***Here it is! I hope you enjoy it =)

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ANNALISA (surprise!!!)

You can do this. It's just a dinner. They're your family. They love you. I chant to myself over and over again.

I take a deep breath as I step out of the car, Topo rented. I glance over at him and suppress a smile, at how uncomfortable he looks. He's a good guy, willing to put himself through this, after Stella had to take the assignment that came in from Cristian Romano.

I know she felt torn between wanting to be here, supporting me but at the same time nervous at seeing JP again, especially after what happened on Halloween. 

I don't think they both realize that what happened when we were taken, was going to happen, whether they were together or not. But what made it worse is, that she felt alone when it was over. She was still under the impression that JP wanted nothing to do with her.

After everything we went through, during that week, from hell. I'm surprised she didn't get actual whiplash, from her emotions and all the information ping ponging, all over the place.

Lost in thought, I slam into Topo when he turns around quickly. He holds me by my arms, to keep me from falling. 

"Whoa, sorry I didn't realize you were walking so close. Just breathe, Annalisa. They just want to know you're okay. And you are, you're doing amazing. Just one day at a time."

I nod, even though I have a strong urge to turn and run in the opposite direction. I square my shoulders and take another deep breath as he leads us to the entrance, opening the door for me to walk in first.

A hostess looks up and smiles at us, asking if we have a reservation. I tell her we are here for the De Luca-Salvatore wedding party. She nods, telling us to follow her as she leads us towards the back of the restaurant. The smells and spices, wafting from the kitchen, surround me. I feel nauseous but I know it's more from my nerves.

My heart is thumping erratically, as we get closer to the secluded room, with two large long tables. She ushers us in, through the opening of the room and I step in slowly. There's a noticeable hush as I walk in further. I see my parents first and their eyes widen, in surprise to see me, or maybe more because of how different I look. 

Vince stands from his chair and rushes over to me. He pulls me into a fierce hug. Tears prick my eyes when I hear his quiet cries. I blink rapidly, not wanting my own tears to fall. He tells me he loves me and that he's so happy I came.

He pulls away and holds my face in his hands. "You look beautiful, Anna." I give him a small smile.

"Hi Annalisa. I'm so happy you are here, it means the world to us." Mia pulls me into a tight hug as well. Once she lets go, there's an awkward moment of silence. I snap out of my frozen state and introduce Topo.

"Vince, Mia, this is my friend, Topo." 

His name gets the usual reaction but they do a better job of hiding their reactions quickly, than most. Topo shakes their hands. "Thanks for allowing me to be here." He tells them politely, even though they really didn't have a choice in the matter.

"We're happy to meet you and thank you for bringing my sister." Vince tells him, he holds Mia around the shoulders and she holds him around the waist. "Is Stella coming later?" He asks me.

I shake my head. "She couldn't get out of a work thing."

I scan the room, "Is Joey here?"

"No, but he will be here for the wedding." Mia smiles at me. I feel disappointment settle over me. But at least I'll see him tomorrow, I remind myself.

"Annalisa, darling!"

I catch the grimace starting to show on my face and force a smile as my mom rushes in, for a viselike hug. She kisses both sides of my face. My dad walks up quietly, but holds me firmly in his arms, for a long time. I hold on to him, too. Memories of my childhood flood through me, when he would hug me as he'd get home from work or at night before bed.

"Cucciola, I'm so happy you're here. You look wonderful, healthy. I like the hair color, wanted to look more like your old man, yes?" He pulls back, winking and smiling, warmly at me.

"Yes, it is a different look, dear. It's nice to see you're relying on less makeup too. You look better than ever." My mother delivers her backhanded compliment, with a sweet smile.

"Mamma." Vince hisses at her. She waves him off and turns her attention to Topo. "Who's your friend, Annalisa?" Her eyes travel over his large frame. Focusing on his neck tattoos and earrings.

