I know some of my readers like a little something extra. It’s nice to know what happens to the characters after the last happily ever after (epilogue). So, in the interests of these wonderful readers who want a little more time with Tillie and Lorenzo, I give you this fun, emotional roller coaster bonus epilogue.

An additional epilogue for ‘Always and Forever, Lorenzo’

****

Tillie stared at herself in the mirror.

Her palms were sweating, and her heart had started to beat so wildly in her chest she wondered if she was going to need a defibrillator.

But perhaps this was normal. It wasn’t every day a woman stood at the cusp of committing to a man one could hardly call marriage material. Well, at least he hadn’t been before she met him.

But now…

Lorenzo Russo was everything. He would be the best husband she ever might have dreamed of –if she’d ever dared dream of such things years ago.

He changed everything for Tillie. And he loved her so much she could hardly imagine their lives would get better than they already were.

Her career as an emergency room doctor was going well, and Lorenzo’s dreams of owning his own dessert company had not only come true, but his business was flourishing.

“Breathe.” Tillie’s best friend Shelley squeezed her shoulder as she leaned close to whisper, “You’re not having a heart attack. You’re just nervous. I hear it’s normal.”

Her friend knew her entirely too well. And luckily, as a nurse, she also knew what she was talking about, medically speaking.

“Right. I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything is fine.” Tillie repeated the words she’d been saying all morning as she worked to slow her breathing.

“Does everything look OK out there?” Her bottom lip quivered. She didn’t care about things like pew bows or flowers. She only needed to be sure, really, of one thing.

“Lorenzo is here, right? He didn’t suddenly have a moment of clarity and run away?”

Shelley started laughing. “He’s here. Looks amazing in his tux too.” She paused as her smile softened and her eyes met Tillie’s. “He’s pacing because he’s dying to marry you. He wouldn’t run away. He adores you.”

She reached out to squeeze Tillie’s hands. “You have nothing to worry about. Everything’s going to be perfect.”

“Knock, knock!” Maria Russo’s voice warned the women of the door opening, but it didn’t tell them she brought reinforcements in the way of the other bridesmaids.

Thalia, Katie, and Maggie were married to Lorenzo’s brothers. They trailed into the room behind the matriarch of the Russo family.

Tillie blinked as the door closed. She would soon be part of this family. And they were wonderful and loved and accepted her completely as one of their own.

She sniffed. It was happening.

For years, Tillie longed for family. After losing her parents, then grandparents, only to end up estranged from her sisters, Tillie worried she would always be alone in the world.

Until she met Lorenzo. The Russos brought her right into the fold and treated her as one of their own from the minute they met her.

She was loved. She was accepted. She was one of them.

Soon, she would be Dr. Tillie Russo.

“Oh, honey! Don’t start crying!” Maggie exclaimed, coming close and fanning her soon-to-be sister-in-law. “You’ll ruin your make-up.”

“Who cares?” Tillie flopped on the couch. “Lorenzo can’t do this. He can’t marry me.” Her mind spun out of control.

“Who am I to marry a man like Lorenzo?” She couldn’t even look at her future mother-in-law when she said the words that had been killing her since the day before.

She hadn’t slept all night, worrying. She didn’t deserve him. She didn’t deserve any of them.

“I’m not enough,” she whispered. “Not just for Lorenzo but all of you.” In true freaked-out Tillie fashion, she kept going. “But he’s so perfect. And handsome. And fun. And I’m… ugggghhh….” She groaned. “I’m not right. This isn’t right. Tell him it’s off. He can do better.” She looked at Shelley.

“Maybe we didn’t do enough after his accident to be sure the concussion was minor. Maybe this is an after-effect and he’s not thinking clearly. We should have ordered a second brain scan and another opinion.”

Before Shelley could respond, Tillie looked at Maggie. Lorenzo was closest to her and would take the news best if she broke it to him. “You can tell him. He won’t kill you.”

The award-winning actress sighed as she held Tillie’s gaze. And then she started giggling.

Katie and Thalia joined her.

Maria tried to hold her composure. She even covered her mouth as if she might cry instead.

But then she caved, because just like her son, she would never miss a chance for a good laugh.

Tillie’s chest went hollow. They all finally figured it out. She was not good enough. This whole wedding was a joke. No wonder they were laughing.

It was time to let them off the hook.

“Tillie Norene.” Maria Russo used her sternest tone as she sat next to her son’s fiancée and wrapped her arm tight around her shoulders.

“You are going to be part of this family in no time. My son is nothing without you and you are nothing without him.” She squeezed Tillie’s shoulders.

