Chapter 10 – THE WEDDING DRESS

One Year Later.

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the bridal suite of the grand Chicago cathedral.

My reflection stared back at me.

I was wearing a stunning, long-sleeved lace wedding gown. It was classic, elegant, and entirely perfect.

My mother stood behind me, fixing the long tulle veil, wiping tears from her eyes.

“You look like an angel, Hannah,” she sniffled.

“Don’t make me cry, Mom, you’ll ruin my makeup,” I laughed, dabbing the corners of my eyes.

The heavy oak door to the suite clicked open.

Teresa walked in.

She was wearing a beautiful silver gown that matched her hair. The gold rose brooch with the single pearl—the one Giovanni had given her—was pinned proudly to her chest.

And in her ears were her hearing aids, turned up perfectly.

“Oh, Hannah,” Teresa gasped, clasping her hands together. “You take my breath away.”

“Thank you, Teresa,” I smiled, turning to face her.

She walked over and took my hands.

“I brought something for you,” she said. “If you want to wear it.”

She opened a small velvet box.

Inside was the vintage diamond and sapphire ring. Giovanni’s mother’s ring. The one from the vault.

Luca had proposed with it six months ago on the same garden path where we had shared our first kiss. But Teresa had something else to go with it.

She pulled out a delicate, silver hairpin, shaped like a dove.

“Giovanni bought this for me on our wedding day,” she whispered. “He told me that peace was the most valuable thing a family could have. You brought peace back to our house, Hannah. I want you to wear it.”

Tears finally spilled over my lashes.

“I would be honored,” I said.

My mother carefully slid the silver dove into my updo.

“It’s time,” my mother said softly as the distant sound of the organ began to play.

I took a deep breath.

Teresa squeezed my hand one last time.

“He’s waiting for you, sweetheart.”