I somehow manage to make it back to the table without falling over, even though my legs feel like jelly.

"You alright, moms?" Miles asks me, and I take a deep, shaky breath in and nod. "In that case, may I have this dance, milady?"

He stands and bows next to me. I chuckle and take his hand. Then, he spins me onto the dance floor, making me laugh again as I stumble into his arms.

I see Kai dancing with Gianna; Lucy is dancing with Gabe, and Sean is dancing with Jessica; he smiles when he sees me.

I glance at the table JP was sitting at earlier and don't see him. I scan the room and don't find him anywhere.

"If you're looking for JP, he left, but I don't think for good," Miles tells me.

"I wasn't," I lie.

"You know, you're not a good liar, mom. At least not with me. I know I haven't known you as long as some of your friends, but I can tell when you're not honest."

"How?"

"I don't know; it's a gut feeling, I guess. You have a good poker face, and that's why you can fool others but not me," Miles smiles softly at me.

"No one can deny there's still something between you and JP. He matches your intensity, that's for sure," He laughs. "I bet he's a badass in a fight, too."

"Miles."

"Anyway," He emphasizes."You deserve to be happy. It's none of my business, moms, but I think you need to figure out what you want. For yourself, not for us or anybody else. And the thing is, I think you know what you want, but you're scared."

"I am happy."

"I think you're hopeful but not happy yet."

"When did you become so insightful?" I sigh.

"Well, you see, I met this cool lady a while back, who changed my life. She helped me realize that if I'm not happy about where I am or what I'm doing, I'm in control of my life and have the power to change my life, to go after what I want," He smiles down at me.

"Thank you, Miles," I pull him into a hug. "I love you; you know that?"

"Yes, I do know, and I love you, too, mom."

Staff is serving food when we return to our table. Sean joins us shortly after, and I look around for Lucy when I see Kai sit down.

"Lucy went to the bathroom," Kai informs me and smiles, realizing I was looking for her.

"Are you having a good time?" I ask Sean.

"I am," he lifts my hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my hand. "Are you?"

"Yeah, I am." I am mostly.

"Not good," Kai says, his gaze focused behind me, and I follow it.

Lucy is dancing with Nico now, but we can see Marco watching from the side, with his hands clenched in fists. He starts walking up to them, and I start to get up, but Sean stops me.

We watch as JP intervenes by pulling Marco roughly by the arm away from the dance floor.

Marco rips his arm out of JP's grip, and although we can't hear what they're saying, it's obvious they're fighting. Santino and a few other men quickly lead Marco out of the venue.

JP looks back at me briefly before making his way back to his table, but he's stopped as a literal flock of women begins to surround him.

"Keep walking; he's mine!" Lola stands in front of JP, holding him back, and I put my hand over my mouth, chuckling. A few of the women smile or laugh but disregard her, and a couple of them start moving in.

"Think I'm playin'? Let's go!" Lola moves her head with such sass I wonder where she learned it from; and starts marching towards the women. JP picks her up quickly and carries her away. Lola looks back at the women and lets them know she's watching them with her little fingers.

"Little Lola is a queen!" Kai laughs heartily. "You and JP are going to have your hands full, and she's not even a teenager yet!"

I laugh, shaking my head, knowing Kai is right.

"Seems to run in the family," Sean mutters as he eats. I look over at him, but then Miles starts talking.

"Well, guess Marco will be missing on the fireworks later," Miles states as he stuffs his mouth with steak.

"I'm sure they're just taking him to cool off," Sean states. "Kid's got a major attitude and temper problem, though. Someone needs to knock some sense into him."

"He's been through a lot and is on the verge of losing his mom, Sean. He's a good kid who just needs help figuring out how to deal with everything going on in his head." I disagree with his actions for sure, but he needs more patience and understanding than discipline.

"It's clear he has no structure. I mean, he's around a lot of violence; what do people expect?" Sean states before he takes a bite of his food.

"JP does a good job of not letting them see that part of his life," I state, while Sean scoffs.

"You had structure, and you still rebelled. You got tattoos just to piss off your parents," I feel myself starting to get riled up. "Sometimes you can do everything right, and kids will still act out or have attitudes. Kids with perfectly "normal" childhoods still have tempers, too, Sean."

"Sure, I get that, but environment plays a big part in how kids deal with things, too, Stella."

