friend. In the first few months after Lena left, Luci and I spent a lot of time together searching for Lena. Luci did a lot of the legwork when it came to canceling the wedding plans, notifying vendors, and contacting our guests. I was a mess and could barely hold myself together, let alone handle the breakdown of a wedding that did not come to pass. I'm grateful for her support even though I probably didn't deserve it since I treated everyone like shit with my dismissive, closed-off attitude and off-the-rails temper. I was in such a bad place.

"I need to see Lena. She's the only one who can calm my nerves right now. I'm gonna go downstairs, need to talk to her." Turning on my heel, I move toward the door, but Stella grabs my arm and pulls me back to face her again, resting her palms on my cheeks.

"Mass, you can't see her. It's your wedding day! The bride and groom aren't supposed to see each other until they meet at the altar. Besides, you're freaking out for no reason. Lena loves you and you know that. You're her entire world. You know I'd tell you if I thought something was off. The only thing you should be concerned with right now is waiting for the boys and finishing getting dressed. Otherwise, you're gonna be late to your own wedding."

I'm still wearing joggers and a t-shirt with my sneakers. Rocco will need to help me with my bow tie once he's here because I'm terrible at it. "You're probably right about everything being fine, but I'm still going downstairs, just in case."

I spin to open the door and sprint down the hall, taking two steps at a time. Once at the door of the bridal apartment, I knock and call out, "Lena. It's me. I need to see you."

"What are you doing here, Massimo?" Luci asks from the other side of the door. "You're not supposed to see each other yet!"

My forehead drops, resting on the wall next to the door. "Lena, please," I plead, repeatedly tapping my hand firmly on the door.

"I got this, Luci. Give me a minute." Lena's voice caresses me, instantly calming the storm within. The door cracks open and Lena's hand peeks out. I intertwine our fingers, needing her touch to ground me. "What's up, babe? Is everything okay?" she murmurs.

Although I can't see her, feeling her soft fingers soothes my frenzied nerves. "Yes," I whisper, my head still resting on the stark white wall. "Well, no, I was feeling anxious and needed to see you. So, here I am. But I feel better already." I squeeze her hand.

"Whatever you need." She rubs her thumb back and forth in my palm and the tension in my neck loosens under her touch.

"The boys are late because Camila wasn't home. More unnecessary bullshit! I have this nagging feeling like something bad is gonna happen today." I sigh, listening to Lena's breathing through the door's opening. "You haven't changed your mind, have you?" I whisper, my words shaky.

"Remember the first time you introduced me to your family and Rocco was worried about some business deal? Your mother told him there's always something positive to be found and that he should focus on that. You should do the same now. The boys are on their way, and when they get here, we'll finish getting ready and start. So what if we start late? It's the first day of the rest of our lives. And no, I haven't changed my mind! Today's the day we officially become Mr. and Mrs. surrounded by everyone we love. That's what you should be thinking about." Her raspy voice centers me, reminding me why I love everything about her.

"I love you." I want to push through the door, kiss her, and feel her body flush with mine. Instead, I settle for another squeeze of her hand and let her words pacify me.

"I love you," she responds. "Now go finish getting ready."

Rocco stands to my left. The guests are looking back at the entrance, waiting for the procession as the music wafts around us. The salty breeze carries the sound of waves steadily lapping against the Ipswich shoreline. Amidst the clouds and drizzling rain, a single beam of sunlight shines through, illuminating the altar from behind. I look up and take it all in. It's as if the universe is offering a subtle blessing, a glimmer of promise that maybe Lena and I can make it work this time.

One by one, the couples enter and make their way down the aisle. When I see my boys emerge, walking next to each other, I'm flooded with pride. What incredible kids they are! Lucio is guiding Leandro and they're giggling and waving to all the people they know as they prance down the walkway toward me. They look so handsome in their suits and bow ties. When they arrive at the altar, they're excited and hug my legs. I bend and pull them between my arms before standing again. Behind them are Lena's two nieces who live in Florida, wearing pale purple dresses and carrying baskets with multicolored rose petals, scattering them along their walk.

The music ends and silence fills the air. Right now, music is supposed to start playing so Lena and her father can walk in.

But.

Nothing.

Is.

Happening.

Where's the music? Where's Lena? Did she change her mind? I desperately search for Emily, the wedding coordinator. When our eyes meet, I lift my chin, gesturing toward the direction where Lena is supposed to emerge from. She nods and scurries out the back entrance. I shift from my left foot to my right and back again. Crack my neck. Stuff my hands into my pockets and exhale. What the fuck is happening right now?

