Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain Read Free

applause.
    “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Enzo Milano.”
    The orchestra begins to play Beethoven’s Ode to Joy as Enzo lifts my hand to his mouth and kisses it.
    Breathless, we hurry to the back room, where the photographers from the national wedding magazine are waiting to take pictures. We agree to one hour of posed photos while our guests head to the second ballroom to start the cocktail hour.
    “I can’t believe it. We’re married,” Enzo says, swinging me around in his arms and kissing my neck. “You look so beautiful. Did I tell you how amazing you look?”
    I grin back at him. “I’m sure you did.” He always does.
    “I can’t wait to get to the party. I want to hold you in my arms and dance all night.”
    “I’m looking forward to it.”
    Enzo rubs his hand across my cheek. “How do you feel? Are you happy?”
    “I’m beyond happy. We’re going to have a great time tonight.”
    He kisses me and holds me in his arms. “I promise to protect you. I’ll never take a chance that someone could take you away from me ever again.”
    I say nothing and just let him hold me.
    After an hour of pictures, we are ready to make our entrance and start the reception. We’ve selected a beautiful first song to dance to, and I’m looking forward to getting to that part. The DJ announces our entrance by playing loud, bumping music. Our guests jump to their feet and clap as we dance our way into the room.
    Enzo holds my arm high in the air and twirls me around as we move through the crowd. Twirling me once more, Enzo pulls me into his arms. The lights in the room dim and the guests quiet down. My eyes well up with tears as I stare at this larger-than-life man in front of me. Brian McKnight’s Back At One begins to play, and I’m suddenly lost in the deep blue of my husband’s eyes.
    Enzo mouths the words of the song to me as we dance, the lyrics perfectly reflecting our love, his eyes focused only on me. If I stop to think about everything that has happened, not just today, but in the previous four months, I wouldn’t believe it was possible. We sway to the music, locked in each other’s arms. I know everyone is standing around us, but all I see is him. In spite of the earlier events of the day, I couldn’t possibly be any happier than I am in this moment.
    ****
    After five hours of pictures, dancing, toasts and food, I’m exhausted. My feelings are a mixture of drained, emotional and elated. Not surprising, considering how the afternoon started. For now, I’m enjoying another slice of Paolo’s masterful cake – the chocolate hazelnut one.
    Enzo kisses the back of my hand as we watch our guests dance and mingle. “It’s almost time to go, amore,” he says.
    “Where are we going?” I ask.
    “It’s a surprise.”
    I sigh. “Baby, I don’t want any more surprises for a while.”
    All I want to do now is go home.
    “This is a good surprise,” he assures me. “I’m taking you to a fine hotel tonight that you’ve never been to before.”
    “Can’t we just go home?”
    “Is that what you want on your honeymoon night?”
    “Yes, it’s perfect,” I reply. “Starting our married life in our home is exactly what I want to do tonight. Besides, we leave tomorrow for Italy, and that is exciting enough.”
    He kisses my cheek. “As you wish, amore.”
    I look up to see Genevieve approaching our table with a distraught look on her face. “Mr. Milano, I have some news for you.”
    Enzo’s graceful smile disappears into a frown. “What is it now?”
    “The paparazzi are outside the hotel, waiting for you and Mrs. Milano. We’ve tried all evening to shake them off, but they are quite persistent.”
    “More paparazzi? Great.” he replies, looking at me. “Why are we so interesting to these people? Why can’t they just leave us alone, for God’s sake? It’s not like we’re famous.”
    I shrug. Enzo rubs my hand and directs his attention back to Genevieve. “Do they know