77. The Wedding (Part 3)-3

Adele and Francesco were at the same table as Sancia and O'Neil. They were quite good together. Adele saw a completely different side to Sancia. She was much different when her husband was around. She was much softer and kinder. As the guests were served refreshments, the dance floor became empty and O'Neil stated "It is time for you two to have your first dance. Come on. Amaranta told me she would sing until you have your first dance. Then it would be Italian folk music from that point and she will join Costanzo at his table. I think your first dance with an opera song is matching. She would do any request for the song so come on." Francesco looked at Adele. He held her hand in his and spoke "Sweetheart, do you want to dance? You don't have to if you don't want to." Adele smiled "I would love to dance ... with my husband." Francesco smiled brightly and kissed her lips "Oh, I want to dance with my wife too. It would be our first dance as a married couple. The first of many." Francesco then stood up and held Adele's hand. As Adele stood up, it was as thought the guests were waiting for their first dance. They started clapping and cheering really loudly making Adele blush. Adele and Francesco made their way to the dance floor and faced each other as the new song played and they danced slowly to Amaranta's song. Francesco whispered "I just want this moment to last forever. Me holding you and you holding me." Adele smiled "It will always be this way. We would be holding each other for eternity." Francesco spoke "You know I must admit, I was so afraid in that church when I was waiting for you. i was afraid you will not come. I thought you will have second thoughts...." Adele frowned "Why would you doubt me? I take marriage very seriously. I was never confident that I was fully ready for it. But who is? I know the pillars of our marriage is strong enough to stand for years and years. We will make it even stronger with our love." Francesco smiled " I know our marriage becomes stronger. When we have children it does become stronger also." They kissed each other and for once they didn't have to worry about what the Don felt. They were husband and wife. They were allowed to kiss in public. The guests even encouraged them when they kissed. They clapped and cheered in the room. The guests then joined the bride and groom as they danced to Italian falk music alongside the couple. As Adele was dancing with Francesco she saw Costanzo and Amaranta dancing. Angelo was there too dancing with one of the Italian girls. O'Neil and Sanica were also dancing alongside Antonio and Georgina. Anna and Arturo were keeping their distance at the other side of dance floor. The way Arturo danced with Anna just showed his possessiveness. It was as though he didn't want anyone else near them. They were in a more isolated part of the dance floor. Then there was a break in dancing and bride and groom sat down. There was more food, dance and music. But then finally the time came for speeches. As the room went quiet and O'Neils stood up, Francesco wanted to almost laugh. The expressions on the people's faces was just so funny. They were looking at O'Neil with narrowed eyes as though waiting for him to disrespect them so they could have an excuse to kick him out. The Don was looking at O'Neil with displeasure. He never liked O'Neil as Francesco's best man. He had made it clear. O'Neil stood tall with his cocky smile "Ladies and gentleman, most of you must know me. I am Emanuelle O'Neil. I happen to be Francesco's best man. This has been an honour standing behind a man that I admire so much. He was my best man at my wedding and I became his. Without him I may have missed my own wedding since someone played a prank on me but I will make that culprit pay but that's beside the point." He was directly looking at Arturo at that point which earned him a chuckle from Arturo. O'Neil then continued "Francesco managed to help me out when I needed it just like always. All I want to say is that Francesco is not a man to back out from anything. He would honour his word and he will fight to death for those he loves. We have that trait in common. I am so honoured to be standing here and talking about Francesco. I owe him my life and much more." He then raised his champagne "May I ask all of you honourable guests to hold your champagne glasses up." As the guests held up their glasses, he spoke " I would like to make a toast to Francesco and Adele, the newly wed couple. I wish to toast to this couple whom nothing and no one came between them. Years of separation certainly did not change their love for each other." O'Neil was directly looking at Paulo Rosario and gave him a hard look. He then looked directly warmly at Adele and Francesco "I drink to Francesco and Adele. They followed their American dream, they retained their free will and achieved their dreams. To Adele and Francesco." He then drank from his glass and so did the guests. Then O'Neil spoke his final words "I just hope I would become tied by blood to Francesco's family one day... through marriage. That would be my dream." Francesco choked on his champagne and looked at O'Neil as he sat down "That line was unnecessary." O'Neils spoke "I only speak the truth." Francesco turned to Adele "When would you like to cut the cake. It is from one of the bakeries here that is owned by my aunt Patricia." Adele nodded " Now would be good. I definitely need some desert with all this food and the cocktails." Adele and Francesco stood up and walked to the cake stand as the guests cheered knowing what was to come. They cut the cake together as the photographer snapped multiple pictures of them. Once the cake was served with tea and coffee, Francesco turned to Adele " What do you say if we retire early from this party. The reception will go on until the early hours of morning. I think we should go now." Adele smiled "Today has been perfect. I definitely feel like we have had the perfect wedding. I am ready to go anywhere with you." Francesco held her hand and the couple stood up walking to the exit as the photographer asked "Sir, where are you going?" Francesco sounded annoyed "To bed."