I drew in several calculated breaths, trying to stay focused and calm. Sal’s words washed over me: Sounds like you could use a little grace yourself right about now. Take a deep breath, Bella. Pace yourself. Grace yourself.
He was right. There would be plenty of time to think of myself later. Right now, Rosa was front and center. Literally.
After the makeshift ceremony, she and Laz practiced their wedding kiss—something that took much longer than expected— then turned to face the congregation and grinned. I had to laugh as they sprinted up the aisle. Well, sprinting being a relative term, what with Uncle Laz moving so slow these days.
As they passed by me, Rosa winked, and my heart soared. I could read so much in her playful gesture. She was thanking me for all I’d done. And she was thanking God for giving her the desires of her heart.
On the other hand, she might just be signaling me to gather the troops and point them all toward Parma John’s, where the rehearsal dinner would take place.
My gaze shifted to Sal. I couldn’t help but think about our earlier conversation. He had admitted to being a little jealous of Uncle Laz and Aunt Rosa, and I understood it. They had a love unlike any I’d ever seen—the kind that surpassed time and circumstances. Surely he longed for such a love himself.
In that moment, I whispered a quiet prayer that the Lord would show him just that—the Love of his life. And that Sal Lucci would, after all these years, come to know just what it meant to both love and be loved by the very one who’d given him that desire in the first place.
16
I Get a Kick Out of You
Saturday dawned clear and perfect with crisp, cold weather. We couldn’t have asked for more. And if anyone deserved perfect weather on her wedding day, it was Aunt Rosa. I slipped into my jeans and sweater, so many memories rolling through my brain … The day she arrived in Texas, straight off the plane from Napoli. The look in her eye the first time she cooked a meal for our family. The constant quarreling between Rosa and Laz. The day the folks from the Food Network showed up to film her in the Rossi family kitchen. The moment Laz finally confessed his love. The thousand kisses he gave her seconds later. Oh, how that tickled my fancy, both then and now.
As these memories flooded over me, a rush of emotion gripped my heart. All good, of course, though a little sad too. Seemed odd that life was changing so much. All for the better, but still …
I lingered a moment, thinking about how fast the world was spinning of late. Oh, but it was worth it when you were in love. Falling in love made everything—even the passage of time—sweeter. My thoughts drifted once again to Laz and Rosa, and I whispered a prayer that every desire of their hearts would come true. How fun to think they were finally going to be husband and wife.
I made my way down the stairs with a panting Yorkie-Poo at my heels. I’d almost reached the bottom step when my cell phone rang. I looked down at it, noticing the word Private where a number should have been. Hmm. A telemarketer, perhaps? I usually just let those go to voice mail, but today it seemed important to answer. I clicked Talk with a hesitant “Hello?”
“Bella? Is that you?”
I stopped in my tracks when I heard Brock Benson’s hypnotic voice come on the line. “Brock!”
“The one and only.”
I heard children’s voices off in the distance, so I had to ask. “Where are you?”
“It’s Saturday. I’m volunteering at the center.” He turned away from the phone to say something to someone else, which took several seconds. I sat down on one of the stairs, and Precious nuzzled into my lap. Brock finally came back on the line. “Sorry. Lots going on here today. We’re feeding several of the single moms and their kids a huge Christmas dinner. You should see the crowd. It’s pretty amazing, Bella.”
“No way.” I could still hardly imagine Brock Benson— Hollywood’s hottest hunk—working with Los Angeles’s inner-city children. And feeding them, no less! “Serve an extra helping of goodies for me,” I said with a smile.
“Will do. Hey, Rosa and Laz are getting married today, right?” His question jarred me back to attention. “I’m pretty sure I wrote down the date when we talked last.”
“Yes. They’re getting married tonight at 7:00, and the reception is after.” I went on to describe the whole big band theme, which got a chuckle out of Brock.
“Sounds right up their alley.” He paused. “Well, listen, I was calling for a reason. I wanted to do something special for the happy couple on their wedding day.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Or, rather, the day after their wedding. They fly out tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, but how do you know all of this?”
