Life is never easy. Not even for immortal wizards. Sandro and I witnessed so many historical moments that it wouldn't fit in a single book. We saw wars, changes, progress, pain, joy... Everything you can imagine. As time went by, we were sure our freedom would never come. When we thought the moment had arrived, a crazy murderer became Germany's leader and tried to eradicate San's people from Earth. It wasn't easy. Many years later, we found a land that welcomed our kids and us. A country that has its ups and downs but gave us a home.

"What is taking so long?" I huffed as I looked through the car window. "This city indeed never sleeps!"

"Easy!" Isa chuckled as she drove her car slowly. "Everyone says it's elegant for brides to arrive late. You're just being chic."

"I've waited centuries for this," I sighed while admiring my wedding dress. "I can't anymore."

"I'm the minister, remember? Without me, there's no wedding, so don't worry," Isabella said. "I can't believe I got that certificate from the internet thing."

"We've been living in this century for a long time," I laughed. "Just call it internet."

Isabella raised her brows. "We might be in 2014, but I won't stop adapting words. Right, bread-head?"

"If you call me names again, I'll levitate this car like in those fantasy movies," I slightly narrowed my eyes. "I wish films existed back in the Middle Ages. People would've understood wizards better."

"I never want to return to that horrible time," my best friend turned right. "Who would want a life without Eataly? The food is amazing!"

We laughed loudly. My life had improved drastically in the twenty-first century. Although my abilities lost importance after some inventions, such as antibiotics, I was glad life expectancy increased. Our world deserved better health. Besides, people didn't mistreat me so much for being a woman anymore. Finally, I was allowed to marry Sandro.

"Do you think the entire family has arrived?" I squinted as the bright sun hit my eyes. "I hate making people wait."

"Almost all our guests are ghosts, so they don't have anything better to do," she chuckled. "The rest is your kids, grandkids, and great-grandchildren. I'm sure your family won't mind waiting for a while."

"The weirdest part is the kids, Sandro, and I look the same age. Guido wasn't kidding when he said immortality makes you stop aging at forty," I laughed discreetly while touching my wedding dress. "Everyone thinks my children are my siblings."

My best friend frowned. "What are you doing? You'll ruin your outfit!"

Isa can be overzealous sometimes, but I don't want to damage my dress.

Sighing, I observed my wedding gown. My dress was long and slightly bulky, making it elegant and mind-blowing at the same time. It had thick lace straps, a V-neck, and a discreet glow. My long, thin silk veil covered my bun, which had tiny white flowers on top. My bouquet had pink roses surrounded by a rosary made of pearls. Isa wore a shiny light green dress with short sleeves, but it wasn't as fabulous as mine.

"We're here!" Isabella pointed to the trees on our left. "There's no need to worry anymore, little angel."

My lips curled into a face-wide grin as I observed Central Park. The trees, the vast lake, the famous big fountain: a peaceful place in New York City's chaos. Taking several deep breaths, I left the car with Isabella. I gulped while looking at the grass, hoping it wouldn't make my white dress hem dirty. As we walked to the venue, Isabella practiced her speech in a low tone of voice.

"Don't do this, Isa. I want your speech to be a surprise," I huffed. "As our 21st-century friends say... No spoilers!"

"Fine! It's hard to avoid spoilers nowadays. Especially now that evil devices ruin movies for me," Isa rolled her eyes. "Stupid social media!"

"Stop giving nicknames to everything," I laughed loudly. "They're called cellphones."

"Those things are from hell!" Isabella crossed her arms. "The FBI will find out we changed names over the centuries to keep our immortality a secret. All because of cellphones!"

"What did I say about drama on my wedding day?" I tried not to freak out. "I didn't do that when you and Guido got married!"

"Alright! I'm sorry," Isabella gave me a quick hug. "I just fear the FBI sometimes. These guys are everywhere."

"They have better things to do than chase a bunch of wizards," I raised my brows. "If you mention them again, I'll throw you in the lake."

"No problem," Isabella grinned mischievously. "I could use a bath."

We giggled. I sighed in relief once we arrived at the wedding venue. The Tiffany chairs were in their place, the flower arrangements surrounded the place I'd walk on, the white flower arch was ready... Just the way I wanted. Roberto, Anna, and my family sat on the chairs. Isa and Guido's kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were also there. My parents hugged me as I arrived. I couldn't feel that embrace because they were ghosts, just like Anna and Roberto. Regardless, I was lucky to have them by my side. My eyes gleamed as I observed my future husband by the flower arch.

