Chapter 14 - THE WEDDING THEY WERE DENIED
They married in June.
Not in a grand cathedral.
Not in a ballroom filled with powerful men.
But in a small garden overlooking the water.
Griffin stood beside her mother.
She wore a pale blue dress.
Roman wore ivory.
Salvatore waited beneath an arch of white roses.
When Roman walked toward him, he began crying.
Griffin smiled through tears.
She had never seen him cry in public.
Not once.
But now he didn't seem to care.
The ceremony was simple.
Honest.
Full of promises they understood better than they had twenty-three years earlier.
When Salvatore slipped the ring onto Roman's finger, his hands trembled.
She smiled.
“Still nervous?”
He laughed softly.
“Terrified.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Good.”
The guests laughed.
Then the officiant pronounced them husband and wife.
Salvatore kissed her.
Griffin applauded.
And for the first time in her life, she watched her parents stand together without fear.
Later, Salvatore approached Griffin.
She smiled.
“Congratulations, Dad.”
He stopped.
Then smiled.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
She hugged him.
And whispered, “I'm glad you found us.”
May you like
Salvatore closed his eyes.
“So am I.”
