Page 82 of Reclaimed Dreams
“Remember, breathe through it, babe. Focus on the now.” Grabbing her bouquet, she held the flowers between them, unconsciously mimicking their own wedding day. “Smell the roses. The girls need you.”
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the photographer framing them with her camera. She focused her attention on Dom as he did as bid and nodded his agreement.
“You’re right. I’ve got this. You ladies seem to have everything under control in here. I’m just going to step out for some fresh air and see how the boys are doing.”
Jo looked around the room at the barely controlled chaos as she crossed to zip Sofia into her dress, but didn’t argue. The fact that Dom was willing to cede control over a situation that made him anxious was a big step forward.
“Now that he’s gone,” Jo teased, “break out the bubbly!”
Laughter and cheers greeted her suggestion. Stemless flutes were passed around filled with frothy golden wine that matched Jo’s dress. She raised hers for the first toast.
“To my daughters, all three of you.” She smiled at Natalie, who was already a daughter of her heart, before turning to include Sofia and Frankie. “In the face of fire damage, the births of my blessed grandbabies, and a rigorous production schedule, you have managed to adapt and stay resilient to make this day happen. I pray that you take this level of communication and flexibility into every relationship. I didn’t realize how much it mattered until I lost it. You three amazing women deserve every ounce of happiness you can wring from life, today and every day. I pray that the paths you’ve chosen bring that happiness straight to your door. To love!”
She clinked glasses with each young woman in turn, tears held at bay through sheer will not to ruin her mascara.
“Now let’s go get you married!
From the deck behind the house, Jo surveyed the wedding arrangements like a queen reviewing her troops. The white chairs had been set up beneath the open-frame structure Frankie had built to recreate what would have been the wedding venue. The hanging lights gave the whole scene a magical feeling. And it was nearly sunset, which meant they were right on time.
Behind her stood Sofia, Natalie, Frankie, and little Daisy in whites and pinks, each carrying a bouquet or basket of flowers that fit them and the vineyard theme perfectly. Roses and dahlias in shades of cabernet, rosé, and champagne, highlighted with subtle greens and blues from the succulents, created the perfect vineyard garden as the women arranged themselves for the procession down the aisle.
Jo made a mental note to ask the florist for the exact varieties so she could plant them around the property.
Only one person was missing from the lineup.
“Dom? Dom!” She called down to where he stood by the chairs. “Dom, it’s time! Get up here.”
She leaned against the railing as her husband strode toward her across the expanse, feeling a little like Juliet awaiting her Romeo. But they were not children, and their love was not a tragedy. She felt so lucky that they’d been able to repair the marriage they’d worked so hard to build. As he bounded up the stairs, there was nothing she wanted more than to feel his arms wrap around her and his lips press against hers.
But Daisy got to him first, grabbing his hand and spinning him around.
“Come on, Nonno, we gotta go smile and throw flowers.”
Jo put her desires on hold. Her granddaughter was right. It was time to get this show on the road.
The music that had been playing in the background stopped.
“That’s our cue, everyone.” Jo bustled toward Dom. She wiped away the tear running down his cheek. "You okay?"
He nodded, silently.
Screw timelines. She tucked herself into his arms and held him through the big emotions she could feel vibrating through him. He sucked in a shuddering breath, trying to get himself under control. She squeezed him three times, and he squeezed four but didn’t let go. She was his foundation today and always. “It’s okay, babe.”
“It is. It really is. Thank you for everything.”
"Don’t get us started again. Sentimental watering pot,” Jo teased, smiling at her husband wearing his emotions on his sleeve. She ran a hand down Dom’s cheek and gave him the kiss she couldn’t contain any longer.
“Ewwww, Moooooom! My eyes!” Frankie gagged and covered her eyes like she had when she was ten and was thoroughly embarrassed by parental displays of affection.
Jo wiped her lipstick from around Dom’s mouth and grinned at her unruly daughter. “Go line up, smart-ass, and take Daisy with you.” Jo led Dom over to the brides who each tucked a hand into his elbow for their walk down the aisle.
Once everyone was arranged, Jo ducked out to take her seat, and Pachelbel’s "Canon in D" began to play.
She watched as the grooms caught the first glimpses of their women in their finery. That powerful punch of love writ large on their faces took her right back to her own wedding day, seeing that expression on Dom’s face. She turned to see how her husband was faring as her big, strong man proudly walked both brides down the aisle with tears racing down his cheeks unchecked.
Jo felt her own tears rising as she reflected that she’d almost lost all of this. How different would the day have been if she’d left Dom? If she’d let the rigid shell she’d constructed to protect herself isolate her from all of the love in this family? They had both made mistakes, both let grief take something precious from them. But they had also come through it together, actively working to rebuild what had cracked.
As Dom settled into the seat next to her, she pulled her grandmother’s handkerchief from her cleverly hidden pocket and offered it with a knowing smile. She had his back, now and forever.
The ceremony was lovely, exactly as Sofia and Natalie had planned. At one point, Laurel, Natalie and Enzo’s infant daughter, had begun to fuss, and Jo had gone to help. Her hips bounced and swayed in the long-ingrained pattern that mothers never lost. Nuzzling her nose into soft baby curls, she shushed and kissed and cuddled until the baby settled. When Graciela brought baby Gabe over and Brandy joined them with Laurel’s twin brother, Ash, she counted her blessings up to four.
They made it through the rest of the ceremony and into the reception before Jo’s mascara finally lost the battle. After the introductions and the blessing by the priest, Jo and Dom joined Sofia, Enzo, and Frankie at the head table. Supported by their spouses and partners, they held slim tapers in their hands. Openly weeping, Jo and Dom held a long match together and lit a single white candle set at an empty chair. Special for the occasion, they had brought Gabe’s chair from her table.
Each of their children then lit their candles and carried them back to their seats to light all of the candles along the head table. Jake carried his taper and lit the centerpieces of each guest table as well.
As the candlelight pushed back the darkening evening, Jo’s heart swelled with it. Gabe’s influence on everyone in this room lingered in ways she doubted he’d realize, but the collective glow around the party warmed her heart. Every time she looked at the empty seat, Jo felt Gabe’s presence like a warm hug and knew he was here and watching, loving every minute of this special day. He might be gone, but he was held close in so many hearts.
Jo was determined to embrace the joy and love within her reach. So when her husband spun her into a dance and sang about loving her forever, she laughed and held him close. And when he led her down a darkened path, she followed, confident that brighter days lay ahead.
