A Year at 32 September Way (28 page)

“Then it’s a done deal!” exclaimed Sofia excitedly as she clapped her hands together. “We’ve found the perfect bridesmaid dresses!”

The three friends laughed some more, floating with the excitement. A short, motherly-type woman scurried into the dressing room and spoke quickly to Sofia in rapid-fire Italian. She turned to help Eva and Carlisle step out of their dresses and then scurried away with armloads of peach satin to box up for the trip home.

Sofia and Charles’ wedding was drawing closer, with only two weeks to go until the big day. The happy couple had shared the preparations and felt fortunate to have good friends and family to help them. On this late Friday afternoon, the couple and their friends had parted ways to take care of different tasks. Sofia, Eva and Carlisle were making the final selection for wedding flowers and bridesmaid dresses.

Charles had been brave enough to embark on securing the seating for the outdoor wedding, along with making sure there would be ample linens for the tables and chairs. “I know nothing about linens, I must warn you,” he’d informed his wife-to-be. But she’d written down what they needed and assured him that he’d get the right thing. Once he accomplished his mission, the groom-to-be was meeting Marcello and Josh at the shop for final fittings on their rented tuxedoes.

As a congratulations for making it through the whirlwind preparations and to thank friends and family for their support, Charles and Sofia had arranged a lovely dinner at a restaurant not far from 32 September Way. The small group would dine on the terrace at sunset and enjoy pasta, fish, salad and crusty Italian bread dipped in olive oil, while sipping wine from the vineyard in
Bardolino
that was now partially owned by the
Benedettos
. A few blocks away, big-band musicians played. The notes drifted through the air, over the rooftops to the terrace, adding to the atmosphere of romance and anticipation.

In two weeks, the people gathered around the table would play out a similar scene as they all celebrated the wedding. Charles and Sofia held hands beneath the table and looked around at the wonderful people surrounding them. They’d been truly blessed this year to find each other and to gain the love and support of so many. It had been a wonderful year, and the future looked even brighter.

Marcello raised his glass to toast his daughter and her future husband. He looked around the table at the people gathered there. Nearly one year earlier, four of them had just arrived.
One as his mistress, and the other three as tenants.
Now, eleven and a half months later, the mistress was his live-in girlfriend, one of the tenants was soon to become his son-in-law and the other two were good friends.

The year had seen many changes, and they had all changed, too. Marcello found hope for his future by noting the challenges each one of his friends had overcome. There was Josh, who’d gone through the pain of deceit and betrayal only to decide that he owed it to himself to be courageous enough to pursue the path that provided him with the only happiness he’d experienced that year. Then there was Carlisle, who’d arrived full of wanderlust and adventurism. In the midst of her explorations she’d endured one of the most harrowing trips of all, ultimately finding the courage she needed to venture into her past and slowly let go of its pain.

Charles, soon to be his son-in-law, had arrived like a ship off its course, increasingly disoriented with every turn. But he’d been gifted with the most wonderful compass of all: Sofia. From her, he learned that he had the strength to navigate in whichever direction he chose.

Then there was Eva—Marcello’s sweet rose—who’d arrived with a head full of dreams and a heart full of hope. He had never deserved her, yet when he needed someone to help him, guide him and be his strength, she’d been there despite all his failings. And, in the process, she’d taught him not to take for granted the people and things that were most important in life. Because of her love, he’d changed, too; he’d changed to become the man she deserved.

Everyone raised their glasses in response to Marcello’s toast to the future bride and groom. The sky above them was dark, and the stars twinkled brightly, adding to the magic of the moment. Marcello reached over and squeezed Eva’s hand. She squeezed back, looked at him with a knowing smile, and then resumed laughing and talking with Sofia. Sitting back in his chair, Marcello drank in the scene, wishing he could make time stand still.

Chapter 22

“I’m not saying this co
uldn’t be a sign of progress, Sig
nor Benedetto,” explained Marcello’s doctor. “Rather, I’m suggesting we approach it with cautious excitement.”

