This is love

FIFTEEN

Jason's point of view:

"Not if I see you first."

I smiled wide as her photo disappeared from the screen, a sudden overwhelming swell in my chest making it hard to grab a true breath. 

It was my wedding day. 

After our second night in Italy, with the final drips and drabs of our guests arriving with suitcases and smiles, we ordered an unhealthy amount of food from the pizzeria on the corner and drank the whiskey from the imported alcohol selection, surrounding ourselves with nothing but happiness and positivity the night before the rest of our lives. 

Frankie and I shared the armchair, my whispers into her ear and soft kisses on her neck making her giggle into the glass of wine and the odd time turning to peck me over her shoulder. It made me more excited for today, more excited for tomorrow too. 

"Good morning groom-to-be!" Georgia grins as I reach the bottom of the stairs, and it's the midst of the wild preparations for the perfect day. 

There was florist unloading, caterers arriving, tables and chairs being held above heads. A hectic moment that was surely going to turn out fine, even though if everything went wrong, I couldn't have cared. As long as our names were signed upon the dotted line on the marriage certificate, everything else didn't matter. 

"You're being summoned upstairs. The boys are waiting."

I smiled. "Thanks George. Will you see Frankie before she gets her?" 

She nestles a fresh muslin cloth beneath Knox's chin to catch the stream of milk that leaked from the corner of his mouth. "Probably not. She doesn't want any of us seeing her dress aside from Flo. I think Frank is heading down soon though, he said he had a gift for her."

"Okay, thank you." 

She nudges her shoulder against mine. "Happy wedding day." 

Chuckling to myself, I stand back and allow her to creep upstairs again. I take a glance again at the dozens of bodies weaving in and out of the villa before backing upstairs and leaving Lena, the wedding professional we hired back in New York, to bark her orders. 

The villa we rented was an eleven room empire with beautiful views of the harbour and even more breathtaking views of the grounds that surrounded it. That's what sucked us in. The acres of vineyards that stretched to a blur. It was beautiful and seeing how Frankie's eyes watered and how wide her smile stretched, I was a goner. If this was what she wanted, this is what she would get. 

"Hey! There's the man of the moment!" Grins Paul as I tap my knuckles against the open door frame of his room. He sat on the bench by the window, buffing over his shiny shoes. "How's the nerves holding up?" 

"Well." I chuckled. "Is Frank about? I need to give him something."

"It's not an apology letter before you run-off, is it?" David jokes as he enters behind me. He slaps a hand on my shoulder. "I dare say he would still be able to catch you, in a wheelchair or not."

"You bet I can." We hear Frank say as he too enters Paul's room. Thank god for spacious holiday homes. "What's wrong?" 

"Nothing, he's being an ass." I mutter, elbowing David's side. "Georgia said you'll be seeing Frankie before she gets here."

He hums. "I'm heading down to her soon, I've got something I'd like to give her. You know, before her surprise later."

"What surprise?" 

"Nothing." We unison quickly. Their eyebrows flicker suspiciously but don't press.

"Could you give her something for me? I would take it down myself but I'm sure if Flo spotted me even walking in that direction she would send off cannons to blow me back up here again."