Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Angela stepped carefully, anxious to avoid any embarrassing scene such as falling head over heels down the stairs. To Tony and the assembled guest it seemed she swept confidently and gracefully towards the aisle. Tony's breath caught in his throat watching her descend, unable to believe he was finally marrying the woman who had captivated him for so long.
As their eyes met, Angela lost sight of everything and everyone in the room but him. She had to keep reminding herself to slow her steps as her body urged her to race towards him. Finally she reached him and grasped his hand, giving it a small squeeze. Whether it was for assurance or affection, Tony wasn't sure, but whatever it was it filled him with such confidence and love that he felt his tux might burst at the seams. He returned the gesture, looking deeply into her soft brown eyes, before forcing his attention back to the judge standing before them.
The judge was drawling on in a typical southern accent about the typical things officials say at weddings. At first Angela was too focused on the spark of electricity that was flowing through her system from Tony's touch, to pay the man much attention. But when he began to talk about it being his privilege to join together something he had helped take apart, her mind shot back to another wedding she had been to as a casual observer. The connection suddenly made, she turned away from the justice towards Tony, her eyes begging the question she couldn't ask aloud. She moved her eyes from Tony to the judge, jerking her head slightly. His eyes followed hers and realising the question, nodded ever so lightly. Her smile widened and he felt her hands tighten around his. She understood. The words he'd spoken so passionately about marrying the person he loved, all those years before when they'd gotten their accidental marriage annulled, they applied today.
The vows were spoken and the wedding bands slipped gently on their ring fingers. What words they said or if either of them stumbled, none of them knew. Of the assembled guests, only one thing was certain, true love was present, filling the room with magical joy. When the judge finally pronounced them man and wife and their lips sealed the bond, a cheer went up from either Mrs. Rossini or Mona, they weren't sure, and they found themselves squashed in a massive group hug. This wasn't just the joining of their lives; it was the joining of all the lives they had touched.
The reception was a frenzy of laughter and stories. Each person spoke about how their lives had been influenced by the happy couple. Tiny admitted to being inspired to look for true love, and Philly Fingers spoke about how he hoped to better himself after seeing how good Tony had made out. Mrs. Rossini apologised for all the Italian beauties she had pushed upon Tony over the years, saying he must have known he had the best right at home. Jonathan talked about passion and taking chances and Mona interrupted, saying he knew nothing of passion, but that if anyone did, it was Tony and Angela. Sam talked about strength of character and love of family and how above all else she was grateful for the family they had built for them all.
When the meal was eaten and the laughter died down, Tony and Angela found each other's arms and swayed lightly to the music playing in the background. They didn't notice as the guests left one by one, too wrapped up in the love they felt. It was only when everyone had left and Mona shook them apart that they were brought back to reality, surprised by how quiet the house had become. They thanked their family for their hard work in pulling everything together, and withstood the teasing comments about the night to come. Alone at last, Tony pulled Angela towards him for one final dance before she silently took his hand and led him up the stairs.