Greater Than Rubies, a Novella inspired by the Jewel Trilogy (32 page)

Robin smiled. “I will.”

Abram nodded. “Then in the presence of God and all those gathered here, repeat this solemn vow which you will uphold from this day forward. I, Robin, promise you, Tony, that I will give you my heart and my life.”

Robin repeated the words with a strong and clear voice, making sure she conveyed just how much she meant them.

“I will stand by your side in sorrow or in joy.”

“I will comfort and encourage you.”

“I will support you in all that you do.”

“I will laugh with you and cry with you.”

“Above all, I will honor and respect you as your loving wife until death us do part.”

“This is my solemn vow.”

Abram smiled so big Robin wondered if his face would crack. He turned to Tony. “Will you, Antonio, take this woman, Robin, to be your beloved bride? Will you love and cherish her, protect and provide for her, in good times and in bad, in times of failure and in times of triumph, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, and – forsaking all others – remain true and faithful to her for as long as you both shall live?”

Tony squeezed Robin’s hand. “I will.”

“Then in the presence of God and all those gathered here, repeat this solemn vow which you will uphold from this day forward,” Abram said. “I, Tony, promise you, Robin, that I will give you my heart and my life.”

Tony spoke the words clearly, his strong voice ringing through the church. As he repeated the vows he had written for her and with her, she felt tears burning her eyes and furiously blinked them back afraid makeup would run if she let them fall. Every sentence he spoke, she fell more and more in love with him.”

“I will stand by your side in sorrow or in joy.”

“I will care for you and protect you.”

“I will support you in all that you do.”

“I will laugh with you and cry with you.”

“Above all, I will love and cherish you as your adoring husband until death us do part.”

“This is my solemn vow.”

The look on his face was intense, making her believe him, telling her that he would treasure her love.

Abram said, “May I have the rings?”

Barry and Maxine both stepped forward to release the rings off of Isaac’s pillow. She handed Abram Robin’s ring, and Barry handed Abram Tony’s ring. As soon as he was released from ring duty, Isaac dropped his pillow and ran to the front row where his oldest brother sat. Robin could see Peter roll his eyes as a thousand people chuckled.

Abram laughed and then said, “Robin, place the ring upon Tony’s finger and repeat after me.”

Robin took the ring from Abram and mimicking her moves from the night before, placed it on Tony’s finger and said, “With this ring I thee wed.”

Abram nodded and said, “Tony, place the ring upon Robin’s finger and repeat after me.”

Tony gently held her hand and slid the band of sapphires and diamonds onto her left finger. He looked into her eyes and said, “With this ring I thee wed.” Just for her benefit, he whispered, “Again.”

Robin laughed. Abram paused and nodded, and a man and woman took the stage, getting the microphones from the appropriate place and moving to stand in front of the audience. When they started singing, “When God Made You,” Tony and Robin walked hand in hand to a table that had two lit candles and a third unlit. They each took a candle, and together lit the third one, then extinguished the original two, symbolizing the coming together as one.

They moved back to their positions in front of Abram. As the song ended, he said, “By the power vested in me by the Creator of marriage and the church of God, and in accordance with the laws of the state of Massachusetts and these United States, I now pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined together, let no one put asunder. You may now kiss your bride.”

Tony stepped closer and put his hands on her shoulders. When his lips met hers, the audience around them faded away and she felt a warmth flood her body straight through her heart. She put a hand on the back of his neck and willed him closer even as he pulled back. He smiled and lifted her left hand, kissing her knuckles right above her rings. She reached for her bouquet from Maxine, then she and Tony turned around, hand in hand, and faced the congregation. For the first time, Robin looked around and saw every seat full, even in the upper balcony. She squeezed Tony’s hand harder, and he laced her fingers with his.

Abram said, “Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Antonio Viscolli.”

THE END

buon san Valentino
 – happy St. Valentine’s day

capisce
 – understand, comprehend

cara
 – dearest, darling, beloved

figlio
 – son (esp. beloved male child)

Lei parla Italiano
 – Do you speak Italian

Napoli
 – Naples, Italy

magnifico
 – magnificent

non ne parlano
 – don’t speak it (don’t mention it)

mi fratello
 – my brother

mia cara
 – my dearest, my darling, my beloved

qualunque
 – any (whichever, whatever)

spiegare
 – explain

Te amo con tutto il cuore e con l’anima
 –  I love you with all of my heart and soul

Enjoy this special excerpt from
Sapphire Ice
.

OBIN
stopped near him to grab a carafe of coffee. “How did we manage to get the early shift, Clarence?”

He winked and whispered conspiratorially. “Tell me about it. I have my lunch patrons’ whole lives memorized, but I only know half the people out there.” He looked over her head to the head table. “Boston’s royalty is here.”

Robin was too tired to even be intrigued by Clarence’s abnormal awe. “Maybe we can get Stanley a jester’s hat,” she whispered back, then pushed open the door to the dining room and forced a serious expression onto her face. The door swinging shut cut off his choking laughter.

The dining room was packed with people, seated at tables of eight. The restaurant was closed for the meeting, and it surprised her to see so many people there. But then, most of the customers weren’t members and wouldn’t get many opportunities to dine at Benedict’s, especially for free.

She was given the head table to serve, and knew some of them as regular lunch patrons. She addressed those she knew by name, and tried to discretely read the name tags of those she didn’t. Methodically, she worked her way down the long table, pausing to chat when it was required, fetching drinks as they were needed.

“Mr. Riley, it’s good to see you again. I think it’s been several weeks,” she said, speaking to the president of the Chamber.

“I’ve been on vacation, Robin. Have you ever been to Greece?”

She smiled and filled his coffee cup. “Not yet, but I want to go someday.”

“Beautiful country, dear. If you ever get the opportunity, don’t pass it up.”

“If a trip to Greece ever falls into my lap, I’ll remember your advice.” She moved to the next person while Riley continued to speak.

“Tony, if you’ve never had Robin here serve you, you’ve been missing out on the best that Benedict’s has to offer.”

“Yes. I think I’ve heard something similar about her before.”

The smooth voice seemed familiar, but she couldn’t quite place it. She took her attention from the cup and lifted her head, her eyes crashing into a pair of black eyes that seemed to look all the way inside of her, instantly learning all her secrets. “I didn’t expect to see you here,” he said.

Tony felt deep shock when he’d seen Robin enter the dining room. He’d had time to recover as she worked her way to him, and had nearly gained back enough self control to not show any outward reaction as she leaned in from behind him to pour his coffee. He had already had his normal morning quota of two cups, but allowing her to serve it gave him a chance to have her stop at his shoulder. As she completed her task, he caught her scent, something exotic and spicy, entirely feminine. Then she met his eyes and he thought that his heart would beat itself out of his chest.

When she looked away, it broke the spell, but a tremor in his hand that he neither liked nor appreciated remained. He was better prepared when she looked directly at him again, and concentrated fully on keeping his brain functioning.

“Do I know you?” She asked, her voice soft so as not to carry.

He kept his voice as soft as hers. “Not officially.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t … ” her eyes skimmed his name tag, “I don’t recall meeting you, Mr. Viscolli.”

His teeth flashed white against his olive skin. “I unofficially met you last night.”

Panic skirted up her spine and she looked around the room. Lowering her voice even farther, she leaned closer so that he could hear her. “Please, don’t say anything. I … we can’t … I mean, another job … ”

He placed a hand on her wrist, startling her. His hand felt rough, but warm. Warm enough that it sent heat up her arm, causing her to flush. “So, what you’re saying is that your job may be in my hands.”