A hush fell over the gathering as Mia’s mother took herseat.
“Are you ready for this, man?” Mattasked.
Joaquin was more thanready.
The quartet began to play—Bach’s Air on a GString.
Elena appeared, looking incredible in a mermaid gown of pastel pink, her gaze meeting Joaquin’s, a bright smile on her face. She walked up the center aisle, which was already strewn with rose petals, bouquet inhand.
“Whoa,” Matt whispered. “She’s—”
“My cousin,” Joaquin finished forhim.
“Right.”
Mia.
Everyone stood as she stepped into the pavilion on her father’sarm.
It seemed to Joaquin that his heart had stopped. She looked like a dream in her white gown, her hair curling at her shoulders, a big bouquet of roses in her hands. She looked straight at him, her smile bright enough to shame thesunshine.
Joaquin found himself blinking back tears. He had waited a lifetime for this woman, for Mia. So many lonely nights. So many empty days. There were times when he’d wondered whether he’d ever find her—a woman to share his life with, someone special he could cherish for the rest of his life. Now, here she was, walking towardhim.
Mia’s father placed her hand in Joaquin’s, but all Joaquin could see was Mia. “You are sobeautiful.”
He bent down, kissedher.
Quietlaughter.
The judge welcomed everyone to the ceremony in English and Spanish, his words drifting over Joaquin like a breeze. Then Joaquin’s godparents stood and came to drape thelazoaround them, the scent of orange blossoms mingling withroses.
It was time for theirvows.
Joaquin looked into Mia’s eyes. “I, Joaquín Cristián, vow to love you, Mia, and to forsake all others for as long as I live. What I possess in this world, I give to you. I will keep and hold you, comfort and care for you, protect and shelter you, in good times and in hard times, for all the days of mylife.”
Now there were tears in Mia’s eyes. “I, Mia Rose, vow to love you, Joaquín, and to forsake all others for as long as I live. What I possess in this world, I give to you. I will keep and hold you, comfort and care for you, protect and shelter you, in good times and in hard times, for all the days of mylife.”
Matt handed Joaquin Mia’s wedding band, which Joaquin slipped onto her finger. “I give you this ring as a sign of my love and faithfulness and commit myself, body and soul, toyou.”
Mia repeated those words as she slid a band of white gold onto hisfinger.
“Te amo,Mia.”
As the judge began to pronounce them husband and wife, Joaquin drew her into his arms and kissedher.
“You may kiss … er…well.”
Cheers.
* * *
Mia tooka sip of the champagne she and Joaquin had opened in the limo, looking around at the reception hall. The Cousin Mafia had rented the place and decorated it. She hadn’t been sure what to expect, but they had come through again. Sheer pink and white fabric panels were draped across the walls. Bouquets of flowers sat on every table. There was a sound system, too, and a long table weighted down with food from thecaterers.
Joaquin nuzzled her ear. “It’s almost time for ourdance.”
They had been working on this—their first dance—since the day Joaquin had proposed. They’d practiced until Mia had mastered it and felt comfortable on the dance floor. Elena had helped Mia learn some of the sexier elements of salsa—that sensual, undulating motion, all that hipaction.
Alejandro, another cousin of Joaquin’s and their DJ for the afternoon, took the stage, welcoming everyone in English and Spanish. “We have a surprise for the newest member of the family. Mia,prima, are youwatching?”