Chapter XXXVII: Epilogue

The white blanket melted away, the evergreens and spruces scented the air with their new growth; the little streams rushed hither and thither as if they were joyfully carolling, birds sang and built everywhere. Children were out for wild flowers, and raced around like Deers.

It was a sunlit day, and the sky held a soft blue glow. Since the locale was in Tuscany, Italy, you could tell it was spring by seeing the green grass with specks of color from flowers like lavenders, roses, or asters. You could tell it was spring because the white coat of snow had melted from the sunlight. And you could tell it was spring because the trees had resurrected, and were standing tall with bright green leaves resting on the branches.

The grass is a soft green that almost has a hint of blue and in the sky is enough pristine white cloud to show you how beautiful the sky was, how perfect.

It was the perfect day for a wedding outside, one had to admit.

Neither one of the couple could believe this day had finally arrived.

One and a half year had gone by, and now it was finally time to tie the knot. Both Arcangelo and Rosalie had spent the last couple of months running all sorts of wedding errands. The theme, flowers, buffet, bride's maids, best men, guest, invitations, and the list went on.

But after everything, all the disagreements, the uncertainty, the anxiety, it was finally becoming a dream come true.

The sunlight streamed in through the bridal room windows, the light falling onto the meticulous makeup on Rosalie's face. The makeup done softly and giving her a natural look as it made her glow in the natural light, her sapphire eyes alight with joy and anticipation as she got fitted into her dress.

Her dress: a beautiful gown designed by the one and only Sophia Tolli, specifically for her.

It was an off-the-shoulder misty tulle, A-line gown with hand-beaded lace appliqué bodice that dropped at her waist with an exquisite keyhole back. Her hair was pulled into an elegant bun, decorated with a few pearls as her mother wound her Swarovski Crystals diamond necklace around her neck as she fit the matching earrings into place. Once the jewelry was in place, it was followed by the matching tiara headpiece holding her veil in place.

Inhaling deeply, she spun around, her tulle and veil flowing with the movement as her mother and bride's maids gasped.

"Dio mio!" Donna chucked as Rosalie smiled from ear to ear, her dream finally coming true. "Gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous!"

"Mama..." She trailed with a soft smile, seeing her mother make an attempt to stop the tears.

Before she could continue, however, a knock sounded on the door. Glancing up, they watched Rosalie's father step into the room, his eyes moist with tears as his mouth formed a perfect o.

"Dad,"

"My little girl," He chuckled, rubbing his eyes as he grinned at her. "A bride!"

"How do I look?"

"Like royalty."

A shy smile overcame Rosalie's face as she fixed her dress, her bride's maids helping her.

"Ready to go?"

"Yes!" She exclaimed, eagerly making her way to her father before she looped her arm through his, grabbing hold of her bouquet before they all made their way out of the building and towards the path that led to the altar.

Her bride's maids set up, all of them standing in line as one of them signaled for the band to begin. Nodding, the orchestra started the music as the first one made her way down the aisle with a broad smile.

"Nervous?" Her father whispered in her ear as Rosalie fidgeting with her veil.

"No." She chuckled. "Just trying to remind myself to kick the tulle before taking a step. You know, kick, walk, kick, and walk."

Bernardo laughed quietly as he patted her hand. They watched the last bridesmaid walk before they followed with a deep inhale from both of them.

The wedding was taking place at the opening of a forest. The alter set up like a canopy and decorated with peach and white flowers. The seats all set up and occupied by the guests as flower petals littered the white carpet beneath her feet.

Looking up, Rosalie smiled back at the man waiting for her at the end of the altar.

Arcangelo looked absolutely godly with his black hair gelled back, wearing a black tux with a purple waistcoat and matching tie over his white button up. His five best men stood next to him in matching tux but white waistcoats.

She couldn't stop the smile on her face as she noticed the tears of elated joy in Arcangelo's eyes.

He smiled at her as he stepped off the platform, offering his hand to Rosalie as she untangled her arm from her fathers, placing her palm into his open one as he placed a kiss on the back of her's.

"Your Highness," He whispered quiet enough for her to hear as she giggled at his antics before helping her get onto the stage before the priest. He started the ceremony before announcing to the crowd the couple had their own vows.