"Not necessarily; look at Kai, Miles, and Lucy. They grew up with shitty parents, and you don't see them taking it out on other people." My voice is louder than I intend it to be, but I don't understand why Sean is against Marco right now. "I'm not making excuses for Marco but "knocking sense" into him isn't the answer."

"He's spoiled and takes advantage of that fact. No one holds him accountable. JP's too damn busy to give him the attention he needs," Sean's tone now matches mine.

"Stella, come grab a drink with me," Enzo says from behind me; he squeezes my shoulders as I glare at Sean.

Enzo pulls me out of my seat and leads me to the bar.

"I don't think you guys realized people are watching and listening to you two argue," Enzo tells me.

I look around and realize some glances are made my way while others are at Sean. "I didn't realize we were getting that loud. I'll apologize to Anna and Joey," I tell him, feeling awful.

"Nah, they don't care, but I could see the smoke starting to come out of your ears, so I thought I'd step in," He says, making me laugh as he orders two drinks from the bartender.

"Oh Enzo, what would I do without you?" I sigh, leaning over the bar.

"You'd figure shit out, Stella. You always do," He squeezes my hand.

"You did amazing with that number you and the others performed. I had no idea you played the piano."

Enzo smiles down at me. "I'm full of hidden talent, Stella." He jokes, "Actually, it was one of the things Cristian demanded I learn while living with him."

"Are you going back to Italy with Cristian after the wedding?"

"Eventually, it is my home, after all. But I've been out here so long; it will feel strange being back there," He sighs, running a hand through his hair. " You'll have to come to visit. You'll love it," He tells me as he turns to lean against the bar, too. "But I think Cristian wants me here until Gio and Jimmy are dealt with."

"Well, you're welcome to stay with us when everything gets situated in the other house," I tell him. "You'll always have a home with me, Enzo."

"Thank you, Stella." He kisses my hand.

We sip our drinks taking in the room's atmosphere when a beautiful woman and her friend walk by us and stand next to Enzo to order a drink. I catch Enzo's eye and wink at him to make a move.

"Buona sera, would you care to dance?" Enzo picks up the woman's hand and brushes his lips against her knuckles.

She smiles, "Thanks, but I have a boyfriend."

"I'm sure he won't mind one dance," Enzo smiles charmingly at her. The woman gives her friend a knowing smile.

"Look, I know your type, handsome. One dance leads to another, and before you know it, you're trying to hook up with me in the bathroom or a supply closet somewhere." The woman picks up Enzo's tie, and he looks down as she lets it run through her fingers. "I'm not a hit it and quit it type of girl. I've been dating my boyfriend for five years now."

Enzo chuckles, "Five years and no ring?" He leans in closer to her, "You're worrying about the wrong man, gorgeous." There's a mixture of shock, embarrassment, and even anger on her face.

Enzo turns to me. "Care to dance?"

"I'd love to," I take Enzo's hand, and he spins me out onto the dance floor and dips me in front of the two women.

I chuckle as he pulls me back up. "Her loss, Enzo. She has no idea what she's missing out on."

His demeanor changes as he looks at me, and his face becomes somber. "Nah, I don't deserve love, Stella. Not after all that I've done."

"Of course you do, Enzo. You'll find it one day when you least expect it." I hold him tighter, and he smiles at me.

"May I cut in?"

Cristian slightly bows as he holds his hand out for me to take. "Sure, just watch your toes, Stella," Enzo jokes.

I laugh as I walk into Cristian's hold, and he mutters, "Smartass" to Enzo as he walks away. "Are you having a good time, dolcezza?"

"Yes, it's a lovely wedding."

"It is, indeed. I wanted to talk to you about the upcoming gathering. Well, John Paul asked me to. He wanted to make sure you knew you were welcome to join." So he tells me as he spins me out and pulls me in again.

"Another gathering? But isn't JP over most of the families, so it'll be just him, you, and the five heads who survived the last one? Well, Gio, too, if he decides to show his coward face, right?"

Cristian chuckles, "Gio won't show; he is too much of a mona. And yes, I thought the same, but John Paul is smart. While he is the Don over the families, he made sure he has strong underbosses for each of the families left without a leader. So they act in his stead and report to him. So there will be as many men as before, if not more, and of course, your grandfather, Vito, will be there."

I tense up. "He will?"

"Yes, he respected Timo's wishes to stay out of your life while Timo was alive."

"Why didn't JP tell me himself?" I wonder aloud.

"I believe he's trying to respect your boundaries, cara."

The kiss in the bathroom screams the opposite, but okay.

