It Had To Be You (21 page)

“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.

With the dowel in place, there was really only one thing left to do. Rosa took the topper—a glorious bride and groom— and placed it on top of the cake. She grinned as she looked at it. “You know, I feel like that right now,” she said, pointing.

“Oh?”

“Yes.” She giggled. “I’m on top of the world.”

I reached to give her a warm hug. “I have a feeling you’re going to be there for a long, long time, Rosa. Tonight is just the beginning of your happily ever after.”

Rosa gave my hand a squeeze. “
Finché c’è vita, c’è speranza
, Bella Bambina.”

Mama and I grinned, then spoke the words in unison: “As long as there is life, there is hope!”

About an hour before Laz and Rosa’s wedding, I slipped into my evening gown, ready for what would surely turn out to be one of the most spectacular nights of my life. I stood in front of the full-length mirror, mesmerized by the way the black satin gown made me feel. I couldn’t be sure if it was the forties theme or the dress itself, but I genuinely felt like I’d stepped into a Hollywood movie set.

The flowing dress had a dramatic draped back and the prettiest rhinestone bow a girl could ask for. The front boasted a V-neck with princess seaming. My favorite part, though, was the skirt with its flared hem. I loved the fact that it was longer in back than front. Very elegant, especially with the lightweight satin swishing around my ankles. And there was something about a dress that had to be zipped up on the side that just made me feel like a Hollywood princess. Yep. I was a sucker for playing dress-up, even as an adult.

I touched up my lipstick and pressed my feet into the black pumps I’d chosen just for tonight—a pretty number with an elegant but sensible heel—and headed to the wedding facility in plenty of time to give the room a final look before the crowd arrived.

Once inside, I found Father Michael warming up on his trumpet with the band. Looked like Gordy had talked him into playing a number during the reception. Go figure.

I noticed Gordy and Lilly slip in from the hallway with suspicious smiles on their faces.
Hmm. I wonder what’s up
with that.

Gordy walked to the stage, turning back to catch Lilly’s eye. She gave him a little wave, then took a few steps in my direction. “Bella!”

“Lilly, what’s up?” I asked.

“I have news.” She pulled me to the side of the room. “It’s about Gordy,” she whispered.

“What about him?”

“We had a long talk the day Laz and Rosa were fighting, Bella, and he finally admitted that he’s been in love with me for months.”

“Oh, Lilly!” I reached to give her hands a squeeze. “This is wonderful news. I’m thrilled for you.”

“Not half as thrilled as I am.” She giggled, suddenly looking and sounding about forty years younger. “I asked him what took so long, and you know what he said?”

“No.”

“Fear. He was scared.”

“Of what?”

“Well …” She sighed. “He was married to his first wife for thirty-nine years, and she passed away after a long battle with cancer. Turns out he was afraid to love again, scared he might lose that person too.”

“Oh wow. Well, I guess that makes sense.”

“Yes,” she said. “But you know what makes even more sense, especially at our age?” When I shook my head, she said, “To risk it. To put everything on the line and take a chance. For love’s sake.”

“Wow. That’s brilliant, Lilly.”

She smiled. “I think so too, to be honest. And I’m willing to risk it all for love, Bella.” Her gaze traveled to the stage, and she gave Gordy a flirtatious wave. “He’s worth it.
We’re
worth it.”

I threw my arms around her neck, overcome with joy. “You are!” I said. “And I know God is in this, Lilly. He is!”

“Amen to that!” She giggled as she released her hold on me. Turning toward the stage, she wrapped up the conversation. “Of course, if I want to keep that man happy, I’d better get back to my seat. He’s never happy when a musician goes missing.”

“You go on then,” I said with a reassuring smile. “I need to go check on the bride, anyway. But keep me posted, okay?”

“You got it.”

I took note of the time—6:30. By now Sal would be at the door, greeting guests. I still smiled as I thought about his insistence to do things the way they would be done in the Old Country. Making my way to the door, I saw him at work, handing out drinks to the men and women. For toasting, of course.

Sal raised his glass and shouted, “
Per cent’anni!
For a hundred years!” and Phoebe and Bart Burton raised their glasses and shouted, “For a hundred years!”

Sal followed this with “
Evviva gli sposi!
Hurray for the newlyweds!” Bubba, who happened to be coming through the door with a stack of cloth napkins in his hands, shouted, “Hurray for the newlyweds!” Ironic, in light of the fact that he was one.