"Mamma, Papa, this is my friend, Topo. Topo these are my parents, Federico and Evelina De Luca." My father grips Topos' hand firmly and shakes it. My mother extends her hand out graceful as always. I worry for a moment, Topo will just grip it in his large hand and shake it but I can see my mother is pleased as he takes it and places a kiss on the top of her hand.

"Thank you for accompanying our daughter, Topo. Have you been working for Timo long?" My father asks him.

Topo shakes his head, "I do not work for Timo, Sir." My father arches a brow, questioningly.

"I was employed to look after and work with Stella Bracco, Annalisa...joined us afterwards. I work for Cristian Romano."

"Cristian?" My father asks shocked.

"Well, there you have it, Rico my love, now you know Annalisa is in good hands after all. Speaking of Charmaine or Stella, I mean. Will she be making a grand entrance later?" My mother asks, not hiding her obvious dislike for my best friend. I inform her she had to work.

"Shame. I was so looking forward to seeing her after all the trouble she's caused our family."

"Mamma, none of this was Stella's fault!" I glare at her. I feel my veins coursing with hot anger. "I don't want to hear you speak about her like that again. She had no control over what happened and in case you forgot she nearly died coming for me. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for her!"

"Buona sera, sorry to interrupt..." A soft voice comes from behind my mother. My mother turns and I recognize the woman's eyes, before she introduces herself.

"You must be Vincent's sister, Annalisa." She smiles kindly at me, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, cara. I'm Mia's mom, Valentina." 

I step up to do the customary greeting of kissing both sides of her face, but she pulls me into a hug instead. She rubs my back, "You were with my Joey, yes? When he was taken."

I nod my head and once again, my eyes burn. She pulls back and cups my face in her hands. "I'm so sorry for what you went through, piccola." She wipes at the corner of my eyes. "Orlando, amore, this is Annalisa."

She moves to the side and I feel like I'm looking at Joey in the future. Joey gets his curly hair from his father, but with the difference is, his father has silver strands sprinkled everywhere. Joey also has his dad's strong jaw line, but he has his mother's eyes.

"It's wonderful to meet you, cara. We've heard so much about you from our son." He places a kiss on my hand, I feel my face flame. Joey's talked about me to his parents? 

"I share my wife's sympathies on what you went through, but I'm grateful my son was not alone. He speaks very highly of both you and your friend, Stella."

They both nod and smile at Topo, introducing themselves to him and shake his hand. Vince takes charge of the small audience that has now gathered and instructs everyone to take their seats as the dinner will be starting soon.

I hear my phone chime and I pull it out and see a text from Stella. She's asking how everything is going. I respond quickly but not quick enough as I hear my mother clear her throat.

"Annalisa, darling, I know it's been a while since you've been out, but do not forget your manners. Please put your phone away." I take a deep breath and grind my teeth to keep myself from screaming back at her. I slip my phone back into my purse and set it on my chair.

"She's fine, Eve. Let her be." My dad mutters to her.

The rest of dinner consists of my mother adding her tidbit, snide comments about my lack of ambition and wasting my golden years, doing nothing to follow through on my original plans to travel, whenever she gets a chance.

"What?" She rolls her eyes at Vince, after he chides her for what seems like the hundredth time. "Can you blame a mother who just want's to be proud of both of her children? I'm tired of lying for you Annalisa. You should go back to school get your masters in something useful, instead living God knows where, doing God knows what." She shakes her head, disapprovingly.

At one point, I see Topo gripping a steak knife so hard, his knuckles are white against his dark skin. I stand, excusing myself to use the restroom and rush out of the room.

I lean over the sink and grip onto the counter. I put my hands over my mouth and muffle myself as I scream out in frustration, anger and hurt. I splash some water on my cheeks and then on my neck and chest. My breathing is heavy and rapid as I pat myself dry with the paper towels.

"Do you want to leave?" Topo asks me when I walk out of the restroom. I shake my head.

"No, it's almost over. I'm okay. Thanks for being here, Topo." He hugs me from the side, putting his arm around my shoulders as we walk back into purgatory.

Everyone looks up, surprise on their face. I assume they thought I'd leave. My mother keeps her face down and is silent for the rest of the night.

