Once, Melina might have wondered what they thought about her. About the woman that Mac was daring to introduce into their world. But today, it didn’t matter. The only thing that mattered was the man standing at the altar next to the priest with his gaze fixed squarely on her. In her belly, butterflies fluttered and she tried to quell the sudden rapid beating of her heart. And then she suddenly felt cold.
Her gaze turned to the right and then she saw him. Smirking, with arms folded, James Maccari Sr. stared at her the way a man looked at something he wanted to consume. What was the man even doing here? She knew Mac hadn’t invited his father. He couldn’t stand the man, but yet here he was in the flesh, acting as if he belonged. Melina narrowed her eyes before she returned her attention to the only man in the room that truly mattered.
Mac.
Wearing a fitted black tux, his hands were clasped together in front of him and she saw something in his eyes she thought she’d never see.
Anxiety.
He was just as nervous about today as she was.
Though he couldn’t see her well behind the veil, she offered him an encouraging smile.
A few more steps brought her up to the raised altar where Mac, the priest and the others in their party stood. Melina handed her bouquet to Victoria as Mac stepped forward and reached for her hand. The second they touched, that familiar warmth spread through her body. With only the priest separating them, Melina watched as Mac’s mouth tugged into a sly grin as he looked at her from head to toe. When he reached forward to touch her veil, the priest swatted his hand away like an errant child.
Melina stifled a laugh as Mac’s gaze narrowed on the one man separating him from what he wanted most.
Her.
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. Today James and Melina are taking the next step in this journey called life and they are taking it together. Love is the ultimate commitment because it challenges us to give the very best of ourselves and be all that God intended for us to be. Let us have a moment of prayer for this couple.”
Melina and Mac got to their knees at the altar and allowed the priest to pray over them. Melina barely heard a word of what the man said. Her eyes were on Mac.
Then he winked at her and she melted inside.
A few minutes later, the prayer was over and the priest motioned for Mac’s best man, Bobby Dinazio, to step forward. He handed Mac the ring and then re-took his place.
“Take your bride’s hand,” the priest instructed.
Mac took Melina’s hand in his, every fiber of his being focused on her.
“Repeat after me.”
The priest’s instructions were lost to her as Mac said his vows.
“I, Mac, take you, Melina, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love, cherish and honor you all the days of my life.”
And then he slipped the diamond-studded infinity band onto her ring finger. It was a perfect match to the engagement ring he’d given her months ago. The man really had thought of everything.
“Melina,” the priest said making a motion.
Victoria stepped forward and offered Melina the band she’d picked out for Mac. She held his hand tight as she prepared to say her own vows.
“I, Melina, take you, Mac, to be my lawfully wedded husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I promise to love, cherish and honor you all the days of my life.”
Melina slid the thick silver band on Mac’s finger. Tears blurred behind her eyes, so she closed them, lest they fall and ruin Victoria’s makeup job.
“What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. If there be any that have reason that James and Melina should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”
Melina didn’t look at the crowd, but Mac did briefly. A glare daring anyone to risk their life by ruining his wedding. A minute or two passed by but only silence remained.
“Then if that be all, by the powers invested in me, I pronounce you man and wife. James, you may kiss your bride.”
Mac wasted no time lifting the veil away. He smirked when he saw her and Melina couldn’t help the tears that fell. Cradling her face gently in his hands, Mac kissed her. The crowd erupted inside the sanctuary, but all Melina could feel was the sweetness of Mac’s kiss.
It was a promise of forever.
When he finally pulled away, her tears came even harder.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mr. and Mrs. James Maccari Jr.,” the priest said.
Mac frowned and opened his mouth to say something, but Melina pressed a finger to his lips.
“I don’t care if your name is James, Mac or the man on the moon, I love you.”
“And I love you.”
And then Melina wrapped her arms around Mac and kissed him with every last ounce of love she had in her heart.
“Why do you keep glancing at me when you think I’m not looking?”
Melina took a sip of her champagne before she spoke, suddenly shy and having a hard time meeting Mac’s eyes.
“Doll,” Mac said softly.
“Part of me still can’t believe that you’re really my husband. It seems surreal.”
Mac grinned, an easy relaxed smile. “Get used to it, Mrs. Maccari. You’re stuck with me now.”