I'll never get tired of looking at him.

Sandro wore a charming black suit with an elegant tie that matched his dark-blue kippah. Although our wedding was neutral, we were still proud of showing our religions. Kippahs are small round caps Jewish men wear in special celebrations. It looked great on him. I giggled as San winked at me. Even though we had been together for centuries, our flame remained strong.

Dad gently took me by the arm. "I believe it's time for you to get married, sweetheart."

"I'm glad you let both of us walk you," my mom wiped away a few tears. "I'm honored."

I smiled. "It's the least I could do after everything you did for me."

My parents embraced me again. I could see them, but I wish they were immortal. That was my special day, so I tried not to think about the ghost situation. Isabella ran towards the flower arch, taking her position as officiant. Once I gave three of my grandchildren a sign, they played my entrance song. Everyone got up, apparently excited. After a rushed marriage with a false conversion when I was pregnant with my twins, Sandro and I got the celebration we deserved. We found a place and a time where nobody would forbid us from being happy.

This is it. I'm marrying the man I love without restrictions, fear, or punishment.

The more I walked, the closer I got to have a happy wedding. After years of running from discrimination and escaping wars, there we were. Although the world has many improvements yet to be made, Sandro and I could finally be free. Religious differences, pregnancy out of wedlock, personalities that didn't follow a pattern... None of that was important anymore. Only one thing truly mattered, and that was love.

"I know you love my daughter, but I'd like to give you a reminder," my dad glanced at Sandro. "If you ever mistreat her, I'll haunt you for the rest of your eternal life."

San nodded. "Fair enough."

My parents sat, and so did everybody. Isabella cleared her throat as she stood under the arch with Sandro on her left and me on her right. My groom and I couldn't stop looking into each other's eyes. It was as if we had gone back in time. Our first encounter when my mother needed rags, our kisses, our experience raising our kids... I recalled all of it.

"Welcome, everyone. As you know, I'm Isabella Castelli, the amazing officiant who'll marry the most stubborn wizards in the world. I won't ask them if they'd like to get married because we know the answer," Isa smiled, and all our guests laughed. "If it weren't for their persistence, they wouldn't have been here today. Val and San always found their way back to each other regardless of what life threw at them."

Mom cried discreetly. She wouldn't stop grinning while looking at us. I couldn't believe how much my mom had evolved. I sighed while observing her holding hands with my father. She had to wait for her death to be with my dad, and I was glad I didn't have to do that with Sandro. I would've needed to do what my mom did if we weren't immortal. She put up with Pietro for years only to give me a better life. My mother was a true hero.

"I couldn't be prouder of Sandro and Valentina. They are wonderful people that achieved a lot together. A family, a relationship, a life, and let's not forget their amazing Italian restaurant!" Isa seemed to remember dishes she enjoyed. "San cooks the best meat lasagna while Val makes the finest tiramisu. You must take advantage of their special Chrisnukkah sale. It's half-priced seasonal Christmas and Hannukah food at Santina's. So worth it!"

Chrisnukkah was a tradition Sandro and I had created when our twins turned three. It was about honoring Hannukah and Christmas on December 23rd with food and prayer from both religions. Our guests laughed again. Many years had gone by, and yet Isabella hadn't lost her sense of humor. Bianca had the loudest laugh, which she got from her mother. Although Bianca had Guido's eyes, she was much more like Isa. That wasn't true about her three siblings, however. They were carbon copies of Guido.

"Food cravings aside, I just want to say I love you very much. You'll have a wonderful eternal life full of joy, accomplishments, and beautiful moments because you're blessed people," Isabella couldn't hold her tears. "As your best friend, I..."

Guido and Roberto cleared their throats. I couldn't help but chuckle as they were slightly jealous. Despite being very old, I hadn't gotten used to men's childishness. They were incredibly immature and cute at the same time. It wasn't such a bad mix of characteristics.

"As one of your best friends, I can't wait to see what your future adventures will look like. I'll always be there for you, no matter what," Isabella glanced at Sandro and me. "Now, I believe it's time for the vows. Who would like to start?"

San grabbed a piece of paper from his pocket. "I'll begin."

