This story takes place two weeks after "The Atlantean Affair."
Listen in the distance and you hear a mandolin playing a soft tremolo, think the theme from the Godfather and you have set the mood...
"The Cé La Luna Affair" (There is a moon)
Our Lady of Angels Church in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn New York stood like sentinel taking up a half block had a great mansion-like look to it, with its imposing 80 ft. bell tower at it's corner. The washed brick and terracotta place of worship was built in the Italian Romanesque style and dedicated in 1891; it became one of the first Roman Catholic Churches to serve the areas strong Italian population.
The church and surrounding trees that lined the block were decorated in beautiful white satin ribbons, signifying there was a wedding at this beautiful edifice today.
The guests in their finest regalia entered the church through the large arched doorway adorned with a relief, carved as if it were from the middle ages; the Madonna and child, flanked on either side by two adoring winged seraphim as protective guardians. The motto carved beneath in latin_'S. Angelorum. Dictatum. Marias. _angels dedicated to Mary.'
The last of the guests arrived in his armored limousine, he too flanked by guardians but these were not angels, they were agents of the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.
Alexander Waverly was here to attend that wedding and it was one that he had never envisioned happening. It was the marriage of his number one agent and heir apparent to the position of Chief Continental to U.N.C.L.E. Northwest, Napoleon Solo to Josephina Graziani, affectionately known as Bella. She was niece of Waverly's longtime friend and former Police Commissioner of of New York City, Carmine Valenti."*
UNCLE policy had changed recently and now section two agents were now permitted to marry. Waverly's number two agent Illya Kuryakin was the first take the plunge, in what Waverly called his little experiment. And that being deemed a success, opened the door for the major policy change.
The organization realizing that times and the world were changing, the addition of female agents as well as the family clause were both Waverly's ideas that barely made it through summit approval and now for better or for worse they were policy. Solo would be the sixth agent to step into the world of marital bliss and as far as Waverly could see everything was so far so go.
For some reason Thrush, as bloodthirsty and ruthless as they were seemed to ignore the families of these agents, treating them as if they were neutral territory. It was at first a major concern that the spouse of an agent could be used as fodder for hostage and blackmail situations but as such, it had not been the case.
The dignified section one head of U.N.C.L.E. walked up the steps to the church, looking very dapper and British wearing a classic morning suit with black pinstripe pants and as a proper gentleman would; he removed his top hat as he entered the church.
The walls with six long stained-glass windows on either side were lined with tall green marble Corinthian columns, as were the steps to the altar. To the side in a vestibule was a carve marble replica of Michelangelo's Pietà, but the focal point of the church was a large painting just above the altar, a magnificent over sized depiction of the Ascension of the Virgin Mary being carried into heaven by angels.
The interior of the church and pews were adorned with a myriad of ribbons and bows signifying the marriage bond.
"I can't do this." Napoleon blurted out.
Illya looked at him wide-eyed."What do you mean, you cannot do this...a little late to realize that, is it not?" he asked cautiously.
Solo laughed, realizing what his partner was alluding to. "No no, it's my tie, I just can't get it right," he complained as he let his bow tie fall limp around his collar.
Kuryakin snickered as he grabbed his friend and partner by the shoulders, turning Napoleon to face him.
"And here I thought you were coming down with a case cold feet? Here let me help" he smiled.
A minute later the bow tie was done up perfectly.
"There, you look dashing as always."
"Thanks, I'm all thumbs today."
Napoleon stood in front of a full length mirror, checking his profile as he admired his white tuxedo jacket, straightening his black cummerbund.
"I look good," he smiled, then glanced over at Illya in his own white double-breasted tuxedo jacket and black trousers; thinking that it was probably the best dressed he'd ever seen the Russian in formal wear.
"You clean up nice you know that tovarisch? It was about time you got rid of that old tux of yours. You looked like you were going to a prom in that thing."
"This is Oleg Cassini I will have you know, " the Russian smiled
"My heart be still," Napoleon laughed, " how westernly decadent of you?"
