Page 139 of Riding the Edge

Bonus Epilogue

Two years ago, I was facing the biggest fight of my life and now, here I am cancer free, holding my beautiful new grandbaby in my arms and staring at my daughter in her wedding gown. Life isn’t always easy but it in the larger scheme of things, it sure is rewarding.

“How do I look?” Lauren asks as she spins in around the lace train of her dress sweeping around her. Stunning doesn’t seem adequate to describe how my little girl looks. A vision of silk and lace, she takes my breath away.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart,” I rasp, my throat tight with emotion.

“What about you, Bella?” she questions, diverting her eyes to the baby in my arms. “Do you like Mommy’s dress?”

A year ago, Lauren and Riggs completed their family by blessing us with Isabella. While another unexpected pregnancy delayed their nuptials, today wouldn’t be complete without our little Bella.

“Of course she does,” I say, watching as she runs her hand over Bella’s mass of curls. “Isn’t your mommy beautiful?”

“Mama!” Bella cheers, reaching for her.

“Oh no, you’ll mess mommy’s dress.”

“It’s fine,” Lauren says, taking her daughter into her arms. Squeezing her tight, I watch as she showers her with kisses. “Look at us,” she continues, nodding towards the mirror behind me. “Three generations of Bianci women.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I stare at our reflection in the mirror and feel the sting of fresh tears cloud my vision.

“My only hope for you is that your little girl brings you as much joy as you’ve brought me,” I say.

“Oh, mom, don’t cry,” she begs, reaching for my hand. “If you start, then I will too and we’ll both be a mess.”

“I’m not crying,” I lie, wiping my cheeks. Forcing a laugh, I turn to her and meet her eyes. “I know I don’t always say it and that I like to give Riggs a hard time, but that man loves you more than anything in this whole world and if I had to choose anyone for you to spend the rest of your life with, it would be him. When I found out I had cancer, my first worry was you and your brother. I convinced myself that I had to be here for the two of you that no one would ever love or take care of you and Anthony like me—”

“Mom—”

“Lauren, I’m going to be around for a long while but if I learned anything in the last two years, it’s that my children are loved, and they’ll never be alone. You’ll always have your brother, but you will always have Riggs too and that’s all I ever wanted for you. Someone who will love you as much as I do.”

A tear slips from the corner of her eye and I quickly brush it away from her beautiful face.

“You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

“I don’t know about that,” she argues. “You made a gorgeous bride yourself, Mrs. Scotto.”

As if on cue, the door to the bridal suite opens and my husband steps inside the room, flocked by my three grandsons. He’s traded in his leathers for a three-piece suit and silk never looked so good. Finding my eyes, he winks at me and my breath catches just as it did on our first date in that little trattoria in Brooklyn.

Another thing life has taught me, is that a woman can lean on a man and still be his equal. She can be independent and still be incredibly loved.

“Wow,” he says, taking Lauren in. “Riggs is a lucky bastard.”

“Isn’t he though?” my daughter teases as he closes the distance between them. Taking her face in his palms he dips his head and kisses her forehead.

“You’re beautiful,” he says softly. Bella reaches for his beard and he releases his hold on Lauren.

“I think Bella wants her grandpa,” Lauren teases.

“C’mere little Lady,” he replies, holding his hands out for our granddaughter. Like the rest of us, Bella adores Al and goes into his arms eagerly. I watch him smack a loud kiss to her cheek before my eyes dart to my three grandsons who are all just staring at their mom.

“Daddy’s waiting,” Eric says.

“And he wanted us to give you a message,” Robert adds. Turning to his little brother, he cups a hand to his ear and whispers a secret.

“Kitten and Tiger forever,” Anthony announces joyfully, causing us all to laugh.

“Is Anthony downstairs?” I ask Al.

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