Chapter 6

❤️Maria's POV ❤️

I was fast asleep, when the curtains were pulled open, and my two younger sisters came and attacked me with a pillow, singing " Going to the chapel and we're going to get married."  Its too early, I shout, but my mother and Madre Gemma came in with an Asian lady and two small children.  "Rise and shine", my mother says.

Gemma walks over to me with the lady.  "Maria Dear, I would like for you to meet my Daughter Min, and her children, Hanna and Yoshi."

I stand up, rubbing my eyes.  "Nice to meet you...I didn't know Carlos had a sister."

Min laughs.  "Yeah, we don't get along much...We live in Taiwan with my husband."

"Min was adopted when she was four.  I had trouble conceiving, but Carlos and Marco are my miracles." Madre Gemma told me.

"I'm going to be the flower girl!" Hanna announced bouncing up and down.  "My brother gets to carry the rings!"

"I don't want to wear that stupid suit and tie, but Uncle Carlos told me I didn't have a choice...Uncle Marco is picking me up soon to go do man stuff!"  Yoshi complained.  Everybody laughed. 

My mother had me get in the shower and eat some oatmeal, just before the beautician arrived. The beautician started with waxing our legs and armpits, and just as I thought that she was finished, she asked me about my bikini area!  "You've got to be kidding me!" I thought. 

Mother answered for me. "Wax it all!  She needs to be as smooth as a baby's bottom!"

"Seriously?" I shouted.

It took several hours to get ready.  We got our nails done, makeup in place, and hair pinned up so that my hair could hold the veil and diamond tiara.

There was only thirty minutes till the wedding, and we just arrived to the chapel.  Once again, there was Paparazzi!  I thought I was going to fall as I got out of the limo.  My dress was so long.  First they stuff me in the car, and then they force me out.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection.  White heart shaped  neckline with an over lay of black lace that went down to my hips.  Black lace flowers on the skirt.  "I got my black dress, after all."  I thought to myself. 

Madre Gemma came over and placed a black diamond necklace around my neck, black diamond bracelet on my wrist, and black diamond earrings in my ears.

My mother came in with a worried look on her face.  " Maria, honey...Don't freak out...but, your father is here to give you away." What?  That SOB is here?

I laugh.  "How, he can't even walk!  What's he going to do?  Ride his scooter?!?"

Mother laughed.  "He will be by me, and he will make the announcement when asked who gives you away.  You will walk down the aisle by yourself."

I nod.  Its not like I had a choice in the matter, but as soon as everyone stepped out so that I could finish preparing myself, I grabbed  the floor mirror, and threw it across the room, shattering it into hundreds of pieces.   I stare at the glass on the floor.  I so much wanted to cut myself right now, needing to feel that release.  Sometimes I wondered what the hell was wrong with me.

I stepped out of the room, took a deep breath, and followed my sisters to the entrance of the church doors. Rocco stood with me...I guess he's afraid that I'll try and  run away.  My sisters were wearing long black dresses and carried white roses in their bouquet.  My flower girl was in a white dress covered in black lace and carried a white silk basket full of red petals.  My bouquet was also red.

"You look like a princess! " Hanna told me right before she went down the aisle throwing her petals.  "Princess"  I thought....I felt like the Queen of hearts in this dress.

The doors opened and I immediately saw my future husband, black tuxedo with a white tie, beautiful smile on his face, his blonde hair slicked back, those beautiful grey eyes.   His men wore black pants, black  vest with a red tie over a white dress shirt.

The red petals that covered the white path, squashed under my heels.  The walk down the aisle took forever.  I felt as if I walked a mile before I reached Carlos.  I stood facing him while my father gave me away and then Carlos took my hand.

The priest in his white and gold frock greeted us, and then the guests, before leading everyone in prayer.  I felt as if I were going to faint.  I'm use to having all eyes on me, but this was a totally different show.  This was my wedding.  Thank God, Carlos has me linked to his arm, or else I would fall.

