Chapter 17 - The Wedding Nobody Could Bury
Elena refused a traditional aisle.
“I was kidnapped, tied to a chair, chased across three states, and nearly blown up on a ship.”
“You were not nearly blown up.”
She looked at me.
“There was a countdown.”
“For data.”
“I didn’t know that.”
Fair.
“So,” she continued, “I’m not walking slowly while people stare at me.”
“What do you want?”
“I want Maya to meet me halfway.”
That was exactly what happened.
The greenhouse doors opened.
Elena entered from one side.
Maya from the other.
Both walked alone.
Then met in the middle.
No one gave anyone away.
No one took anyone.
They chose each other.
The ceremony had fewer than fifty guests.
No cameras except family.
No reporters.
Adrian stood beside me.
Nico cried openly.
When I looked at him, he said, “Allergies.”
“In November?”
“Seasonal.”
Madeline officiated.
“I am apparently both doctor and temporary minister now.”
Maya laughed.
Elena was already crying.
Their vows were simple.
Maya:
“I cannot promise fear will never return.”
Elena:
“I don’t need that promise.”
Maya:
“I can promise you won’t meet it alone.”
Elena nodded.
“My turn.”
She looked at Maya.
“I used to think love meant finding someone who could save you.”
Maya squeezed her hands.
“But you taught me love is finding someone who lets you become yourself again.”
Everyone went quiet.
Elena continued.
“I will stay when life is loud. I will stay when it is boring. I will stay when you burn breakfast.”
“You burn breakfast.”
“Don’t interrupt my vows.”
People laughed.
“I will choose you when I’m brave, and I will choose you when I’m scared.”
Maya cried.
“So yes.”
Madeline smiled.
“I haven’t asked anything yet.”
“Speed it up.”
The kiss happened before permission.
Madeline threw up her hands.
“Fine. Married.”
The reception was chaos in the best way.
Music.
Food.
Stories.
Elena forced me to dance.
“I don’t dance.”
“You own nightclubs.”
“I own buildings with music.”
“That is the saddest sentence you’ve ever said.”
Adrian joined.
Then Maya.
Then Nico.
Soon the entire family was on the floor.
For once no one cared who looked ridiculous.
Especially because Nico was the most ridiculous.
Later I stepped outside.
Snow had started falling.
Adrian followed.
“You okay?”
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
“No.”
He stood beside me.
“I used to imagine what family looked like.”
I glanced through the glass.
Elena laughing.
Maya dancing.
Nico arguing with a waiter about dessert.
Madeline taking selfies.
Rachel pretending she didn’t enjoy herself.
“Was it this?” I asked.
“No.”
“Better or worse?”
“Weirder.”
“That’s fair.”
He handed me Matteo’s envelope.
“You opened it?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
Adrian looked toward the snow.
“He admitted he knew I wasn’t his.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
I had suspected.
“He kept pretending because losing me meant admitting he had destroyed everything for nothing.”
“What did he say?”
Adrian smiled sadly.
“He said I had Antonio’s stubbornness.”
“You do.”
“So do you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
We argued for ten minutes.
That felt like family too.
Inside, Elena tapped the glass.
“What are you two doing?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re missing cake!”
Adrian immediately went inside.
I stayed one second longer.
Snow landed on my coat.
For years the city had known my name because people were afraid of it.
Moretti.
A word whispered in back rooms.
Used as warning.
But inside that greenhouse, my name meant something else.
Brother.
Family.
Home.
I went back inside.
Maya had saved me a piece of cake.
Then she stole my espresso.
May you like
Some traditions deserved to survive.
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