Chapter 10 - Flour and Forever
Six months later, Hanover Street was closed off to all vehicle traffic for the largest celebration the North End had seen in a generation.
Strings of warm white lights stretched from building to building across the historic street. Long wooden tables loaded with platters of roasted meats, fresh pasta, and hundreds of loaves of artisanal bread lined the pavement.
Inside the candlelit sanctuary of St. Leonard's Church, Clara stood dressed in a gown of vintage ivory lace, holding a bouquet of white roses and wheat stalks. Beside her stood Roman, looking impossibly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo, his gray eyes soft with emotion as he slid a band of polished platinum onto her finger.
"I give you my strength, my honor, and my life," Roman declared before their gathered friends, family, and neighbors. "Forever."
"And I give you my love, my trust, and my heart," Clara replied softly. "Forever."
When the priest pronounced them husband and wife, a roar of applause erupted inside the sanctuary and spilled out into the streets of the North End.
Later that night, as music played and guests danced under the summer stars outside, Roman took Clara's hand and led her away from the crowd, stepping back into the quiet, warm interior of Evans Bakery.
The scent of sweet butter and warm yeast filled the air. The summer moon shone through the clean glass window, casting a silver glow across the marble counter where their story had begun.
Clara reached into a metal bin behind the register, her fingers scooping up a small handful of soft white flour.
Roman saw her hand and raised his eyebrows, a slow, playful smirk spreading across his lips as he smoothed his black tuxedo jacket. "Don't even think about it, Mrs. Valenti. This suit cost more than a commercial mixer."
Clara smiled—a radiant, beautiful expression of absolute freedom and happiness.
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"Welcome to the family, Roman," she whispered softly.
With a gentle flick of her wrist, a soft cloud of white flour burst across his chest, settling over his dark suit like fresh snow, uniting the king of the shadows with the light he had searched for his entire life.
