Thanks for the reviews! And R117 - you can frown all you want. Yes Caputo is now involved and YES you have to be engaged to get a wedding present, unless things are done differently in your country! :) As for WB79 and the others who thought Ch 24 was hot. Yeah - Thanks. There's more of that to come in future stories. Lots of tricks up my sleeves.

Now I have a dilemma. I'm looking at my chapter views and I'm afraid people are missing out on chapters here and there. These chapters aren't extensive, but they each hold important information. I don't want to make them longer because they provide natural story breaks. So make sure you read every chapter. There will be no more double updates.

BTW - this is an incredibly short update. Sorry in advance.

Grazie amore per sapermi amare. "Thank you my love for knowing how to love me."

The waiters stood looking expectantly at Nicky. Nicky glanced at Tony questioningly. Tony nodded. Nicky clanged her fork on her glass of prosecco and raised it in toast. "Alex fucking Vause. I don't know how you did it, but you landed the utmost exquisite woman who adores you, respects you, and lord knows how…puts up with you. Per cent'anni!"

"A hundred years!" exclaimed the rest of the wedding party and guests. The servers distributed the pasta dish around and the eating continued. The rehearsal had gone well. Piper's father had jubilantly agreed to give her away despite his wife's insistence that their reputation would be tarnished forever. Unbeknownst to his wife, he had met Alex several times and approved whole-heartedly of their relationship. Polly, of course, was maid of honor and Nicky – best man.

The next day, the invited guests gathered in the cozy courtyard behind Grecco's. Attendance was limited: Bella, Tony and Tony's wife, Michael and his boyfriend, a few people from both Alex's and Piper's work, and Cal. The intimate ceremony was impeccable. The restaurant had closed for the day so that it could also serve as the reception area. Suffice it to say, despite neither of them having a drop of Italian blood, Alex and Piper had an Italian wedding. Bella was beside herself with pride and joy.

Inside the restaurant, tables laden with olives, cheeses, prosciutto, numerous pastas with thick sauces, and veal beckoned guests to over-indulge their stomachs. Tony had somehow secured some high-quality wines straight from the Italian countryside which was flowing freely from the bottles. Italian music filled the air as Bella and Tony reveled themselves in teaching the guests traditional Italian dances. The DJ mixed in current music as well so that the dancing could be enjoyed by all.

"Mrs. Piper Vause?" Alex's voice was soft as she held her wife's face gently and peered into her clear blue eyes. "You are the ultimate dream come true. I am so lucky to have you."

Piper leaned forward to press her lips lightly to Alex's. "I am the lucky one Alex. I love you and I love being Mrs. Piper Vause."

Alex's eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

Piper nodded. "Mrs. Piper Vause. I definitely like the sound of that. Thank you for becoming my wife Alex."

Alex's smile was soft and loving. "Sel la mia vita. You are my life."

Soon the night grew long and the couple knew it was time to bid goodbye to their guests. Piper changed out of her gown, relinquishing it to the care of Polly. An abundance of rice was flying as the couple slipped into the waiting car.

A lone man watched the departure from across the street. His face was hidden in the shadows, only lit from the cherry of his cigarette when he inhaled. "Auguri Alex Vause," he muttered. "Best wishes indeed." Aydin sauntered off into the dark.