“We are laughing because you are as nervous as anyone would expect. To get married isn’t easy, it isn’t something to be taken lightly. It is for life. It is forever.” She kept her arm around Tillie’s shoulders but moved back enough so she could look into the young doctor’s eyes.

“What you have is special. He is ecstatic to have found you and that you are marrying him.” Maria grabbed a tissue and dabbed at Tillie’s cheeks before turning to her daughters-in-law.

“Get her make-up and we will fix what she’s done.” She looked at Shelley.

“Go and make sure my son is OK. Tell the pastor we will need a few minutes to begin.”

***

Lorenzo tucked his hands into his pockets.

And then he pulled them out.

Why was his hair sticking up? He looked ridiculous.

Tillie would not marry him when she saw what a state he was in, or more likely when she realized how she deserved someone better, someone perfect.

His old fears resurfaced suddenly, not unlike the accident that led him to his perfect doctor. Except in this case, he was hit by his conscience, his worries. And Tillie couldn’t save him like she did when it was only a speeding car that knocked him senseless.

He was supposed to be praying. That’s what his father told him to do—to pray he would be a good husband, the man Tillie needed him to be before they committed their lives to each other.

But forever didn’t scare him.

It was the fear of not being enough for the most perfect, wonderful woman in the world that made Lorenzo freeze in his tracks.

He lay on the couch and closed his eyes, flopping one arm over his face for good measure.

Lord, I am so weak. I can’t do this without you. Help me.

He heard the squeak of the door but didn’t open his eyes. His mind was too full to think of anyone but himself, his inadequacies, and his stunning bride.

A sharp kick to his foot announced his brother Francesco’s arrival. “You’re going to wrinkle your tuxedo.” His deep voice revealed no compassion.

Lorenzo moved his arm enough so he could open one eye.

His brother glowered at him. “Papa sent me. But I see I’m too late.” His mouth twitched. “You’re already nearing the final explosion before the ceremony.”

The door opened again and his other brothers and their father entered the small room just off the church’s sanctuary.

“You’re going to wrinkle your tuxedo,” Stefano said.

Lorenzo groaned pitifully.

A range of chuckling met his frustration. He wasn’t amused.

“I think if we get out there now you might be able to convince the organist to play a circus tune instead of the bridal march,” Matteo offered.

Normally this would be exactly the kind of thing that would excite the youngest Russo, but not today.

“I’m going to be sick,” he muttered.

Again, there was a round of laughter.

“Everyone out!” Francesco declared. “I will talk to him.”

Lorenzo watched his father pat Francesco’s back before leaning over to look into his youngest son’s eyes. “She is so beautiful, Lorenzo. We are thrilled to have her in our family. She will be a wonderful partner for you.”

Why was Lorenzo’s mouth so dry?

He nodded as Papa exchanged a look with Francesco before leaving the room again.

“Sit up or you’ll wrinkle. You’ll be angry forever about the pictures,” Francesco nudged him.

Lorenzo stood and began pacing.

“Speak.” Francesco urged. “Every man is nervous before he gets married.”

Lorenzo’s lip twitched. “It is more than nerves.” He hesitated. “It is her.”

Now, Francesco’s eyebrows lifted. “You have doubts? I cannot believe that. Not when I see how you look at her, how you love her.”

Lorenzo continued pacing. “It goes without saying that I am madly in love with her!” He exhaled loudly, grunting as he punched the wall in his frustration.

He gestured to himself as he turned. “Look at me. What woman would want me?”

He could hardly believe he’d spoken the words.

Francesco didn’t miss a beat. “You are ugly. I do not understand her wanting to be your wife, but…” He waved his hand toward the door. “Tillie is so innocent. Perhaps for her, you are fine.”

Lorenzo had his brother against the wall so quickly Francesco didn’t have a chance to react.

Or maybe this was what he wanted.

He grinned as Lorenzo did his best to squish him against the wall. It wasn’t working given the size and strength difference between the men. And the fact that Francesco wasn’t trying to fight back.

“There’s my brother.” He snickered. “Punch me and get it out. And then let’s get you married.”

Lorenzo released him.

“You’re lucky it’s not wrinkled,” Francesco said, fussing over the tuxedo.

Lorenzo stared into the mirror again. “I can’t do this.”

“You can.” Francesco flopped one arm around Lorenzo’s shoulder. “And you will.”

“I’m going to throw up. And then what?”

“Then we clean you up, get you some mouthwash and you say I do.” Francesco spoke as if the matter had been settled.

Lorenzo looked up at him. “I can’t live without her. But I have so much to say. Maybe I can see her before we do anything else?”

