Page 112 of Her Hidden Smile

I tried not to laugh. I really, really did. But it just burst out. Then I heard everyone behind me laughing, so I didn’t feel so bad.

“Grandma Sharon, is there cherry pie?” Lachlan yelled.

“There will be for dessert. Renzo, come help me peel potatoes.”

Bonnie sidled up on one side of me and whispered in my ear. “Welcome to the circus.”

Renzo lifted our linked hands and kissed the inside of my wrist. “I’ll see you later. Bonnie, I’m counting on you to keep her safe.”

“I promise.”

I could tell Renzo was nervous. It was amazing to me. I’d never seen him look so handsome. He was totally keyed up.

“You’re going to do great.” I told him as we got into the rental.

“I just don’t want to fuck up,” he said as he got behind the wheel.

“You won’t.”

I fiddled with the radio on the way to the church and I was so relieved when we met up with his parents. They were able to assure my hero that he would not let his brother down. I was seated in the second row, which was great because I got to watch my man in his tux. Now that he was standing up in front of the church, he was as cool as a cucumber. Jase turned to him and said something, and Renzo responded. Jase laughed, and I saw him relax. Yeah, Renzo was the best man in the world.

The wedding march started, and we all stood up. There was only one bridesmaid, and I couldn’t remember her name. I think it was Shannon. But then came Bonnie. She was being escorted up the aisle by Lachlan and Amber.

When the Reverend asked, “Who gives this woman away in marriage?”

Everybody in the church waited to see what the twins would say. It was a crapshoot, and I was surprised that Bonnie was allowing it. Then they opened their mouths and said in unison, “we do.”

That was the point I had to get the Kleenex out of my new purse. I was smiling, but I was crying.

Hours later at the reception, I realized that even when my parents were alive; I hadn’t smiled this much. There was so much joy, love, and laughter with this family. Renzo was lucky to be a part of this.

“What cariña?” Renzo asked.

“I said I love your family.”

“They love you,” he whispered into my ear. “Would you like to dance?”

“I would love to, but I’ve overdone this trip. I would end up really hurting, and there is another dance I would like to do with you later tonight.”

His laughter sent tingles down my spine.

“It was wonderful of your sisters to arrange a table just for the two of us.” I told him again. I still couldn’t believe they had done that. We had seats at one of the large tables with Bruno and Angelica and a couple of others, but Polly and Elani knew about my anxiety with crowds so they’d also arranged for us to have this table to secret ourselves away from the crowd. They were so thoughtful.

“Yes, it was,” Renzo agreed. “So, my family didn’t scare you away?”

“No, like I said, I love them,” I assured him.

“They love you, too. But not as much as I love you, Millie.”

I smiled.

“You’ve had such a hard life,” he said.

“So have you.” I reached up and brushed my fingers down his cheek. “I’m so thankful that Sharon and Christos found you.”

“So am I. I think that was destiny.”

“It was Renzo. You deserved to have a good life.” I picked up his hand and kissed the inside of his wrist. He chuckled.