Marcella received congratulations from everyone standing beside Tony. Although there were only a handful of people, it almost felt like a reception. She missed her parents though. But she did wonder if they would be happy to see her getting married this way.
Probably not.
Congressman Feinstein and his wife left with Tony promising that he will surely have a wedding party. Marcella talked to Henry Arletta. He gave her a card with a phone number on it. Apparently, he started a shipping company—Bambina Shipping Company.
The address of the company was closer to her house. Henry told her that he employed a lot of her father's men, his "brothers" as they were left directionless after her father's passing.
That explained her seeing familiar faces around.
Marcella caressed the card. Her father had a shipping company as a front. He had the entire port under his control. Not even a fly or mosquito could enter or leave the port without him getting alerted. He handled a lot of illegal trafficking and got a sizable cut. That's how he increased his power and wealth in the city.
But Henry named the company after her. It warmed her heart.
"Everything I have is what Don DeAngelo left for me, Bambi. Whatever happened…" Henry sighed. "Don never stopped loving you. You must know that," Henry said holding her hand. His eyes started to water as he looked at Tony. "He would have been so happy to see you getting married. He worried a lot for you…"
Marcella couldn't find the right words to say to him. She was worried about what her father would think of her. But Henry's words soothed her. She hugged him. "Thank you for saying this, Henry. I needed it…"
Tony spared a glance at Henry and Henry nodded and excused himself.
Henry understood why Tony wanted Bambina to have access to her father's men. This way she can contact them whenever she needed. She won't be happy to learn that they are still following the old ways. He needs to hang a sign at their "warehouse" and maybe really start a business. Bambina is very smart. She can't be fooled for long.
Uh, Randy is not going to be happy hearing Tony married Bambina!
Marcella took in a deep breath. She was so tired she couldn't even think properly. She needed sleep.
"We can take the subway from here," she suggested. The traffic looked terrible. Also, she cannot afford a taxi wherever she goes. She needs to save money if she was going to raise a baby.
Babies are expensive to have.
Tony said nothing. He hasn't let go of her hand ever since the wedding. Marcella could see that he did not like her suggestion. As she thought, Tony proceeded to get a taxi for them.
He opened the door for her as usual. He's been doing that for her and she loved it.
"Your place or mine?" he asked.
Her sleep-deprived brain could only think of sleep. She didn't think about the deeper meaning behind his question. They are married and the next step would be… sharing a house and a bed.
"I'll have to go to my father's house at 10 in the morning," she said. "I need clothes."
"Your place it is," he said and held her hand. His lips curved into a smile.
"I'll share the fare…" She stuck her hand into her purse. "You've been spending a lot and…"
Alas! She couldn't find any money in her purse. But she knew she has money.
Tony placed his hand over her hand. "You're tired," he said. "Put your head on my shoulder," he patted his shoulder.
Marcella really wanted to sleep. But she didn't want to inconvenience him. "I'm heavy. I'll… lean back," she said.
Tony leaned to her ear. "You never will be too heavy for me, Marcella," he whispered.
Marcella's heart leaped in her chest cavity. She felt exposed as she was conformably leaning back on the seat. She sat up straight with her knees together.
Tony chuckled. He meant it.
Marcella scooted closer to him and leaned on his shoulder. It has been a while since she had a warm resting place. Her eyes drooped without her consent.
"Will you go with me tomorrow?" she asked.
He was holding her hand and his gentleness lulled her. She would love to have someone by her side. She's been doing everything alone for a very long time.
"You're okay with that?" Tony asked.
Marcella hummed. "I wish for it…"
"Then I will," Tony said.
She didn't know if he was speaking low or if she was not hearing properly. She couldn't lift her head up. If she did, she would have noticed Tony's smile disappearing. His eyes went distant as he pondered something.
"Thank you," she said.
He squeezed her hand and the shimmer of the ring caught her eye. Cynthia Crawford was extremely proud of this ring.
The Victorian twelve-carat emerald ring studded with diamonds was a family heirloom of the Crawford family. Mr. Crawford was a Scotsman and he proposed to Cynthia with that ring. After her husband's death even when times were very tough for her, she never gave up this ring. She treasured this ring just like she treasured the memory of her husband.
"This ring…" she said. She couldn't even move her lips. "It's your grandmother's… You didn't have to~"
"You loved this ring very much, didn't you?" Tony interjected her. This ring is meant for her. He saved this ring for her.
"Very much," Marcella said. She couldn't keep her eyes off the ring.
His grandmother told him about her interaction with her boss's daughter who was just five then. Ever since Marcella saw the ring that Cynthia used to hang on her necklace, she was engrossed with it. For weeks, she nagged his grandmother to give her that ring. When Cynthia told Marcella that she would have to marry her grandson if she wanted that ring, young Marcella agreed with no qualms.
Apparently, it made Don DeAngelo laugh his heart out.
Tony smiled. Here they are… She got the ring and they are married. His grandmother would have loved to see this day.
And Don… What will he say?
It doesn't matter.
Tony took in a deep breath.
It might be something he always wanted. But she did not marry him because she wanted him. She told his grandmother that she will marry him for the ring and she married him to get custody of her nephew.
He had no regrets, but…
"What will you do if you find out that this marriage isn't what you need?" he asked.
Will you annul?