Epilogue

Epilogue
A Month Later

“Emilia, start packing up. We’re going to Sicily next week. Marcello just called to announce his wedding.”

Amelia gaped at her husband in shock. “When is the wedding? I don’t have a dress to wear!” 

“Mama will arrange for a seamstress for you. The wedding is three weeks later but I have to help her out.”

“Okay, Mila and I will start packing up. Have you informed Marie's school?” 

“I will today.” Amelia wondered why he looked so excited today. Was it because of Marcello’s wedding? 

“Will we celebrate our wedding anniversary there, or will we celebrate it here before we leave?” She needed to know to make the preparations. Matteo smiled, his eyes glinting with secrecy. What was he hiding from her? 

“We’ll celebrate it there. I’ve invited your siblings and their families. Even Brooklyn is coming over with hers.” 

“Oh, are you making any gala plans? I’m not prepared at all!” she protested helplessly, but he just winked and left. What did it mean? For the next few days, Amelia was too busy with their packing to give it much thought. Matteo spent more time at the shop making arrangements for Freddie and his team to run it in his absence. They had done it before and it wouldn’t be much of a problem for them.

Mariella was very excited to meet Angela while Amelia waited eagerly to meet her family and best friend. Freddie dropped them off at the airport and helped them with the luggage. Amelia was worried about the twins since it was a long flight and their first. However, Mariella kept them busy with her antics and they played with her all the time in between naps. Mila handled all three children effortlessly, and they landed in Palermo at last. 

Marco greeted them, ushering them into his car. He hugged Mariella, who hugged him back. 

“Why didn’t Angela come to fetch me, Uncle Marco? Didn’t she miss me?” pouted Mariella. 

“Angela’s exams are going on, Mariella. Today is her last paper. She will be free to play with you when she returns home.” 

“Hey Marco, how have you been?” asked Matteo, hugging his brother. 

“I’m fine, as always, bro. You have to see Dad’s business now. Marcello and I have started it afresh on a grander scale.” 

“I’m sure he’s feeling proud of you from up there,” said Matteo, clapping him on the back. 

Marco smiled, helping him with their luggage. “Your wedding preparations are ready, bro just as you had specified,” he said in a whisper. Matteo glanced at his wife, busy tending to the twins. 

“Shh, she doesn’t know about it yet. I meant it as a surprise for her.” 

“Oh, have you informed Mama and Viola? They will definitely blurt out in front of Emilia!” Matteo looked at him with concern. He hadn’t thought about that at all! All his hard work will now go to waste. The surprise factor won’t be there at all! 

“Oh, I forgot!” said Matteo, smacking his forehead. 

He wanted to plan a dream wedding to renew their vows. Their wedding was a hurried affair in a police setup and Amelia had been very upset about it. Yet she accepted her fate and went ahead with a happy frame of mind. This time, he wanted to give her the happiness she deserved. He had invited her family and best friend, just the way she wanted. 

“Should I message Viola?” asked Marco and Matteo agreed. 

“Matteo, please, can you help with the car seats?” asked Amelia and he rushed to help her. Marco helped Armano, forgetting to message his wife. He drove them towards their home in the beach town of Modello. 

“Viola is also expecting twin boys. She’s going through her 20th week,” announced Marco and they all gasped in surprise. 

“Twin boys? It’s really the height of coincidence,” said Amelia with a laugh. 

“I know, right? Well, Angela isn’t quite happy about it.” 

“Oh, that’ll change when the twins are born. It happened with Marie,” said Matteo. 

“Yes, Papà is right. I was so upset when I knew I would have brothers. Now I think I’m blessed to have them.” 

They smiled at her admission. “So, is Marcello marrying Alessia?” asked Amelia with interest. 

“Yes, who else? She won Mama’s heart and now all Mama talks about is her.” They all rolled their eyes while Matteo chuckled. 

They reached home and his family welcomed them warmly. 

“Oh, they’re so cute, Amy! I wish my twins are just like them!” exclaimed Viola, picking up Aurelio.

His Mama picked up Armano and hugged him to her bosom. 

“Don’t worry! You’ll have the same!” They chuckled as they all went inside. 

“Where’s Marcello?” asked Matteo, looking for his brother. 

“Where else but at the house next door?” They chuckled knowingly, since that was where he was the last time they were here.

“Now stay for a month with me, Emilia. After your wedding, relax for a few weeks, attend Marcello’s wedding, and then return,” said his Mama. Matteo smacked his forehead while Marco looked at him with guilt. 

Amelia’s jaws dropped with surprise, and she turned to look at Matteo. “Our wedding?” 

“Yes, I’ve booked at the church nearby. Your Papà and I too had our wedding there and so had Marco and Viola. Marcello and Alessia will also marry there three weeks later.” 

“Oh, but I don’t have a wedding dress!” exclaimed Amelia in a state of panic. 

“Oh, don’t worry about that, my dear. Alessia and you can accompany me to the seamstress nearby tomorrow.” 

“Yes, Mama.” She led them to Matteo’s childhood room. 

“I have accommodated the twins in the next room. Mila can also sleep there with them. Freshen up and come down to plan Marcello’s wedding with me.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me we’re getting married? I’m not at all prepared for it and neither are the children,” she scolded Matteo when his Mama left. Matteo scratched his head, seeing the worried look on her face. 

“I wanted to surprise you, Cara. I wanted to plan our dream wedding, renew our vows, and start all over again on a positive note! Don’t worry, Mama will arrange for everything according to your likes and dislikes!” Amelia calmed down and smiled at him, feeling on top of the world. She walked right up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. 

“I’m the happiest woman to have you in my life, Matteo. Thank you for fulfilling all my dreams. I forgot about this completely, but you didn’t. It means a lot to me,” she said, gazing into his whiskey-hued eyes. They might have had an unconventional love story, a rollercoaster journey under gripping circumstances, but it was worth it. She wouldn’t have married anyone else than Matteo. 

“I can never forget my promises to you, Emilia! You’re my life, my home, my everything. I never believed in love at first sight until I met you.” 

Amelia gaped at him, the admission making her heart skip a beat. 

“Oh, you fell for me then?” 

“Why else did I help you, save you, and pursue you? You appeared before me like a breath of fresh air and I fell for you, hook, line, and sinker. My life was too fucked up and my conscience told me to stay away from you, but my heart couldn’t.”

“I’m glad you didn’t listen to your conscience. Despite all the danger and heartache, I’m glad I have chosen you.” 

“Me too.” 

“Mama, Papà, don’t kiss here, please,” cried Mariella with a groan as she turned away from the room with disgust. They immediately sprang apart and walked out to see her giggling with Angela, who had just returned from school. 

“We’ll continue this at night,” whispered Matteo, making her blush and nod at him. With Brooklyn and her family arriving early the next day, her heart sang with happiness. Ryan and Gia would arrive with their families two days later. 

“Carlos just called. He’s on his way here with his family, bro,” announced Marco. 

Matteo smiled at Amelia, who looked quite excited at the prospect of meeting her friends and family. They were now ready to start afresh!

Matteo’s phone buzzed with two incoming messages from Lucas. 

Sorry, bro. Can’t make it to your wedding. I’m getting married to Sienna finally on the same day.–Lucas.

Matteo smiled at the message. So, Lucas too was getting married on the same day as he was. 

Our treat is due. I would also want to know all about your love story.–Matteo. 

Sure. Only if you tell me yours–Lucas.