Page 100 of Destino

“I will set my alarm clock, sugar. I’m right there.”

“What other traditions will you be practicing?” Mira asked, continuing with her stitching of the fabric.

Catalina’s face beamed with excitement. Mira again had to wonder if the scene she saw between her and Dominic was real. The girl didn’t look torn over the wedding. She was bubbling with excitement.

“In America your custom is for the bride to have four things, something old, something blue, something borrowed, something new… right?”

“That’s right.” Fabiana answered.

“Those are customs borrowed from us Sicilians.”

“They are?” Mira asked surprised.

“Si.”

“So you have the same traditional things required.” Fabiana said smiling.

“I do, but ours have meaning.”

“What type of meaning?” Mira asked.

“I get five, not four. The first is something old which symbolizes the life I will leave behind. Giovanni gave me the pearls that Papa presented to Mama when I was born. They belonged to my nonna.”

“I bet they’re beautiful.” Mira said.

Catalina nodded. “They will look so nice with the bodice of the dress you’re designing. Absolutely perfect.”

Fabiana went to the chair across from them sitting back down. “What’s next?”

“There is something new which symbolizes the new life I will have. I was thinking of my wedding band; it's all diamonds. I decided it will be the new. Franco has the solitaire on him that matches it.”

“That’ll work.” Mira nodded. Turning to find the fabric pieces she cut earlier. “Go on.”

Catalina scooped her locks behind her ear and smiled. “Then there is something borrowed which represents the people dear to me who will be at my side as I move from my old life into my new one.”

“I have my pearl earrings with me, I’ll let you wear them.” Fabiana winked.

“Would you?” Catalina asked her eyes growing wide with excitement.

“Of course, they will work perfectly with your nonna’s necklace.”

Catalina clapped excited over the gesture, and the girls laughed as her excitement spilled over to them. Mira had never been this close to planning a wedding, and she was falling in love with Catalina and her enthusiasm. “There’s something blue! In ancient Roman times blue was the color of purity, and it was also the color of wedding gowns.”

“Women married in blue gowns?” Mira asked.

Catalina nodded. “Oh yes! It was a great honor, but a pagan custom. With Catholicism, tradition changed the gown into white as virginal, so the royal colors of blue and yellow were dropped from tradition. Which is why the bride still holds onto something blue for good luck. You Americans adopt our customs and don’t even know it,” she boasted.

Mira counted. “Well that’s four, the same things we American brides have to have. What’s the fifth?”

Catalina walked away and turned to face them smiling sweetly. “Something she has received as a gift from her papa. In this case, it will be Giovanni. It’s to remind me of the people that love me when I leave home with my husband. Giovanni hasn’t told me what it is, but I know you can find out.”

Mira put up both hands. “No way. Your brother is as old fashioned of a man as I have ever met; there is no way I'll spy for you. He’ll kill me.”

“I can’t figure out what it is! Please!”

Fabiana looked at Mira “We girls got to stick together. You can find out Mira.”

“Fabiana!”

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