You don't marry the person you can live with; you marry the person you can't live without.

               ~Unknown~

           Mia

The only time I thought of my wedding was when I was growing up. I felt like it would be an escape from both my grandmother's house and loneliness. But not even in my wildest dreams would I have imagined a wedding like the one I was about to have.

I was about to marry the man I loved. I smiled, looking at myself in the mirror in front of me, the twinkle in my eyes hiding the anxiety I felt.

Sophie sat on the bed, her face showing fatigue and excitement. Though she was still heavily pregnant, she'd agreed to be my matron of honor, and I was glad because she was my only female friend.

I wore a white sheath wedding gown with an off the shoulder neckline, up to elbow laced arms, and lace motifs adorning the tail as well. I looked beautiful, and I hoped Rom would think so too, considering the dress had cost him over one thousand dollars.

"Do you think it was worth that much?" I asked Sophie, looking at her through the mirror.

She nodded and then said, "definitely." I nodded too, rubbing my tummy gently, trying to calm my nerves. I couldn't wait to be Rom's wife, yet I couldn't seem to calm my nerves.

It felt like the first time I was about to walk the runway. I had been a heap of nerves then too.

"It's time," I heard Sophie say, handing me the veil. I took it with trembling hands, my heart beating so fast I was afraid people might hear it.

I watched Sophie walk to the front, standing directly opposite Raph, who stood beside Bruno.

They looked beautiful together. They were adorned in black designer suits, white shirts, black ties, and black shoes, just like always, but today, it looked special.

I stole a glance at Romano to gauge whether he was as nervous as I was, but he wasn't. He was just standing calmly, smiling at something Bruno whispered to him. I wished I could have heard what he said, too; maybe it would have reduced my anxiety.

As the music started, I exhaled loudly, thanking my stars that no one had heard how undignified I sounded.

I had no one to give me away, and I was okay with that. I wanted to give myself to Rom; the thought of giving myself to him was better. It was what I wanted.

I could see father Josè standing with the guys, fully attired in a white cassock with a cross in the middle.
The smile on his lips bright enough to match that of the sun. He looked happy to officiate the wedding, also like a proud father.

It reminded me of Rom once telling me that meeting father Josè was the equivalent of meeting his father.

Walking through the path laid out with red and white roses, holding a bouquet of carnation, I let out my breath slowly, the click-clack of my heels disappearing beneath the flowers.

My wedding brought out a few people in Rom's life that I hadn't met, like Sophie's best friend, Gabriella. She sat next to Aldo as he was known by Soph and Gabs or Leo as the guys called him.  When I met him, I thought he had a sweet disposition as opposed to the other men of his irk, but that was before Fabricio started flirting with Gabs, and I had felt as if he wanted to break his neck.

Romano said Fabricio was a dandy, but I thought he just had a good fashion sense. He dressed meticulously, every clothing item he wore matched, and his hair was always in place.

Rom threw me a careless smile, the sparkle in his eyes showing his excitement. I reached him, and he took my hands in his before the priest said anything.

I had explicitly told him not to look at me the way he does, which almost always brought a blush on my face, but I should have spared my breath because that is exactly how he was looking at me.

I averted my gaze, and everyone laughed, including father Josè. I raised my face to him, narrowing my eyes at him in a warning, but he just chuckled, and I swore I would be as indifferent as he was someday.

The day when I won't blush when he speak suggestively at me or when he looks at me as if he imagined me naked.

"Dearly beloved," father Josè began, " we are gathered here in the sight of God..." I listened to his soothing voice; my eyes fixed on Rom's.

He winked at me. I smiled, moving my eyes downwards for a second before facing him again.

"Ameria, you want to say a few words?" Father Josè asked. He was the only one who called me by my given name. Although it sounded strange to my ears, I found it reassuring. It was a reminder of who I am, who I had tried so much to change, but also who I was—a past but also my present. It felt complicated; it brought a myriad of emotions that I kept hidden but needed to be addressed.

"Romano, I started, my voice getting stuck somewhere inside my throat. " Three years ago, you entered my life unannounced, broke in into a room that had me locked in to save me. I spent those years looking for you in every crowd, every hotel, cafe, and even on buses and trains. I never forgot you, and somehow, I knew if you'd survived, I would see you again. I want you to know how grateful I am for always saving me. With this ring, I give you my love, trust, and vow to love you as long as we both shall live. I love you."

I could feel tears in my eyes, but I suppressed them, but then I heard Sophie sniffing, and I knew she was crying as well. She passed me a handkerchief, and I chuckled awkwardly as I wiped the corners of my eyes.

"Caro, " Father Josè called, moving his eyes to Rom.

But Romano did not say a word, he just lifted my veil way too early in the ceremony, before even the priest could declare us husband and wife, but that tradition did not stop him from doing what he wanted.

"Bella Mia, " his throaty voice began, his eyes giving me a glimpse of what he might have been thinking. He loved me, and that was evident in the way he looked at me.

"I wanted you from the first time I saw a photo of you, but I fell in love with you the day you said you've decided to love me. Your love of me is unconditional without expecting the same back. I'm in awe of your courage, and you might think you love me more than I love you, but baby, you have no idea how much I love you."

And then I felt unheeded tears start to fall down my face. When father Josè announced us a husband and wife, I was tucked in Rom's arms, trying to stop tears from ruining my beautifully made-up face.

"Shhh..." he kept saying. " I'm happy, " I told him, sneezing in my handkerchief.

" Do you want me to carry you somewhere until you compose yourself?"

"No, we can't leave our guests."

"Of course we can. It's our wedding; we get to make the rules."

"I know what you want to do with me. We are staying."