Trying to get these updates up before we lose net neutrality. Here are the wedding chapters. Let me know if you want to see something special, otherwise I'm gonna try to get them up quickly.
The next three months flew by and before everyone knew it the rehearsal dinner was upon them and the house was thrown into chaos. The morning of the dinner everyone was awake early for different reasons. Callie and Mariana were doing one last fitting before Mariana wouldn't have time to make changes or adjustments. The boys, Mike and Luca's stepfather were all setting up tables and chairs in the backyard. They weren't having a big party, but they were expecting about 20 people, all of them family from both sides of the family. Luca's mother insisted that they pay for the rehearsal dinner and even though the wedding was being paid for by both families and by money set aside by Jude and Callie's mother, the couple agreed to let Luca's family cover this aspect of the party. To avoid more work and stress Michelle hired a caterer that had worked events at her office over the years and they gave her a discount since they had worked with her before and were happy for the repeat business. That being said, the catering company was there at 10am to set up the food table and bar along with the flatware and dishes.
Stef, Lena, Michelle and Luca's sister were finishing the center pieces they had bought flowers for and once they were put together the younger girls placed them in the middle of each of the 4 tables. Mike and Brandon put together the temporary dance floor that got placed in the center of the backyard and that left the porch to be used by the band that had been hired to play for the night. Callie knew that Jude wanted to sing a song and Brandon would probably play something special too, but she didn't know the specific details and she was absolutely ok with that. She finished trying the drees on and Mariana carefully packed it up to be transported to the hotel the next morning. She and Callie had hair appointments just after lunch so that neither girl would need to fuss with their hair or make up for the evening…thus leaving both bathrooms at the house free for their mothers and brothers to get ready. Luca went to get his hair cut as well so that it would look perfect for the party and for the actual wedding the next day.
The party was set to start around 4pm with a sort of cocktail hour to welcome people as they arrived. Jude was given a free pass to have some champagne if he wanted some since the young man was just shy of his 21st birthday by a couple of months. His mothers just made him promise to be responsible and Jude was so excited for the chance to enjoy the evening in an "adult" way and actually toast his sister's marriage.
By 3:30pm the band was set up, the lights were strung around the backyard and everyone was ready for people to arrive. Luca wore a deep purple button up shirt tucked into black pants and a tie, forging a traditional tuxedo since he would be wearing one for the wedding itself. Callie had found a plum purple dress that matched Luca's shirt and with her hair and make-up done she looked stunning which surprised absolutely no one. Luca's parents arrived first with his sisters and after they arrived people showed up at a steady rate, filtering through the house and into the backyard. Everyone was handed a drink and made small talk while they waited for the food to be ready to serve. Luca's grandparents fawned over Callie, making a big deal over how lucky Luca was to have found such a special young lady. His father's mother seemed to take a special liking to Callie and she managed to pull her aside for a brief moment while Luca spoke to his grandfather about work.
"I love my grandson very much, but he is his father's boy deep down so if he ever gets stubborn you call me and I'll set him straight. I will not have him giving a young lady as special as you a hard time."
"I assure you Mrs. Russo, he has been lovely to me throughout our relationship, even when he's been stubborn, it's come from a good place." The older woman patted Callie hand, "none of that Mrs. Russo stuff, you're family, you call me Victoria or grandma, your choice dear." Luca appeared behind Callie and smiled at the women talking.
"You aren't telling her embarrassing stories about me are you grandma?"
"I'll save that for the wedding darling, tonight you get a pass. I was just warning your bride about your stubbornness thanks to your father."
"I like to think of myself as determined, not stubborn." Victoria winked at Callie, "see what mean." Callie laughed and spotted her grandmother from across the yard and waved her over to join them.
"Victoria, I'd like you to meet one of my grandmothers. This is Stef's mom Sharon. Grandma, this is Luca's grandma, Victoria." Sharon shook the other woman's hand and smiled wide.
"It is so nice to meet you and we must share embarrassing stories about these two." Both women laughed and went off to the bar, leaving Luca and Callie concerned. Luca's grandfather laughed and clapped Luca on the shoulder.
"Good move my boy, the two of them becoming friends plus alcohol. You'll never hear the end of it once they get started." Luca smiled and he and Callie were just happy that both families seemed to be coming together so nicely. The couple made their way around the yard, mingling with family and introducing both sides to each other and taking photos with everyone. Around 4:30 the caterer announced that food would be ready soon so people should find their seats and line up for the buffet. Callie and Luca were first to get food and once everyone had a plate of food they settled in and the conversations started all over again. The band played softly in the background, providing some lovely ambiance to the evening. Once everybody ate and refreshed their drinks a few people began dancing on the small dance floor in the center of the yard. Once Callie and Luca were free from taking photos with everyone they joined in the dancing. Mariana and Jude took it upon themselves to take photos of them dancing and everyone enjoying the party.
Around 6:30 once the sun had gone down and the strings of lights lit up the yard, Brandon went over to the band and signaled for them to wrap up the current song. When they did, he grabbed the microphone and got everyone's attention.