He laughed. “Bella, I talk to your Aunt Rosa at least once a week. She keeps me updated, trust me.”
My mouth flew open at that revelation. Who knew Rosa had a private weekly chat with the Hollywood megastar? “Wow. Well, to answer your question, yes. They fly out tomorrow. They’re spending tonight at the Tremont.”
“I’m trying not to think about their wedding night, thank you very much,” Brock said, followed by a nervous chuckle. “Um, yeah. Same here.” I swallowed my laughter and forged ahead. “So, what’s up? What are you thinking?”
“Well, they have to get to the airport tomorrow morning in record time, right?”
“Yes. Their flight leaves at noon, and they have to be there two hours early since it’s an international flight.”
“Right. So getting them up to Houston in a hurry is key.”
“I suppose. Never thought about it.”
“I did.” He chuckled. “I, um, well, I happen to have a friend who owns a helicopter.”
“W-what?”
“Yeah.” He laughed. “A guy I met out here a couple of years ago doing a shoot. He’s moved off to Texas. Lives in Austin.”
“Austin is hardly Galveston.”
“Still, as the crow flies, it’s not far. Won’t take Zach long to get there in the helicopter, and he owes me. So, he’s going to sweep in tomorrow morning around eight and fly them to their destination.”
“Italy?” I teased.
“Um, no. The George Bush Intercontinental Airport. They’re going to ride in style to the airport. What do you think of that?”
“Well …” I paused, thinking about Rosa’s reaction to all of this. “Rosa will think she’s died and gone to heaven, especially when she hears that you arranged it all.”
“Well, I didn’t exactly do all of it myself,” he admitted.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, I’ve been talking to your fiancé. D.J. helped me find a place on the island for the helicopter to land. He has some connections at a local helipad, I think.”
“Right. He worked on a house for a guy who—” Wait a minute. D.J. was involved in this? That stinker! He hadn’t said a word! Looked like he was pretty good with secrets. First the renovations to Rosa and Laz’s bedrooms. Then the home he wanted to purchase for the two of us. Now this?
“D.J. is going to the Tremont tomorrow morning at 7:45 to pick up Rosa and Laz to get them to the helipad on time.”
“Wow. Maybe I could go with him. Sounds like fun.”
Brock sighed. “My only regret is that I won’t be there. You don’t know how hard I worked, trying to get back to Galveston for the wedding.”
“Really?” I had no idea, but the thought of Brock returning for Rosa’s big day warmed my heart.
“Yes, but I’m in the middle of a movie right now, and the center is so new and all. I really need to devote my time here.” His voice grew animated. “Bella, your family means the world to me. When I think about—” He choked up. “When I think about how much my life has changed since I met all of you, I …” He paused. “I’m just so grateful to the Lord. He really used you Rossis to, well, there’s no better way to say it—to save a wretch like me.”
“Sounds like Guido.”
“How is that goofy parrot, anyway?” Brock asked. “Still singing?”
/> “Um, yeah. Only, now his owner has come to take him back to New Jersey.” The oddest sensation took over as I spoke those words. Was it really possible that I might actually miss Guido? And Sal?
“Oh, wow, that’s right. I heard that Sal was coming to the wedding.”
“He’s here.” I lit into a full explanation of all that had happened over the past few days, honing in on the part where he tried to ruin the wedding.
“Well, I’ll tell you this, Bella,” Brock said as I wrapped up the dramatic tale, “Sal is in the best possible place for the Lord to grab hold of his heart. Ask me how I know.”
I smiled, knowing all too well. God had really used my family to reach Brock. Surely he would do the same for Sal, even if we dropped the ball at times.
“Just be patient with him. I have a feeling God isn’t finished … with Sal or with Guido.”
“Hope you’re right.”
Brock laughed. “Funny you should say that. I used to major on being right. Now I just major on … well, on helping others.”
The sound of children’s laughter in the background caught my attention, and he began to talk to someone on his end once again.
