The Family Business

1

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The priest said the words. This was happening, whether they liked it or not. Paolo and Paola glanced at each other with disbelief at the fact their mother said "I do," and the fact she agreed to get married after 6 months of dating a guy she met at a coffee shop. Nonetheless, they stood at the side of the alter with forced smiles and clapped with the rest of the congregation on this glorious occasion.

"Ladies and gentlemen I give you Mr. And Mrs. Iavno Bianchi."

Paolo and Paola watched as their mother and Iavno walked down the asile as man and wife, and as the rest of the congregation congratulated and followed them out the door. They stood there side by side in annoyance, and watched as everyone piled out the church.

"We are  the worst Maid of Honor and Best Man Paolo." Paola sighed and looked over to her brother to see if he felt the same.

"Yeah, we are. How long do you think before they notice we're not there?"

"Knowing Mom, I'd say ten minutes tops."

The D'Amore twins laughed as the slowly made their way to the church doors. Neither of them expected their mother to get married so soon, but as always; she surprised them.

"You think we'll like it in Rome?" Paolo asked looking to his sister for some sort of comfort, or maybe even some reassurance. He watched her pace slow even more and notice her stare blankly ahead.

"Honestly, I don't know. I hope so, or we'll be the only two miserable people in one of the worlds most beautiful cities." She gave her brother a small smile. However, Paola smile didn't mask the pain she was feeling. The pain of having to leave everyone she knew and loved in Long Island: behind.

Paolo wrapped his arm around his sisters shoulder and gave her a small hug. He knew what she was feeling, he's been feeling it to.

"Maybe we can convince Mom into letting us stay with Aunt Dee again. She'll probably be up for it now since she's all lovie dovie and a newlywed."

"Ha, that would be nice Paolo but Mom was very clear that ALL of us were moving to Rome with Iavno and into his villa." Paola hated to say it, but it was the truth. She just wished her mother included her and Paolo in the conversation with Iavno before they decided for them.

As they reached the doors of the church, the twins noticed their car waiting for them outside the gates. Everyone else had already left for the reception, including the limo with the bride and groom.

"So much for mom noticing us not there," Paola thought to herself. She felt hurt that her mother would just leave without her children, but realized that it was her wedding day and she had over three-thousand guests to think about. With a small annoyed sigh, she straightened her back and grabbed her brothers arm.

"Come on Paolo. We should get to the reception."

As the descended down the church steps Paolo and Paola couldn't ignore the pit in their stomach. A feeling where everything was about to change, their lives completely flipped from under them. Little did they know it was happening quicker than they would like it.