"Excuse me everyone. I hate to interrupt the conversation going on, but there are a few traditions that need to be observed in order to truly consider this a rehearsal dinner. And since we did the actual rehearsal last week, I think we should stick to some traditions and maybe create a few new ones. Tomorrow, my brother will be giving a speech as my sister's best man, but tonight she asked me to say a few words and unbeknownst to her, her husband to be asked Jude and I to each sing a song for the to dance to because he is of the opinion that he can't sing. I think he's lying, but hey it's his wedding so who am I to refuse him."
"A long time ago, during a period of our lives that I'm sure Callie would like to forget she said something that stuck with me for all these years. When she was trying to get a judge to let her stay with us, to let her come home, she said she wanted me to be her big brother. She wanted me to put the fear of God into her boyfriends and she said that when she finally finds a man on this earth that can look her in the eye and tell her he loves her enough to marry her, she wanted me to stand up for her, behind Jude and try to hide the fact that I'm crying." Callie was surprised that Brandon remembered that one comment so many years ago, but tears threatened to fall and Brandon wasn't even close to being done.
"Well, I'd like to think I put the fear of God into Luca when we first met and I'm trying very hard to hold back tears so I can't imagine what tomorrow will look like. She said she wanted me to be her big brother and in that moment, I realized home badly I wanted that very same thing. Well, she got her wish and I got mine too, I am her big brother. She is my kid sister and more than that, she is my best friend." Brandon took a deep breath and pushed tears away from his eyes with the back of his hand.
"Callie and I didn't get to grow up together and for that I will always be a little sad, but we got to spend high school together and we have the rest of our lives to share as siblings and for that I am eternally grateful. I don't have embarrassing stories about her as a child. What I do have is harrowing stories of her sacrificing everything for her baby brother, following a career path that is nothing but hard work and sacrifice and my favorite story has to be the one we are watching play out today and tomorrow. The story of how she met an extraordinary guy who saw how special she was and wanted to give her the world. Luca and I share that goal; we both want to give Callie the world, but what we both need to realize is that if Callie wants the world, she'll just go right out and take it, she doesn't need our help. So instead of offering my sister the world I want to offer her something she went without for many years before I knew her: unwavering, unconditional love and friendship. I want her to have beautiful moments in life and memories that make her smile and more than anything I want to be part of those memories. However, tomorrow some of that responsibility will fall to her husband and that is as it should be, but one thing we remain the same even after tomorrow is over. I will still be her big brother and she will still be my best friend." Brandon's voice shook as he spoke and Callie's eyes were filled with tears as Luca handed her a tissue.
"Callie told me once, that the first night she was in this house she looked at me and I made her feel safe and I was the first man to do that in her whole life. It is every big brother's dream and goal to be a safe place for his baby sister and for the rest of my life if I only do one thing right, I swear in front of all of you here that I will be that safe place for her to come home to whenever she needs it. I will however have to share that job with someone else: I will have to share that job with her husband. But I worked it out, don't worry. Luca will be Callie's safe place and I will be her big brother and maybe you all are saying to yourselves "he is saying big brother a lot, we get it". I'm saying it a lot because I love saying it, I love being a big brother, I love being HER big brother. I want her to know that she can always come to me, no matter how old we are, no matter how many kids we have, no matter the miles between us…I will always be your big brother and you can come to me for anything, call me from anywhere and I will be there for you, that I promise you. I didn't get to love you all the year we were growing up, but you will hold a special place in my heart for the rest of our lives. You were my sister before you were anyone's wife and I just want you to know that I wouldn't let just anyone marry you. Whoever married you was going to have to be a man among men and show me that he was worth being such a crucial part of your life…and Luca has done that. As a man I respect him, as your big brother and his brother in law, I love him and everything he brings to our family."
"You told me several times over the years that you never got to dream about your wedding, about your future. That ends right now. I am going to raise a glass to you, your husband and your future, both together and as an individual. I want all the blessings in this world to find their way to you because no one deserves them more than you do. I want to raise a glass to my baby sister: I may be your big brother, but I will tell you right now, I look up to you as a role model and I have ever since that day in that courtroom. Tonight, I hope I spoke to your heart and you heard how very much I love and respect you and tomorrow it will be my great honor to stand up for you as you marry the only man on this earth good enough for me to call your husband and my brother in law." Brandon swallowed his tears and raised his glass out to the crowd of people.
"To Callie and Luca, may tomorrow start an epic journey for them that is full of love, triumph and family and may we all be blessed enough to witness it. To Callie and Luca." Everyone echoed the sentiment and Callie made her way to where Brandon stood and wrapped him up in a hug and the two of them just sort of cried into each other for a minute. Callie thanked whoever made water-proof mascara and Brandon smiled as she tried to make her make-up look like she didn't just lose her composure.
"You really know how to write a speech big brother."
"My kid sister taught me everything I know."
"I love you, you know that right. I love you so so much."
"I know. I love you more." Callie kissed Brandon's cheek and was about to return to her seat when Luca joined her on the dancefloor. Brandon picked up his guitar.