"There is no need to insult me and there was nothing wrong with my old one " Illya said proudly, " but Elliott insisted that I get a new one as she hated that ruffled shirt. I supposed it was a bit dated?" He admitted sheepishly. "So now I have two tuxedos, and one of them is black of course," he winked.
He checked his wristwatch. "It is time." Illya whispered.
The two men walked out into the church, taking their places at the green marble steps below the altar. The families had been there early in the morning for the celebration of a private mass and now were back for the marriage ceremony. Our Lady of Angels was the family parish for the Grazianis, having had five of seven of Bella's brothers weddings held there, as they all had married girls from the neighborhood.
There had also been countless christenings at the church as well as the Graziani family was a large one, and would be larger still in seven and a half months, when Bella gave birth to her first child. No one on her side of the family knew that she had gotten pregnant, otherwise there would have been feudal hell to pay.
The Solo family was aware and unhappy, thinking that it was a shotgun wedding. Napoleon didn't bother to explain as they wouldn't have believed him anyway. It was the opinion of Darius Solo and that Bella was beneath Napoleon. Solo's mother and niece Amelia were very much in favor of her and adored Bella. Napoleon's younger brother had yet to voice an opinion, or for that matter show up; as the agent glanced back to see the faces in the church. His brother Hannibal still no where to be seen.
His father sat with his arms crossed, looking quite cross while his sisters looked bored. Only mom smiled at him and wondered if his brother was boycotting the wedding for having been passed over as best man in place of Illya. "to hell with them," Napoleon thought." it was his and Bella's wedding not theirs."
Illya stole a glance back at his wife, looking beautiful in an aqua blue dress that reminded him of waters the Aegean Sea he had seen so recently; she looked uncomfortable holding their son Demya in her lap. She too was pregnant and due virtually at the same time as Bella, but being a smaller woman, she already had a baby bump showing, unlike the bride to be.
The little blond boy looking more and more like his father was being well behaved and understood about how to conduct himself in a church as Elliott had taken him to mass on a number of occasions.
Though Illya had renewed his belief in God after professing that he was an atheist since he was ten; he was not ready or willing to attend formal religious services. His experiences with his families Orthodox Christian upbringing left him preferring a more personal and private relationship with his maker.
Demya waved to his papa, making his father smile, but then Illya raised his finger to his lips; reminding the boy to remain silent.
Napoleon's army buddy former Seargeant Billy Brasch, and Mark Slate, two of the seven ushers unraveled the white runner along the center aisle, preparing for the bride's entrance.
The organist in the choir loft at the back of the church sat bathed in multicolor sunlight streaming though the large florette stained-glass window behind her as she played seven notes on the organ. It was the beginning of Wagner's Bridal chorus, from Lohengrin, otherwise known as 'Here Comes the Bride,' signifying the start of the processional.
Napoleon's niece Amelia stepped onto the white runner as the music began, dressed in a pale yellow chenille dress with a puffy skirt as she called it. Her hair was done up in long baloney curls tied with several lavender ribbons. She carried a basket of white rose petals that she scattered along the aisle as she walked carefully in time with the music towards the front of the church. She grinned happily to be part of her Uncle Napoleon's wedding to Aunt Bella.
The next of six brides maids followed. Napoleon turned to watch but his mouth hung open, aghast at the colors of the gowns.
They were lavender chiffon with bright yellow macrame vests and braiding on the cuffs. The girls had sprays of lavender and yellow flowers in their hair and carried pale yellow bouquets that cascaded down in front of them. They looked like something that had hopped out of an Easter basket. At least the groomsmen were clothed in all-black tuxedos with a boutonnière of lavender pinned to their lapels.
The dresses were apparently made and generously donated by several of Bella's maiden Aunts...
Illya tried not to laugh as he saw his friends reaction; elbowing him into closing his mouth.