Eva and Marcello sat in front of his doctor’s desk, discussing the intermittent tingling feelings he’d been experiencing in his legs. The week before, Eva had accompanied him to the hospital where a day’s worth of tests had been done to see what was going on. The tingles had started in his calves but, over the past couple weeks had extended down into his toes and up above his knees. After a long week of waiting for the test results, the three of them sat in the doctor’s office to go over them together.

Marcello’s doctor felt there was a possibility his patient might regain some feeling in his legs, but he was cautious about the chance that he might walk again. Eva and Marcello were understandably excited about what was happening, finding it hard to temper their feelings with caution. No one had expected him to walk again or feel anything in his legs, and now Marcello was slowly regaining feeling. Naturally, they wondered what might happen next. What possibilities might lie before them? The past several months had presented many
challenges, but there had also been some miracles. Maybe, just maybe, there might be another miracle in store for Marcello.

“What’s our next course of action?” Marcello asked his doctor, wanting to do all he could to encourage further progress.

“Continue with y
our rehabilitation as normal, Sig
nor Benedetto. Do your exercises faithfully, as you have been. Why don’t we plan to meet again before the Christmas holidays?” the doctor responded.

And so they made an appointment for the middle of December. Although they weren’t jumping for joy when they left the doctor’s office, Eva and Marcello continued to hold onto their quiet excitement. They both knew the small progress could lead to bigger and better things. There were hopes out there for Marcello, and he and Eva would continue maintaining their focus on those possibilities. With Sofia’s wedding right around the corner, it was a time of miracles and magic. Who knew what might happen?

Chapter 23

Sofia stood before the full-length mirror, tenderly smoothing the fabric of her wedding dress over her slender hips. Behind her was the buzz of a room bursting with activity as Carlisle, Eva and Sofia’s other two bridesmaids, Lucia and Theresa, scurried about. Despite the commotion, Sofia was lost in the moment. Although it was she who stood in front of the mirror, it was a younger version of her mother who stared back at her. With her long, black hair gathered up into a loose
updo
and the lace veil falling lightly on her shoulders, Sofia looked exactly as her mother had in the wedding picture that stood in the living room of her childhood home. It was a bittersweet moment; Sofia knew it was not possible for her mother to be there. Yet, a woman’s wedding day was one of the most important days for a mother and daughter to share.

“How is the bride doing?” Eva asked excitedly, bringing Sofia back to the present.

“Oh, I’m fine,” Sofia replied, brushing away a single tear that had managed to escape. “Just having a moment of nostalgia,” she explained when Eva’s face grew concerned.

“It’s your wedding day, my friend. You’re allowed to feel nostalgic!” Eva exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around Sofia and gave her a hug.

“We have to head downstairs in a few minutes,” interrupted Carlisle excitedly. She’d just been downstairs to take a quick peek in the chapel. “The church pews are full, the groom and his groomsmen are in place, and it’s nearly 3 o’clock!”

The momentary quiet ended as the women erupted into cheers. All four gathered around Sofia, clapping their hands and showering her with compliments on how beautiful she looked in her wedding dress. The lace-covered, ivory fabric gently hugged her figure until the dress gradually flared out around her thighs in gentle folds of satin. Her beautiful, olive-toned skin
glowed where the modest scoop neckline and fluttery cap sleeves revealed it. Everyone was aware of the dress’s history and knew how special it was for Sofia to wear her mother’s wedding gown, but it truly looked as if it had been made for her.

“Let’s get your veil in place,” suggested Eva quietly as she deftly lifted the veil over her friend’s head and allowed it to fall gently over her face.

Sofia grasped Eva’s and Carlisle’s hands and motioned for Lucia and Theresa to gather close to her. “Thank you all for your love and support. I’m missing my mother today, but it’s so special to have you here with me. I can’t think of better friends to be with as I celebrate one of the most special days Charles and I will ever share.”