Watching Sal at work was a mixed bag. I was so proud of him for playing the role of host. But I was also a little sad knowing he would be leaving us soon, heading back to Atlantic City. He’d truly become part of the family over the past few days.

Glancing at my watch, I realized I needed to get moving. With only twenty minutes till start time, I still needed to check on the bride and groom. I entered the bride’s room to check on Rosa just a few seconds later. I gasped when I saw her, and tears sprang to my eyes. Talk about a transformation. I had seen her in her wedding dress a few weeks ago, but back then it had required alterations. Today, as I looked at her adorned in white, it occurred to me—she was truly pure in every sense of the word. Sixty-plus years old, and never married. She could wear that white dress and wear it proudly. I didn’t know many twenty-year-olds who could do that, let alone a woman in her golden years.

“What do you think, Bella?” She turned my way with a grin. “Do I look like I’m from the forties?”

“Man, do you ever.” The sweetheart neckline on the lace gown was amazing. And those full-length point sleeves were divine. My favorite part, however, was the darling forties-style white hat with veil attached. I could almost hear “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” playing in the background now. Rosa certainly looked the part, and then some.

“What about us?” I turned at Aunt Bertina’s cheerful voice. Mama, Bianca, and Bertina took my breath away. They all wore their hair in typical forties updos, curled around the edges, near to the face. Very Betty Grable–like. Or would it be Rita Hayworth? And those dresses! The gold gowns were reminiscent of days gone by, all glitz and glam. Straight off of a Hollywood set. I could hardly wait to see the ladies marching down the aisle with their respective groomsmen.

And speaking of groomsmen … from what I’d been told, Pop, Emilio, and Sal would all be wearing double-breasted suits and fedoras. This I could hardly wait to see. In fact, I’d check on them right now.

“Be back in a few minutes.” I offered Rosa a reassuring smile.

She waved me off, and I ventured down the hall to the groom’s room. Rapping on the door, my anticipation mounted. Pop swung it wide, and I gasped as I saw the men. I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or stare in stunned silence. Mama mia! Did these fellows look the part, or what? Their suits were fabulous from top to bottom and definitely put me in mind of a different era, one where men didn’t mind a little flash and shine.

Speaking of flashes, Joey was hard at work, snapping photos of the guys. “Perfect timing!” he said. “I was just wrapping up in here. I’m headed over to get some pictures of the ladies now. Are they ready for me?”

I nodded and gave him a quick hug, never leaving my spot in the doorway. I wouldn’t dare enter the men’s sanctuary without invitation. “Thanks for all your hard work, Joey,” I whispered. “I’m sure the pictures are going to be amazing.”

“Thanks, Bella.” He nodded toward me. “You look like you stepped out of a movie.”

“Why, thank you!” I curtsied. “That’s the idea.”

After Joey left, my father drew near. “Is it almost time?”

“No, we’ve still got fifteen minutes. I just had to see them with my own eyes. The suits, I mean. And the shoes.”

Pop turned in a circle, and I whistled as I took in the high-waisted, wide-legged trousers and the long coat with its broad lapels. What got me most, however, was the fedora. He looked smashing.

“Oh, take a look at these.” Pop pointed down to the black and white shoes on his feet. “Spats. Just for fun. And you’ve got to see Laz. You’re not going to believe it. He looks pretty dashing.”

“Is it okay to come inside?” I asked.

“Sure. We’ve been dressed for a long time. C’mon in.”

I stepped inside, gasping when I laid eyes on Laz, who was dressed in a getup similar to the others, with the addition of a feather in his fedora. Did he look like a dandy, or what? He wore a watch chain that dangled from his belt down to the knee, then draped back to his side pocket. Unbelievable—he looked like something straight from a photograph! Clearly, the man had done his homework on the forties. Or maybe he just remembered them firsthand. At any rate, he had it right.

“Laz, you look like a million bucks.”

“Wish I
had
a million bucks,” he said with a smile. “Rosa and I would stay in Italy much longer than planned.”

“Don’t you dare!” I said. “You’ve got to come back home to us. It’s going to be hard enough to do without you for a few weeks. A few months would kill us!”

“True.” He shook his head. “I haven’t got a clue how you folks are going to survive without your favorite aunt and uncle. For one thing, what will you eat?”

I gave him my best offended look. “Hey now. I’ll have you know that Rosa has been teaching me to cook over the past few months. I’m getting better all the time.”