Sunrise in Florence

by Kathleen Reid

  Rose nodded, too caught up in the moment to think straight. Was she really going to leave Italy to be a mother in New York?

  Doris grabbed her hand with tears in her eyes. “My beautiful girl is going to be a beautiful bride. Don’t you agree, Eric?”

  “Absolutely! You two make a very handsome couple!”

  Doris turned to Rose. “I know we’ve had our differences in the past, but I want us to make a fresh start. Please, dear, I’m your mother and I love you. You and Ben are such a perfect couple and I wish you all the happiness in the world.”

  “Thank you,” said Rose. The word “mom” lodged in her throat, but she blurted it out. “Mom.”

  Tears welled up in her mother’s eyes. “This is the happiest day I think I’ve ever had! Oh, sweetheart, we can begin again!”

  Rose was so touched that her mother and Eric had gotten on a plane to visit along with Ben, who had orchestrated the whole reunion. Her mother was like a different person—loving, solicitous and kind. “I’d love to take you shopping to look at dresses as soon as we get back to the States.”

  “That would be lovely. Ben and I have a lot to figure out!”

  “Rose,” said her mother, “you’ve made me so happy and proud. This is the best day of my life. We must celebrate, but I’m hoping that you will take Eric and me to some of your favorite places in Florence, starting with your new home. We can’t wait to see it.”

  She and Ben walked holding hands back to the apartment where he settled in as if he had just left. The first kiss was long, slow and passionate, and Rose felt that familiar sense of belonging in his arms.

  Doris plowed open the door with Eric in her wake as she surveyed the space. Rose had found a beautiful flowered blanket to cover the slash marks in the center of the sofa while she waited for its replacement. Doris scrutinized every detail and asked a blitz of questions about the neighborhood, crime, the fixtures.

  Doris made her way upstairs to survey the spacious bedroom and balcony.

  “This is spectacular!” she exclaimed, opening the door to look at the view. “However did you find this place!?”

  “One of my students has a mother who specializes in international real estate.”

  “Aha! Makes sense.” She looked out at the terra-cotta rooftops. “Very nice, but it is steamy out here!”

  Rose reminded her that August was hot everywhere and it would cool down with nightfall. A short time later, amidst the animated conversation, Rose heard the doorbell ring and came face-to-face with Lyon, who looked shocked to see Ben and her mom and stepfather standing in her living room. His gaze immediately went to the ring on her finger.

  “So, you’re Rose’s real estate agent,” Doris said as she eyed his shaggy hair.

  “Yes,” said Lyon curtly.

  “You did an excellent job, young man!”

  “Thank you,” he said. “Glad I helped you, Miss Maning; I was just coming by to check on your new alarm system. I assume it’s working properly.”

  His chilly stare rendered Rose speechless. She had so many things she wanted to say to him, but she could only manage, “Uh, no. I’m fine. I mean, all is well.”

  “Good. I didn’t mean to interrupt your reunion,” said Lyon, who turned and left.

  Rose felt her heart hammering, not sure what to say or do. She snapped back to life and told the group, “Shoot! I forgot to ask him a question about my air-conditioning. Be right back!” She chased him down the stairs and called, “Hey, Lyon!”

  He just kept walking. Rose ran after him and grabbed his arm.

  “Lyon, I am so sorry!”

  “Are you? When were you going to tell me?” he snapped.

  “It all just happened!” She cried breathlessly. “I didn’t mean to—”

  “Well, you did. Frankly, I’m shocked. At my parents’ house you said it was over between you and Ben—that he had changed . . . that you weren’t sure he could be trusted—and now you’re wearing an engagement ring! Maybe you’re the one who can’t be trusted.”

  “Wait a minute!” she said angrily. “You’ve been with Dominique, so why are you judging me?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I saw you together . . . at the café? And when I saw her, she told me that I bored you and that the only reason you have been kind is because you feel sorry for me.”

