Chapter 162 My Happy Ending

Chapter 162 My Happy Ending

ARYA’S POV

As I stepped out of the car, I noticed rose petals scattered along the walkway leading to the restaurant entrance.

My breath caught. "Giovanni, what is going on?”

"Come with me," he said softly, his thumb stroking over my knuckles.

He led me forward, and with each step, my heart beat faster. The rose petals formed a clear path, and there were candles too, their flames dancing in the evening breeze.

We reached the door, and Giovanni paused, turning to face me. "Ready?"

I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat.

He opened the door, and the lights blazed on.
"SURPRISE!"
I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth.

The restaurant was filled with people. Dad stood near the front, leaning on his cane but smiling widely. Mom was beside him and Christabel was bouncing on her toes.

And there was Enzo, his arm around a very pregnant Jasmine, both of them grinning. Claire waved from the back, and Maria stood beside her, beaming.

"What…" I turned to Giovanni, panicked and breathless. "What is this?"

"Come," he said gently, guiding me forward.

Everyone parted as we walked through, creating a path. And there, at the front of the room, was the most beautiful flower arrangement I had ever seen formed into letters.

WILL YOU MARRY ME?

Giovanni turned to face me, and then, he dropped to one knee.

My hands covered my mouth as tears started to blur my vision. 
"Arya," he began, his voice strong despite the emotion clear in his eyes. "Some months ago, I watched a plane take you away from me, and I thought I had lost you forever. It was the worst moment of my life.” 

He reached up and took my hand, and I didn't pull away.

"You deserved a man who believed in you and I was none of those things." His voice cracked slightly. "But you came back to me anyway. You gave me another chance, even though I didn't deserve it.”

Christabel appeared beside Giovanni, holding Dante.

Giovanni took our son, cradling him with one arm while still holding my hand with the other.

"And now I'm begging for the chance to do this right." He looked up at me. "Arya Vitale, will you marry me?”

I was too stunned to speak. This was ridiculous… we were already married. But somehow, this moment, felt more real than anything that had come before.

"Yes," I managed to choke out. "Yes, of course yes!"

The room erupted in cheers and applause.
Giovanni stood, balancing Dante, and pulled a ring box from his pocket. 

Inside was a sapphire ring surrounded by small diamonds. 

"This was my grandmother's," he said as he slid it onto my finger. "She wore it for fifty-three years of marriage. I hopewe can have that too.”

I threw my arms around him, mindful of Dante between us, and kissed him through my tears. "I love you."

"I love you too," he whispered against my lips.

Christabel was jumping up and down. Mom was full-on sobbing now, and Dad had to hand her his handkerchief.

I pulled back and immediately turned to Mom. "You knew! You all knew and you didn't tell me!"

"Of course we knew!" She pulled me into a tight hug. "Giovanni asked your father's permission two weeks ago. We've been planning ever since."

"You're terrible," I said, but I was laughing.
Jasmine waddled over, her belly prominent even under her elegant dress. "Welcome to the engaged club! Oh wait, you're already married. Welcome to the... re-engaged club?"

I hugged her carefully. "When are you due?"

"One more week. If this little one waits that long." She patted her stomach. "I swear, if I go into labor at my own wedding..."

"You won't," Enzo said confidently, appearing at her side. "I've forbidden it."

"Oh, you've forbidden it?" Jasmine raised an eyebrow. "Well, in that case, the baby will definitely wait."

Everyone laughed. Claire and Maria approached next, both of them hugging me tight.

"We're so happy for you," Claire said. "Both of you. You deserve this."

Maria just squeezed my hand, her eyes misty. "Welcome home, Mrs. De Santis.”

The next hour was a blur of congratulations and laughter. Papa gave a speech about second chances and new beginnings. 
Enzo told embarrassing stories about Giovanni that made everyone howl with laughter. Christabel demanded to hold Dante approximately seven hundred times.

And it was absolutely perfect. 

As the party wound down, Giovanni leaned close and whispered, "I have one more surprise. If you're up for it."

"More surprises?" I laughed. "I don't think my heart can take much more."

"Trust me?" He held out his hand.

I took it without hesitation. "Always."

We said our goodbyes, Mom insisted on taking Dante home with her so we could have the evening together and I agreed. 

Then Giovanni led me back to the car. We drove through the city, his hand warm in mine.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

He shot me a grin. "You'll see."

He pulled up in front of a beautiful two stories house with a garden in front and trees surrounding it.

"What is this?" I asked as he helped me out of the car.

"Our house." He looked almost nervous. "If you want it, that is. I bought it last week.”

He cleared his throat and shook his head. “The estate has too many bad memories. I thought we should start fresh."

"Giovanni..."

"Come see inside." He led me up the front walk, unlocking the door.

The interior was made with hardwood floors, and high ceilings. It was tastefully furnished but not overdone. 

"The kitchen is through here," Giovanni said, pulling me along excitedly. "And there's a library and upstairs, there are four bedrooms. One for us, one for Dante, and two extras for… well, for the future, maybe."

He was like a kid showing off a new toy, it made me smile.

"We could put a swing set in the back garden.” He gestured to the patio outside. “And there's room for a vegetable garden if you want. And Dante's room has this perfect corner for a reading nook-"

"Giovanni," I interrupted, my heart so full it felt like it might burst.

He stopped, turning to face me. "What? Is it too much? We can look at other places-"

I kissed him hard. He made a surprised sound but immediately responded, his arms coming around me.

When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing hard.

"It's perfect," I whispered. "The house is perfect. You're perfect. This whole night has been perfect."

"Arya." His voice was rough with emotion.

I kissed him again, deeper this time. My hands moved to his shirt, starting to work at the buttons.
He caught my hands gently. "Wait. Are you… are you sure? We don't have to do this.”"

"I'm sure." I looked into his eyes. "I want this. I want you."

His nostrils flared and he pulled me close. 

"I've missed you," he said roughly, his hands sliding down my body. "God, Arya, I've missed you so much."

"Is the bedroom ready?" I asked, my voice breathless.
He smirked. "Yes."

He swept me up into his arms, and I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carried me toward the stairs.

"I love you," I whispered against his neck.

"I'm madly in love with you," he responded, his voice fierce. 

I smiled and kissed him again, and he took the stairs two at a time, both of us laughing like teenagers.

The bedroom was beautiful with windows overlooking the garden.

But I barely noticed. All I could see was Giovanni, looking at me like I was his entire world.

And as he laid me gently on the bed, I knew that this was my happy ending.