Francesco laughed. “You will see her soon enough and you will know you’re doing the right thing. You will settle down the minute your eyes meet hers.” He kissed his brother’s cheek. “Come. She is waiting.”

Lorenzo slowly began to calm. Francesco was right. When he saw Tillie, everything would fall into place again.

“Do you think we could sneak over so I can get a kiss before the ceremony?”

The door popped open then and Papa stuck his head into the room. Francesco sighed. “He’s back, Papa.” He shoved Lorenzo toward their father.

“Let’s go.”

***

Tillie stood hidden in the church lobby, the doors blocking the congregation inside the sanctuary from seeing her.

But most of all, blocking her groom from sneaking a peek at his bride, which everyone feared being a problem given Lorenzo’s penchant for mischief.

“You’re sure he didn’t sneak out?” she whispered to Shelley who pressed her lips together as Maggie started down the aisle.

“He did not sneak out! Why are you being so weird?”

“I’m not being weird!” Tillie exclaimed. “But don’t you think it’s strange he didn’t even try to get a look at me before the service? I can’t help but wonder what’s going on.”

Shelley fussed with her flowers. “I have it on good authority he was being held against his will in the groom-cave for the last twenty minutes while he tried to get to you. Good thing Francesco was there to keep him inside by force.”

Tillie met Shelley’s eyes and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you. For everything.”

Shelley moved toward the doors. “Stop before I lose my crap.”

Tillie giggled as her friend disappeared down the aisle.

She drew a deep breath.

Lorenzo waited for her. She couldn’t see him yet, but just thinking about her precious groom, his patience with her, his antics that made her laugh every day, and most of all, his intense love, and all her worries disappeared.

Lorenzo loved her. He adored her.

And soon, he would be her husband.

***

Lorenzo stood tall and proud at the end of the aisle, flanked between Francesco and the pastor. The music shifted and the entire congregation stood as the doors again swung open at the back of the church.

But this time it wasn’t to see his niece and nephew giggling their way up the aisle, or to find the Russo wives who acted as bridesmaids, along with Shelley, as they came to the front of the church.

This time, his bride, his perfect doctor, his Tillie stood at the far end of the church.

She chose him. She could have had anyone. But she intended to be his wife.

And she took his breath away, just like she always did.

Lorenzo’s heart began stuttering as he stared at her in that dress, one he couldn’t possibly have imagined for her but that fit her perfectly.

White, classic lace from the off-the-shoulder bodice to the slim-fitting skirt. And more white lace trailing behind her in a stunning train.

Lorenzo’s mouth went dry. He had to kiss her. Now.

Tillie started slowly walking toward him, her face shining and bright as she held his gaze from what felt like miles away.

He couldn’t stand it. What man had the patience to wait for his bride as she made an entrance down the long aisle? Sure, everyone wanted to look at her, but didn’t the groom get a say?

Lorenzo leaned forward, his foot faltering as he slipped from one step to the next.

Francesco gripped his arm. “Waaait,” he ground out through clenched teeth.

Lorenzo stopped, offering his brother a false sense of hope that his power ended any trouble the groom might cause with his antics.

But Lorenzo never waited. Why should he start now when his bride was coming for him?

He slipped away from the wedding party and rushed the aisle in a shocking move before his brothers or anyone else could stop him.

The congregation gasped as Lorenzo raced to Tillie, whose eyes went wide as she stopped walking, her mouth twitching into a cross between a scolding smile and one of pure amusement.

He adored that look.

“I couldn’t wait to be with you again,” he said breathlessly. “You’re so beautiful. I couldn’t wait to touch you.”

The congregation consisting of their friends and family began to snicker and giggle around them.

He sounded stupid. He didn’t care. He leaned close and kissed her cheek as he whispered, “I’m so in love with you.”

Tillie’s flowers fell to her side as she reached up to fix his hair. “Oh Lorenzo.” Her words were for him only. “I love you too.” She stepped back to look into his eyes. “But we need to say our vows.”

He grinned, satisfied that this was meant to be.

“You and your rules,” he muttered. “You think they won’t say we’re married if we don’t say vows?”

He groaned, his head rolling back as he dramatically looked to heaven. “Fine. For you, my beautiful bride, we will say the vows.” He kissed her quickly, restraining himself from more because he was in church and didn’t want to ruin everything about their special day.

The congregation’s amusement grew as Lorenzo offered her his arm. Mama dabbed at her eyes while Papa gave him a thumbs-up.

Lorenzo winked before turning back to his bride.

