Chapter 8 - The Wedding on the Hudson
A month later, the Moretti estate hosted the grandest wedding New York had seen in fifty years.
The manicured lawns overlooking the river were decorated with white peonies, arching silk canopies, and soft golden fairy lights. Hundreds of guests attended—diplomats, shipping magnates, community leaders, and converted syndicate captains who had sworn total allegiance to Vincent.
I stood in the grand master suite, staring at my reflection in the full-length gilded mirror.
My wedding dress was a masterpiece of white lace, with a sweeping train, a fitted bodice, and a soft tulle veil that fell around my shoulders like a mist.
A soft knock came at the door, and Elena stepped in, holding Lily by the hand.
Lily looked like a little princess in her white flower-girl dress, her dark hair curled neatly, wearing a tiny floral crown of white baby’s breath.
"Mommy!" Lily gasped, her brown eyes wide with awe. "You look like a queen!"
I knelt down, careful of my dress, and pulled my sweet little girl into a gentle hug. "And you look like a little angel, baby."
Lily reached into her small satin basket and pulled out Button, her old, faded cream-colored cloth rabbit. Button was wearing a tiny black bow tie that Elena had sewn onto his collar for the occasion.
"Button says Mr. Vincent looks very handsome in his suit," Lily whispered giggling.
I laughed, kissing her soft cheek. "Button is very smart."
The church bells began to chime across the estate, signaling the start of the ceremony.
Elena took Lily's hand to lead her down to the procession line, while Mrs. Gable, the head housekeeper who had been like a mother to me during my years as a servant, stepped into the room to adjust my veil.
"You are radiant, my dear," Mrs. Gable wiped a tear from her eye. "From cleaning these floors to owning this house... Arthur Moretti himself would have been proud to see the woman Vincent chose."
"Thank you, Mrs. Gable," I said, my voice thick with emotion.
Ten minutes later, the grand doors leading out to the garden lawn swung open.
The string quartet began to play a breathtaking rendition of Canon in D.
I stepped out onto the white carpeted aisle, my heart beating with pure, radiant joy.
At the far end of the floral arch, standing beside the altar, was Vincent.
He wore a pristine black tuxedo, looking impeccably handsome, his eyes locked onto me with an intensity that took my breath away. Standing beside him as his best man was Marco, while Paulie stood guard nearby, smiling broadly.
As I walked down the aisle, surrounded by cheering guests, I looked at Vincent and saw a tear glistening in the corner of his gray eyes—a man who had faced death, war, and syndicate coups without flinching, brought to tears by the sight of the woman he loved walking toward him.
I reached the altar, and Vincent stepped forward, taking my hands in his.
"You are the most beautiful vision I have ever seen," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.
"I love you, Vincent," I murmured back.
"I love you, Nora," he replied softly. "With all my heart, for all my life."
The priest spoke the ancient words of holy matrimony, blessing our union under the bright blue sky and the gentle breeze of the Hudson River.
May you like
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest smiled. "You may kiss the bride."
Vincent didn't hesitate. He pulled me gently into his arms, dipping me back slightly, and pressed his lips to mine in a passionate, beautiful kiss that echoed across the lawn as the entire crowd erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.