The maid of honor appeared last, Bella's first cousin Gina Rossini, a rather buxom blond with large...cow eyes who had taken a fancy to Illya when they first met at the rehearsal dinner; making for some awkward retreats on the part of the Russian. She didn't seem overly concerned when Illya told her he was married. He looked at her in her yellow gown, the reverse colors of what the others were wearing, trying not to laugh as he thought for a moment that she looked like a giant banana.
Suddenly there she was, his Bella. Napoleon's bride appeared through the arched doorway, escorted by her proud father. She was dressed in a cream colored satin gown, modest bibbed neckline tight fitted sleeves and a high waistline with a full princess-like skirt. A long veil attached to a sparkling tiara covered her face. The gown was ornately embroidered, with minute pearls and iridescent beads adorning the fabric. She looked as though she had stepped out of the time of the Rennaissance, the gown looking very reminiscent to Napoleon of the fresco of the Disputation of St. Catherine by Pinturiochio.
His future bride wore no jewelry as was the Italian custom, as it was considered other jewelry would detract from the wedding rings symbolism and the vows they represented.
Napoleon flashed a wide dimpled smile, forgetting everything else around him, focusing only on his lovely bellissima as she approached the stairs at the altar.
Pop Graziani placed his Bella's hand into Napoleon's, then leaned forward teary-eyed, whispering a few words.
"You be gooda my dawta. Capisce_understand?" he said, giving Napoleon a light pat on the cheek.
"Capisco sì io_ I understand and yes I will." Solo promised as his eyes returned to Bella.
Napoleon leaned to her, whispering quietly, "You look magnificent, but what's with the color or those bridesmaid gowns?"
"Hey," she chided, " I told you that you needed to be more involved in your own wedding?" then she shrugged at Napoleon, giving him that oh well sort of look.
The ceremony, filled with ritual, prayers, readings from the bible and a homily from the priest was a long one, even without the mass and Illya was amazed at the amount of sitting, standing and kneeling that took place; he was accustomed to Russian Orthodox churches that had no seating, and only chairs provided on the sides for the elderly. He looked back at Demya who was apparently beginning to get antsy, flashing a wide-eyed look at Elliott to watch he boy.
Suddenly there was a scream from someone in a pew, then another, followed by a Madre di Dio_Mother of God!" Waverly's body guards reached for their weapons as did all the other agents in the church.
"I topi_mice!" a woman squealed, "e la rana_frogs!" cried another as a few of the offending creatures appeared on the white carpet, trying to make their getaway.
Some of the men gathered together, quickly chasing them out of church, taking a deep breath in hopes an air of dignity would return quickly.
The two altar boys standing beside the priest, both Bella's cousins covered their mouths to hide their laughter. The priest, Father Renaldi spotted them and the boys being notorious pranksters were flashed the mallocchio_ evil eye.
"I will talk to you two later about this, " he warned under his breath, That was when the boys faces went white, as they made the signs of the horn with their hands to ward off the potential curse from the priest. Then they blessed themselves as well.
Napoleon could see Bella's anger under the veil but then she laughed obviously knowing her mischievious cousins.
Father Renaldi called for the blessing of the rings, looking to the best man to surrender them.
Illya reached in his pocket, his eyes suddenly flashing with a momentary look of concern as they were not there. He checked his other pockets, then began to pat himself down with his look changing to one of panic as he still could not locate the rings.
Napoleon was now scowling at him. "come, on where are they?" he whispered.
"I had them, I swear."
Solo nervously checked his own pockets, pulling out a small piece of iron, looking at it quizzically.
"Put it back, Bella asked you carry it to ward off evil spirits," Illya said quickly. He could see that Napoleon was getting annoyed.
Then the Russian smiled with a sigh of relief as he held up his hand. He had stuck the rings on his own ring finger for safe keeping. " Sorry," he shrugged as he handed them to the priest.
Father Renaldi blessed the rings with holy water, then spoke to Bella and Napoleon.
