Claire could hardly believe it. She'd been content in gaining Luca's large, loud family as her own, but to have her mother close again made tears start to pool in her eyes. She looked up and breathed through her nose. If she messed up her eye makeup, Carla would get onto her.
"I hate to break up the family reunion ," Daisy said, "but it's time to get this wedding going."
The Moretti sisters scrambled to gather their things and slip out of the room. Daisy was carrying Eva down the aisle, so she took her from her grandmother's arms. "Follow me and I'll have the ushers seat you."
Then, just as quickly, Claire found herself alone. She gave herself one quick glance in the mirror and picked up her bouquet. Her stomach was fluttering, but for the first time in weeks, it was just nerves, not nausea. She took a deep breath and the anxiety faded. There was no reason to be worried about this wedding. She'd never been more sure of anything in her life as she was about marrying Luca.
Glancing out the window, she saw all the parents seated and Daisy followed. It was time to go.
Stepping carefully downstairs, she stopped at the deck to await her music. There, she could see several rows of white chairs lining the sandy path to the archway, filled with faces of friends and family, eager and happy to witness this moment. Beneath the archway of white flowers stood the officiant, Daisy, Eva and Luca.
His gaze was glued to her as she came outside. For once, it was his jaw that dropped open with amazement and his eyes that shone glassy with tears. He was wearing a white linen suit without a tie, keeping the look casual. Even then, he was still the most handsome man she'd ever seen in person. It was hard to believe this man-the father of her children-was about to be her husband. It was more than she ever could've hoped for.
The music started and everyone stood and turned to look in her direction. Claire stepped barefooted into the soft golden sand and headed down the path to her happily-ever-after.