“Shh… listen.”

“I still remember my first words to Moe when he came to me to tell me he was getting married. ‘Is she knocked up?’”

Don’t laugh at your own joke. Too late. He was already wheezing, his belly jiggling as he laughed. Aida’s cackling didn’t help either. But they weren’t alone, others were laughing, too. Romero could only hope this didn’t encourage the comedic act to go on too long.

Romero smiled, trying to be a good sport and glanced over at the table with her parents. They weren’t laughing but they did smile.

“Seriously though, I can’t say how glad I am that he’s found someone that makes him this happy.” Isabel slipped her hand in his and patted it. “I raised this kid. Me and Max did, along with his grandmother, God rest her soul. I’ve never seen him so happy. You two seem to be made for each other. I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s like you said to me that one time you two broke up for a few days there. You’re broken without her.”

Isabel leaned into him. “You said that?”

Romero smiled trying not to show his annoyance. Yeah, in complete confidence. He didn’t think he was going to announce his weaknesses in front of everyone here at his wedding.

“When you asked me and Max to be your best men...” He put his hand on his chest, getting choked up. “I can’t tell you what an honor that was. I thought for sure you was gonna ask them pretty boy friends of yours, or that other one. What’s his face with their sister?”

Isabel laughed. So did everyone else. “No, really. Huh Max?” He turned to Max. “Isn’t that what we were thinking?”

Max nodded. “Anyhow, I just want to say I wish you and your beautiful wife, Izzy, a long and prosperous marriage. I know you’re gonna hold off on the babies but don’t wait too long. Me and Max need another kid around, now that ours…” He choked up again. “Now that our kid has left the nest.” Manny lifted his glass unable to go on. “Salud!”

Feeling a little choked up himself, Romero lifted his glass and took a drink. Everyone clapped and began clinking their glasses. Romero leaned in and kissed his beautiful bride. The memory of the utter despair he’d felt when he thought he’d lost her coming to him. “I really am broken without you. Promise you’ll never leave me, Izzy.”

“I’m broken without you, too. I promise. I love you.”

Romero kissed her softly still unable to believe, she was his forever. “I love you too, baby.” Then he stood up taking her hand. Just like Manny, he didn’t care if this was the appropriate time or not but it felt like it, so he was going for it. “Get me some music,” he said to Sal. “Time for my first dance with my perfect wife.” He lifted her hand in his for everyone to see. “Izzy Romero.”