"To not interfere too much with your new relationship, unless it's about the kids, of course," Cristian tells me, and I look over at JP, who's in a deep conversation with a few men. His ears must have been burning because he looks over at me, and I look away.

"Don't waste time, Stella. You, of all people, know time is fleeting and precious. Don't let your pride and fear stand in the way of your happiness," Cristian tells me, and I look back at him.

"It's not that simple," I say quietly. "Sean---"

" ---is a good person, even though he holds a grudge like a petulant child," Cristian mutters, and I smile. "But he's fooling himself if he thinks he can go against what you and John Paul have and are.

And yes, it isn't fair, and it's complicated, but something tells me he knew what he was getting into from the beginning. He's a smart man, and he knew pursuing you would come with its risks, one way or another, considering who you are and your connections."

The song ends, and Cristian holds my face as he kisses my forehead. "In the end, you know yourself best and what you truly need. You don't have to take the grumblings of an old man for what they are, but just know that I want you happy, piccola." He wraps me in a tight embrace before pulling away and smiles at me.

"May I have the next dance?"

My eyes widen as Cristian winks at me before I turn around and face JP.

The next song begins, and I look around as other people start doing the cha-cha around us to the song Sway. "Um, do you know how to dance to this song?"

"I'm sure I can keep up with you, princess; I'm a fast learner," JP smirks at me.

He pulls me into his hold, and our bodies become flushed against each other. He begins moving easily to the rhythm of the song. His warm hand on my bare back sends a shiver through me as he guides me across the floor.

He spins me out and then pulls me back, and now my back is to him. He keeps one hand on my hip and moves us across the floor. "Where did you learn to cha-cha?" I ask, noticing he moves better than I do to the song.

"YouTube." He says seriously as he pushes me away in another spin before pulling me back in.

I laugh loudly, and he smiles back at me. "Just kidding; believe it or not, Isabella taught us when we lived in Italy."

"Us?"

"The kids and me." He responds as JP lifts me, and I hold on to him as we move in a spin together.

As we continue dancing, our eyes haven't moved away from each other, and then he pulls me in closer, but we aren't moving to the song's tempo anymore as we continue looking into each other's eyes.

I soon realize the song is over, but JP keeps holding me and leans his head next to mine as we continue dancing.

"JP?"

"Hmm?"

"The song's over."

"Is it?"

I chuckle, "Yeah, the music has stopped completely."

"Funny, I still hear it, amore," He says quietly as we keep swaying slowly.

Someone clears their throat, and I lean away and see Sean standing by us.

"Can I have my girlfriend back, now?" Sean's eyes are hardened and cold as he looks at JP. I try to let go of JP's hand, but he keeps holding on.

"Nah, man, we're not finished dancing," JP tells him, as he keeps only looking at me.

They announce they are doing the garter throw and the throwing of the bouquet. Sean looks around, "Well, it looks like you're gonna have to let her go whether you want to or not."

"Never," JP says, still only looking at me.

"John Paul, please don't make a scene," I stress to him. JP finally loosens his grip on me and kisses my hand before he walks away.

Sean curses after JP walks away and then turns to me. "Stels, I'm sorry; I didn't mean to go off about Marco like that. It's not my place."

I take a deep breath. "A lot is going on, Sean. And we both have responsibilities that are taking over everything else."

Sean's eyebrows come together, "We disagreed, Stella. But, that doesn't mean we have things taking over what really matters."

I rub my temples feeling overwhelmed all of a sudden, "Let's just forget about it, okay? Come on; we're missing all the fun." I grab his hand and pull him towards the crowd of people, and I can feel Sean's eyes on me as I watch Joey give Annalisa a mischievous smile and lifts her dress while he goes under to remove the garter from her leg.

I chuckle as Annalisa squeals and jumps on the chair she's sitting on, and eventually, Joey comes out with the garter in between his teeth.

Joey turns his back and flips the garter in the air, and I laugh, watching the men scramble over each other to catch it, but Topo comes out victorious.

Next, all the girls crowd together as we wait for Annalisa to throw the bouquet. Lucy bounces on the balls of her feet excitedly.

Annalisa throws the bouquet over her head, and this time the women go crazy. I shake my head, chuckling, as I watch a few women literally wrestle over each other only to have little Lola walk by and pick up the bouquet from an open space.

"JP, I'm getting married!" Lola squeals happily as she runs to him with the bouquet in her hands, and he picks her up.

"Not if I can help it, Lolabug."