Tillie rested her hand on his arm so he could walk her the rest of the way down the aisle. Maybe it wasn’t the way things should be done, but Lorenzo rarely bent to convention.

Now their friends and family laughed openly, probably not the least bit surprised by this turn of events.

After all, it was Lorenzo. And he would do things his own way because he always had.

***

Tillie sailed to the front of the church on the arm of her handsome groom.

The pastor smiled with encouragement as she separated from Lorenzo. She held his gaze as Francesco tugged him closer to the Russo side of the wedding party.

The congregation laughed as the couple stepped apart with obvious reluctance.

Tillie wondered if this was the most entertaining, strangest wedding there had ever been.

Probably. But despite being a stickler for rules and propriety, she didn’t care. She only wanted to be married to the man still staring deeply into her eyes from several feet away. It didn’t matter how they made it happen.

“Well, now that we’re all here and ready to get started, let’s pray,” the pastor said.

Every head bowed as he began.

“Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you today grateful for the blessed occasion of uniting Tillie and Lorenzo in holy matrimony. We pray your blessing upon them today and all the days of their life. Draw them close to one another in good times and let them support each other in the bad. We pray your care and love for them, Lord. In your holy name. Amen.”

Tillie lifted her head and again she and Lorenzo stared at one another.

Shelley tugged at Tillie’s bouquet. She reluctantly handed it over, having no idea what was to happen now.

They wanted a short ceremony, so the pastor started into the vows, but Lorenzo raised one hand, stopping him.

“Yes, Lorenzo?”

The congregation snickered, most likely because the pastor sounded like a frustrated Sunday school teacher.

“I have something to say,” the groom announced. “It can’t wait.”

Francesco groaned.

Maggie giggled, followed by Thalia and Katie too.

The pastor smiled patiently. “Once you say your vows, you can do whatever you want.” He patted the groom’s shoulder, but Lorenzo wouldn’t be dissuaded.

“I don’t want to say the vows. I want to say this instead, as my vows.” He met Tillie’s eyes. “If you don’t mind, BB.”

The pastor groaned but didn’t stop the groom from stepping closer to his bride and taking her hands.

“I adore you. I always will, Tillie. You changed my life.” His voice caught and tears filled his eyes. “I swear to you I will be faithful, I will love you, I will always take care of you. And I will spend every day spoiling you, and making you smile because you are so special to me. You are my world. You always will be.”

A tear trailed down his cheek and Tillie lost control. His love washed over her, and the emotions became too much. Tears began spilling down her cheeks too.

She heard one sniff, then two from their wedding party, followed by sniffling that began in the congregation too.

This wedding would be the emotional rollercoaster of the year.

“I love you so much, Lorenzo,” she said, having no idea what their vows were supposed to have been.

“I promise I’m going to love you and take care of you, and be faithful in all things. I want to be the partner you deserve, the support you need, the love you can’t be without. I want us to raise a family and have fun together. I want to make you happy every single day.”

Lorenzo stroked her cheek with this thumb and Tillie closed her eyes.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I want to be with you forever.”

Tillie looked into his eyes. “I want to be with you forever. You’re everything to me.”

Lorenzo smiled. “You will always be mine, my beautiful little alien, so precious, so sweet. So mine.”

Apparently the pastor gave up control of the wedding. He threw his hands into the air, perhaps hoping to stop the ongoing declarations of love between the couple.

Maybe that was for the best. Tillie needed to kiss her groom immediately. They really had to get past these vows so she could follow through on that.

“Since we have that settled,” the pastor began. “What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Lorenzo Valentino and Tillie Norene, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”

Tillie’s chest warmed and her face flushed because even if she’d kissed Lorenzo in front of friends and family many times, she knew what came next.

She’d experienced so many firsts thanks to Lorenzo, but this one was the best because it was the first time for them both to share together.

They would be kissing as husband and wife.

Lorenzo smiled, squeezing Tillie’s hands as he likely expected the same words Tillie did. But when they didn’t come, he broke their gaze long enough to look at the pastor.

“Are you going to say it?” he demanded. He nudged the man. “Say it, please, before we explode!”

The pastor chuckled as the congregation broke into a fit of laughter.

“You may now kiss your bride, Mr. Russo.”

Everyone cheered as Lorenzo leaned close and kissed Tillie gently.

“I adore you,” he whispered. “Forever.”

He kissed her again, this time deeply and long enough that Tillie wondered if they should stop given their surroundings and audience.

But the cheering of the congregation didn’t seem enough reason to stop.

She could break rules this time because it was her wedding. And she was going to kiss this man forever. And always.