Who We Were Before

Chapter 22

Aella

Ever since Enzo visited me 3 months ago it's allowed me to come to terms with things, I'm in love with Caine. Just after Enzo left I felt guilty for how he looked, he looked miserable. But then he brought it on himself, lying to me for months about being a married man. I do not tolerate infidelity, I will not be with someone that's married even if the marriage is an unhappy one. With time I'll eventually forgive him for his betrayal but not anytime soon, the wound on my heart he inflicted is still fresh and needs time to heal.

Caine asked me to marry him about a month ago and I said yes. We wanted a small wedding with just friends and family only. Our wedding is today actually.
As I'm walking down the aisle I see Mom, Melanie, Luca and Papà. I asked Luca why Enzo couldn't make it and he told me that Enzo has shut everyone out not leaving his office. I hope with time he's able to move on and live his life.

Cheryl has Clementine in her arms, she's wearing a cute pink puffy dress aww she looks adorable.
Luciano is standing by Caine, he insisted that he had to be the ring bearer.
I'm escorting myself down the aisle, my dress is long and backless and my bouquet are pink chrysanthemums. As I'm walking down the aisle I think about all I've been through to get to this moment, it was rough but I wouldn't change a thing.
Standing in front of Caine, I admire his form in a tux he looks so delicious I can't wait for the wedding night.

"Dearly beloved we are gathered here today for the union of Caine Hayes and Aella Rose Brennan." The priest said. And Yes, everyone knows my real name now, which is a big relief.
"Caine Hayes, do you take this woman to be your wife, to live together in holy matrimony, to love her, to honor her, to comfort her, and to keep her in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do" Caine answered.

Tears glisten down on my cheeks.

"Aella Rose Brennan, do you take this man to be your husband, to live together in holy matrimony, to love him, to honor him, to comfort him, and to keep him in sickness and in health, forsaking all others, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do" I said.

"Repeat after me." The priest requested.

"I, Caine Hayes , take you Aella Rose Brennan, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." He repeats after the priest. Now it's my turn.

"I, Aella Rose Brennan, take you Caine Hayes, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." I finished on a choked whisper.

His eyes shine from tears, my hand clutched in his.
"The rings." That's Luciano's signal, he steps up with our rings on a pillow. I grab Caine's ring a simple gold band. I slip it on his finger, the fit perfect.
He slips my ring on my finger, a two carat oval diamond on a gold band. It's simply beautiful.
He flashes me one of his smiles at me the smile that captured my heart from the start.

"By virtue of the authority vested in me under the laws of the State of Texas , I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride." I immediately pull his lips to mine, the crowd cheering. He chuckles against my lips, god I love this man.
"Ewww yucky!" Luciano exclaimed. We break apart.
"Just wait till you get a girlfriend little man." Caine said.
"I no want girlfriend, girls yucky." Everyone around laughs at his statement.
I look around seeing everyone's smiling faces. Melanie arguing with Luca, Cheryl and Mom are talking. Papà watches with a smile on his face.
I never imagined that my life would be this full, I never thought that I'd fall in love again, with someone like Caine.
He now has Luciano in his arms and I have Clementine, our perfect little family.