"Don't worry; you'll be my first husband." She kisses his cheek.

"First? How many husbands do you plan on having?" JP asks her, amused.

"Seven," Lola answers thoughtfully, and I burst out laughing.

"Seven?" JP questions, and Lola nods, "Yup, one for each day, so I don't get bored."

JP laughs heartily, "Somehow, I can picture that." He looks over at me and smiles before walking away with her.

The fireworks are starting next, and we head out, following the crowd, but then I see Marco off by himself outside, and I tell Sean I'm going to talk to him.

I catch Nicky hovering nearby as I approach him quietly, "Marco?" He looks over his shoulder but doesn't say anything.

"How's it going?"

"Super."

I chuckle at his less than enthusiastic response. "Where are your friends? I thought you'd bring them to the wedding."

Marco sighs as he picks up a stick and begins breaking it into pieces. "Nah, most of them were going out of town this weekend."

"What about your girlfriend?" I know JP said Marco doesn't have a girlfriend, but I want to hear it from him.

His head snaps over to me, "I don't have a girlfriend."

"What about Talia?"

Marco groans and throws what's left of the stick, "I went to a party last month, and we played a stupid game, where you go in a closet with someone for a few minutes, seven minutes in heaven, or some lame shit like that; anyway, we drew each others name, and I kissed her and apparently she thinks that makes us a couple."

"So you're not together?"

"No. I mean, we hang out because we have the same friends, but no. I only kissed her at the party, even though she makes it pretty obvious that she wants me to do it again," He says as he looks over the skyline.

"What happened tonight?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I saw you and JP arguing, and then you left," I tell him.

"JP's a prick."

I look over at him reproachfully.

"What? You know he is, well, sometimes he is," Marco mutters, "He's more strict than my parents ever were...are...whatever. I didn't even do anything, and he took my phone away."

"Yeah, that does make him a prick for sure," I say, and he looks over at me, and I smile. "But he wouldn't take it away for no reason."

"He thought I was going to cause trouble, but I wasn't; I was just going to..." He trails off.

"Going to what?"

"Ask Lucy to dance. I wanted to all night, and just when I got the nerve to do it, that ass--" He stops before he continues, "Nico got in my way."

"You could have asked her afterward."

Marco snorts, "Nico's been hogging her attention all night. I hate the way he looks at her like he..."

"Likes her?" I offer.

"Yeah," He kicks at a rock on the sidewalk.

"And that's bad?"

"No. No, it's just..." His face reddens. "I like her, too." He says quietly. "I like her a lot."

"She is awesome," I say proudly. "And very pretty," I add.

"She's beautiful," Marco says with a smile on his face, "She's so nice, and funny, too and insanely talented, and she's just happy, despite what she's been through; and that's another thing, she isn't ashamed or embarrassed about her past, she's so open.

When she looks at you, she really looks at you. Like she knows what you're thinking, you know? Which is pretty scary but cool at the same time. I never met anyone like her before. She tells you what she's thinking; she's not like most girls who like to play games."

"You're great, too, Marco."

He shrugs his shoulders in response.

"You have a lot going on with your mom and her sickness. But, from what I've heard, your grades are above average; you play three different sports, and you're an awesome big brother, and I just found out you're also musically talented.

Lucy is everything you said and more, but so are you. Trust me; she knows how cool you are, Marco."

"Did she say something?" His face brightens.

"She said she likes hanging out with you and that you're funny."

Marco smiles widely at me, and his eyes light up.

"Listen, take it from someone who overcomplicates things all the time, especially when I was your age. Just be there for her, and I know she'll do the same for you. You both just need to get to know each other more, you know?" I squeeze his arm reassuringly. "You're a lot like JP when he was your age, too." Then, I laugh lightly, "You know he loves you and your siblings so much, right?"

Marco nods before he hugs me, "Thank you, Stella. I'm really glad you're back."

"Come on, let's go watch the fireworks before they're over," I hook my arm in his as we walk back towards the big crowd.

JP looks over at us as we approach with Tobin on his shoulders. He gives me a soft smile when he sees Marco and me. We stand next to him and enjoy the show as the colors burst and splatter against the night sky above our heads.

The fireworks are loud and beautiful, but I focus on JP's hand as it brushes against mine, and then he hooks his pinkie finger with mine. I smile, remembering our childhood and how I made him pinkie promise anytime something was serious or required a pact.

And right now, it feels like he's telling me we're in this together. 

~~~~~

Some cute JP and Stella moments ♡