Disclaimer: I don't own the wonderful show that this story is based on. I do have dreams about it, though, and it really isn't pretty.
Author's Note: Sigh…the last chapter. It went by so fast for me, since I wrote most of For Love or Garbage Trucks in the time period of two days. I guess it went pretty quick for you guys, too. As fast as the ride went, I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.
This isn't the ultimate end of For Love or Garbage Trucks, though. I'm thinking about writing up a one-shot version of this in Wanda's point of view, and I've already got an idea for a sequel (but it lacks sense, so I highly doubt it'll happen).
And be sure to check out the acknowledgements at the end! Maybe you're in there!
Oh, one more thing! There are a few references you won't get unless you read Love At First Sight. The biggest one is the reason that Mamma Cosma isn't at the wedding. Let me explain...when Mamma Cosma found out about Wanda dating her son, she flipped. In order to stop her from physically harming Wanda, her two best friend showed up and trapped her in a sack. They never remembered to free her.
Chapter Seven: You Can't Change True Love
I straightened my necktie infront of that stupid mirror for the twentieth time that morning. I thought I'd experienced the worst of all nervousness before, but this was something else. After this day, Wanda would be on her own, living her own life, and doing things with Cosmo I really, really, really don't like to think about her doing. More and more I was beginning to miss the good old days where Wanda was still a kid.
They grow up way too fast, if you ask me.
Piero, who was standing next to me, sighed. "Can you believe this?"
"What?" I asked. "That Wanda is getting married? That we really were wrong about Cosmo? That I'm going to have to be the one to give away my little girl? No, I can't believe it."
"No," Piero turned to face me, "I meant that Carmine is late. Where is he?"
I shook my head.
Cosmo, who was on the other side of the room with Dominic and Genaro, was just about as nervous as I was. He was coming up with the stupidest "what ifs" you could ever imagine. While each thought was worse than the one previously stated, the one that really took the cake was, "What if I forget what to say?"
"'I do' ain't that hard to remember," I mumbled to myself, annoyed with how Cosmo was acting. I honestly don't see how Wanda could fall in love with such a wimp.
"I got an idea," Genaro said. "Dominic, hand me that black marker."
Oh, he wasn't about to do that was he?
Of course, Genaro rolled up Cosmo's tuxedo sleeve and wrote down "I do" on his arm.
"Phew!" Cosmo was obviously relieved.
Finally, Carmine poofed in with the rest of the family. "Come on!" he said. "We've got a wedding to get to! The groom can't be late!"
"We were waiting on you, ya numbskull!" Piero snapped back.
"Stop the arguing," I said, raising my wand. "It's my daughter's wedding day, for Pete's sake."
When we got there, I stayed at the enterance, trying not to make myself noticeable and greeting the people who showed up. Cosmo didn't invite as many wedding guests as I thought he would. His mother wasn't coming; he said something about her being trapped in a bag of some sort. Whatever he was talking about, I was glad I didn't have to deal with anyone he was related to.
The only people he did invite were three young girls. I recognized one as that Donna person Wanda would always be playing with as a little kid. All three of the girls knew who I was, too, and that frightened the blue and yellow haired ones as they entered. Donna, however, wasn't as shy.
"We're not too early, are we?"
I shook my head and let the three of them go up and talk to Cosmo. I think the two of them, him and Wanda, met through the red haired fairy. I made a mental note not to be to friendly to her all day.
The next person to arrive was Blonda, who looked particularly upset with me. "I thought you said you would do something!"
"I tried, Sweetheart, I really did, but--"
"Then why am I here right now!" she practically hissed.
"Because you're her sister."
Blonda's new-found acting career didn't change her whining abilities. "But he's such an idiot!"
"You'd better cool it, little missy! If this is what Wanda wants, you're going to at least pretend to be happy about it!"
Blonda looked shocked as she floated towards her uncles.
I sighed and thought about the conversation Wanda and I had a few nights before. She was so sure she wanted this. No fears, no doubts, no nothing. I guess I was scared enough for the both of us, though. The second I gave Wanda over to Cosmo, I would be afraid for the rest of my life.
Wanda finally arrived with her two best friends. They greeted me as I moved back to my daughter's side, taking my position so the wedding could start.
"You look beautiful, Wanda," I whispered as the music started.
"Thanks, Daddy."
"Are you nervous?"
Wanda nodded and clutched onto my arm with both her hands. The pianist gave the cue for the two of us to float down towards where Cosmo stood.
My daughter's fiancé—I guess we can say husband now—was sweating bullets. I could practically see all the "what ifs" he came up with back in my house running through his mind. I had a few of my own, too, but I figured I shouldn't be worried about her. Piero's right, I should have faith in her judgement.