"Mr. Regnante, if you will." The father requested Arcangelo give him an acknowledged nod.

Taking a step back, Rosalie watched in amusement as he lowered himself onto one knee, holding her hand into both of his before looking up at her.

"Rosalie." He sighed blissfully. "Everyone knows I'm an atheist, yet you make me want to believe in a higher power."

A wave of soft chuckles washed over the crowd as Arcangelo cracked a smile.

"We started off with the most unforeseen of circumstances, a series of unfortunate events ensued and a large number of wounds occurred." He stated with a shake of his head. "And throughout the time, you made your way into my heart. Not suddenly, not subtly. But, one day I woke up, and I found you there. In every thought, in every talk, in every heartbeat. I found myself making you the center of my life."

"And I have made numerous mistakes, I am utterly flawed, and I am human. But you. You are perfect. Maybe not to the world; but, most definitely to me. You, Rosalie Lucia Allegro--soon to be Rosalie Regnante--are my everything. I would be honored to lay down my life at your feet."

"My niece loves you, my nephew had a crush on you. And I? I would be lost without you." He confessed as he bowed his head to her.

"Rosalie. Do you take me, a mere mortal by the name of Arcangelo Ivan Regnante, to be your lawfully wed husband to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part?"

A chuckle tore through Rosalie as her heart swelled with the love she had for him as she couldn't bring herself to talk without the fear of bursting into tears.

"I do." She finally choked out, bursting with hysterical laughs and tears as she couldn't tear her gaze away from Arcangelo, watching him grin at the 8-year-old Arsenio who stood in an immaculate tux with the rings in hand.

Everyone watching as the groom picked up the rings and slid them onto Rosalie's finger.

They were two rings. One of them was a simple band alternating between sapphires and diamonds embedded into the silver band, while the second ring, the much more prominent and bigger one had a large solitaire diamond in the center with smaller ones making an intricate design on the side.

Arcangelo placed a kiss on her knuckles, about to stand up, but being halted by a hand to his shoulder as he looked up in surprise, everyone watching in shock as Rosalie knelt before him, grasping both of his hands into her own as she smirked at his open-mouthed expression.

"I am not letting you steal the light," Rosalie muttered quiet enough for him to hear as he was jolted out of his surprise. "This is my wedding, after all."

"Arcangelo Ivan Regnante." She started after having cleared her throat and gaining everyone's attention. "You have been my best friend, mentor, playmate, confidant and my greatest challenge. But most importantly, you are the love of my life and you make me happier than I could ever imagine and more loved than I ever thought possible...You have made me a better person, as our love for one another is reflected in the way I live my life. So I am truly blessed to be a part of your life, which as of today becomes our life together."

"I am proud to take you as my husband. For all the time we have been together, there has always been the kind of mutual understanding which is only shared when there is true love. You have helped me triumph over challenges presented. Encouraged my personal growth and boosted my self-esteem. You have helped me become the person I am today, and with your help, I will be a better person tomorrow than I was yesterday.

"I vow to trust and value your opinions and stand by your actions. I pledge to always treat you as my best friend and equal. I will ask for help when I need it and offer help to you always. Let us be friends and lovers, and grow old disgracefully together."

Rosalie grinned as the people cooed and chuckled at the kneeling couple, watching her place a kiss on Arsenio's forehead before picking up her husband's wedding ring from the velvet cushion.

His was a simple sterling silver blue band, the color matching that of Rosalie's ring. A complete set.



"Arcangelo Ivan Regnante. Do you give me the honor of having your last name?" She asked him with a smile, about to place the ring on his finger and waiting for him to respond.

"Take my name, take my heart, and take my mind, my all." He responded with the most beautiful smile Rosalie had ever seen across his face as she slid the ring onto his finger. "For I do. Always and forever."

"Always and forever," She repeated after him as the priest smiled and said they could kiss.

The priest hadn't even completed his sentence when Arcangelo cupped her face into his hands and pressed his lips to hers, both of them instantly melting at the contact of their lips, ready to take on the hurdles which would present themselves later on.