"Everyone, Luca had asked Jude and I to each sing a song for them to dance to tonight so I am going to kick things off." Brandon played in the band who joined him before he launched into the lyrics. Luca and Callie started to sway to familiar music and Callie had to hand it to her husband to be, he had good taste in music.
I found a love for me
Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me
'Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes you're holding mine
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it,
Darling, you look perfect tonight
Well, I found a woman, stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that someday I'll share her home
I found a love to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
Callie was grinning and crying at the same time and Luca held her closer as the words and their meaning hit her fully.
We are still kids but we're so in love
Fighting against all odds
I know we'll be alright this time
Darling, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I'll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
When I saw you in that dress
Looking so beautiful
I don't deserve this
Darling, you look perfect tonight
Baby, I'm dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favorite song
I have faith in what I see
Now I know I have met an angel in person
And she looks perfect
I don't deserve this
You look perfect tonight
The music faded out and everyone clapped and cheered when Luca and Callie kissed when they stopped dancing. Before they could sit down, Brandon took a seat behind the piano and Jude tuned the guitar as his spoke.
"Evening everybody. I will be making my speech tomorrow and I will warn now, there will be tears. That being said, Luca asked me to find a song that really embodied Callie and their relationship and I found this one and it seemed to fit perfectly."
There you stand, opened heart, opened doors
Full of life with a world that's wanting more
But I can see when the lights start to fade
The day is done and your smile has gone away
Let me raise you up
Let me be your love
May I hold you as you fall to sleep
When the world is closing in
And you can't breathe here
May I love you, may I be your shield
When no one can be found
May I lay you down
All I want is to keep you safe from the cold
To give you all that your heart needs the most
Let me raise you up
Let me be your love
Jude fought back tears as he played and watched his sister do the same as she smiled into her fiancée's should while they danced.
May I hold you as you fall to sleep
When the world is closing in
And you can't breathe here
May I love you, may I be your shield
When no one can be found
May I lay you down
Luca was whispering the lyrics into Callie's ear which made the tears come faster, but all the while the smile never left Callie's face, so they were happy tears: very happy tears.
All that's made me is all worth trading
Just to have one moment with you
So I will let go with all that I know
Knowing that you're here with me
For your love is changing me
May I hold you as you fall to sleep
When the world is closing in
And you can't breathe
May I love you, may I be your shield
When no one can be found
May I lay you down
Jude played the song out and the final notes were met with a standing ovation and once Callie calmed down she tackled her brothers in fierce hugs.
"Those were really beautiful you guys. I can't begin to thank you enough for helping Luca put this on for me."
"You deserve the best Cal, we'll always make sure you get it. Just wait till you see what I'm playing tomorrow." Jude winked at his sister and Callie hugged him again, knowing that whatever song was waiting for her tomorrow would absolutely reduce her to tears as these songs had.
The rest of the night, the band played music for everyone to dance to. Hours later the party died down with everyone realizing that they needed to wake up early for the big day. Family members left to return to their hotels or their homes, leaving Luca, his parents and the Fosters. The clean-up didn't take much since the tables and chairs would be picked up in the morning before they left for the ceremony and everything else was from the caterer. When everything was cleaned up and the band had left Luca and Callie stood next to each other and grew quiet.
"I should get going."
"Not sure why I wanted this tradition of spending the night apart." Callie cursed her planning this months ago.
"I like it. This way when I see you tomorrow it'll be all that more amazing." Luca kissed Callie and held it longer than normal.
"I love you."
"I love you too. I see you tomorrow?" Luca kissed her again and laughed. "I'll be waiting for you my love. Count on it. Goodnight Callie." With a parting kiss, Luca left and said his goodbyes to the Fosters before heading to his parent's house since he would be sleeping there and getting ready there before the limo picked them up the next morning. Callie sighed as she watched the car fade into the night and she finally headed inside and her sibling gave her first shower which she appreciated. She took off her make-up and made sure her hair was clean for the stylist to do the next morning. Mariana went next and soon met Callie in their room.
"Last night sharing this room with me."
"I'm sure we'll have sleepovers again Mariana."
"But tonight is different and you know it. It's special." Callie realized how much this night meant to Mariana and she quickly grabbed her pillow and climbed into bed with her sister, content to share the larger bed with her for the night. Just before they shut off the light they heard someone knock on their door.
"Come in." The door opened and all three boys stood there in their PJs with pillows in hand.
"Family sleepover?" Jude requested and Callie and Mariana nodded, each of them glad their brothers decided to join them. Brandon took Callie's bed and Jesus set up one blow up mattress for Jude, while he was content to make a nest of pillows and blankets to sleep on.
An hour later, when both Lena and Stef were about to go to bed, they decided to look in on the kids and they shouldn't have been surprised to find all their kids sleeping in the girls' room.
"One more night together."
"Our daughter is getting married Stef."
"I know." They looked at their sleeping children and dabbed tears from their eyes.
"We are going to need more tissues for tomorrow."
"Foster-Russo wedding, sponsored by Kleenex."
Hopefully you guys liked this. The songs were Perfect by Ed Sheeran and May I by Trading yesterday. Let me know if you want some special in the wedding or reception.