Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Micelli
The guest cheered and applauded as the happy couple with tear-stained cheeks released their embrace and turned to face their family and friends, many of them with red, swollen eyes and running noses from tears of happiness.
Holding tightly to his bride's hand, Tony smiled and exclaimed, "We did it" as he turned towards her and placed a soft kiss upon her left cheek.
"It's about time!" Al hollered from the alter, standing behind Tony, to his left.
"Glad you finally stopped dragging your feet," Ernie followed with a chuckle from the fifth row.
Narrowing his eyes, Tony's ears began to shine, "Okay, okay, I got your point," he returned in annoyance.
Rising from her aisle seat, Mona stepped towards Tony, extended her arms, welcoming him into her embrace, "You're finally my son-in-law," she whispered into his shoulder, her emotions still running ramped through her. Turning towards her daughter, she sniffled, "I've never been more proud or happier for you than I am right now." Her voice tender and low.
"I love you, Mother," Angela reached for her mother, wrapping her arms tightly around the smaller woman.
'Okay, okay, enough of this mushy stuff," Mona pulled back, "It's time to PARTY," she emphasized with a smile.
"Not before I get my hugs in," Mrs. Rossini interjected, jumping towards Angela. "You look so beautiful," she kissed both her cheeks, "Benvenuto nella famiglia," she continued before turning to Tony, "Non rovinare tutto," she pinched his cheek firmly causing him too whence.
"I won't, I won't," he rubbed his now rosy cheek.
"What did she say?" Angela leaned in and whispered.
"She told me not to screw this up!" He continued to rub the burn on his cheek.
"Good!" She smirked, "Remember how that feels if you ever do," she leaned in and kissed the visible red mark.
Samantha and Jonathan both hugged their parents, expressing their overwhelming joy at officially becoming a family.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Micelli," Father Marconi's deep voice echoed from behind them as once again, the guest roared in applause.
Stepping off the alter, 'Close to You," began to play as they began to make their way back up the aisle-
"Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you.
Why do stars fall down from the sky
Every time you walk by?
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you."
The couple made their way halfway up the aisle when Angela noticed a familiar, surprise face sitting in the back of the chapel.
"Nana," she gasped, her eyes lighting up.
The elderly lady locked eyes with her granddaughter and smiled.
The song continued as Tony took note of where his bride's attention had fallen-
"On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And star light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you."
Squeezing her hand in acknowledgment of their unexpected guest, they proceeded forward through handshakes and hugs. Reaching the final row, Angela released Tony's hand and wrapped her arms around her grandmother, "Thank you for being here," a lump forming in her throat as she fought back tears.
"Even an old foolish woman can't miss seeing her favorite granddaughter marry the love of her life. I'm sorry and I'm so very happy for you," she sniffled.
"I love you Nana," Angela kissed her grandmother's cheek. "He is the love of my life," she turned to Tony, taking his hand once again and smiled through the new formed tears.
"Welcome to the family," the elderly woman reached for Tony's free hand, wrapping her hands around his, "Thank you for making my girl so happy," she finished with a faint smile.
"Always Nana," he leaned in and kissed her cheeks, "I'll live each day to make her happy."
He turned back to Angela, "Shall we?" He motioned towards the door with his head, leading her out as the last of the song played on-
"On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true.
So, they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold
And star light in your eyes of blue.
That is why all the girls in town
Follow you all around.
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you.
Just like me,
They long to be
Close to you."
"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life, close to you," Tony leaned in, capturing Angela's lips as the late afternoon sunrays shined upon them, cascading them with the warmth and glow of the beautiful spring day.
As their lips parted, a carriage pulled by two, white horses rode up to greet them.
"After you," Tony motioned for Angela to step up into the carriage.
Her eyes beaming at the sight of the horse and carriage, Angela gushed, "Tony, when did you do this?"
Shrugging his shoulders innocently, he smirked, "Ah, well, you know, a little last-minute reminder of a very special night." He raised his eyebrows devilishly.
Catching the meaning quickly, Angela leaned into his ear and whispered, "Perhaps we can have a recreation of that very special night sometime soon." She kissed the side of his neck, "Really soon!" Her voice sultry and seductive.
Feeling his pants tighten, he pulled at his bowtie nervously, "I think we best get into the carriage and get this party over with," the heat rising in his cheeks as thoughts of their honeymoon night began to dance around in his head.
