Chapter 19
But the joy inside him was a volcano ready to erupt.
Cosimo suddenly swept Noemi into his arms, spinning her in wild circles.
“I’M MARRIED! SHE’S MY WIFE!”
“Cosimo! Put me down, you lunatic!”
She clung to his neck as he whirled faster, her laughter mixing with mock outrage. “People are staring!”
“LET THEM! I WANT THE WHOLE WORLD TO KNOW!”
Other couples outside the courthouse grinned at his exuberance. Some applauded. One elderly man called out, “Congratulazioni!”
When he finally set her down, dizzy and breathless, she saw tears in his eyes.
“Twenty-five years,” he whispered. “I’ve loved you for twenty-five years.”
Her heart clenched. She cupped his face, rising on tiptoes to kiss him softly. “And now you have me forever.”
That night, in their villa overlooking the sea, Cosimo paced their bedroom like a caged tiger.
“You’re making me dizzy,” Noemi called from the bed. “Come here.”
“I just… I want this to be perfect.”
“Cosimo.” She sat up, letting the sheet fall. “We’ve already made love. Several times.”
“But this is different! This is our wedding night. It should be special, romantic—”
She stood, walking to him in her silk nightgown. “You know what’s romantic?”
“What?”
“A man who waited twenty-five years for the woman he loves.” She wound her arms around his neck. “A man who memorized every detail about her. Who built an empire but still gets nervous on his wedding night.”
His hands found her waist. “I just… I can’t believe you’re really mine.”
“Then let me show you.”
She kissed him deeply, pressing her body against his. When she felt him respond, she smiled against his lips.
“There’s my husband,” she murmured. “The man who rules this island. Who makes grown men tremble.” She nipped his jaw. “Show
me that man.”
Something shifted in his eyes-nervousness replaced by heat. By hunger.
“Careful what you ask for, wife.”
In one motion, he lifted her, carrying her to their bed. This time, there was no hesitation. No shyness. Just raw desire finally
unleashed.
He worshipped her with an intensity that left her gasping. Every kiss branded her as his. Every touch claimed territory he’d dreamed
of for decades.
When he finally entered her, they both groaned at the rightness of it.
“Mine,” he growled against her throat. “Tinally, completely mine.”
“Yours,” she gasped, nails raking his back. “Always yours.”
They moved together with desperate passion, years of longing finally finding release. When she shattered in his arms, crying his name, he followed her over the edge with a broken sob.
After, he held her like she might disappear. “I love you. God, I love you so much it hurts.”
She stroked his hair, understanding finally hitting her. This man had truly loved her-only her-for most of his life.
“I love you too,” she whispered. And for the first time, she meant it completely.
The next morning brought their official ceremony. Cosimo appeared at their door in a white linen suit, grinning like a teenager.
“Ready for our victory lap, Mrs. De’Medici?”
Outside waited his vintage Vespa, decorated with silk ribbons and flowers. Tin cans were tied to the back-painted in bright colors by
local children.
Noemi climbed on behind him in her flowing white dress, her cathedral veil secured with pearl pins.
As they rode along the coastal road, she tossed handfuls of Jordan almonds and chocolates to the cheering crowds.
“Auguri!”
“Viva gli sposi!”
“Finally, Cosimo!”
Children ran alongside them, scrambling for sweets. Old women crossed themselves, calling out blessings. Fishermen raised bottles of grappa in salute.
They made a complete circuit of the island, stopping at scenic overlooks for photos. At each village, locals pressed flowers and homemade gifts into their hands-olive oil, limoncello, hand-embroidered linens.
Finally, they arrived at the tiny chapel perched on the cliffs. Inside, their witnesses waited-a mix of De’Medici associates and island
elders.
Father Benedetto, who’d baptized Cosimo as a baby, conducted the ceremony with tears streaming down his weathered cheeks.
“Do you, Cosimo De’Medici, take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife?”
“Father, I’ve been taking her as my wife in my heart since 1998.” Cosimo’s voice was hoarse.
“Yes. Forever yes.”
Gentle laughter filled the chapel.
“And do you, Noemi, take this man as your lawfully wedded husband?”
She looked at Cosimo-this powerful man who ruled an empire but still trembled at her touch. Who’d memorized her favorite flowers, waited through years of silence, loved her when she couldn’t love herself.
Chapter 19
“I do,” she said clearly. “With all my heart.”
“Then by the power vested in me by God and the Republic of Italy, I pronounce you husband and wife!”
Cosimo didn’t wait for permission. He swept her into his arms, kissing her like a man starved for decades finally tasting water.
The chapel erupted in cheers. Someone popped champagne. The church bells began to peal, their joyous clanging echoing across the
water.
As they walked back down the aisle through a shower of rose petals, Cosimo kept stealing glances at her like he still couldn’t believe
she was real.
“Stop looking at me like that,” she laughed.
“Never.” He pulled her closer. “I’ve waited twenty-five years to call you my wife. I’m going to spend the next fifty staring at you.”
Outside, the wedding party had already started. Tables groaned under platters of seafood, pasta, and local wines. A brass band played traditional songs while children danced on the cobblestones.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson, Cosimo led her to the cliff’s edge for one more photo.
“Happy?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her from behind.
“Happier than I ever thought possible,” she admitted.
He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Good. Because I plan to spend the rest of my life making sure you stay that way.”
Fireworks suddenly burst overhead, their colors reflecting off the darkening sea.
In the distance, ships in the harbor blasted their horns in celebration, the sound carrying across the water like a benediction.