"Carlos and Maria...Have you come freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in this marriage?  Will you love and honor each other as man and wife for as long as you both shall live?"  The priest asked.  We both said " yes."  Neither one of us had a choice.

"Since it is your intention to enter into this marriage, please join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and His church."

Carlos took my hands, and we faced each other and he looked me into the eyes. "I Carlos Romaro, take you, Maria Ricci to be my wife.  I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, will care for you in sickness and in health.  I will love you and honor you all the days of my life."

I recited the same words and the priest blessed our rings.  His nephew handed him the pillow for Carlos to take the rings.  "Maria, take this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity.  In the name of the Father, and of the son, and of the Holy Spirit."  He slid the ring on my finger.  It was a silver band with twenty small diamonds that was supposed to be a symbol of love and devotion.   I repeated the same as I placed a silver band on his finger.

The preacher had us face the congregation and say the words "We enter alive and will leave this world dead."  We turn back and face each other and the preacher asked for Rocco to come to the stage.  He tattooed " Carlos" on my right ring finger, and tattooed "Maria" on Carlos's right ring finger.  It was Archangel tradition to have your spouse's name tattooed to your skin...because marriage was for life in our mafia world.  The only way out was with death.

The preacher  announced that Carlos  may kiss his bride.  He leaned down and gripped me tightly.  His kiss was kind and showed that he cared for me. He gave me a little tongue, but nothing over powering.  It was what I would call a church kiss.

Carlos and I walked down the aisle together, and when we reached the doors, my mouth dropped.  A white carriage sat waiting on us.  He opened the door for me and helped me in and then climbed in beside me.  " You look really pretty."   He told me, and pulled me in for a kiss. His tongue mingled against mine. He sucked my bottom lip, and when I came back for air, he wrapped his arm around me and kissed my forehead.

We arrived to the Sheridan hotel, where we met my mother.  She informed him that I would be changing into a much more comfortable dress for our party.  He went and stood outside the room. My mother helped me undress and then slipped me into a short white dress, beautiful heart neckline with white lace around my chest and back.  My skirt was ruffle after ruffle and ended just above my knees. I looked like a ballerina. I changed my jewelry to white diamonds and slipped on silver and diamond heels.My mother slid a white garter high up my leg...any higher and Carlos would be feeling my crotch...probably why she did it....

We both stepped out and Carlos whistled.  "I like this dress even more...it shows off your sexy legs!"  I blushed.

We  entered the ball room and were announced as husband and wife.  We took our seats in the front of the room with the bridesmaids on the right, and groomsmen on the left.  The servers came and served us a wedge salad with an Italian dressing, along with some wine.  I hadn't eaten all day, except for the oatmeal at breakfast, and I didn't even eat all of that.  I took a few bites, but the salad started to upset my stomach.  They served a tomatoe bisque, next and I ate a few bites of it along with a few bites of bread.  They served wagyu beef next with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.  I absolutely love meat, but I just couldn't find my appetite. 

"Do I need to force feed you? " Carlos whispered in my ear.

"I'm just not really hungry." I tell him and finish my wine.

He pats me on my back and whispers "Are you worried about tonight?"  Um, yeah...after what your mother told me...I'm sure any girl would be terrified.

"No" I whisper.  My cheeks felt like they were on fire! I grabbed his glass of wine and chugged it.

"Liar!"  He chuckled.  " No need to worry, I'll be gentle."  And then patted me again.

The server came over and refilled my glass, and Marco stood and made some speech about his brother being tied down and not only was he gaining a bride but a child as well, and reminded him that I still had a year of high school left.  I had already finished my glass before they toasted.  After that, Carlos took my glass away, and told the waiter I would be having  coffee and water.

A band began to play and we were asked to go to the floor.  Carlos took my hand and led me  to the center of the room.  He took me in his arms and his family started shouting "Bacio, Bacio!"  He chuckled and pulled me in for a passionate kiss.  He pulled me tighter against him, and I could feel a gun under his vest.  Seriously, he came prepared for war against Baltimore.  When we got back to the table, he asked me to finish my mashed potatoes.  They were cold, but I did what was asked. I didn't feel like having an argument on our wedding day.