Taking delight in the clear affect she had on her now husband, Angela climbed into the carriage, settling into the left side as Tony took his seat to her right for the short, romantic ride through the club grounds to the banquet hall. The rolling hills, the green turf, the fountain decorated ponds all made for a picturesque pre-sunset ride to the main building.
Arriving at the Club House, Tony and Angela were greeted by their wedding party and photographer to take the customary, official, keepsake photos to document their day. Bride and groom, bride and bridesmaids, groom and groomsmen, bride and son, bride and daughter, groom and son, groom and daughter, bride, groom, son and daughter, and the pairings went on. Mona and Mrs. Rossini joined in for a few family pictures before everyone's smiles began to fade, their stomach began to growl, and their feet began to ache.
Making their way towards the ballroom, Tony and Angela stopped for one last quick moment together before facing their three hundred plus party guest, half of which they didn't think they even knew.
"Today has been absolutely perfect," Angela wrapped her arms around her husband's shoulders, "More than I ever thought possible. Thank you for today and putting this all together, I wouldn't trade it for anything." She pressed her lips to his.
"Not even the small, intimate, chapel wedding you wanted," he smirked, separating their lips.
"Nothing!" She smiled before meeting his lips once again for a deeper, lingering kiss.
Placing small kisses along her jawline, Tony muttered, "I think we need to get to our party before we can't make it all," his heart beginning to race.
"I guess we better," she straightened up quickly, patting her dress to smooth it out, "But only if you promise me, we don't have to stay for long?" She winked seductively.
Unable to speak in fear he would give way to his desire for her and whisk her away from their reception, Tony grabbed her hand and led her towards the ballroom.
Opening the grand doors to the ballroom, Tony and Angela were overwhelmed at the grandeur that laid before them. Thirty round tables covered in white linen cloth, decorated with beautiful pink and white candle-rose centerpieces, a long rectangular bridal party table at the head of the dance floor, and the six-piece band set up in front of the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the fountain pond and golf course completed the scene. As they stepped into a roar of applause, Samantha and Jonathan's voice could be heard over the speakers, "Ladies and Gentlemen, may we present, our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Micelli."
Whistles, applause, cheers, and roars of excitement were nearly deafening to the ear as they made their way to the main table, taking their place at the seats marked, Mr. and Mrs. Picking up the little "Mrs." card Angela looked to Tony and smiled, "I think I'm going to like being Mrs. Micelli." She leaned in, placing a soft kiss on his lips.
"I know I'm going to love you being Mrs. Micelli," he pushed a fallen lock of her hair gently behind her ear.
Guest hovered around the couple with well wishes, hugs, handshakes and a few tears while waiters made their way around the room with the last of the hor d'oeuvres prior to the serving of the main course. With the announcement of dinner being served, all the guests made their way back to their respective tables, finally allowing Tony and Angela a moment to catch their breath and take a few bites of their delicious feast.
Upon completion of dinner and the serving of Mrs. Rossini's special Italian mini pastry desserts, the clinking of glass began to echo through the room, demanding a kiss between the bride and groom. Not one to deny the other a kiss, Tony happily took Angela in his arms and plastered a passionate, full-mouth kiss on her, sending their guest into a roar of approval. The next clinking of glasses came from the main table as Al stood up and exclaimed, "Speech, speech," in his thick Brooklyn accent.
"We already gave our speeches Al, they were called vows," Tony chuckled.
"Not yours Tony, mine!" He returned cockily.
"You're not the best man AL," Samantha leaned in and whispered to him.
"Whatchyous talking about, I'm always the best man," he grabbed his tux and stood up straight, "Haven't you seen my hair?" He ran his fingers through his hair with a coy smile, "This is the hair of a best man!"
"Sit down," Sam scorned playfully, "There is an order to this and you're not in that order," she shock her head.
"Well then," he slumped into the chair, "I'll just have another cannoli then. Yo, you, ya you," he pointed towards a waiter, "With the little cannoli's, hit me with some of them little things there," he hollered across the room as Sam rolled her eyes and took to the mic.
"Please forgive our friend Al, he doesn't get out much," Sam proclaimed light-heartedly. "Now on with the program," she laughed. "As tradition would have it, it is speech time but being as we're not the traditional type, we're changing things up a bit and doing it the Bower-Micelli way, our way," she chuckled again. In leu of the traditional best man speech, my brother Jonathan and I have prepared something special for our parents, Jonathan," she motioned for him to join her.
