Page 120 of Saved By A God
“Why are you so quiet?” Rosie asks.
I turn my body toward hers, and leaning in, I kiss the side of her neck before answering, “I’m just looking at everyone that’s here today.”
Servers flood the room, drawing my attention for a couple of seconds as they fill flutes with champagne, and when Riccardo, who’s my best man, takes his position behind a microphone, I know the speeches are about to start.
He taps the mic, and it screeches, getting everyone’s attention. “Well, that did the trick.” He chuckles. “Can everyone raise their glasses to our beautiful bride and the groom, who’s lucky that she said yes?”
A murmur of chuckles spread over all the tables.
I reach for Rosie’s hand, and settling it on my thigh, I brush my thumb over her knuckles while looking down at the soft pink nail polish she’s wearing.
My lips curve up, and I meet her eyes. “You actually put on nail polish for today?”
“Miracles happen,” she mutters. “I mean, you’re wearing a bow tie.”
Riccardo clears his throat, and we both look at him. Then he says, “Uncle Dario would like to say a few words.”
I watch as my father-in-law steps up behind the mic, then he grins at my father, “We’re in-laws. How do you like that?”
Uncle Dario has always been like a younger brother to Dad. “Gabriella and I love Rosie, but you, not so much,” Dad calls out.
“Nah, I don’t believe that. You love me,” Uncle Dario says into the mic, then he blows Dad a kiss, and everyone starts chuckling. “Admit it, you can’t live without me.”
“Yeah-yeah,” Dad grumbles. “You know I love you.”
Uncle Dario turns to look at me. “And now I get to call this amazing man you raised my own.” And just like that, emotions ripple through the room. “Enzo, you are the only one I ever wanted by my daughter’s side. From the moment I first saw her following you around like a shadow, my heart begged and prayed to all that would listen, you would be slapped upside the goddamn head because…” he gestures at Rosie, “Just look at her. She’s my whole heart walking around outside my chest, and there isn’t another man in this world I would trust with her the way I trust you. So thank you for finally getting your head out of your ass, because the rest of us have been waiting for this day for a very long time.”
“Amen,” Adriano calls out, making laughter ripple around us.
“But in all seriousness,” Uncle Dario continues, “There is no greater gift than standing here today and seeing my daughter receive the love she has always deserved. Rosie has carried so much with grace, courage, and a heart that never turns cold, and Enzo, you’ve become the man who sees every part of her in a way that none of us do. You love her in a way that’s so special, it brings me peace. And that’s all a father can ever pray for. Not perfection. Not an easy road. Just a love strong enough to holdthrough every storm, and looking at the two of you today, I know that’s exactly what you have.”
Uncle Dario begins to move away from the microphone, but then pauses and looks me dead in the eye. “Oh, by the way, you better call us Mom and Dad from here on out. None of that awkward shit with you taking eleven years to do it.”
Smiling at him, I chuckle. “You’re never going to let it go, are you?” He shakes his head, then lifts an eyebrow at me, and I say, “Thank you for the beautiful words, Dad.”
Rosie turns her hand beneath mine and weaves our fingers while leaning in and pressing a kiss to my jaw.
Then my father climbs to his feet and walks to the small podium. When he stops behind the microphone, he takes a deep breath before looking at my bride.
“Rosie, what can I say that everyone doesn’t know about you already. You’re the heart and soul of this family, but the fact that you chose my youngest son to love so unconditionally and deeply –” I watch as emotion flashes over Dad’s face. For a rare moment, he struggles to compose himself, then he shakes his head and looks at Rosie with love. “I’m in awe of you, Rosie, and I’m incredibly honored to be able to call you my daughter.”
Christ.
There isn’t a dry eye in the room as Dad stalks toward Rosie, who’s already getting up from her chair.
I have to clear my throat a couple of times as he wraps her up in a tight hug, then I hear him whisper, “I love you like my own, sweet girl. Thank you for fighting so hard.”
She brushes her hand over his back. “Love you too, Papa.”
That does it for me, and I quickly flick the tear away as it escapes.
While Dad returns to his seat, Rosie’s dad groans, “Thank God I’m not wearing makeup.” It breaks the heavy emotion hanging in the air while he dabs beneath his eyes with a tissue.
Next up is Christiano. AsCapo dei Capi, he commands the room without even trying, but when he steps behind the microphone, he glances at our father and mutters, “That’s a tough act to follow.”
A ripple of laughter moves through the hall before his gaze settles on Rosie and me.
“Enzo, I’m proud to call you my brother, and I think I speak for every person in this room when I say, thank God this day is finally here. We’ve all watched the two of you circle each other for years, and tonight, we don’t just get to witness a wedding. We get to witness something all of us hoped for, prayed for, and refused to stop believing in.”