Hushed sounds drifted up the staircase, interrupting the moment. Without another word, the five women headed toward the door to descend the staircase leading toward the chapel. Sofia walked down the stairs carefully with Eva and Carlisle in front of her, while Lucia and Theresa followed, holding the train of her dress.

Marcello waited for his daughter at the bottom of the stairs. All his life, Sofia had been his little girl; now, a beautiful, full-grown woman walked down the stairs toward him. He tried to mask his emotions by coughing and clearing his throat repeatedly. “You look so beautiful” was all he could stammer before quietly bursting into tears.

“Papa, don’t cry or you’re going to make me cry, too,” Sofia pleaded. He dabbed at his eyes with a white handkerchief he’d pulled from his inner pocket. He reached over to grab ahold of his daughter’s hand as the first notes of The Wedding March began to play. Each of the ushers grabbed a handle on the heavy wooden doors separating Marcello, Sofia and her bridesmaids from Charles, their family and friends. Father and daughter moved back out of everyone’s view as Carlisle, Lucia and Theresa preceded the bride into the church. Eva walked behind, pushing Marcello’s chair down the aisle as he held Sofia’s hand. Anticipating her entry, the gathering of family and friends stood and turned to face the open doors just as Sofia and her father came through them.

In her peripheral vision, Sofia could see their smiling faces and even registered the fact that a few people reached out to lovingly touch her as she walked by. But from the moment she walked through the doors until she was standing across from him, Sofia’s eyes were on her husband-to-be. As she and her father drew closer, Charles’ gaze remained steadfast on his beautiful bride, too. Neither of them could believe their wedding day had finally arrived. They were mesmerized by the sight of each other, the love that surrounded them in their family and friends, and the magic of the day. Charles tenderly took Sofia’s hand in his as they relished every moment of their wedding ceremony.

***

Tiny, twinkling lights strung throughout the courtyard danced with the glow of the tall, glass-encased lanterns lighting up the rear courtyard where Sofia and Charles’ reception was being held. It was the night of August 31
st
, nearly the end of summertime. The newlyweds had stolen away from the crowd to enjoy a private moment and stood in the shadows along a
trellis overflowing with fragrant, red climbing roses. “Come here, Mrs.
Winsdorth
,” Charles whispered as he pulled his wife to him for a long, passionate kiss.

The rear courtyard buzzed with the sounds of people laughing and conversing. In a far corner, on a small well-lit gazebo, a four-piece contemporary jazz band played music that filled the air and enticed couples to get up and dance. Their bodies swung and moved to the beat in the center of the courtyard, leaving the peripheral and dining areas for those who’d rather watch, converse or enjoy the last bites of their dinner. Every so often, wine glasses clinked as people toasted the happy couple, themselves and anything else worth celebrating.

“I notice you haven’t been out on the dance floor,” Josh commented to Carlisle, handing her a glass of wine. She’d been talking to another couple, friends of Sofia’s family, but they’d made their way out to the dance floor, leaving Carlisle behind.

“
Partnerless
, I’m afraid,” she responded, as she and Josh clinked glasses and took a sip.

“Well,” answered Josh, “that makes two of us, and I’ve been dying to get out there and dance. Come on; be my dance partner.”

Carlisle’s smile was answer enough for Josh, who grasped her hand and led her to the dance floor. They quickly blended in with the other couples and, as they drew near the bride and groom, Carlisle reached out and gently squeezed Sofia’s shoulder. The two friends smiled at each other, sharing in the happiness of the occasion.

“You’re a good dancer,” Josh murmured as they danced to one of the band’s slower numbers. “We ought to do this more often.”

“I’d like that,” Carlisle answered, as she and Josh drew a little bit closer and smiled. Their eyes said all they needed to say. It was a magical evening, full of promise for the married couple and their future, and full of potential for any other couple who dared to think about taking the leap from friendship to romance.