“Let’s go then!”
“I want to make this project happen. The cardinal liked my idea of bright-colored intertwined hands of people of all ages and races coming together for peace and unity. Do you think your mother would be willing to help me?”
“Are you kidding me? She’d love it. And clearly you’ve won her over since she’s the one who engineered last night.”
“Have you forgiven me?” Rose asked nervously.
“Nope. I’m still thinking of how you can make it up to me.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her passionately—so much so that someone in the gallery whistled. They reluctantly broke apart. After a short walk, they came upon the Trevi Fountain, a Baroque extravaganza of Greek statues with water cascading skyward in the center, gleaming in the evening light.
“Come on, let’s make a wish. Doesn’t legend have it that if you throw the coin over your left shoulder, you get to return to Rome?”
Lyon handed her a euro. Rose delighted in throwing it behind her.
“What did you wish for?” he asked, taking her hand again.
“I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”
***
Rose had no trouble garnering support from Faith and Antonio for her wall-sized canvas idea of people of all races, young and old and all walks of life holding hands. She knew her role would ultimately take a back seat to Antonio’s and Faith’s talent, but she didn’t care. Her message would be clear and positive. The image lodged in her mind, and she threw herself into creating the canvas, with Antonio’s precise instruction. He set up a room inside his studio for the project, and Rose practically camped out there as she worked around the clock to bring her vision to life.
“You are doing a beautiful job,” said Faith, standing in the doorway of the studio.
Rose savored the compliment. “Thanks!” She put down her paintbrush. “I want to get the images in my head on the paper before they disappear.”
“Spoken like a true artist.”
“I don’t see myself that way.”
“I believe in you.”
Tears misted Rose’s eyes, and she looked across the room at Faith. “You have no idea how much your support means to me. I know I have a lot to learn.”
“We are all always learning. Even your hero Michelangelo had his moments of insecurity with his rival Leonardo da Vinci.”
Rose laughed. “I still find that somewhat ridiculous.”
“You have to trust yourself and your vision.”
Rose nodded, knowing how much more confident she had become over the past few months.
“And on that note, I’ll let you get back to painting. It is all going to be wonderful.”
Rose forgot about everything as the hours passed easily. As she drew the intertwined hands of an old man and a young Asian boy, it became clear that she would have to draw their entire figures for it to look right—a far bigger idea than she had first envisioned, and one that would be extremely challenging to execute. Rose looked up to find Lyon in the doorway staring at her. Their eyes met and he stepped in to peek.
“It looks fantastico!”
“Nice turn of phrase,” joked Rose, getting up to greet him. He swooped her up in his arms and kissed her passionately.
They were interrupted by Faith, who said, “Darlings, I have some news!”
“What is it?” said Rose, trying to wriggle out of Lyon’s arms.
“My gallery thinks this is a brilliant idea and they’re willing to put on an exhibition next spring! But there’s a catch . . . They want to devote the whole gallery to it! That means at least two more canvases.”
“Whoa, Mother! You can’t be serious. How are you guys going to pull that off?”
“It’ll take a lot of work, but I’m confident that we’ll get it done,” said Rose.
“That’s the spirit,” exclaimed Faith.
For the next few months, Rose worked almost constantly day and night with total focus, trying to complete the project which she had aptly named Humanity. Antonio, the perfectionist, slowed the process, constantly correcting Rose with Italian accented by rapid hand gestures. His constant criticism was difficult to take, but she could see he was right.
Rose worked nearly every day, exhausting herself to the point of becoming ill. Faith could see her enthusiasm waning, and so could Lyon.
“Rose, this has been going on long enough. You’re taking the weekend off!”
“Lyon, I’d love to, but I can’t. Not now!”
“My parents have invited us to spend the weekend in Tuscany and even my mother agrees that you need a break. You must rest or you’ll burn out.”
“You’re right. These past few months have been crazy, haven’t they?”
“Hopefully, you mean that as a compliment,” said Lyon, taking her into his arms. “I’ve loved watching your passion come to life. The exhibition is going to be brilliant.”
“If Antonio doesn’t fire me first,” she joked. “No matter how hard I try, he finds fault with everything I do.”
