“That doesn’t sound like a compliment at all.”

“But it is.” A whisper of humor and happiness touches her voice. “Dad and I are very happy, kiddo, for you and for Lukas.” Her voice gets a serious lilt. “And we are so proud of the woman you’ve turned into.” Her voice is heavy as she finishes the sentence, and my chest warms.

“Why are you crying?”

“I’m a mother. I get emotional sometimes. You’ll know when you have your own kids.”

“Mom! You’re acting like Grandma now. Lukas and I have so much more to discuss before…kids.” Even as I say that, my heart swells at the image my brain weaves of Lukas with a little boy or girl.

“Okay. Okay. You guys talk and visit us again sometime. We’ll make sure not to bring up his childhood.”

Once the call ends, I grip the phone close to my chest. It’s the first time I’ve confessed out loud that I love Lukas. But there’s not an ounce of doubt in my mind. It’s like I alway knew this.

I wait for a few more minutes hoping Lukas will walk into the suite. He usually spends his early mornings at the gym, but when that doesn’t happen, an unfamiliar itch prickles my insides. I silence the burgeoning thought before it can even become clear.

“He must be with Mr. Big, planning for the security at the wedding,” I whisper, getting out of bed. “I should be doing the same.”

I get ready fast and put my hair up in a loose top bun as Lukas likes it and put on a white turtleneck pullover so that his mother’s necklace is clearly visible around my neck.

I stand in front of the mirror for a second and clutch the pendant between my fingers. My eyes close and I whisper, “Thank you so much, Martha, for raising a son like Lukas. If you were here, you would be so proud. I know he misses you…a lot, and I hope someday I can fill in the gaps of his heart with my love.” My chest squeezes remembering all the times when Lukas mentioned his mother, the sheer anguish in his face. “I hope you’ll give me your blessing.”

I leave the room a bit confused, unsure why I felt the need to speak to Martha. But as soon as I step into the lobby, everything becomes clear. The decorators are already hanging the white fabric over the curtain rails, adding silky bows on top.

“There you are.” Chiara waves as I walk up to her and Mr. Big at the reception desk.

“So it starts. Possibly one of our most ambitious weddings of all time, past and future included.” I’m filled with two contradictory emotions of nervousness and glee.