***

Baby toys littered the floor, a play mat pushed into the corner with every single piece of furniture having gone through baby proofing. The nursery was a mess, to say the least, and in the midst of it all stood Arcangelo leaning over a changing station and changing the diaper of a hysterically giggling baby, a 10-year-old Arsenio behind him trying to pick up the mess they'd made.

"Now stay still for daddy." He cooed at the little child that looked at him with big blue eyes, and his raven hair an unruly mess with the constant moving. "Please stay still for daddy."

"Dad!" Arsenio laughed behind him, trying to push his shaggy black mane out of his eyes. "He's a baby, he isn't gonna listen."

Arcangelo gave the older boy a half hearted glare, but he was right, the baby did not want to stay still for daddy and kept wriggling out of the fresh diapers laid out beneath it.

"I'll give you ten euros if you'll stay still." Arcangelo bribed as the child babbled and tried to turn in order to crawl away, Arsenio's laughter ringing through the nursery. "Okay, fine. Here!" He exclaimed in defeat, picking up a stuffed toy and handing it to the child, distracting it long enough to fix the diaper into place before letting out a triumphant sound and throwing his hands up in victory, Arsenio clapping for his success.

"Hello." An amused voice called from the entrance of the doorway, Arcangelo's gaze snapping up to his ethereal wife who stood with a little child sleeping in her arms. "We're back."

"Hey!" Arcangelo greeted as he picked up the little child into his arms, the baby fussing and obviously sleepy.

"Hi, mom!" Arsenio called making his way over to Rosalie with his father, watching him place a kiss on her lips before rocking the child in his arms.

"How was girl's day out?"

"Serafina and I did quite a bit of shopping." His wife revealed with a smile, stroking the baby's back before ruffling Arsenio's hair. "But she got pretty tired and decided to sleep on the way back."

"Hmm..."

"How was boy's day in?"

"Salvatore is quite the explorer, but he enjoys it when his big brother reads to him." Arcangelo chuckled at the revelation about their sons, chuckling at the grin across Arsenio's face. "Although, we made quite a mess if I say so myself."

"I can see that," Rosalie noted as she peeked at the condition of the nursery from around Arcangelo. "The twins can't possibly sleep in here tonight."

"They'll all sleep with us then." He stated as they made their way across the hall and into their bedroom, a respective twin in the parents hand, as they held Arsenio's hands in the middle.

Rosalie placed their daughter onto the bed as Arsenio sat kneeling beside her, watching her sleep in fascination while Arcangelo soothed their son to sleep in his arms. Softly humming into his ear while walking around the room. Changing Serafina, Rosalie tucked the baby in the center of the bed, placing a pillow on one side as the other was occupied by a sleeping Arsenio. Pulling the duvet over the two, she went to get change.

Once Arcangelo had lulled their boy to sleep, he too got changed and joined his wife, settling on the other side of the bed, the little twins and their elder brother sleeping between them.

"Good night, handsome," Rosalie spoke quietly, leaning across to place a quick kiss on his lips.

"Good night, princess."

Turning towards the lamp, he turned it off as they got under the covers. The children sound asleep while feeling safe and protected in their parent's arms, knowing that they would catch them if they ever fell.

That was the thing about parents. They are always there no matter the circumstances, no matter what you do, no matter how hard it gets, or how big you are, they are always there. Like how you know the stars are there even in broad daylight, just like that, your parents will be by your side no matter what.

Arcangelo knew that nobody looked good in their darkest hour, but those hours made him who he is. But he also forgot that God can turn his darkest hours into his brightest ones.

Arcangelo's head ran with that thought as he watched his children sleep, appreciating everything that his parents did for him, for if they had altered the course of one decision, he might not have met Rosalie, the love of his life, and he wouldn't have had these three beautiful children to brighten up his life.

Sighing in content, he placed a kiss on his children's forehead, giving one to his wife as well as he lay down, and closed his eyes to fall into a calm and peaceful sleep. The entire world falling into place around him.

But that is the beginning of a new story - the story of the gradual renewal of a man, the story of his gradual regeneration, of his passing from one world into another, of his initiation into a new unknown life. That might be the subject of a new story, but our present story is ended