One Year Later
Val d’Orcia, Italy
Today, we were back in the small chapel where Estancia Valentini Deltetto Stone would be baptized in front of the same family and friends that were with us on our wedding day—plus a few more.
Our beautiful baby girl, who looked so much like her mother, was blessed with two sets of godparents—my sister and her husband, and Edge and Lucia.
Pia worried the priest wouldn’t allow it, but Maria assured her he would. “We’re Valentinis,” she’d said, and my wife nodded.
My best mate, Edge, was here today, with his wife, Rebel; Decker was here too with Mila and their baby. The only person not with us was Rile.
I found myself feeling melancholy in his absence. “He’s a wanker anyway,” said Edge, bumping me.
I laughed. “How’d you know I was thinking about Rile.” He pointed at my bottom lip that I was brushing with my index finger.
“Bloody hell,” I muttered and then sheepishly looked about to see if anyone heard me. “He was here for the wedding.”
“Sorry again we couldn’t make it, mate.”
I shook my head. “You’re here now.”
“She’s beautiful,” said Edge, looking over to where my wife stood holding our baby girl.
“They are.”
“I’m happy for you, Grind,” said Edge, squeezing my shoulder. “You’re a different man.”
I shook my head. “I’m the same man. I was only different when Pia and I weren’t together.”
“Hello, my friends,” I heard at the same moment another hand clamped my shoulder.
I spun around and awkwardly hugged the man who had become a dear friend. “You made it. Welcome.”
“Excuse me.”
Edge and I stood together and watched as Rile greeted every woman there by kissing the back of their hand.
“One day he’ll meet his match,” I muttered.
Edge turned to me with wide eyes. “You haven’t heard?”
“Heard what?”
“He already has.”