By Virtue I Fall (Sins of the Fathers #3)(103)

It was out of the ordinary and would certainly cause a bit of a stir. But I wanted to make a statement. As I’d told Santino once, I didn’t want to follow a trend. I wanted to create one.





When I met Dad in front of the double doors of the church, his expression was tender. “Today you look like the Anna I love the most.”

Tears sprang into my eyes. “Dad, don’t make me cry!”

I squeezed his arm hard and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. “I love you too, and today I feel like the Anna I like the most. I feel like myself.”

“Then it’s worth it.”

I gave him a grateful smile. His support meant a lot to me. I wanted to please Dad. He was a role model for me and his continued support even after I didn’t go through with the wedding to Clifford had only elevated my love and admiration for him.

“Ready?” he asked quietly.

“Today, I am.”

The doors swung open and Dad and I stepped into the nave.

My eyes zeroed in on Santino and nothing else mattered anymore. All other sounds around me faded to the background. My heartbeat pounded in my ears and I had to stifle a wide grin, but my smile was definitely wider than I usually allowed it to be in public.

Santino looked marvelous in a slim-fit blue linen suit with a white dress shirt and a white calla lily in his breast pocket. He wasn’t wearing a tie or bowtie. I’d asked him not to because I knew he hated it. His eyes never left mine and everything fell into place.

When I arrived at Santino’s side, he pressed a short kiss against my lips, breaking protocol—another reason why I loved him.

I didn’t care if others approved of our love or how we displayed it.

We linked hands as we faced the priest. It was another priest. I didn’t want any part of my almost wedding with Clifford to spoil this day.

This time my “I do” came without hesitation and it filled the big church with its certainty.

Santino slipped the ring of his late mother onto my finger and I could see in his face how much this meant to him. His dad had given it to him shortly after our engagement because Frederica had no need for it. I really wish I’d met Santino’s mom.

“You may kiss the bride.”

Santino cupped my cheeks and lowered his lips to mine.

I couldn’t believe we were finally allowed to be with each other, that we finally had the blessing of our families. Maybe we could have gotten it before if we’d tried. If I’d had the bravery to say no to my wedding with Clifford sooner, but maybe the long journey to be together made us appreciate each other and our bond so much more.

Hand in hand, we passed our clapping guests. Bea walked in front of us, throwing white rose petals onto the floor. Sofia and Luisa gave me a thumbs up, and even Frederica smiled brightly at me. Mom was crying, something I’d never seen in public and she quickly wiped her eyes and gave Dad an embarrassed smile. He rubbed her arm. Leonas winked at me. It would be his turn next.

Outside, dark clouds were pulling up and the occasional raindrop burst on my bare arms. “I hope it doesn’t rain, then we can’t do our reception outside.”

Santino squeezed my hand. “It doesn’t matter if it rains or storms, nothing can ruin this day.”

I bit my lip. “But we’ve planned our reception around good weather as was predicted by the forecast. We need sunshine.”

“Nah. Forever with you is all I need,” he murmured before his lips found mine again and I closed my eyes.

Soft rain drizzled down on us but I smiled against his lips. “Forever.”





THE END