Rocco nudges me and I glance at him, giving him a curt nod. I can't allow myself to meet his eyes or I'll lose my shit. I watch as Luci leans into Lena's sister and whispers something in her ear. Blanca, Luci's mother, looks relaxed as if everything is as it's supposed to be. Other guests are looking around, whispering to each other and exchanging confused expressions. The pitter patter of the raindrops on the tent ring in my ears, exacerbating my nerves.

Suddenly, there's a loud screech and a crackling comes through the speakers when Emily reappears through the door, meets my gaze, and nods with a smile. Then, a rich melody of honeyed saxophone harmonies float through the air before Andrea Bocelli's magnetic voice joins in, angelic in its tone and tenor. We chose this song, "A Te," for Lena to walk out to because my mother was a fan of Andrea Bocelli; this was one of her favorite songs. It's a way for my mother to be present.

Lena appears on her father's arm, and a tidal wave of relief washes over me. Everything and everyone around us fades away. It's her. It's always been her.

Fierce.

Fiery.

Feminine.

She looks incredible in her dress, and I instantly feel the tightening in my pants. The sultry mermaid silhouette is perfectly hugging her curves and that signature V-neck plunges deeper than usual, accentuating her supple breasts. Her curls are loosely pinned up, stray ringlets framing her beautiful face, and her bee-stung lips stained with a dark red wine-color. Today, her glasses are a soft purple color to match the flecks of purple accents on the dress's short train.

I pull her father into an embrace before turning to Lena and grasping her hands in mine. I'm ready for this to be done, for us to be married so I can steal her away, make love to her, lose myself in her.

When planning the ceremony, we agreed we wanted something short and to the point. The Justice of the Peace says the things she's required to in order to make it official. The entire time she is speaking, my eyes remain locked with Lena's emerald gaze, as she seduces me with her words.

As I proclaim to take Lena as my wife, my heart thunders in my chest. Listening to her make the same commitment in her breathy voice makes my dick twitch.

"Marialena, do you promise to love, honor, cherish, and protect him, forsaking all others and holding unto him forever more?" the Justice of the Peace asks.

Before Lena can respond, I lean in, cheek to cheek, and whisper, "Our hearts and souls till the end of days. Ti amo ."

Rocco whistles, and a few others join in the cheering.

"Always," she says.

I'm impatient and can't wait for the Justice of the Peace to finish pronouncing us husband and wife. My hands rest on Lena's soft curves, and I pull her to me, covering her mouth with mine. Cheers and whistles follow, fueling the beating of my heart and intensifying the elation and pure joy pulsing through my veins. She's finally mine!

We spend our first hour as a married couple with the photographer on the estate grounds, taking pictures with the boys, the wedding party, and our family. When it's time to join the reception, we're in the foyer area with our groomsmen and bridesmaids. The boys are with Lena's two nieces together with Lena's parents and my father.

Inside the reception hall, the emcee is rallying the guests to prepare for our entrance. As the pairs get called to enter, my father approaches, embraces me, and says, "Your mother would be so happy to see you and Lena married."

I tighten my arms around him. "I know, Pa, I miss her so much."

When we separate, my father turns to Lena, kisses her on the cheek, and says, "You're officially my daughter now." Tears slide down Lena's cheeks and she gives him a lopsided grin.

"Pa, you're up next," I say as the guests cheer for Lena's parents.

When it's just me and Lena remaining, I turn to her, join our hands, and say, "Hi, wife." My smile stretches across my face.

Her lips turn upward. "Hi, husband," she responds, leaning in and pressing her lips to mine. "I didn't know you were going to say anything when we were exchanging vows."

I pull my lower lip between my teeth. "Neither did I, but with you, I often do things that aren't in my nature. Your love makes me feel a certain type of way." I press my lips to hers again, soft and warm.

We hear the beats of "You Make My Dreams" by Daryl Hall & John Oates, which is our cue to enter the reception hall. The emcee begins his spiel and I squeeze Lena's hand. "… pleasure of introducing Mr. and Mrs. DeLorenzo." We turn and push through the doors to greet our guests. They're all standing, whistling, and clapping—mirroring my emotions. The bridesmaids and groomsmen are on the dance floor, and we join them, dancing to the beat of the music.

The song ends, the dance floor clears, and the DJ transitions to the song we chose for our first dance, Led Zeppelin's "Thank You." When we were planning our first wedding, this was the song we had agreed to. Since that never happened, I was nervous she wouldn't want to select it again because of the awful memories tied to it and our tormented past. But she agreed, remembering how much I love this song and its lyrics about the strength of love carrying us through the darkest of days, expressing everything I'm incapable of putting into words.

I grab onto Lena's soft hips, rest my lips at her ear, and whisper, "I don't know what I want to do more, fuck you with your dress on or off."

"Why choose?" She winks. "We can do both."