Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad
Chapter 295

A huge cheer goes up when Janeen and I step out of the house onto the back patio, and I burst out laughing because I wasn't expecting it. Dominic, surprised, gives a little cry and the crowd instantly bursts into a sorry little aww, which makes us all laugh again. It's all a fuss after that, and I don't really see what's going on as I comfort Dominic, rocking him until he returns to his state of quiet alertness. He looks around at everything a little displeased, but no longer protesting. When I look up, I'm surprised to see Daniel standing calmly at my side, looking very handsome in his black tux. Jerome stands next to him, Titus in his arms, Gio is beyond him, smiling at me warmly. "Where's Kent?" I say, frowning as I look around.

"At the chapel," Gio says, lifting his chin towards the land that stretches out behind the house. I look in that direction too, but...l don't see any chapel. "He is there alone for a moment, saying a prayer and making his peace with God so that he can go into his wedding with a clear heart."

"Oh," I say, a little taken-aback that it's gotten so religious."

Dol...not need a clear heart?"

Gio just smiles at me, warm. "You already have the purest heart, Fay," he murmurs, a flattering compliment that I don't really take time to think over deeply considering...

Well, considering that I'm about to commit bigamy.

"Come on!" Janeen says, grabbing two glasses of champagne off of a passing tray and offering one to me.

Let's get this party started!"

I take the glass, but don't drink much as - a little baffled - I start to walk forward at the end of a long line of people. I jump a little when a band starts to play old, traditional Italian music and, to my shock, starts to walk along with us.

"What...what's this!?" I ask, taking little steps forward as the family surges around me, chattering happily as we all walk together. Jerome puts Titus down and he scampers along the line of people, receiving pets and barking happily at the band. "The wedding procession," Daniel says, wrapping an arm around my waist. "It's a bigger deal in Italy than elsewhere.

In America, you just walk down the aisle. Here?" he shrugs.

"You walk all the way to the church, and you let the whole damn town know about it."

I laugh, and shrug, and take a sip of my champagne, smiling as my dad comes into sight and walks over to us.

"Ready, baby?" he asks, offering his arm. And I nod, and take it.

And so with Daniel on my right, and my dad on my left, and Janeen dancing before us with her glass of champagne held high over her head, I start to cross the Bianci lands towards my wedding. And the smile on my face grows and grows with every step. Jerome walks with Daniel, and Gio eventually joins Janeen, lightly taking her hand and spinning her, singing along to the music as we all slowly move forward. I laugh for the joy of it, because it really is beautiful. As the trail grows darker I realize that someone has taken the time to lay hundreds of candles out along the path so that we can all see the route, and each other, as the sun dips below the horizon.

Kent's family all takes a moment to drift backwards in the line, to whisper their blessings and best wishes to me, pressing kisses to my cheek and taking a moment to run a hand over the baby's head. My dad nods proudly to them all and Daniel leans close, murmuring their words to me for those who only speak Italian.

By the end of the path, I'm so overwhelmed with the beauty and love of this place that I'm nearly breathless with it.

Only one thing is missing, and my heart surges as the chapel finally comes into view, because I know that Kent is inside waiting for me. And i can't wait to see him.

The whole family streams into the tiny chapel before us, and as they do I note that the last people to go in - before my family, of course, who will make up my wedding party - are Nonna and Don Bianci, who stand before the doors of the chapel.

Nonna comes forward first, her eyes filled with tears as she presses kisses to both of my cheeks and murmurs to me that I am beautiful, and her daughter, and a joy to see. Or, at least, that's what Daniel interprets for to me. I kiss her back and hug her close before she steps aside, clearing space for Don Bianci.

He, I have less trouble understanding. I go a bit rigid as he steps towards me, not knowing what to expect. Dominic fusses a little, perhaps sensing my disease.