Angela squeezed Tony's hand as tears swelled in her eyes hearing Samantha refer to Jonathan as her brother, "I know, I know," he patted her hand before wrapping his arm around her shoulders, a lump forming in his own throat.
Taking a deep breath, Samantha's face turned serious as she took Jonathan's hand in hers and began to speak, her voice trembling "As you all know, eight years ago, my dad went to work for Jonathan's mom but what you may not know is that he and I have spent the last eight years falling in love with each other's parent while they fell in love with each other. Although it didn't take us nearly as long to realize they belonged together as it took them," she chuckled, "It did take us almost as long to admit to each other that whether our parents ever did finally end up together or not, that we would forever be bonded by the love we grew up together feeling in our house and family." She took another deep breath before continuing, "Today, we witnessed our parents and their most amazing love story officially make us a family and we wanted to share a few words about what this day and what they mean to us. It's no longer my dad and his mom or his mom and my dad, it's OUR parents," she emphasized, her voice cracking.
Taking the mic from Sam, Jonathan released her hand, placing his arm around her shoulder, "Tony," he addressed him formally, "When I was a kid, you were a giant to me, my hero. I remember always trying to do everything you did and every lesson you ever taught me, even the ones mom may not have approved of," he gave a slight smile.
He handed the mic back to Samantha, "Angela, I could never have imagined the changes we've been through or that we would grow so close that I could feel brand new. You stepped into my life when I thought my world had ended. I could never have imagined the kindness in your touch or the million ways your smile always showed how much your heart cared."
Angela and Tony sat frozen, their hearts soring with pride and love, their faces stained with tears.
Taking the mic back, Jonathan continued, "You watched over me, us," he gestured between himself and Sam, "Like a lion with a father's pride that no matter how defiant I/we may have been or what mistakes I/we made, you always knew how to lift us up or when to let us fall because you always had a plan and that usually involved loving us through all our bonehead moments," he chuckled lightly arising the same from Tony, Angela and all the guest.
Sam wiped a singular tear before taking the mic back, "There's a reason your name contains the word "Angel" because you were an angel sent to dad and me to fill the empty space that was in our hearts. You never tried to take her place; you just were who you are, you taught me broken hearts can mend and for that, I'll forever be grateful."
Angela's body trembled beneath Tony's arm, he leaned in, his voice a mere whisper of emotions, "For that, I will love you forever!" He kissed her tear-streaked cheek.
Holding the mic between them, Jonathan took a deep breath as his emotions began to overtake his stoic exterior, "Looking back at all the things you did for me, all I can say is I hope one day I can be half the dad you didn't have to be. I love you dad, thank you for an amazing eight years," he concluded with tears in his eyes.
"I love you son," Tony's voice croaked, wiping his face with the palm of his hand to rid the moisture.
"If I live to be a hundred, I can never repay the debt of love and gratitude that grows everyday for you. Not only am I blessed to call you mother but most of all, I'm blessed to call you friend, my best friend. I love you mom!" Samantha finished; her own tears no longer able to be contained.
"Oh Samantha," Angela cried, "I love you so much!" She touched her hands to her lips, throwing Sam a kiss.
Picking up his accordion while Sam concluded her speech, Jonathan secured the strap and took the mic once again, "In honor of those we love that couldn't be here with us today; Sam's mom, Marie, Nonno and Nonna Micelli and Grandpa Robert, I'd like to play this for them." He expanded the reed organ and began to play.
The guests rose to their feet as Jonathan concluded a flawless rendition of "Ave Marie." Not a dry eye among them.
"That was beautiful Jonathan. Thank you for that," Sam wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. Looking around at all the smiling faces, Sam wiped the last of her tears and squealed, "Now, enough of this mushy stuff, let's have a little Queen! Hit it boyyyys!" Sam pointed to the band.
The guitar and piano medley began as Sam and Jonathan took to the mic,
"Ooh, you make me live
Whatever this world can give to me
It's you, you're all I see
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live"
They sang together!
"Oh, you're the best friend that I ever had
I've been with you such a long time
You're my sunshine
And I want you to know
That my feelings are true
I really love you
(Ooh) Oh, you're my best friend"
Sam pointed at Jonathan, belting out the words.
"Ooh, you make me live
Ooh, I've been wandering 'round ('Round)
But still come back to you
(Ooh, still come back to you)
In rain or shine, you've stood by me, girl (Girl)
I'm happy at home
(happy at home)
You're my best friend"
Jonathan sang to Sam.