The customary speeches are made by the brother's best man, our cousin and Mia's maid of honor. Afterwards, as people start leaving, they wish the happy couple their best before the big day.

Several of my cousins, extended family and other family friends, greet me as they leave as well. By the time it's all said and done, I'm exhausted. After saying goodnight to everyone, including my own family. I lean heavily onto Topo as we walk back to the car.

"You did it. I'm proud of you, Annalisa." He tells me as he opens the car door for me.

"One day down." I say. He chuckles as he closes the door.

****

The next day I'm slow to get out of bed. I want to conserve my energy for the wedding and then the reception.

Topo spends a couple of hours in the gym of the hotel. When he returns and showers, he orders lunch for us. We watch a movie to kill some time while we eat and then he tells me he has to do some work on his laptop.

He and Mateo are providing the surveillance remotely for Stella. He spends a couple more hours doing that before I realize I need to start getting ready for the wedding. 

I finish putting on my makeup, but my mothers words seep into my mind. I decide to add a little more eyeshadow with a bold lip color, like I used to wear.

I stand back and look at my reflection. Even though I'm not sporting the usual, sun kissed glow, the pale yellow, strapless dress, looks good against my skin. 

My now dark hair color stands out against the light color of the dress, but I think it works. I walk out of the bathroom and Topo stands when he sees me.

"You look stunning, Annalisa." He smiles at me. I grin back at him, thanking him.

He holds his arm out to me. "Ready?"

"As much as I'll ever be. Let's get this over with." He laughs as he leads us out of the hotel room.

The venue for the wedding ceremony and reception are both at the Venues Liberty Station in San Diego. I apologize to Topo as I have to leave him while I take pictures with my family. 

My mother kindly reminds me to not look like I'm forcing my smiles, each time we move locations. The photographer informs us we will take more pictures with Mia's family after the ceremony.

We take our seats as the ceremony is about to begin. I can't help looking around for Joey. I don't see him, sitting next to his mom. I worry he decided not to come or maybe it was too hard to be around so many people, which I could totally understand, but still hope he's here, somewhere.

I watch as Mia is being led down the aisle by her dad. She looks so beautiful and so happy. I look up at my brother and he mirrors the happiness and love in his face as he watches her coming towards him.

The ceremony is short but sweet and then we are whisked away to take more pictures. I'm disappointed when Joey isn't part of the pictures. He must have decided not to come after all.

As the reception starts, the best man and maid of honor once again, give their congratulatory speeches. Mia and Vince do their first dance. They dance to the song Lucky by Colbie Caillat and Jason Mraz.

Afterwards, they open the dance floor for everyone. I fail miserably at hiding my smirk and chuckle, when my mom comes to grab Topo, for a dance. I watch as he moves awkwardly with her and can't help the laugh that escapes. 

I sip a cosmo as I continue watching my mom and Topo dance. My dad comes to ask me to dance and pulls me onto the dance floor and spins me around.

I laugh at his playfulness as we move across the floor. The song ends, when I hear my name called by a familiar voice.

"Annalisa?" I turn and see Santino, standing in front of me.

He smiles as he walks towards me and wraps his arms around me. "It's so good to see you. Is Stella here, too?"

It feels like I haven't seen him in forever as I look at him. "No, she had to work. I'm here with our friend, Topo." I nod over to the table, we are sitting at, and Topo nods his head at Santino.

We move to the side of the dance floor, out of the way, as we continue talking, catching up. I look around, "Did you come with Joey?" 

I mentally face palm myself. Of course he's here with Joey, why else would Santino be here. He nods at me and his grin widens as he looks behind me.

"Hello, fancyface." My heart skips a beat at the familiar baritone voice.

~~~~~~~~~

*Sorry, I had to split the chapter or else it would be reeeaallly long haha, but I think it's worth it!

I'm not sure I'll keep the POV when this book is complete but when the thought and idea came to me I just had to write it down haha

Next chapter is the reunion some of you have been dying for! =)