The most powerful man in Italy just clicks his tongue, waving a hand in front of he as he shakes his head. "Do not worry, beautiful Fay," he murmurs, giving me a small smile - perhaps the most approving look he ever gives to anyone. "The trouble between us - it has been laid aside forever. Today I welcome you as my daughter. You are a blessing to us."

He steps forward then, giving me a kiss on both of my cheeks before he peers at Dominic, murmurs his name, and presses a kiss to the child's forehead as well.

Then Don Bianci shakes my father's hand - I'm pleased to see that my dad puffs out his chest a bit and looks Bianci square in the eye - before nodding to all of us and taking Nonna's arm. Dad exhales a long breath as the Mafia don leads his tiny wife into the church.

"You ready, baby?" my dad murmurs to me.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I say back, though I'll admit that I'm nervous. I mean, not nervous about anything real just...

I don't know. Maybe this is how all brides feel on the day they marry the love of their-life.

Jerome, Daniel, and Gio each give me a kiss on the cheek before they head in, Daniel saying that they'll stand with Kent at the altar, though Jerome whispers an amendment to this, saying hell stand on my side since he's always been Team Fay anyway.

I laugh, squeezing his hand as he goes. And then Janeen comes forward to me, offering me a huge bouquet of wildflowers in all different colors.

"I'll take Dominic," she offers giving me a little smile.

"Oh!" I say, looking down at him and biting my lip.

"What?" she asks, turning her head to the side.

"Well," I say, glancing up at her. "Actually, why don't you carry the bouquet? I'll take the baby."

"Fay," she says, laughing a little, "you're the bride."

"Yeah, and he's way cuter than any bundle of flowers," I sigh, lifting my baby up higher so I can see his cute, scrunchy little face.

"Plus, it feels.right."

"You're a good mama, Fay," my dad murmurs, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "Now come on, let's get you married."

I smile at him and, with a quick nod, my dad and my sister walk me towards the church.

Janeen gives me a kiss on the cheek as well as a quick smile before she passes through the doors, a swell of music signaling that the ceremony is getting started ando the bride is about to arrive. I peer through the door, watching Janeen move down the aisle as everyone stands up, getting ready for me.

"Baby," my dad says, and I turn in surprise to hear his voice wavering.

"Dad," I murmur, reaching out and cupping his cheek. "Is everything..."

"Everything is fine, baby," he murmurs, taking my hand from his face and holding it tight in his own. "I just... wanted to say..."

My eyes fill with tears again and I know immediately that I'm a goner - that theres no way I'm getting through this night with dry eyes, let alone whatever my dad is going to say next.

Dad takes a deep breath, steeling himself. "I wanted to say," he continues, setting his shoulders straight, "that being your dad has been the greatest honor of my life."

The tears start to slide down my cheeks and my dad laughs, reaching out to softly wipe them away.

"Now don't fuss, baby," he murmurs, laughing at me a little, which makes me laugh too. "I just wanted you to know that 1am so glad that I've had the chance to be your dad

Watching you grow to the woman you are," he shakes his head, pride radiating from every inch of him. "Well, Fay..it's just been a joy. I'm so grateful for you, that you're my little girl."

I tuck my head against his shoulder, smiling and crying and laughing a little - because I love him so much, but hes turning me into a damn sobbing mess by being so sweet.

"I love you, dad," I whisper to him as he holds me close. "In the great lottery of life, I'm glad I got you too."

We stay like that for a moment, sharing it, before dad pulls away a little and produces a handkerchief from his pocket.

"All right, now clean up," he murmurs, offering it to me so I can wipe the tears off my face. "Or else that big man of yours is gonna come looking for you, and while I like to pretend I could take him..we both know I can't."

I laugh again, and then I murmur a little apology to Dominic too as I wipe a few spare tears off his little head where they've splattered.

Then I set my shoulders, and nod to my dad that I'm ready.

He loops his arm in mine and, with my dad at my side and my baby in my arms, I enter the chapel and start down the aisle towards the man I love.