“You’re working alongside Italy’s top artist, and its most demanding. That is in and of itself an accomplishment. But it’s a demanding one.”
“You’re right. Maybe I’m just exhausted, but your enthusiasm and support have helped keep me motivated.”
“Well, there’s something else we need to talk about that has to do with my feelings for you, Rose.” He pulled out a pretty blue box.
“What’s that?”
“A promise to love you forever. Will you marry me?”
Rose gasped. “Yes!” she cried as their lips met in a tender kiss.
Lyon opened the box to reveal a gorgeous emerald flanked by two diamonds.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” she cried.
“I could say the same about you. Beautiful inside and out.”
“Oh, Lyon, you’ve stolen my heart. I love you so much.”
He placed the ring on her finger and explained, “This ring has been in my mother’s family for generations.”
“It fits perfectly.”
“I thought so.” He kissed her again. “My parents would like us to join them this weekend in the country. My father has a special bottle of bubbly he’s been working on to celebrate.” He paused. “My brother, Peter, and my sister, Katherine, are coming in as well.”
“I’d love to.”
***
Lyon’s father, Joseph, and Faith were eagerly waiting for them, and their warm welcome was something that Rose would never forget. The dining room table was elegantly set for a celebratory lunch. The table was awash in all white with winter white lilies and white roses in a silver vase in the center. Faith approached Rose and embraced her. “I’m so excited! Now, I have another daughter. You’re so special to me.”
“That means so much to me. I love you,” said Rose. At last, she had a real mother who genuinely cared for her. It was a true blessing.
Lyon’s sister, Kathryn, and her husband, Giovanni, arrived about the same time as Peter and his wife, Natalie, with their two little girls. Rose took in the scene, feeling so grateful to be part of such a vibrant and loving family. They talked and talked until Rose fell into bed that night, staring at the beautiful ring on her finger.
Despite the time difference, Rose called Jack and Zoey; her best friend was not in the slightest bit surprised.
“I knew it!” Zoey exclaimed. “I saw the way he looked at you when you were house hunting.”
Jack was thrilled for his sister and looking forward to flying over to meet Lyon, but he did ask whether she had told their mother.
“Not yet,” said Rose. “She was so incredibly rude to me when Ben and I broke up. She blamed me for it.”
“Ah, Rose.” Jack sighed. “You know Ben and his ex reconciled, right?”
&n
bsp; “I do. I saw it on the cover of some tabloid on my way to the studio a few weeks ago. Poor Doris. Her dreams are dashed,” she added sarcastically.
“She does love you, Rose.”
“Really? It’s always been all about her.”
“Rose, I think you should reconsider reaching out to our mother. You’re engaged now and starting a whole new life.”
“Don’t be so mature, Jack,” joked Rose as she finished up her conversation with him, asking for more pictures of her nieces. “It’s always been different for you, Jack, but I’ll think about it.”
Rose wasn’t sure how to go about mending her relationship with her mother. But as she looked at the ring on her finger, she guessed she owed it to herself to try and work things out. Doris would never apologize, so Rose decided a long letter sharing her news was the smartest way to deal with her. It seemed rather antiquated and strange to put pen to paper, but she was able to say that Lyon was the best thing that had ever happened to her, that she was happily settled in Florence, and then she suggested that perhaps they could find a time for her and Eric to meet Lyon.
***
Progress on the exhibition was slow and steady, and Rose’s days were filled with the joy of painting and seeing her vision appear on canvas. She dreamed about a beautiful wedding in the Tuscan countryside and felt truly blessed. Faith took over the studio when she was in class, and Rose always joined her during lunchtime and late day. It was Rose’s favorite time as the two women collaborated on the overall look and feel of each canvas. But it was Lyon who suggested that they add some technical advancements to the project that included a light shining intermittently on various parts of the canvas to give the illusion of movement.
“The millennials are much more computer oriented, so you’ll want it to be more exciting.”
“I love this idea,” said Rose.
Antonio, of course, hated the concept of modern lighting and had one of his usual tirades. Back and forth the three artists went as dozens of figures emerged on the canvas in various shapes, sizes, colors and genders, all coming together to form a whole.