“Listen, Bella, I’ve gotta go,” he said at last. “I’m praying you guys have a great day today. And talk to D.J. about the details for the helicopter tomorrow, okay? But don’t let Rosa and Laz know till the very last minute. I want it to be a surprise.”
“Gotcha. Oh, and Brock … thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Bella. It’s the least I can do.”
We said our good-byes, and he disappeared off the line. For a moment I sat with the phone in my hand, deep in thought. Brock Benson, Hollywood’s own, had arranged for my aunt to be escorted to the airport in style. And D.J. Neeley, the world’s sweetest construction guy, had played a role in the big secret. Thinking of D.J. made me smile. I closed my eyes and thought about how he’d kissed me good night just last night, the promise of many more kisses to come lingering in the air.
“Bella?”
I opened my eyes when I heard my father’s voice. “O-oh, hey, Pop.”
“Everything okay?” He gave me a curious look, and I nodded. “Yeah. Just got off the phone. Deep in thought.”
“Obviously.” He grinned. “Must be thinking of something nice.”
“I was. I was thinking about D.J.”
My father’s smile broadened. “I see how it is. Getting excited about your big day?”
“Yes.” I nodded and rose, putting Precious on the step beside me. “But today I need to be focused on someone else’s wedding. It’s Rosa’s big day. There will be plenty of time for my own stuff later.”
Pop wrapped me in his arms. “You’re a good girl, Bella. Always thinking of others before yourself. I’m so proud of you. Don’t know if I say that enough. And you’ve done such a good job with the wedding facility. We couldn’t have chosen a better person for the job.”
I gasped at this revelation. Sure, I received plenty of encouragement from my parents, but this one hit from out of the blue. “Thank you!” I threw my arms around his neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. “I needed that today, Pop.” With a spring in my step, I headed down the stairs to get busy.
I found Rosa in the kitchen, of course. Cooking. She looked up with a smile when I entered. “Good morning, Bella Bambina. How are you today?”
“I’m fine. But, Rosa! It’s your wedding day. You’re not supposed to be working, remember?”
“I know, but there’s still so much to do. Your mama and Laz just took the cake next door, so at least that’s done.”
“Really? Should I go over there and help them set it up? It’s not put together yet, right?”
“Right. I still need to do that, and then trim off the edges and put the topper on. I’ll come with you.” She dried her hands on her apron, pushing her food preparations aside.
“Wait. What about that old tradition of the bride and groom not seeing each other on their wedding day? Laz is over there, right?”
Rosa laughed. “We haven’t seen each other, trust me. Your mama won’t allow it. She pushed me out of the room when he came in, and I’m sure she’ll send him packing when we show up to put the cake together.”
“Well, I’m coming with you, just to make sure.” I gazed into her twinkling eyes. “And Rosa, when we get back, let Jenna and Bubba finish up the food. They should be here any minute.”
“I will.” She shrugged. “I would’ve asked Bianca and Bertina, but I can’t find them. They disappeared early this morning.” She shook her head. “I have a suspicion they’re up to something … and I don’t mean something good.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” My aunt’s cheeks flashed pink. “They wanted to throw me one of those … what do you call them? Lingerie showers?”
“Ah. Yes.”
“Well, of course I said no. I mean, can you imagine?” Rosa’s face got redder by the minute. “But Bianca was determined to find me something special to wear tonight. Um, after the wedding, I mean.” She coughed, and her gaze shifted down. I could read the embarrassment in her stance.
“I see.” I tried to push down the edges of my lips, but they refused to cooperate. As much as I’d tried not to think about my aunt’s wedding night, it seemed unavoidable, especially now.
“Anyway, I have a sneaking suspicion they’ve gone to town to do some last-minute shopping. I’m sure they’ll come back with something, well …”
“Sexy?” I offered.
“Yes.” Rosa grinned, then wiped her hands on her apron. “Anyway, it’s silly, but I just might play along.” Her eyebrows elevated mischievously. “Whatever they buy will certainly beat my flannel nightshirts, that’s for sure. And who knows … Laz might get a kick out of it.”