Ooh, you make me live
Whenever this world is cruel to me
I got you to help me forgive
Ooh, you make me live now, honey
Ooh, you make me live
Oh, you're the first one
When things turn out bad
You know I'll never be lonely
You're my only one
And I love the things
I really love the things that you do
Oh, you're my best friend (Oh)
They sang to each other as the guest rose to their feet in applause and cheer.
Tony let out a loud whistle while Angela hollered, "That's my babies, woooooohhhooooo!" Both parents exuding pride as they watched their children sing, bond and love each other.
"Speech, speech," Al hollered once again, clinking his knife on his crystal flute causing it to shatter. "Oops," he looked at the shard glass around him, "Guess them nice things aren't as durable as them cheap ones on Brooklyn." He shrugged his shoulder.
"Sit your butt down," Mrs. Rossini chastised, slapping him on the back of his head.
Tony, Angela, Sam and Jonathan broke into a fit of laughter. "Don't get onto him too hard, Mrs. R," Tony laughed, "He might have nightmares of little yellow bunnies again." He roared.
Joining their parents again at the main table, the family exchanged hugs and kisses as Tony and Angela gushed over how proud of them, they were and how happy they had made them.
Not one to be left out of the festivities, Mona took to the mic for her own endearing well wishes, "Ahemmmm," she cleared her throat loudly, "May I have your attention please," she waved her hand in the air. "Now, I'm not going to get up here and get all mushy and sentimental because, well that would be a load of crap and I'm tired of crying today," the guest all laughed, "So I'll make this brief because after all, we've all waited long enough for these two to get off their winding road, in a car, driving by a blind nun with a flat tire," she laughed at her own joke as Tony scolded with a chuckle, "Mooooonaaa!"
"Okay, okay, I'm not going to rag you, but I do want to say congratulations! I love you both very much and I'm so happy the two of you finally wised up and got together because you know, neither of you is much of a catch so don't screw this up." She narrowed her eyes upon the couple with a satisfied look on her face.
"Thank you, Mother," Angela shook her head in disbelief, "We can always count on your love and support."
"Of course, you can dear, I'm here, aren't I?" She laughed, placing the mic back on the stand before giving her daughter and new son-in-law a hug.
"You take good care of my baby girl, you big lug," Mona hit Tony's upper arm lovingly, "Or else!" She balled her fist and waved it at him playfully.
"I love you, Mother!" Angela wrapped her arms around her mother as Tony whispered, "I love you Mon and I promise to always take care of her!" He wrapped his arms around both ladies.
The band leader stepped up to the microphone as Tony, Angela and Mona broke their embrace, "Ladies and Gentlemen," he began, "It is now time for the couple's first dance. Mr. and Mrs. Micelli, would you come up here please?" He motioned to them to step to the dance floor. "As a special gift to his wife," Angela's eyes darted to Tony in confusion, "Mr. Micelli has chosen a special song for his bride." He handed Tony the microphone as Angela looked on, eyes larger than pools, uncertain as to what was happening.
Taking the mic, Tony extended his arm for her hand as the piano melody began to play,
"Lady, I'm your knight in shining armor and I love you"
He stepped closer to her as he sang-
"You have made me what I am, and I am yours"
He pulled her close, she gasped, her heart began to race-
"My love, there's so many ways I want to say I love you
Let me hold you in my arms forever more"
He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her into a tight embrace-
"You have gone and made me such a fool
I'm so lost in your love
And oh, we belong together
Won't you believe in my song"
He kissed her lips softly as tears swelled in her eyes and he continued-
"Lady, for so many years I thought I'd never find you
You have come into my life and made me whole"
He looked deep into her eyes, his breath catching as he tried to contain his own emotions-
"Forever let me wake to see you each and every morning
Let me hear you whisper softly in my ear"
He released her from his arm slightly, capturing a full view of his bride, head to toe-
"In my eyes I see no one else but you
There's no other love like our love
And yes, oh yes, I'll always want you near me
I've waited for you for so long"
He pulled her back in close, her head now resting on his shoulder-
"Lady, your love's the only love I need
And beside me is where I want you to be
'Cause, my love, there's something I want you to know
You're the love of my life, you're my lady"
She captured his lips for a full, passionate kiss as the last of the piano medley played.
Their lips still attached, she whispered through her tears, "I love you so much, you're the only love I need, and I'll forever be your lady. Thank you for this." She pressed her lips against his again never wanting the love she felt for him to end.
