Chapter 18 - A Different Kind of Family
Riley wanted a small wedding.
This was her first mistake.
Matteo agreed.
That was his.
They imagined forty people.
Casa Luca.
Simple flowers.
Good food.
No press.
No corporate executives.
No development partners.
No drama.
Three weeks later, the guest list contained 187 names.
Riley stared at Sofia.
“How?”
“Family.”
“I don’t have 187 family members.”
“You’re marrying a Duca.”
“Can I marry him without all the Ducas?”
“No.”
Aunt Teresa had opinions about food.
Isabella had opinions about flowers.
Patrick had opinions about everything.
Connor’s only contribution was suggesting the reception entrance involve a tow truck.
Riley refused.
Matteo secretly encouraged him.
She discovered the conspiracy and threatened both.
Despite the chaos, Riley was happy.
Genuinely.
Morgan Towing expanded to a second location farther west.
Connor became general manager.
Riley remained owner but stopped working seventy-hour weeks.
The new river district rose around the original yard.
Brick storefronts.
Apartments.
A public park.
The technical center.
The restored tunnel entrance became part of a small local-history exhibit after the investigation concluded.
Riley found that idea absurd.
Then she saw teenagers reading about Ellen Morgan.
She cried in the bathroom.
Matteo pretended not to notice her red eyes.
That was one of the reasons she loved him.
He knew when not to ask.
The wedding arrived in October.
Chicago gave them perfect weather.
Cold enough for jackets.
Warm enough for the courtyard.
Riley dressed upstairs at Casa Luca.
Sofia helped with her hair.
Isabella fastened a necklace around her neck.
It had belonged to Matteo’s grandmother.
“You don’t have to wear it,” Isabella said.
“I want to.”
Isabella looked at Riley in the mirror.
“You brought my son back.”
Riley shook her head.
“No.”
Isabella smiled sadly.
“You did.”
“I think he was already trying.”
“That is probably more accurate.”
Riley took her hand.
“He helped me too.”
“How?”
“For years I thought independence meant never needing anyone.”
Isabella nodded.
“And?”
“Turns out it mostly meant I was tired.”
They laughed.
Downstairs, Matteo waited.
Patrick stood beside him.
“You nervous?” Patrick asked.
“No.”
Patrick smiled.
“Liar.”
Matteo looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Means you understand the stakes.”
Matteo laughed quietly.
Patrick became serious.
“She gets scared too.”
“I know.”
“She hides it by becoming sarcastic.”
“I know.”
“She’ll work herself sick rather than ask for help.”
“I know.”
“She thinks she has to solve everything alone.”
“I know.”
Patrick studied him.
“You really do.”
“Yes.”
Patrick nodded.
“Then you’ll be fine.”
The ceremony began.
No dramatic music.
No spectacle.
Riley walked with Patrick through the courtyard.
Matteo saw her.
And every nervous thought disappeared.
She noticed.
She always noticed.
At the front, Patrick placed Riley’s hand in Matteo’s.
Then whispered, “Parking legally today?”
Matteo whispered back, “Yes.”
“Good.”
Riley heard and nearly laughed during the vows.
Matteo went first.
“I spent most of my adult life thinking certainty was something you could build.”
He looked at her.
“A contract. A company. A plan.”
Riley’s eyes filled.
“Then I parked a car where I shouldn’t.”
Guests laughed.
“And a woman I had never met looked me directly in the eye and said no.”
More laughter.
Matteo smiled.
“It was the beginning of the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Riley squeezed his hands.
“You taught me that love is not certainty.”
His voice softened.
“It is choosing someone even when you cannot control what happens next.”
Riley blinked away tears.
Her turn.
“I had prepared something.”
Matteo smiled.
“Had?”
“I changed it.”
“That is terrifying.”
Guests laughed again.
Riley looked at him.
“For years I thought keeping people out was the same thing as being strong.”
Her voice wavered.
“My mother taught me to fight for what mattered.”
She looked toward Patrick and Connor.
“But I misunderstood part of the lesson.”
Riley returned her gaze to Matteo.
“You don’t fight for people by pushing them away.”
Matteo’s eyes shone.
“You fight beside them.”
Riley smiled.
“So I promise to fight beside you.”
A pause.
“Even when you park like an idiot.”
Matteo laughed.
They exchanged rings.
Kissed.
And for one perfect moment, the two families applauding around them were not Morgans and Ducas.
They were simply family.
The reception lasted until after midnight.
Aunt Teresa fed everyone twice.
Connor gave a speech involving the flamingo hearse story.
Riley was furious Matteo had finally learned it.
Matteo blamed Connor.
Connor blamed alcohol.
Patrick danced with Riley.
Halfway through, he said quietly, “Your mother would be proud.”
Riley swallowed.
“You think?”
“I know.”
Across the room Matteo danced with Isabella.
Riley watched.
Patrick followed her gaze.
“He’s good.”
“Yes.”
“Still rich and annoying.”
“Very.”
“Good balance.”
Riley laughed.
Near midnight, Matteo led her outside.
A vehicle waited.
Riley stopped.
Her mother’s Ford.
Restored.
Completely.
The paint matched the original.
Interior repaired.
Engine rebuilt.
Riley stared.
She covered her mouth.
“Matteo.”
“Connor helped.”
She walked slowly toward it.
Touched the hood.
“You restored it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your mother started this story long before we did.”
Riley cried.
No attempt to hide it.
Matteo held her.
Then handed her the keys.
“She’s yours.”
Riley looked through tears.
“Our ride?”
“If it starts.”
She laughed.
“You spent how much restoring this?”
“I was advised not to answer.”
“Smart.”
They climbed in.
Riley drove.
Of course.
Matteo sat passenger.
Of course.
They pulled away from the restaurant while everyone waved.
At the first red light, Matteo looked at her.
“Where are we going?”
Riley smiled.
“You climbed into my truck without asking.”
“That was years ago.”
“Consequences can be delayed.”
He laughed.
Riley drove through the city.
Past the Mercer Grand.
Past Duca Development.
Past the river district.
Finally toward home.
Matteo took her hand.
There were no enemies following them.
No hidden records.
No threats.
No deals waiting to collapse.
Only Chicago lights.
Her mother’s truck.
And the man who had once thought the entire world could be negotiated.
For the first time, both of them knew exactly where they were going.
Together.
But their story was not quite finished.
Because the next morning, Riley would wake with an idea that would transform everything their parents had fought to protect.
Not just for the Morgans.
Not just for the Ducas.
May you like
For hundreds of families who needed the same chance they had almost lost.
---