“I daresay. He is a man, you know.” I gave her a wink.
“He is, at that.” She winked back.
I took Rosa by the arm, and we walked next door to the wedding facility. When we arrived, I went inside first, ushering Laz out of the reception hall the back way. He promised to steer clear of Rosa for the rest of the day. Not an easy task since they shared the same house. But I knew he would honor Mama’s wishes. No doubt about that. If he wanted to live to see the ceremony, anyway.
Once Laz was gone, I opened the door for Rosa to enter. She looked around the reception hall and grinned. Shaking her head, she said, “It seems even prettier today than it did last night. I still can’t believe the transformation. This room is beyond anything I could have expected, Bella. Looks just like a banquet hall from days gone by.”
“I’m so glad you like it.”
“I love it. And it’s going to be wonderful tonight, once the band is in place.” She closed her eyes and began to sing “Some Enchanted Evening,” swaying back and forth with her imaginary dance partner. When she finished, her eyes popped open. “Oh, it’s going to be glorious!”
“It sure is,” Mama said as she approached. “And you deserve it, Rosa. You’re going to be the happiest bride in the state of Texas if Bella and I have anything to do with it.”
“Thank you.” Rosa’s eyes filled with tears, which she brushed away. Her gaze shifted to the cake. “Hmm. Looks like we need to get busy putting this thing together.”
“It’s bad luck for a bride to work on her own wedding cake, Rosa,” Mama said. “Maybe you should let me do this.”
“Pooh. I don’t believe in luck, good or bad. You know that.” Rosa reached for the oversized bottom layer and centered it on the table. “Besides, I love decorating cakes. Always have and always will. Especially wedding cakes. And I wouldn’t be able to rest if I handed this project off to someone else.” She grinned at Mama. “No offense intended, Imelda, but I really want to do this.”
“Of course.” My mother stepped back and let her.
When the bottom cake was in place, Rosa put the tiny wooden dowels in and set another layer on top of it. Once it was situated, a third smaller cake went above that. Rosa stood back
at a distance to give it a thorough examination. “Is it crooked?”
“Hmm.” I narrowed my gaze. “It’s leaning a little to the front.”
She did a bit of maneuvering, then stepped back and smiled as she looked at it once again. “There. That should do the trick.” Rosa took a spool of gold ribbon about an inch and a half wide and wrapped the bottom of each cake layer. Reaching for the bag of frosting, she began to trim off the edges of the cake. I’d never seen anyone move with such speed. Less than ten minutes later, the little scalloped edges were complete. Then she added several red silk roses, cascading from the top and spilling down the front in colorful array. Stepping back once again, Rosa expressed her contentment with a sigh.
“It’s beautiful,” Mama said. “Absolutely perfect.”
“Yes, it is,” I echoed. “The prettiest one you’ve made so far, Rosa.”
“Thank you.” She nodded but never took her eyes off that cake.
For a moment, none of us said a word. We all just stared at the three-tiered beauty.
“I just had the most interesting thought,” Rosa said at last. “It occurs to me that our family is like this cake.”
“What do you mean? Because we’re so sweet?” I offered up a playful grin.
“Well, that too.” She smiled. “But I was thinking of something else. We come to the Lord as individuals. Each one special and unique. Different sizes and shapes. Like the different layers of this cake. But when you put us all together …” She gestured to the whole of it and sighed. “Well, it’s something magnificent to see, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is.” I totally got it. We were different, each from the other. But the whole was certainly greater than the sum of its parts, no doubt about that.
“That’s the Rossi clan,” Rosa whispered. “Tall. Strong. Beautiful.” She lifted the edge of her tomato-stained apron and dabbed at her eyes, finally startling back to attention. “Help me with one more thing, Bella. I’ve got to put the dowel rod down through the center so the cake doesn’t fall over.”
As we pressed the long wooden dowel down through the center of the cake, another thought hit me. What made the Rossi family so strong, so beautiful, was the one thing at the center of it all. The Lord. Without him, we would have toppled long ago.