Ticket to Verona

twenty eight

~Aria 

I brushed my hands down the ivory satin that coated my body. In only a few hours, I would be Mrs Romano. 

Mrs Romano.

I never thought I would get married to be honest, but I am so excited. 

"You look gorgeous, Aria!" 

I turned to see all of the girls looking at me with joy in their eyes. 

I looked back at the mirror, admiring the beautiful dress. It's a ballgown type of dress, with small vines stitched across the skirt. The sleeves are long and off the shoulder which I love. My hair has been done up in an elegant hairdo which I honestly cannot describe and my makeup is minimal, courtesy of Bria. 

It's been a little over six months since we got engaged and we decided that we wanted a winter wedding. We set our date as November 8th, which is the day we first met in the airport. 

"I can't believe this is happening!" Bria squealed. 

I laughed as I pulled all of the girls into a hug. I asked Bria to be my maid of honour, and Astrid and Genevieve as my bridesmaids. They were all dressed in sage green dresses and they all looked gorgeous. Atrid and Gen had the same dress, but Bria's was slightly different because she was the maid of honour. 

A knock at the door stopped my nerves in their tracks as Leo's mother walked in. 

"You look stunning my dear, I still don't know how my son managed to get a woman as beautiful and wonderful as you."

"Thank you, Fiametta. Thank you for accepting me into your family, and thank you, for being a mother for me as well."

"Aria, you are the purest soul I have ever met and it is the greatest honour of mine to be your mother in law. I wish you only happiness my darling." She pulled me into a hug, both of us having unshed tears in our eyes. 

Another knock at the door sounded and Bria went to check who it is. 

"Its Theodore, we should all get going, we'll meet you there, Aria." 

One by one, they all gave me a hug and walked out, leaving me on my own in the bedroom I was getting ready in. 

"Wow." 

I turned around to see my big brother, tears glistening in his eyes and a small smile on his gace.

I had asked Theodore to walk me down the aisle, it didn't feel right to ask anyone else, and I knew that Enzo was Leo's best man so I couldn't have asked him even if I wanted to.

"How do I look?" 

"You look gorgeous, muffin. You look- you look just like Mum." 

A small sob escaped my lips at his words and he swept me up in one of his signature bear hugs. 

"I miss them, Theo." I whimpered. 

"I know, I know, Aria. But they're here, okay? They are right here above us, watching over us on this wonderful day. I know Mum is crying with happiness that her little girl is marrying the love of her life, and that Dad is probably still muttering under his breath that no man, even Leo isn't good enough for his little girl." we both chuckled. Dad is definitely doing that.

"They're going to be with us as I walk you down the aisle. They're both going to be here every step of the way throughout your life, protecting you. Even if they're not here physically, they are still here in our memories. They loved you so much, Aria, and I am so sorry that I couldn't protect you and them from everything that happened."