Chapter 9 - The Wedding Rosie Planned Herself
Rosie decided she was responsible for the wedding.
Nobody had the courage to tell her otherwise.
She chose flowers.
She chose cake.
She chose music.
She even chose Lorenzo's tie.
It was bright yellow.
Lorenzo stared at it.
"No."
Rosie folded her arms.
"Yes."
"Absolutely not."
"You're angry."
"That's because of the tie."
Rosie narrowed her eyes.
"Practice."
Lorenzo sighed.
Then put on the tie.
Clara laughed so hard she had to sit down.
The wedding was small.
No politicians.
No criminal associates.
No dangerous men.
Only family and friends.
Victor didn't attend.
But he sent a letter.
Inside was a photograph of Clara's father.
On the back, he had written:
He would have been proud.
Clara cried when she read it.
Lorenzo held her.
"You don't have to be strong today."
She leaned against him.
"I've been strong for too long."
"Then don't be."
She kissed him.
For the first time, their future felt real.
When they exchanged vows, Lorenzo spoke without looking at the guests.
"I spent years believing that protecting people meant keeping them away."
He looked at Clara.
"I was wrong."
Her eyes filled.
"Sometimes protecting someone means standing beside them."
He took her hands.
"And sometimes love means trusting someone enough to let them see every part of you."
Clara smiled.
"I choose you."
He whispered:
"I choose you too."
Rosie stood between them.
"Me too."
Everyone laughed.
The priest smiled.
"I believe that makes three."
Later, when the music began, Lorenzo danced with Clara.
Rosie danced around them.
For once, nobody was afraid.
No threats.
No secrets.
No lies.
Just laughter.
And when the night ended, Lorenzo looked at Clara and realized something.
He had spent years trying to build an empire nobody could destroy.
May you like
But the greatest thing he had ever built was standing beside him.
A family.
