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They filled up the hours with stories from the past thirteen years of each other’s lives Her mother asked her about the various celebrities she’ddetail Likewise, her mother left no stone unturned in their town, and as old friends and neighbors she’d grown up with came by one after the other to visit, she was amazed by how easy it was to rekindle those relationships, as if she’d only been gone thirteen weeks instead of thirteen years

And, of course, everyone adored Jack As Mary and her mother had worked on her dress, Jack and her father had worked on Jack’s Italian language skills She’d known her fiancé was a brilliant man, but that didn’t make her any less surprised two days later when she walked into the living roo a conversation in Italian with the little four-year-old girl from across the street who had been sent over with her mama’s panettone, a classic Italian Christotten a hold of her brain

Jack’s use of her native language was still halting, of course, and he had to ask the girl to repeat herself a half-dozen times, but from moment to moirl watched with big eyes as Mary ht then and there in theroo in through the

That night, when she snuck into his bedrooht him the ro And as Mary and Jack loved each other, Italian and English endearments fell frorounds

She didn’t realize she was standing and staring at her wedding dress until her ently said, "It’s tier iine her life without Jack in it, and yet up until this week, past hurts and fears had kept her froive her entire heart to hie full of co for the cracks in her heart to heal, but he’d done so iven her his heart, too

Joy coursed through her as she undressed and folded the clothes she’d worn to the church in a neat pile She reached for the beautiful dress she and her ether, and carefully slid it over her head and shoulders Her mother rose to help her with the dozens of tiny pearl buttons that ran down the length of her spine

After helping her thher career, but they’d only been costuazed at herself in the dress in which she’d promise forever to Jack, Mary finally understood oowns

One day in the future, would her own daughter wear this dress?

As if her mother had read her mind, Lucia said, "You’re a beautiful bride, and you will be an areed they wanted a large fahter and love She could see their fay and ers with big eyes and laughter

Her hands tre with emotion, Mary reached for her veil, but herme that box first"

Mary had wondered if the old ribbon had been a wedding gift dropped off here instead of at the reception hall where they’d be later Now she realized it was a gift froirl, it was natural for her to sink to her knees in front of her mother as she put the box in her lap

"Your Jack told me about your first kiss"

Mary felt her face flush at the potent ainst hers in the San Francisco bar, beneath the h I was frightened by what I felt for him, I think I already kneould love him But when he kissed me…"

Her mother’s lips curved up into a soft shteen and so sure of hi fifteen-year-old who couldn’t wait to have a dozen men fall at my feet It was Christmas Eve, and e ran into each other in front of the fountain, the kiss he gave me was the best Christmas present I’d ever had" Lucia put her hand on Mary’s cheek "Your first kiss with your true love is so you will cherish forever Your father and I were hoping you would want to wear this for your wedding"

As Mary carefully removed the top from the box, she truly had no idea what she’d find inside, only that it was meant to remind both her and Jack of their very special first kiss

What she found atop a layer of red velvet was a beautifully made tiara of reen leaves in an intricate pattern

With steady hands, her mother lifted the tiara from the velvet and placed it on Mary’s head "Today, when your true love kisses you under the mistletoe, it will be forever"

"I love you, Mama"

Her mother held her close "I love you, cara"

Jack stood at the front of the beautifully decorated church, his heart pounding hard and fast with anticipation as he looked out at the large crowd Mary’s hometown had not only welcomed her back with open arms, but they’d thrown their arms around him, as well