ELENORA

The old antique clock over the fireplace in my father's study ticks loudly, competing with the crackling wood that's burning in the quiet room. My ma glances at my pop before she looks back at me. Concern, shock, and confusion cross her features. She fidgets with her hands before she asks, "So, it's not a hoax? You're really marrying, Federico?"

"Yes, we are getting married." I hold my hand out to her. She gasps, snatching my hand, which causes me to lean forward in my seat.

My father pulls my ma back and holds her hand. "Amore, Rico spoke to me the night Leo attacked Nora. He said things have progressed between them and ultimately if marrying Elenora would keep her safe he would do it. I meant to talk to you about it, but then everything happened..." (love)

A smile comes to my face knowing he felt strongly enough to talk to my dad about it and that just makes me feel more certain that this is right.

"It's a beautiful ring, piccola," My ma, squeezes my hand. "And I really like that the sapphire is your favorite color, too." (little one)

"This was his mother's ring." I observe the ring on my finger again, falling in love with it more and more each time I look at it. "He told me when he learned it was my favorite color, too, he knew it was meant to be."

"That's beautiful." My mother dabs at her eyes to keep her tears under control. "But are you sure, Nora? You just met a few months ago and everything has been moving so quickly."

I reach for her hand. "I've never been more sure about anything. I love him and he loves me, mamma."

"But...you hated him—detested him so much when you first met." My ma states, still not understanding.

I chuckle. "I know and I misjudged and he did me as well. But we're also alike. We're both thick headed. Ma, you and Maya took a liking to him right away, and not that I want to compare, but you both didn't like Leo from the start. Isn't that a good sign? You're always talking about signs and looking out for things that mean something."

After a moment of silence my father speaks. "Teresa, if Elenora is certain then that's good enough for me." My father's eyes shine with tears. "You deserve to be loved and taken care of like the princess you are, my beautiful, piccola." (little one)

He pulls me up and envelops me in a tight hug. "It makes my heart happy to see you happy, Elenora. And if Rico is the reason then I'm happy for the both of you." He kisses my face and tightens his arms around me.

My mother joins in the hug and I laugh, hugging them both. "Don't freak out but it's going to be quick." They both tense in my arms.

"Are you pregnant?" My mother pulls away and grabs my face to stare directly into my eyes. It's something she's done since we were little; she swears she can tell if we are lying by looking straight into our eyes.

I roll my eyes. "Ma! No, I'm not pregnant!"

"Why rush then, Nora?" My father's eyebrows come together.

"Well, with everything that's happened, and the attack from the Gallos..."

I figure skipping the part where there were more bad guys laying in wait at the hotel is okay considering the look of terror on their faces right now.

"We didn't get to finish our conversation when he left that night when he rushed to get to you. Is he certain it was the Gallo's?" My father is pacing in front of the fireplace now, his jaw is clenched as he runs a hand through his hair.

"It was Elijah Gallo."

My father brings both of his hands to his head and rubs them down his face, cursing as he pounds his fists into a wall. "Why?" He shouts. "Why are they coming after you and not me?"

"He wants to make you pay for what happened to his family, by taking what you love most out of the world, your daughters. They were going to take Maya first, but she has the most security."

My mother gasps and holds in a sob.

"That's why Rico sent all those extra men...security for your sisters, isn't it?" My father's dark eyes bore into mine and I nod.

"Why didn't he tell me before?"

"He didn't want to worry you with everything else you've been dealing with and then Leo happened."

"He still should have told me." My father sighs as he sits down, pulling my mother next to him to comfort her who's now crying.

"I'm assuming there's some truth to Detective Duko's theory then about Rico and Leo?"

"What do you mean?"

"You remember what Detective Duko said about a love triangle gone wrong. I'm not saying Rico was in the wrong, but..." My father looks at me for what seems like the longest moment. "Leo would have been held accountable, Nora."

I scoff. " We both know there was nothing tying him to when he raped me. It would have been my word against his. The system is flawed, you of all people should know that. And you can't sit there and deny that he would have made bail."

"It's never okay to take justice in our own hands, dolcezza." (sweetheart)

I take a few deep breaths to keep from blowing up at him. "Then why not involve the police from the get-go with this thing with the Gallo's?"

