See you in the Aisle!

Chapter 14

In hallowed halls where soft vows drift, final moments play,

There's silence, heavy as dusk, whispers of our yesterday.

In love's brief pause, the future seems to sway,

Will hearts endure this fleeting part? Time's tide will show the way.

The day before my flight to Japan was a bittersweet one. Matteo and I decided to spend the afternoon at the church, a place where I always found comfort. Matteo, on the other hand, seemed unusually quiet. His eyes, which were always full of life, now looked clouded with sadness. It was as if he was holding back tears, trying to be strong, trying to be casual. I noticed it, but I didn't say anything. I wanted to enjoy our last day together without the weight of an impending goodbye.

When we arrived at the church, we were surprised to find that a wedding was taking place. The air was filled with the soft hum of a choir and the gentle rustling of people dressed in their finest clothes. Despite the crowd, we quietly slipped inside and found a seat at the back. I couldn't help but smile as I watched the bride and groom exchange vows, the happiness in the room was contagious.

As the ceremony went on, I could feel Matteo's gaze on me. He wasn't watching the wedding; he was watching me. After a while, he leaned closer and whispered, "We first met at a wedding, you know."

I turned to him, surprised. "Oh my God, you're right," I said, my eyes widening as the memory came flooding back. It was at a wedding, two years ago. I was a bridesmaid, and he was the best man. We barely knew each other then, just exchanged a few polite words. Who would have thought that we'd end up here?

"I never thought that day would lead to this," Matteo continued, his voice low but full of emotion. "I've always believed in fate, but meeting you made me believe in miracles too."

I smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "I don't know if I'd call it a miracle, but it was definitely something special."

As we continued to watch the ceremony, our conversation drifted to the future. I could see the worry in Matteo's eyes, the uncertainty of what was to come. "I'll be back, Matteo," I assured him, taking his hand in mine. "This isn't goodbye forever. I need to do this for my family, for myself. But once I've accomplished what I need to, I'll come back, and we can start building our future together."

He nodded, but the sadness didn't leave his eyes. "I know, Aria. I know you have to go, and I want to support you. It's just... I'm scared. Scared that things might change, that you might change."

"I won't," I said firmly. "Matteo, you're a part of my dreams too. After I've done what I need to do, we'll work on our dreams together. I promise."

He sighed, pulling me closer. "I believe you, Babe. I do. It's just hard, you know?"

"I know," I whispered back, resting my head on his shoulder as we continued to watch the wedding. We stayed like that, savoring the moment, trying to imprint it in our memories.

After the ceremony, we headed to Matteo's parents' house for dinner. They wanted to have one last meal with me before I left. The meal was a lively affair, filled with laughter and the warmth of family. Matteo's parents, Tita Grace and Tito Ellis, were as welcoming as always. His Aunt Celia and Uncle Romie were there too, along with their adorable five-year-old daughter, Kelsey. Matteo's cousin, Chase, who was the same age as him, couldn't make it due to work, but I hadn't met him yet, so it was fine.

During dinner, the family showered me with advice and reminders. Tita Grace was the first to speak, her tone gentle but firm. "Bebe, always remember to take care of yourself first. You can't pour from an empty cup. And don't forget to call us often, okay? We're just one call away."