The music stopped, and the minister called out in a booming voice, "Who gives this woman to this man?"
"I do," I said. I hugged my daughter tightly, and stood back to let her stand by Cosmo's side.
I wiped my eye on my sleeve. She was really his now.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Piero said, clinking a spoon against his wineglass. Cosmo didn't have a best man, so he chose him to make the toast tonight. Piero had worked hard on his speech, and I could tell it was something he really wanted to say.
"Tonight, we celebrate the wedding of Cosmo and Wanda. This, at first, was not something I wanted to celebrate. When Wanda came up to me and showed me this man she wanted to hold onto for the rest of her never-ending life, I was in total shock. Who gave her permission to do that?"
Piero glanced at me, then continued.
"My brothers and I wanted to do whatever we could to change their minds, and we were upset when it didn't work. What in the name of risotto had we done wrong? Well, one night it dawned on me; you can't change true love."
Wanda smiled at her uncle with tears in her eyes.
"I know my niece wouldn't do anything stupid when it came to the man she married. And now, as I stand here today, I realize how right I am. Cosmo, you have the best intentions, I'm sure, and I know you love Wanda very much. Take good care of her for us, and make sure the both of you are happy. Wherever your lives my lead you, take the road together."
Carmine stood up. "Amen!"
Everyone clinked glasses, except for me. I was standing off to the side, watching everything from afar with tears in my eyes. I can't believe how stupid I was to try to separate the two of them. For some reason, way beyond my realm of understanding, they loved each other. I may hate that, but I hated it worse when Wanda was mad at me. All I was doing by going along with the plan was making her miserable. Now she's happy. And I guess that's all that matters.
Wanda flew up to me with a smile on her face. She was glowing, she was so happy. "Daddy, aren't you going to join the rest of us?"
"Oh, uh," I rubbed my eyes, "yeah, of course. I was busy doing…uh…"
"You were crying, Daddy."
I sighed again. "It's just so hard for me to believe all this."
Wanda's eyes glistened and she flung her arms around my neck like she used to when she was a little girl.
I tried to stay strong, but the dam just plain broke. I returned the hug and cried, really cried, for the first time since Amalia left. I was feeling the strangest blend of happiness and fear right then. It's something I'll never forget.
"I love you, Daddy," Wanda murmured into my shoulder.
"I love you too, Wanda," I choked out. "And thank the good Lord you found someone who loves you as much as I do."
The newlyweds sped off in their "Just Faired" car (a little something Sal had rented for the occasion), and all the guests left, leaving me and my brothers there to clean up everything.
"What do you think this is gonna be like with Blonda?" Carmine asked. I think that question had been on his mind for a while, but I couldn't be too sure.
I laughed. "Oh, I'm gonna make sure the same thing doesn't happen with Blonda."
"You've gotta promise me," Piero said to me, "that we ain't gonna go through this with Blonda. You're going to look at it differently, right?"
"No worries, guys," I said. "Blonda's husband is going to be someone we picked out for her. After all, he's the one who'll end up running this business."
Carmine raised an eyebrow. "So you're not giving it to Cosmo?"
"But we thought—"
"Don't think about that right now," I said. No way was I going to let on that I was really a worried man deep down. They wouldn't respect me the same way anymore. And I'm going to be respected. That way, I can call all the shots in the business.
Even if I didn't call them in my daughter's life anymore.
Return of the Author's Note: The End! I'm going to miss writing this so much. Big Daddy's POV was so fun, and shockingly easy, to write in. In a way, I really think I could relate to him and his personality (especially now, since my cousin is back with her ex again. Buon Dio!)
It's Thank You time!
Acknowledgements: The first person I'd like to thank is Ken Bruce. He directed the episode "Big Wanda", which was the reason I started writing this in the first place.
I'd also like to add a thanks, as insane as this sounds, to both the household computers (one where I typed this whole thing, and the other for the internet). We had a bit of virus trouble when I was uploading both this chapter and Chapter Three, but they pulled through!
Extra points for my friend, Mary, who helped me name Vincent, Antonio, Salvatore, Genaro, and Dominic (better known as the cousin's who took Cosmo's side).
And, of course, a huge thanks to my wonderful reviewers. Those included are Trixie21, Commander, Wanda Wish, Sayiangirl, Aerinsoul, Band Geek 727, and MixedBerry. You guys were a huge reason I kept writing, and a few of you have written stories that fuel me to keep editing. I always figure that one day, I'll be able to come close to your greatness.
And now that my thank-yous have come to a close, I must officially say, THE END