Page 15 of Resolution
“Then it’s decided. I’ll move in with you. Now, for the bigger decision. When will I get to officially call you my wife?” I bring my thumb to her mouth and release her lower lip. I can’t help but outline her features with my thumb as she contemplates.
“What kind of wedding did you envision for yourself?” she asks.
“Uh…” I’ve never actually thought about it. “Well…I guess the kind where we simply say I do and be married.”
“Enzo, I’m being serious. You’ve never been married before and I want you to have your dream wedding,” Samantha pleads.
My heart melts at her thoughtfulness. “Beautiful, so long as you’re there, it is my dream wedding.”
“But what about our friends and family? Do you want a big or small wedding?”
I can see where she’s going with this. I should have known better. I remember the infinite details of my sister’s wedding. I’d better stop this freight train before it gets rolling out of control. “Samantha… How about this… We can have a small ceremony with our family and close friends. Besides you, your kids, and your family, I just want my family there. That’s all I need. Nothing big.”
A look of relief washes over Samantha’s face, telling me she’s content with a small wedding as well. “You say you want to get married right away. Are we talking weeks, months, this summer?”
“There’s no fucking way I’m waiting until summer,” I practically growl. “Honestly, even waiting until I get stateside is a lot to ask. Why don’t we plan something for the week or so after I get back? I don’t want you to worry about that much. Just give me a date and what you want, and I’ll hire someone to take care of the details.” There. That should do it.
Samantha shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Enzo, you know nothing about weddings and brides.”
“All I care about isthisbride and making hermine.” I pull her close to me and plant a chaste kiss on her lips. “Please tell me we can do it ASAP?”
“Enzo, weddings take time…” she pleads for my understanding.
“What do we need besides you, me, and our families?” I shrug as if it’s not a big deal.
She lets out a deep breath, shaking her head. She ticks things off on her fingers as she says, “Well… There’s a dress, a venue, food, and guest lists. Not to mention a photographer, cake, flowers, and music.”
Geesh, that list’s fucking huge. “That’s for a small wedding?” I ask in assurance. Of course, she nods and I cut her off before she can say anything else. “How about this… You take care of your dress and clothes for the kids, and I will take care of the rest. I promise to run things by you before I make a final decision, but this has to be possible, right? I don’t want you to stress out about anything. Your focus needs to be on staying healthy, nothing else.”
“But, Enzo…” she starts, but I stop her with a finger over her beautiful pouty lips.
“Samantha, all I care about is being married to you. Give me a week or so and I’ll have some ideas to run by you. My sister’s friend is a wedding planner and I’m sure if I ask her, she would be willing to help us. Or at the very least, point us in the right direction.”
“Okay, Enzo.” Samantha slowly exhales. “I trust you. I’ve already done the big wedding before, and the thought of something like that again has me breaking out in hives. I just need you. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but it does have to be what you want. This is your first wedding and I don’t want you to miss out on anything, just to do it quickly.”
“Oh, beautiful. It will be epic. Simple, but epic. I will be marrying the woman of my dreams. I couldn’t give two shits about the specific details, but I will do this right by you. I love you and want to start our life together right.” I kiss her deeply to show just how much she means to me, which ends most of our conversation for the rest of the night. I spend the remaining hours we have left together memorizing her body, cherishing it and making sure she doesn’t forget me while we are apart.
7
Samantha
Gettingon that plane is probably one of the hardest things I have ever done. Though my life and family are in Portland, there’s no way I wanted to leave Enzo. My body aches in glorious ways, and I can’t help but smile when I think about the love and attention Enzo showed me. It is agonizing to actually say the words, “goodbye.” Though I’m proud of myself for not breaking into tears until I actually have to say it.
Enzo’s just as wrecked as I am. He takes the time to walk me into the airport and help me get my luggage settled. Since I’m taking his extra bag back, he claims he needs to ensure I don’t have any problems or have to lift anything unnecessarily. I keep reminding him I’m pregnant, not an invalid. But if I’m being honest, it’s really sweet of him to care so much.
He was stoic the entire trip to the airport. But when I begin sobbing as I embrace him one last time, he breaks down, too. His eyes well up with tears as he whispers, “Beautiful, I’ll be home before you know it. I love you so much and I can’t wait to meet these beautiful babies growing inside of you.”
Then he takes me completely off guard, kneeling down on one knee in front of me to softly say, “You take care of your ma until I can get to you all. I love you all so much. I’ll be there as soon as I can.” He kisses my belly and holds me close before standing to kiss me senseless once again. I don’t care that we’re in a crowded airport, in front of everyone to see. I love this man, and though a part of my heart is being left with him, his love for me is what gets me on that plane and sends me home.
As I take my seat and make myself comfortable for the nine-hour flight to New York, I glance down at the beautiful ring on my finger and shake my head at the thought of how he insists on taking over the wedding plans. Devin never had any interest in planning our wedding, so to have Enzo say he only wants me to worry about my dress and clothes for the kids, seems unbelievable. I hope he knows what he’s getting into. He’s set the bar pretty high for himself.
I’ve never been more thankful for first class than I am right now. I’m not sure if it’s the pregnancy or my lack of sleep from last night, but I feel as if I’m about to drop at any moment. Thank God for the anti-nausea medicine. I haven’t been sick since I was in the hospital earlier this week. I watch out the window as the plane taxis away from the terminal, and I feel my eyes getting heavier as we make our ascent into the sky. I take one last glance out the window at Frankfurt and can’t believe how much my life has changed in less than two short weeks. Drifting off to sleep, I know I’ll never forget this experience for as long as I live. All of it was incredible. Thanks to Enzo.
As I finally touch down in Portland, Oregon, I’m relieved to feel refreshed after traveling for nearly twenty hours. My layover in New York went off without a hitch and I managed to get plenty of rest on my two flights. Thanks to being in first class, I didn’t have a single whim that went unnoticed. It helps I was able to walk around the cabin when I got stiff, have quick access to the bathroom, and I stayed well hydrated and fed during the trip. I’ve been wide awake for most of this last leg of my journey, having slept nearly the entire flight from Frankfurt to New York.
I’ve never been more relieved to see Mount Hood as I am now. Eager to see my kids, I’m practically bouncing in my seat when I hear the final call for landing. I haven’t been away from Maddie, Frankie, or Declan like this in ages. I miss them more than ever. I’m dying to tell them everything, and I have no idea how I’m going to keep this pregnancy a secret for the next six weeks.
Since the kids are still in school, Lexi, my best friend, and co-owner of our company, insists on picking me up from the airport. Normally, I catch a cab or Uber it home, but after finding out I was engaged, she cleared her schedule, determined to meet me in person. Knowing Lexi, she just wants the juicy details about Enzo, and I have to say, I’m excited to share them with her.After all, what are best friends for?
