By the time we reached the steps of the cathedral, Liam seemed to have snapped out of his intense thinking session. I wanted to let him know that we could talk if he wanted. But it didn't seem like the best time to ask.

We paused in the cobbled square in front of the ancient stone church. Our heads slowly tilted up as we looked at the bell tower. I felt small standing in the long shadow of the cathedral. How many weddings have these old walls seen?

My eyes drifted over to a building to the left of the church. It had faded pink paint peeling off its walls. Below the three arches on the porch, there was a diamond-shaped, double staircase. It had definitely seen better days, but there was still something charming about it.

"Ready?" Liam said.

I nodded. "Maybe we should say a Hail Mary before we go in—just to make sure everything goes well."

"Way ahead of you, bro," he smiled as we approached the ornately carved doors.

After stepping inside, we came across a large stone baptismal font, which somehow looked older than the church itself. Liam and I dipped our fingers into the water and crossed ourselves. Then we looked around for the priest.

The sound of footsteps echoing from the front of the church made us turn our heads towards the altar. A man with greying hair and a kind face approached us dressed in a deep green chasuble. He introduced himself as Father Adorno.

He immediately started talking to me in Italian, but when I answered him in French, he paused and apologised. I told him it was okay and explained where we were from.

"I can speak in English if you prefer," he said.

"Only if that's easier for you, Father," I replied.

"Yes, yes, this is fine," he waved his hands. "I need the practice."

Fr. Adorno went on to explain where the families would be sitting. He also gave us special instructions about how we were to escort the mothers' of the bride and groom to their pews.

Well, we'll only be escorting the groom's mother to her seat today, Father. But I'll let you bring that up with Lisa later.

Shortly after he finished explaining what we had to do, the first of Fabio's guests walked through the doors. Fr. Adorno went to greet them, and then we showed them to their seats. It felt like a throwback to our altar server days. We went back and forth along the pews decorated with bunches of white roses.

Eventually, the groom's side of the church filled up, and Fabio's guests were staring over at the empty pews on the bride's side. I felt really bad for Lisa, and couldn't imagine how I'd feel if none of my relatives decided to show up at my wedding. Fr. Adorno walked over to us and asked if we knew when Lisa's family was going to show up.

"Lisa said that we should just start," Liam replied. "Her family tends to be a little late."

Yeah, to the point where they never show up.

Fr. Adorno gave a slight nod and walked back towards the door. I wasn't sure if he really bought that, but I was glad Liam said something, so I didn't have to.

When the bells started ringing, the altar servers carrying the crucifix and the candles joined Fr. Adorno by the door. Liam and I made our way to the pew that was second from the front, genuflected and sat down. At that point, we were the only two people on the bride's side of the aisle.

As soon as the bells stopped, the organ fired up again, everyone stood up, and the procession started coming down the aisle led by the cross.

Following closely behind Fr. Adorno was a beautiful woman with dark hair. She was wearing a long purple dress. Must be Fabio's sister. The guy who was escorting her was blond and wore a grey suit with a purple tie. He must be Fabio's friend or something.

I held my breath when Caroline started walking down the aisle, arms linked with a guy who looked a little older than us. He was dressed just like the blond guy, and his dark hair was slicked back. And though it didn't make any sense, I felt jealous of him.

It's just for the wedding; they're not dating. She doesn't even know him.

As they strolled by, Caroline's eyes met mine, and she smiled at me. And just like that, everything in the world was right again. Be mine, and I'll be yours. Why does my face feel warm?

Liam elbowed me as Sofia came by, she flashed him a smile, and his green eyes basically had stars in them as he grinned back at her. Sofia and the groomsman bowed, and then she joined Caroline in the pew in front of ours.

Finally, Lisa and Fabio started making their way down the aisle flanked by tall stone columns. I heard the clicks from the photographers' cameras going off in between the organ music as they approached the front of the church. They both looked like they were glowing as they floated by. I couldn't help smiling at the beautiful couple.

Lisa and Fabio had that same loving look on their faces when they said their vows atop the steps lined with dozens of white roses. Two beams of light shone down from the windows above the altar as the couple exchanged rings.

Weddings always make me think of being up there with the woman I love; a woman who would love me enough to be my wife. Some day...

Everything else in the Mass seemed to fly by. One minute Liam and I were lined up behind Caroline and Sofia for Communion. And the next, the bride and groom were walking towards the door as the organ played The Prince of Denmark's March, the same song that played at my parents' wedding.

Remembering my parents' wedding video felt bittersweet. But I quickly brushed that thought off. I don't want to focus on that right now. Today's about having fun.

As Fabio's family began streaming out of the church, we hung back inside.

"We'll just say goodbye to Lisa, and congratulate her and Fabio," I said.

Caroline nodded and checked her phone. "If we hurry, we can still make a late lunch at the restaurant."

"Alright, team," Liam nodded. "Let's get 'er done."

The bells were still ringing when we got outside; everyone else was lining up in the square to take pictures. We quickly went over the happy couple, congratulated them, and told them we had to run because of our food plans.

"We can feed you." Fabio chuckled.

"Of course," Lisa replied before kissing him.

"We don't want to impose," Caroline said.

"You wouldn't be imposing, hun," Lisa smiled. "We have more than enough food."

"But we want to hit up these gardens just outside town after we eat," Liam added.

Fabio furrowed his brow. "Do you mean the Hanbury Gardens?"

Liam looked at me. "Is that the place, bro?"

"Yeah," I nodded.

Lisa burst out laughing, and Fabio started grinning.

"What?" Sofia asked, echoing our collective confusion.

Fabio smiled. "That's where the reception is."