"That's different."

"No, it isn't. You know how things work, they would have been drawn out with investigations trying to prove what you're saying is valid, but you didn't want to risk the time knowing how the mafia works, Pop. You were willing to marry me off to Paolo for crying out loud."

The look of shame on his face eats at me and I avert my eyes, taking a deep breath and sigh. "Look, maybe it's wrong, but I don't feel anything when it comes to Leo other than relief knowing he's gone. Sure, I feel bad for his family and his fiancé because at the end of the day he had people who loved him, but he was also a liar and a monster. I don't want to waste anymore of my life or time thinking about him. I want to enjoy this time feeling happy that Rico and I found each other in the midst of all of this and want to spend our lives together."

My mom approaches me and cups my face, wrapping her arms around me. "You're right, figlia." My pop's arms come around me, too. (daughter)

"So, what is the plan, what can we do?" My father asks.

"Hold on, I want to tell everyone else, too and then I can tell you all at once." I head for the door and am amused when I pull it open and find all of my sisters including Clara, standing there, listening in.

"Yay! I'm so happy you're marrying Rico!" Maya is the first to break and runs towards me, hugging me around the legs. "He's like a real life prince, isn't he?"

"Let's not get carried away, Maya. Handsome, charming and rich do not make a prince," Clara says and I roll my eyes at her.

"Clara's has a point, but Rico is my prince." I smile at Maya, who grins up at me.

Jackie gives me a hug with tears in her eyes. "I'm happy for you Nora, but are you sure this isn't too soon?"

"He makes me happy and he makes me feel safe."

Luna engulfs me in a hug next and then she grabs my hand, both she and Jackie exclaim at the same time. "Holy shit!"

"Language!" My mom covers Maya's ears even though it's too late.

"So when's the date?" Jackie asks. I glance at Clara who smiles but raises her eyebrows as she walks in further into the study, knowing my family is seconds away from freaking out.

"The 20th..." I pause, looking around the room. "Of November."

My mother sputters. "Nora, but that's less than a month! That's not enough time to plan or do anything proper! People will think you're pregnant, piccola!" (little one)

Maya shrieks and we all look at her. "You're having a baby!?" She claps her hands. "I'm going to be the best Aunty!"

"No, I'm not having a baby, Maya." She frowns and I can't help chuckling at her disappointment.

"And yes it is soon, but Rico's Zia Rosetta met with a wedding planner and while the time is limited we will be able to do everything traditionally, only more condensed. The engagement party will be combined with the bridal shower this next weekend."

"The weekend after will be the bachelor and bachelorette parties and then we'll have two weeks to finalize all the details before the wedding." Their stunned faces stare back at me, except Maya who clapped excitedly after each event I name off.

"Hey, I'm all for it! You know Federico's got to have several hot cousins, and friends coming to the celebrations," Luna says.

My mom pinches her arm and Luna scowls.

"Where will the engagement party be held?" My father asks. "We'll need to send out invites."

"The invites will be taken care of, just give me a list of the guests and I'll make sure the wedding planner sends them out. I know it's not a lot of time, but nowadays most people prefer electronic invites anyway." I assure my parents since they both still have anxious looks on their faces.

Luna grabs Jackie's hand, turning to Clara. "Can we help you with the bachelorette party?"

"Sure, everyone knows I'm a horrible planner and I need Jackie to reign you in." She raises an eyebrow at Luna. "I can only imagine the theme you want to go with and there's only so many peni—" My father cuts off Clara, clearing his throat. "Oh right," Clara winks at him, smiling. "I mean between these two it'll be a killer party."

"That doesn't even make sense," Luna states dumbfounded.

"Between is the only word I could think of on the spot that sort of, kind of, rhymes with p—" Clara begins and this time my mom pinches her arm. "Ouch, Teresa! Honestly, it's better she hears it from us than kids at school, trust me!"

I chuckle at the interaction. "Okay, so, now everyone is clear on what is going on. It'll be crazy but I'm just so happy!" They all rush me in a huge group hug.

My father stands back watching us; tears shine in his eyes as he smiles back at me.