Taking a deep breath, I wondered what I would hear. Sandro took a step forward, seemingly caring more about me hearing his vows than the guests. Since we had a long story together, it wouldn't be easy for him to keep it short. Not every couple had experienced so many historical moments and had been together for centuries.

"Tina, I was a different man before meeting you. I didn't want commitment, feared falling in love, and thought I could never be in a relationship. If it weren't for you, I'd be the same sad and arrogant boy who didn't know what he was missing," Sandro gave me a passionate gaze. "You turned my world upside down with your arrival. Besides accepting me for who I am, you gave me your love. You didn't see a yellow circle or a six-pointed star. You saw me."

My heart was warmer than ever. Sandro would ruin my makeup if he kept talking. Breathing slowly, I tried not to cry. He was unbelievably adorable. As the wind made my hair move a little, I hoped he'd never stop making me smile.

"Finally, we can be ourselves without fearing people will punish us. Even if society changes again, I beg you never to let anyone think you should be different. Everybody needs your authenticity, intelligence, and bravery," San caressed my face gently. "Thank you for choosing me to be your eternal husband. I love you."

I felt tempted to skip Isa's final speech and kiss him. However, I had to control myself. Dad took my paper out of his pocket. I sighed while facing it. Hopefully, Sandro would enjoy hearing my vows.

Here I go.

"San, you're one of the greatest blessings of my life. Together, we faced more challenges than anyone on this planet. Without you, I wouldn't have found the better part of me," I couldn't help but smile. "I've been attacked by many for not being like other women and having Muslim blood. Some people didn't see me as a good person because of prejudice. You changed everything by treating me with kindness and love."

Sandro blushed. "You'll make this wizard cry."

"I've always felt safe with you because you saw me too. You're my soulmate. After struggling for years, I found a man who admires my qualities, doesn't judge me, and makes me feel like a queen," I took Sandro's hands in mine after returning the paper to my dad. "Your sweetness and sense of humor make me happy every day. You're the light that protects me from the real world's darkness. I love you immensely."

Sandro wiped away a tear. I loved it when my words caused an impact. Isabella asked the twins for our rings. I grinned once Gabriella and Lorenzo approached us. Both had light-brown hair, except that Gabriella's was long and Lorenzo's was short. They had San's intense dark-brown eyes. Although they looked forty like me, they would always be my babies.

"The ring exchange has ended, so it's time to give this ceremony a beautiful ending. By the power invested in me by my online wedding officiant certificate, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" Isabella grinned broadly. "You may kiss!"

The guests got up and clapped. San and I kissed so fervently that I could barely breathe. My eyes were closed, but I felt like I could see everyone's smiles. With my hands around his neck and feeling his hands around my waist, I let him lift me off the floor for a moment. I never wanted him to let me go. That was one of the happiest moments of my life. Sandro and I held hands while walking to an event space filled with beautiful tables and flowers to eat great food. We would have beer and swordfish, obviously. Isabella, Guido, Bianca, and our twins reached us.

"Best wedding in history!" Gabriella gave me a quick hug. "Mom, you look like an angel."

I admired my daughter's pink dress. "So do you, my dear."

"Gabi is only saying that because she wants to go with you on the honeymoon," Lorenzo shot Gabi a provocative gaze. "Forget it. We both know I'm the favorite twin."

Bianca rolled her eyes. "For an immortal adult man, you're very childish."

"Indeed!" Gabriella narrowed her eyes at Lorenzo. "Besides, I was born first, so I'm naturally more mature than Enzo."

"Don't worry, Gabi. Four months after your father and I spend our honeymoon in the Bahamas, we'll travel together," San explained. "I already got you and Lorenzo plane tickets. Unfortunately, your three siblings didn't want to come."

"Bianca's siblings didn't want either," Guido shrugged. "It's their loss."

"I'm so grateful to have all of you in my life," I smiled broadly. "Our trip to Italy will be unforgettable!"

Bianca, Gabriella, and Lorenzo cheered. We saved money for a long time to have that trip. I couldn't wait to travel with Sandro and our twins. I wished our other children wanted to go as well. Bianca, Isa, and Guido seemed excited. After my glorious wedding, I'd revisit my city. Although I was born in Palermo, Venice would always be my home. After all, that was where I found love. Hopefully, time was kind to that great place.

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Author's note: Our favorite couple finally had their dream wedding! Will their trip to Italy be fun? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend NatashaIli