  “Dominique contacted me because she was thinking about selling a family property. Our personal relationship has been over for months. She wanted my advice, and if you were so concerned, why didn’t you ask me about it?” He held up his hand. “Never mind. It’s too late now. But for the record, I was always honest with you, and unfortunately, you didn’t return the courtesy.” He added, “I really thought you were different!”

  Rose stood shell-shocked.

  “I hope you know what you’re doing, Rose,” he said, shaking off her arm. “Any questions or concerns you have will be directed to my assistant. I wish you the best.”

  “But—”

  Rose watched him walk away with a lump in her throat. Ben came downstairs and told her what a great life they were going to have together. He looked at Lyon’s departing form with a smirk.

  ***

  “Why would I want to stand in line for hours to see a marble statue named David?” said Doris, pushing her sunglasses back from her nose.

  “It’s a Renaissance masterpiece and Michelangelo was a genius and one of the most amazing artists of that time.”

  “You sound just like your father!”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment, right?” said Rose as she escorted her mother to the Galleria dell’Accademia.

  “I don’t know much about art history, Rose, and I’m not sure it really interests me.”

  “What would you like to do”—she took a breath—“Mom?”

  “Go shopping! I’d like to find a nice leather handbag to bring back to Charlottesville.”

  “How about a compromise? I’ll take you to the leather school in Florence, otherwise known as the Scuola del Cuoio, which has every leather item that you could ever imagine. We’ll grab lunch, and on the way back to my apartment, we can stop into the Basilica Santa Croce where Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are buried.”

  “I guess,” she said with about as much enthusiasm as might be elicited by a trip to the dentist.

  Doris was like a lioness with a juicy steak the moment she entered the leather school with its wide array of jackets, purses, wallets, and notebooks along with a selection of shoes. She shoved her way to the coat section, sideswiping a young girl in yellow to get her hands on a black leather asymmetrical zippered creation.

  “That’s so cool,” she said.

  Rose flinched. “That’s not your usual look,” she replied. “Are you sure you’d wear it when you get back to Charlottesville?”

  “I can tell by your expression that you don’t like it.”

  “Uh, no, it’s very nice. Just a bit unexpected.” A pretty dark-haired sales associate approached and told Doris that it was a one of a kind and then quoted a large number with multiples zeros.

  “Maybe you should think about it?”

  Doris went back to the rack and found a bright-red leather long coat that Rose thought would look absolutely ridiculous in the South. Then, she tried a blue snakeskin-patterned blazer, and Rose prayed for moral support from somewhere . . . anywhere. Suddenly, the black jacket looked vastly more appealing and she said as much.

  “Will you look at that ice-skating rink on your finger,” exclaimed Doris, grabbing Rose’s hand and holding it up for any and all to see. “You’re a very lucky girl,” she announced proudly.

  The comment touched a nerve. Rose took a deep breath and replied, “I think he’s lucky to have me.”

  “Of course, dear. I know that, but don’t forget, he was married to a supermod
el and, well, he’s extremely successful and so handsome.” She turned to the salesgirl. “My soon-to-be son-in-law is hot!”

  “Did you just call Ben hot, Mother?”

  “I did and he is,” she shot back, walking over to ogle a hot-pink wallet.

  Doris asked the salesperson to hold the black leather jacket so that she could explore the next room, which contained a beautiful selection of handmade leather pocketbooks. Doris wanted to thoroughly check out every single one, which Rose knew could take forever. While waiting, she clicked on an email from Beatrice, which made her hand tremble.

  Rose,

  Ciao! I have begun the process of cleaning the parchment and found some interesting things! I can’t wait to show you my work so far. There appears to be a signature on the drawings, and it may take a few weeks, but I intend to reveal it! When can you return to the laboratory?

  ***

  That night, Ben took Rose in his arms and the world felt right. They talked about the possibility of getting married in Charlottesville at his friend’s winery and honeymooning in Europe. It all sounded so wonderful, and she still hadn’t quite come to terms with the fact that she would be Mrs. Benjamin Pierce after all these years.

