The Lost Mafia Principessa

the wedding

I sit by the window of the villa we rented in town not far from where I am to be married tomorrow. I watch as Sicily softly descends into night time. I can hear my fathers laughing with each other downstairs. They get along way to well. My mother honestly thought Giuseppe would harm Daniel when they met but it's been the opposite. They have fished every morning together for the last two weeks. They come back with fish and sun kissed skin smiling
and laughing.

I appear ready for bed. I have a white silk nightgown on. A white lace robe hangs loosely around my shoulders. I brush my dark hair as I watch the street lights turn on. Silence slowly seeps through the city and then I hear them. Drunken laughter and random sounds of instruments come from around the corner. I notice four men leading the crowd as they walk down the street laughing and singing. I hear the beginning of an Italian love song and I hear my mother call out. "They're coming."

"Yes mama I can hear them." I laugh as they stumble down the street and finally come to a stop as they continue through the song. Raphael, Giovanni, Lorenzo, and Leonardo smile up at me. My brothers hold their hearts as they sing obnoxiously up to me and Raphael just sings with a smirk up to me. I laugh and raise my eyes.

Honestly I was looking forward to this more than the wedding. Our mother's ran through the events before the wedding and what I didn't realize was there were so many Sicilian wedding traditions. One of which is La Serenata, where the groom and his groomsmen and family come and serenade the blushing bride the night before the wedding.

So far it's quite entertaining.

Another song begins and it's one I recognize. I feel a pang of sorrow a little as I realize I would've grown up knowing these songs and traditions if my mother hadn't ran with me. They begin singing L-O-V-E from Nat King Cole. Raphael beckons me to come down and I can't help but laugh and shake my head. He gets on his knees and begs while singing and I can't handle the hilarity anymore. I get up and make my way downstairs. My fathers laugh as I go to the door and my family follows me out. Raphael takes my hand and kisses it and begins dancing with me as a singer takes over and begins singing in the streets for Palermo.

"This is ridiculous." I laugh into Raphael's neck as I notice neighbors coming out and joining the celebration.

"It's tradition my love. Wait there's more food." He chuckles.

I groan. "I can't handle anymore food. I have a dress to fit into."

He chuckles. "Just a bite or two. Can't have my bride snubbing my family's cooking. There's fruit and wine. You'll be fine."

I laugh as he spins me round and round and the crowd cheers.

The celebrations continue as Raphael and I sneak back into the Villa and back up to my room. He closes the windows and shutters them up and suddenly the sounds of the party are blocked.

"Sleep amore mio." He says as he kisses my head. "Tomorrow we are to be married."

I squeeze his hand and kiss his cheek. "Tomorrow." I say as he walks out.

"Tomorrow amore."

___________

"You look beautiful." I hear Miguel growl from the closed door.

I turn to him with a flushed smile. "Thank you."

"Last time to run mi amor. You sure you want to marry him?" He asks me with a crooked smile.

I laugh. "I'm very sure Miguel but thanks for asking."

I start towards the door and I find my Dads waiting outside.

Giuseppe speaks up first. "Bella." He smiles proudly at me.

Daniel smiles at me. "You look so beautiful and you're so grown up." I see tears start in his eyes. "My baby girl."