The Final Vow

Chapter 2

Now feeling confident, I slowly, but anxiously made my way down the aisle. I scanned the room to find everyone staring, and smiling at me. I felt myself getting flushed from the attention. Then I spotted Leah. Her eyes were locked on me and she looked as though she were fighting the urge to cry. This is everything to her. Finally, her mom and dad are getting married. She looked delighted. Once making it down the aisle, Robbie kissed my hand lightly and placed it in Luca's. 

The wedding officiant began.

"Dearly beloved, we meet here today to witness a sacred ceremony, the union of Luca and Lana. With great reverence, we come together to celebrate the love and devotion shared by these two that stand before us." tuning out the officiant, I found myself getting lost in Luca's eyes. He smirked at me playfully, but I could tell he was just as excited as I was. After two years of running behind our crazy kids, we finally got our happily ever after. Finally, I get to say I do. I couldn't help but think back on how it all started, the day I met Luca. I knew I'd have to go back, and thank Johnny one day, if it weren't for his diner and milkshakes, I never would've met Luca. 

"Who gives this bride today?" The officiant grabbed my attention again. "I do." Robbie's lip quivered as he fought his emotions. I looked back at Luca who had one brow raised at Robbie while holding back laughter. A giggle escaped me at the sight of it. 

"If anyone has cause to object to the forming of this union, speak now or forever hold your peace." I held Luca's hands tighter knowing we were close to the end. 

"I object!"

My heart stopped at the sound of a familiar voice. Horror filled me, as I turned to see her walking down my aisle. She wore, a long black silk dress, with a small slit down the middle revealing her legs as she strut down the aisle as if it were a catwalk. I was in shock. I never thought I'd see her again. Why? How? The questions raced in my mind. Robbie quickly stood in front of Delilah unsure what dangers our uninvited guest brings, ready to protect his wife and unborn child.

"Alexa?" Luca tilted his head in confusion. An annoying laugh escaped Alexa, she was thrilled with our reactions. "I've always wanted to say that at a wedding." She smiled innocently at Luca. Her eyes quickly met mine and the smile quickly faded into a light grin. "Just so you know princess, I did tell you, you'd regret it." 

Luca took a step forward so he was ahead of me, ready to protect me as usual. "Get the girls." Once the words escaped Alexa's mouth, windows shattered all around us, and men ran in with guns. Alexa rolled her eyes at me and turned away exiting the building. 

"My children are top priority!" Luca shouted as loudly as he could. All of his men ran towards our children ready to defend them. Luca wrapped an arm around my waist and began to lead me towards the girls when the sound of a gunshot caused me to freeze up. It's been two years, two years since I've felt my or my children's lives were in danger, now that it was happening again, I was terrified and unable to process it. "Lana! Move!" Luca held my cheeks in his hands forcing me to look at him. "I've got you, I won't let anything happen to you or our girls, but I need you to move, okay?" I hurried to nod in agreement, understanding what I needed to do. He quickly pulled me towards the girls, while barking orders to his men. "Clear a path, and get my family home!" He shouted once I scooped up the twins, and grabbed Leah's hand. We waited a few moments while shots were still being fired all around us.

 "We can get them out! We need to move now!" Thomas called out to us. 

"Lana, I need you and Kate to get the girls out, take Robbie and Delilah with you! Everyone else with me!" Now the familiar adrenaline was kicking in, I checked to make sure Kate was behind me, along with Robbie and Delilah, before moving towards the door. Only, Leah was refusing to move. I turned around to see that she wasn't all that scared, she looked more curious and in shock. "Leah, baby we need to go." I tried to pull her forward. 

"What about Daddy?" She mumbled while looking around.

"He's going to be fine we have to go." I pulled at her arm again, struggling to hold Riley and Olivia. "No! I don't want to leave Daddy! We can't leave him!" She started to panic and fight to get away from me. I held on as tightly as I could, not wanting to be separated from her. Her tantrum quickly grabbed Luca's attention. He quickly ran to her side trying to help. "I'll be okay, I promise. I need you to go home with Momma, do you understand?" Leah wrapped her arms around him tightly, not wanting to let go. "Leah now!" I shouted out of frustration. Luca quickly scooped up Leah, and passed her to Tyler. "Get her home, now." Tyler nodded his head, and headed towards the exit. "No! Daddy!" Leah started kicking and screaming. Tyler held onto her tightly, and we all ran to the SUV waiting outside for us. 

Once in the suv, Robbie had to hold down Leah. She continued fighting and screaming. I've never seen her like this. My heart shattered, as I watched her face burning red with frustration and pouring down with tears. Kate quickly took Leah from Robbie and tried to calm her. 

"Leah, look at me. You need to breath, and listen to me. Daddy is going to be fine. The sooner we get home, the sooner he can come home too. He's coming right behind us." I watched as she showed Leah how to calm herself. They inhaled and exhaled together, while Kate rubbed her back softly. I looked down at the twins who stared blankly at Leah trying to understand her outburst. Things were perfect, we were finally getting married, and we haven't had to worry in two years. Why now? What does Alexa want? and how did she manage to do all of this? 

"Are you okay?" Carla put her hand on mine. I hadn't realized she was in the suv with us. I looked at her unsure how to answer that. I was confused. I thought Antonio was the only danger I'd ever have to worry about. Is this how the rest of my life with be? Perfect one moment and then the next fighting for my life?