  “So, dare I ask, how do we plan to work out living arrangements? You know how much I love living in Florence.” She paused. “And, really, I just got here.”

  “I understand. Maybe we figure out how to live part of the year here and maybe rent the place for extra income if we’re in the States.”

  “I like that idea. I’m happy here and I don’t want to give it up.”

  “I understand,” he said sweetly. “I told you, Rose. It’s our future together, and we’ll make plans that work for both of us. I’ve got an apartment in New York on the Upper East Side. I bought us plane tickets. I can’t wait for you to see it.”

  They would leave the next day.

  Chapter 16

  LUXURY APARTMENT IS AN understatement, thought Rose, walking into Ben’s lavish three-bedroom New York abode, which boasted a separate study and state-of-the-art kitchen. White marble and sleek, it lacked the traditional elements that Rose liked. In many ways, it was too magazine-ready and sterile.

  Rose contrasted it to Faith’s cluttered art studio, with its worn countertops, oils paints everywhere and breezy windows. Rose tried to block thoughts of Lyon as her fiancé showed her around, highlighting some of his museum-quality abstract artwork in carefully chosen blacks and grays.

  “Where does Emily stay when she comes over?”

  He took her to a very adult-looking bedroom with a twin bed along with a crib. Everything was a crisp white. Mirrored shelves were lined with meticulously chosen silver julep cups, probably baby gifts, and crystal animal ornaments arranged with military precision. There was one doll on the bed, which was made up with more pillows than anyone could need in a lifetime.

  “Would you mind if I added a few things before she spends the night with us tomorrow night?”

  “Absolutely,” said Ben, who looked thrilled and kissed her on the forehead. “You’re the kind of mother Emily needs in her life. She’s lucky to have you.”

  Rose thought about how to be helpful but not overstep her boundaries as a new mom.

  “I know it’s going to take time and practice to learn to be a good mother to your daughter, but you know I’ll give you my best.”

  “Oh, Rose, she’ll be our daughter before long. I can’t wait to officially start our life together. I love you so much.”

  “I love you too,” she said as she nestled into his arms.

  Rose hit the ground running the following morning on her mission to add some homey touches to Ben’s place. Our place, she corrected herself. It was too sterile for her at this point, and she made her way up Madison Avenue looking for a cozy throw, some stuffed animals and games for Emily. The shops were beyond gorgeous, but the prices made Rose pause to consider each purchase. As she made her way up the street, she came upon a window display with several mannequins wearing white silk gowns. Looking up, she saw the name Vera Wang. Filled with excitement, she looked down at her sundress and sandals, wondering if she had the nerve to go inside. Suddenly, she took the plunge and opened the heavy door to step inside a sanctuary of elegance, from the matching blush suede chairs and caramel-paneled walls, to the rows of elegant white gowns.

  “Can I help you?” asked the saleswoman dressed in a crisp linen skirt.

  “I’m just looking,” she replied, spying a row of silk and taffeta.

  “When’s the big day?”

  “We haven’t set a date yet, but I’ve always wanted to be a June bride.”

  “How lovely. I can show you several options from our collection if you’d like.”

  Feeling a bit guilty because she was supposed to be shopping for Emily, Rose nearly refused but decided that she could maybe just look at one option.

  “I’d like something very simple and strapless.”

  “I’ve got just the thing.”

  She brought out two dresses, which were both every girl’s dream. Rose surprised herself by liking the gown with a lace bodice and spaghetti straps. She decided to try it on just for fun. No one would have to know, and it seemed more than appropriate now that she was officially engaged. The sumptuous silk gown fit perfectly, and she stood in front of the mirror seeing herself for the first time as a bride.

  “I love it!” she exclaimed, not daring to look at the price tag. Then it occurred to her that she had money from the sale of the drawings, so she could afford it. Suddenly, her heart sank as if she’d been hit by a bucket of cold water.

