Page 101 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins
“So ask.”
I take the ring and drop to my knee. "I've wasted so many years denying what my heart knew from the start. You are the missing piece of my soul. I want to spend every morning making pancakes with our children. Every evening tucking them into bed. Every moment showing you the love and devotion I should have given you years ago."
I never knew Gia’s smile could be so wide. "Max."
I hold up her mother's ring. "Gia, I want to marry you, if you’ll have me.”
“Absolutely.”
The opal catches the morning light, producing a beautiful display of iridescent colors. It’s almost as if Gia’s mother is here, giving her blessing. The ring isn’t just a sign of my commitment. It’s a symbol of acceptance from both Nic and the mother who trusted me to protect her daughter. Now I'll spend the rest of my life honoring that trust by loving Gia the way she deserves until my dying breath. If I’m lucky, I’ll live to an old age filled with laughter and love with this woman and our children. Living in Vegas, I know a thing or two about luck, and I’m feeling like the odds are in my favor.
30
GIA
Istand before our Christmas tree, the colorful lights twinkling on the emerald branches. My simple white dress feels perfect for this intimate ceremony. There’s no need for elaborate decorations or fancy trappings when all that matters is the love filling this room.
The kids stand next to me and Max, their eyes wide with wonder. Daniella keeps smoothing her new party dress while Dario fidgets with his tie. Behind them, Nic stands with Bella, his arm around her waist. Though his jaw remains tight, I can see the acceptance in his eyes.
The officiant stands in front of the tree, his words legally binding my life to Max’s. It’s the best Christmas present ever. Actually, it’s Christmas Eve, so Christmas is early for me. Max was adamant that he wanted to wake up Christmas morning with all of us being a real family. I don’t need the marriage certificate to feel like a real family, but I find his sentiment and his choice of wedding days very romantic.
Max takes my hands in his, his dark eyes looking at me and only me. Suddenly, I'm that young girl again, falling in love withhim for the first time. Only now there's no shame, no hiding, no guilt, just pure, unfettered joy.
"I've loved you longer than I dared admit." Max's voice cracks as he recites his vows. "You and our children are my heart, my home, my everything."
Tears blur my vision as I squeeze his hands. "You've always been my protector, my friend, my love. Now you're my future too."
When Nic steps forward to give his blessing, his words carry the weight of both brother and Don. "May you both find the happiness you deserve." He kisses my cheek, then clasps Max's shoulder. That simple gesture speaks volumes about how far we've come.
I never imagined I'd get this fairytale ending, the man I've always loved, our beautiful children, my brother's blessing. As Max slips the wedding band onto my finger next to my mother's ring, I feel like my heart might burst. This is real. This is happening. After all the years of longing and loss, we've found our way back to each other.
“You may kiss your bride,” the officiant finally says.
Max’s smile is wide as he takes me in his arms. His lips capture mine in a firm, full, loving kiss. I sink into it.
“Eww, kissing,” Dario complains.
“Eww is right,” Nic murmurs.
“Nic!” Bella chastises.
We have a small celebration, just family, but soon, Nic and Bella need to get back to their babies and Christmas preparations. Like last year, I’m hosting the feast tomorrow. Bella has a houseful of staff to help her, but since it’s the triplets’ first Christmas, I thought it would be nice for her to focus on them. And perhaps I want to finally rid the house of the bad juju from last year when Max spent Christmas looking out the window, hoping for escape from me.
Later that night, the house is finally quiet as Max and I play Santa and arrange presents under the tree. He's methodical about it, ensuring each gift is perfectly positioned, just like he approaches everything else in life. But there's a lightness to him now that wasn't there before.
He’s totally jumped into fatherhood and Christmas. He took the twins to see Santa, snapping a bazillion photos of them in Santa’s lap. He took us all out caroling, his deep voice joining our off-key rendition ofJingle Bellsas we walked through the streets. Then there’s the million presents he’s bought for the kids. Yes, he’s embraced fatherhood and the holidays full-force.
"You've really embraced all this," I say, gesturing to the mountain of presents he'd insisted on buying.
"I have a lot of time to make up for."
My smile is bittersweet. I’m so happy he’s here, but when I think of the time he’s lost with the kids, I’m sad because I know he feels it too.
“Let me get the bikes,” he says, heading to the stairs that go down to the basement level. I shake my head. Where will they ride them? We have hardly any yard here in New York.
“Are you going to walk these to the park each time they want to ride, which could be all the time?” I ask when he returns with the pint-size bikes.
Max pauses as he sets the bikes by the tree. “I have a large yard. It has a playground and a paved area for basketball… perfect for bikes.”