“Take it. The tiny white diamonds around the amethyst match your bracelet perfectly.” Joy slipped the ring onto Jaime’s finger. “Perhaps that’s what he had in mind?”

Her eyes lit up as she held out her hand, inspecting the bracelet and ring. “Something new and borrowed.” Jaime turned to her mother. “I’m only borrowing it, okay?”

Joy laughed. “Okay.”

“Pictures!” Annette clapped her hands, startling everyone in the room. “Let’s go.”

Joy clutched her chest. “I love that woman, but she scares the bejeepers outta me.”

“I know, right?” Jaime chuckled.

Joy stood back to watch Jaime pose with her bridesmaids. The tears formed in her eyes. She was just a little girl having sleep overs and now look at her.

Next Jaime stood with Tony for a few photos, fidgeting and doing her best to smile.

“Let’s go, Mom. You fit in here too.” Annette led Joy over to stand on one side of Jaime as Tony stood on the other side.

“Lean in close. That’s perfect.” The photographer took several photos.

“Now just the mom and bride.” Annette ushered Tony away.

Joy faced Jaime and held her hands in hers. “I’m so proud of you, honey.” She sniffled. “Where did the time go? Just last week you were a little girl.”

“Oh, Mom.” Jaime laughed. “Now don’t make me cry and ruin my makeup.”

They faced each other while holding hands as the photographer clicked away, and then faced the camera for more shots. The photographer posed them in various ways until Joy didn’t think she could smile any longer.

After dozens of photographs inside and outside of the dressing room, Joy’s face muscles ached from all the smiling and her eyes remained red-rimmed from fighting back tears.

Annette’s clapping and waving signaled it was time for the ceremony to begin. The wedding party took their places.

Joy rubbed her belly full of butterflies. In the tiled area near the entrance to the garden, she paced and tried to shake off the tingly feeling in her hands, nerves eating away at her stomach. Breathe, Joy, just breathe.

The chatter from the guests seated in the rows of white chairs rose above her own frantic heartbeat.

“You look lovely in that dress. Yellow and lilac are perfect colors for you,” Tony said as he approached. Dressed in a white tuxedo jacket and white shirt with black tie and slacks, he resembled Harrison Ford from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.

Joy gasped. Four decades after meeting him, Tony could still take her breath away. Just breathe, Joy . . .

“Thank you.” She smoothed out her dress. “Jaime picked it out.”

“Nervous?” He chuckled.

“A little bit.” Joy thumbed to the front of the garden, where an archway decorated with white climbing roses designated the place where Jaime and Michael would exchange their vows. She spotted Michael standing with the pastor and the groomsmen. “But seeing Michael up there makes me feel better.”

Tony nodded. “Me too.”

“He looks so incredibly happy.” Joy tilted her head. “And nervous.”

Tony chuckled as if he could relate. He placed his hands in his pockets. “I bet he is.”

“Did you see Jaime?”

He shook his head. “She wouldn’t allow it. She said I have to wait until right before we walk out there.”

Joy smiled. “She’s such a romantic, isn’t she?”

“I suppose.”

“Well, I visited her in the dressing room, and she looks so beautiful and thrilled with her new bracelet.”

“Terrific. Every bride should have something new.” He rolled back and forth on his heels.

“Are you nervous?” Joy smiled.

“A little.”

“Good. Then you’re human,” she chortled.

“But Jaime’s happiness . . . that’s what matters most.” He nodded. “Right?”

“Yes. Her happiness.”

Tony stared at his shoes, polished to a mirror shine. “And what about you, Joy? Are you happy?”

She thought about it for a moment. Her new flower shop, a new son-in-law, and being able to remain in her house all came to her mind. She had it all. Everything she ever dreamed of.

Except love.

As her mouth turned downward, she thought about her mother and what she had told her about marrying the second time for security and not romantic love.

“Romantic love is all an illusion. A mirage in the desert. Don’t fall for the illusion, Joy.”

She shook the negative thoughts out of her mind. With so much to be grateful for, Joy knew she had no right to be sad or regretful about not having Alessandro and all that he had to offer. So she straightened, mustered up a brave smile, and faced her ex-husband.

“Yes, Tony. I am happy.”

“Good. I’m glad.” He mustered up a brave smile too.

Joy did think him brave to come speak to her after all that had happened at Jaime’s previous wedding and then in Venice.

Brave or stupid. She wasn’t sure which one.

Annette approached them. “All right. The usher is going to lead you to your chair, Mrs. Milton.”

“Sounds good.” Joy exhaled. “I’m ready. How’s Jaime?”