  Ben had no idea that she had sold the drawings, and frankly she dreaded telling him. But it was a fact that they were hers to do with as she pleased. She cringed at the thought of the discussion that needed to happen. She hoped he would understand why she sold them to Cardinal Baglioni. Of course he will. Feeling slightly ill, she removed the silk confection and took the woman’s card, promising that she would be in touch before long. With a pretend smile, she gathered up her packages and returned to the apartment where a precious Emily had just arrived in the arms of a nanny dressed in black pants and a collared shirt. Ben introduced her as Rose, his best childhood friend in the world, which seemed a bit odd to Rose.

  “Hello, sweetheart,” she said, taking out a stuffed pink dog from her shopping bag.

  Emily smiled broadly, pleased with the gift. When Ben handed her to Rose to hold for a moment, a wave of panic momentarily swept through her, but she overcame her fears and swooped the little girl into her arms.

  “I can’t wait to spend more time with you!”

  Emily’s big blue eyes studied Rose. “Hi,” the little girl said shyly. Then Emily immediately put her head on Rose’s shoulder in solidarity.

  “That didn’t take long. I knew you’d be a natural.” He dismissed the nanny and told her to take the evening off, which brought a wide smile to the woman’s face.

  Rose recognized that familiar look of female adoration as the nanny looked up at her employer. Turning her attention to Emily, Rose said, “She’s absolutely precious, Ben. Really a lovely little girl!”

  Rose walked with Emily back to her bedroom so she could show her some of the things that she had purchased to warm up the white space: a cozy pale-pink blanket, a small fuzzy dog and a learn-and-play soft tea set. Ben leaned against the door as Rose sat on the floor to show Emily that she could entertain her fuzzy new dog with tea or make cookies or add sugar and cream. Delighted with her toys, Emily clapped her hands, and Ben soon wandered away, leaving the two of them to their game.

  That night, with Emily safely tucked in bed with her new fuzzy pink blanket, Rose found Ben working on his book in the study. She looked at his handsome profile, still in a state of disbelief that this man was going to be her husband and she was soon to be a mother to a beautiful little girl.
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br />   “How’s it going?” she asked casually.

  “Very well, actually. I’m at the part where Thomas Jefferson redesigned Monticello to include many of the modern conveniences he enjoyed while ambassador to France. You know, like indoor toilets, and of course that includes his penchant for octagonal rooms to make the most of his space.” He smiled. “I need to head down to Monticello in a week or so. I’d love for you to you come with me and I’ll show you around. You know what an amazing historical property it is.”

  “Great! I’d like to really see Indian Hall again with some of the artifacts from the Lewis and Clarke expedition, or even some of his inventions again. I remember the weather station in the front hall and the clocks he made on the pulley system. But it’s been a while.”

  “Don’t forget my favorite contraption—that dumbwaiter in the dining room.” He flashed his sexy smile. “And if you’re really nice to me, I’ll take you upstairs to the secret Dome Room that was really never used. It’s bright yellow now with a stunning Palladian window.” He paused. “I’ve got special access,” he joked, holding up his badge.

  At the mention of a Palladian window, Rose recalled the winery in Tuscany that Lyon had designed, and the memory felt bittersweet.

  “I’d love to come.”

  “Did you know that they’ve restored the Rotunda at the University of Virginia? I’ve heard it’s spectacular.” He paused. “Maybe we should consider the chapel there?”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “There are lots of great options for a reception in Charlottesville.”

  “These are good problems to have,” she joked. “I’ll leave you to your writing and get started on dinner.”

  Rose was eager to learn her way around Ben’s gorgeous kitchen, which looked like it hadn’t had much use. She had purchased some fresh halibut that afternoon and put it in a Pyrex with Dijon mustard, olive oil, salt and pepper and a dash of lemon. Popping the fish in the oven, she washed some arugula, sliced several tomatoes, grated some parmesan cheese and stirred in a mixture of balsamic vinegar and pepper. As she waited for the fish to cook, she set the kitchen table and filled up two large glasses with sparkling water and a lime.