The Ceremony

Tony paused by the door. Under the light, the stress lines on his forehead were prominent. The shadow cast dark circles under his eyes. He looked worn out.

"Marcella," he walked to her. "Chris~" he paused for a second. "It should be about the will, I understand," he asked.

Marcella nodded surprised that Tony had already guessed it. She could feel a gentle feather caressing her wounded heart.

"Let's go," he jerked his head at the door.

Marcella could sense that he didn't want to talk about it and she followed him. They walked to her place and took the necessary documents.

She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked like a corpse. She quickly changed into the blush pink dress she had. She didn't have any pretty dresses in white. She applied some makeup to look presentable. She was going to get married! She should not look like she was kidnapped and starved for weeks.

Ah… I cannot correct the flaws yet…

She sighed. But what else can she do? She would look terrible if she doesn't have her beauty sleep. She cannot linger here wasting time.

She stepped out of the bathroom, Tony looked at her. She didn't think anything of it until he saw a smile blooming on his face.

"You look good, Marcella DeAngelo."

"Thanks," Marcella bowed her head as she became aware. Of course, he would lie to her.

I am getting married to Sweet Baby Tony!

Both of them went to the city hall.

The traffic was unbearable. She almost fainted out of tiredness but she held herself conscious. She cannot lose time right now. Fainting now would be a waste of time.

It was closing time and to her knowledge, they won't help anymore. She got anxious.

Tony patted her hand. "Don't stress, Marcella. It's going to be fine…" he said.

Marcella nodded. Her eyes stung as tears collected in them. "I can't lose custody, Tony… She wanted me to have her son. I can't fail her…" She buried her face in her hands.

"And you won't," Tony patted her back. Marcella nodded.

They reached the city hall. Tony walked in. Most of the staff had already left.

"Wait here," he helped her to a seat.

After getting all the documents, he walked to the counter. "I knew you'd be working overtime, Angel!" he spoke in a cheery voice making the middle-aged woman at the counter blush.

"Tony, the charmer!" the woman said. "What do you want this time?"

Marcella saw Tony leaning over the counter. He whispered the details to the woman. The woman leaned forward and looked at her.

Marcella waved with an awkward smile.

"You sure this Romeo over here is not holding you against your will? Did he pull out a gun to your head?" the woman asked.

Marcella blinked. Do I look that terrible? "No," she said with the brightest smile she could conjure up. "It's the reverse. I couldn't wait."

Tony chuckled. "Beautiful, isn't she?" Tony told the woman for Marcella to hear. "My bride!"

Marcella's heart skipped a beat.

The woman shook her head with a cheeky smile. "You found the right woman for you."

Marcella couldn't hear any more conversations between them. Tony called Marcella and she walked to him. They both signed the license. The witness fields were empty.

Marcella didn't know how Tony was going to handle that. Just as she was wondering, she heard footsteps behind her.

Congressman Feinstein was there with his wife. Marcella was stunned at how Tony managed to bring the congressman here at the right time.

Tony proudly introduced her to the congressman. They must be his witnesses. But for her side?

She looked behind and she saw her father's trusted man Henry Arletta was there. "Uncle Henry?" she mumbled. "It has been a while…"

Henry came and hugged her. "Bambi, good to see you… You remember Veneto, right?" Henry jerked his head at the other man standing near him.

He was the guy she saw by her apartment the other day. He must be one of her father's men. She didn't know Veneto but he must be here with Henry.

How did Tony know them? How are they here?

She was glad they got the witnesses and decided not to dwell on the details. They all signed and the marriage license was completed.

Gladys, the lady at the counter told them that the ceremony needed to be done for her to record the marriage. Tony smiled.

Ceremony?

"I'm ready," Tony said. Marcella was stunned.

How is he ready for everything? What sort of man is he?