Then, I was called to the stage and was handed a Martin DO45 acoustic guitar, a gift from Carlos.  "Play..play!"  Everyone shouted.  I was so nervous, and don't know why.  I perform all the time for people.  But, I took the guitar and started to play.  "When the night has come, and the land is dark, and the moon is the only light we'll see.  No I won't be afraid, oh I won't be afraid, just as long as you stand, stand by me." As I finished singing, I started to feel better.  I had been through so much since I had turned eighteen, but then Carlos had came into my life, and he was there to stand by me as my partner. 

When the song ended , Carlos held his hands up from the bottom of the stage and I went into his arms.  He kissed my forehead thanking me, and then yelled, " Let's get this party started!"  A DJ came out and started playing the "Tootsie Roll."  Not one of my favorites, but hey, I was in the perfect attire to dance.  My sisters and friends ran up, and I was surprised when Carlos, Marco, and a few of the other Made men came to dance as well! 

I was dancing with my friends to the song "Heathens".  It was one of my favorite songs.  My sisters and I were huge fans of the Harley Quinn cartoon.  I felt someone grinding behind me and when I turned it was Carlos.  "Who you dancing for?" He asked.

"You."

He whispered.  "Don't forget  I own four nightclubs."

"And now, I do..." I turn and stare into his eyes, challenging him.

"Everything I own is now half yours, Maria."

"Everything? " I ask. 

"Everything."  He answers and kisses my neck, as I leaned into him.

"Ready to throw your bouquet? " He asks...

"Ready to retrieve your garter?" I answer.

I sat  in a chair as he nelt down in front of me.  I slowly lifted my skirt, as he brushed his fingers up my leg. I felt him lean in and go under my skirt, and the men all cheered.  I felt a small bite mark on my leg and then felt the garter sliding down my leg.  He stood up with the garter in his his teeth.  "Whos going to be next?"  he shouted, as he slung shot it through the air.  His brother tackled his own nephew to get it.  "Your too young." He shouted as he taselled his hair.  Next, I threw my bouquet and my youngest sister, Camilla caught it..

We finished the party with a fun cake fight Bridal party vs. the Groomsmen!  I was covered in Frosting! "I was laughing hysterically, when Carlos spun me around and licked my cheek!  He totally took me by surprise!

It was around midnight, when the DJ made the announcement that is was time for the Groom and Bride to go to bed. Carlos gave me a smirk, and then threw me over his shoulder, and gave me a hard smack on my ass!  Everyone was cheering him on except for my little sisters.  "You wed her...Now you bed her." 

He carried me down the hall and to the elevator.  He didn't set me down until the elevator opened and we went in to our suite.  When he opened the door, there was a path of rose petals that obviously led into a bedroom.  He led me into the room and threw his jacket on the floor.

Carlos pushed me onto the bed and climbed on top of me and I began to tremble and tears pierced my eyes.   "Relax, Baby...I won't hurt you."   He kissed me passionatelyon the lips, and pulled me up against him. 

"Look at me."  He ordered.  He sat up and  started unbuttoning his shirt.  On his upper left chest he had the saying " Sworn in Blood."   He took my hand and touched his tattoo.          

"I promise not to hurt you."  I felt his heart beat and I was able to relax with every beat, that I felt.

He stood up from the bed and pulled me up as well and told me to turn around.  He unbuttoned my dress and started to pull it down my shoulders.  Shit!  I had forgotten that I wasn't wearing a bra!  He leaned in and placed soft kisses on my neck. 

My dress dropped to the floor and revealed my lace thong.  He grasped the sides and slid them down my legs pressing soft kisses until they dropped to the floor. He turned me around, and I quickly covered myself.  He grabbed my hands "No, let me admire you...Let me see my beautiful Wife."