"A circle is the symbol of wholeness, perfection and unity. Like circles these rings have no beginning and no end. They are tokens of the growing relationship that Josephina and Napoleon have given here to celebrate and confirm. "
The organist struck up 'Ave Maria' as Bella and Napoleon stepped to the side to light their marriage candle.
"The light of the candles represent faith, wisdom and love that they have received from their parents and are distinct, each burning alone Josephina and Napoleon light the single candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one," said the priest. " May the radiance of this one light be testimony of their unity, may this candle burn brightly as symbols to their commitment to each other and as tribute to their parents everlasting love for them.
Bella placed a bouquet of white roses passed to her by Amelia at the base of a statue of the Blessed Virgin, then she and Napoleon returned to their place before the altar.
"A reading form Matthew 5:1- 12A. When Jesus saw the crowds, they went up to the mountain and after he had sat down his disciples came to Him then began to teach them saying, blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God...rejoice and be glad for your reward will be great in heaven. Praise be to you O Lord Jesus Christ." the priest said kissing the page of the bible.
Then he turned to the couple before him, who saw nothing but each other's eyes, his a deep warm brown, hers a hypnotic violet.
"Josephina and Napoleon have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to give yourselves to each other in marriage."
"I have." Napoleon and Bella answered together.
"Will you honor each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"
"I will."
"Will you accept children lovingly from God and raise them according to the laws of the church?"
"I will, " this time they both smiled.
"Since it is your intention to enter into marriage, join your right hands and declare your intentions before and to each other."
"Oh my dear friends, let us ask God to bless Josephina and Napoleon in their marriage and to consecrate them in love through the Holy Spirit."
The entire church responded, "Lord hear our prayer."
" We pray for Josephina and Napoleon that their love for each other may be patterned after the love of Christ for His church.
"Lord hear our prayer."
The priest repeated their entreaties to God and each time the entire church replied, "Lord hear our prayer."
"Almighty God of life and love , we make our requests in prayer, through Christ our Lord."
"Amen"
Father Renaldi looked at Bella and Napoleon with a smile. "Now here comes the best part."
"Napoleon please speak you vows to Josephina then place the ring on the ring finger of her left hand."
Napoleon Solo took a deep breath as he took the ring from the priests hand, holding Bella's left hand in his.
His voice was nervous as he spoke, " I Napoleon take you...Napoleon," he suddenly realized his slip of the tongue, " I meant Josephina, to be my wife . I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honor you all the days of my life. Then he placed the ring on her finger.
"I Bella...Josephina take you Napoleon..." she repeated the same vows to him, with tears falling down her cheeks, then slipped the gold band on to his finger with a little extra push to get it over the joint that had obviously been broken a few times.
Father Renaldi addressed the congregation. "In so much as this couple have declared their love and intentions before you all, is there anyone here who can find a reason why this man and this woman should not be joined in the sacrament of matrimony. If so then speak now or forever hold your peace."
There was a moment of silence, then suddenly a voice spoke out.
"Papa, can we go now?" Demya called out loud.
The entire church broke out into laughter, then Illya answered back in Russian, "Vskore Demyachka, my budem delat' v blizhaishee vremya. Teper, pozhaluista uspokoish'sya_soon Demyachka. We will be done soon. Now please be quiet?"
Elliott whispered into Demya's ear, promising there would be lots of food and cake at the reception.
"Since no one objects" Father Renaldi smiled, "then I declare before God and this gathering that Napoleon and Josephina are now husband and wife. You may now seal your union with a kiss."
Napoleon lifted Bella's veil then took her face in his hands, touching her tenderly as they kissed; holding each other for a long time. They finally ended their embrace, turning to face their guests.
"Signore e signorini_ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. Napoleon Solo."
The entire church broke out into a raucous round of applause as the bells in the tower began to sound joyfully. Then the happy couple made their way down the aisle followed by their wedding party while the organist played Widor's Toccata from Symphony for organ No. 5.
* ref "The Cabin in the Woods Affair"
Note: Bella was introduced in "The Summit Affair" and appears in several stories, "The Solo Affair" and "The Enemy from Within Affair"