A call from the cardinal brought unexpected news; he planned to attend their exhibition and throw his support behind the project.
“You are sharing a master’s beautiful idea with the world and the cardinal knows it,” Lyon said.
“I love your optimism. If for a minute I even thought about our opening that way, I’d get a terrible case of stage fright. I’m far from a genius, and a respectable artist at best.”
“I think what you’re doing is fantastic,” he replied, kissing her.
“You always know what to say to make me feel special. Thank you.”
“I’ll never get tired of being with you.”
Rose felt renewed every time she finished a section of the canvas, despite Antonio’s gripes. It all was coming together so well, and she started to think they would make the June opening. Jack called and planned to be there along with Doris and Eric. Rose couldn’t help but feel anxious. Lyon did not fit Doris’s image of the perfect son-in-law; only Ben could fit that bill. And yet, she hoped she would behave.
“How do you feel about being a September bride?”
“I can’t wait that long,” joked Rose, who scrubbed her hands, trying to get all of the paint off. “I want to marry you right away, but, seriously, it all sounds lovely. Getting married at your parents’ home in Tuscany is so generous of them, and I love the idea of having our celebration be small and intimate.” She added, “About my mother.”
“What about her?”
“I’m warning you; she’s difficult.”
“I can handle it,” he laughed. “There are far worse things in life.”
***
The details of the exhibition consumed Rose, and they all worked feverishly to finish on time. She was walking to the studio on a sunny June morning when she spied a billboard on a bus with the intertwined hands announcing the event. She got chills up her spine when she saw how beautiful it looked and practically raced to class, thrilled to be part of this amazing accomplishment.
When the final painting was installed in the gallery, Rose was both excited and nervous about the opening reception. Several media outlets had asked to take pictures of the enormous installation, which was generating a lot of excitement. The paintings were a mix of traditional figures with contemporary bright colors that radiated beauty and joy. Whatever the critics’ views of the work, Rose concluded, she was extremely proud of the project and its positive message of unity.
Crowds were waiting at the door as Lyon escorted her inside the gallery lit with high-tech equipment that flashed intermittent soft LED lights on various parts of the four wall-sized canvases.
“It’s absolutely brilliant!” gushed Faith, coming over to embrace her. “Look how many people are flooding in through the front door.”
“I can’t believe it,” said Rose with a sigh of relief. “It all came together so flawlessly.”
Even Antonio and Valentina seemed pleased as they were strolling around the pictures hand in hand.
“Look, what a novelty,” Rose said. “He’s not speaking in torrents of Italian telling me to fix something.”
Faith gave her a hug. “He wouldn’t have participated in the project if he didn’t believe in it. Antonio has high standards and he knew he could push you to a higher level of expertise. You did an amazing job. I’m so proud of everything you’ve accomplished. Rose, you are an artist and I hope you are proud of yourself.”
Her words were so good for Rose’s soul.
“Now,” she said, taking Rose and Lyon by the hands. “You two are going to enjoy this summer and start planning a wedding!”
Rose and Lyon kissed tenderly until they were interrupted by Jack, who came over to give her a big hug and offer his congratulations. “This is incredible, little sis.”
“It wasn’t just me, Jack. I’d like you to meet Lyon, my fiancé, and Faith, my future mother-in-law.”
Rose felt as if she were in a dream. Suddenly, Doris arrived in a shocking hot-pink dress that screamed “pay attention to me.” Her stilettos were sky high. She strutted over to where Rose and Lyon stood with a circle of friends and announced herself by cooing loudly, “Daaahling, this is fantastic!”
Before long, Doris was the center of attention, basking in praise as the artist’s Southern mother. Lyon whispered, “She does know how to make an entrance.”
“Mother, this is Lyon, my fiancé.”
“It’s nice to meet you.” Doris eyed him and then gave him a big hug. “Welcome to the family.”
“Thank you,” said Lyon.
A triumph of color, vision and a positive message of love, even for her mother.
Later, Jack came to stand beside her. “Lyon seems like a great guy! He asked me about the construction business and the girls. He seemed genuinely interested in getting to know me. We’re off to a good start.”
“I’m not surprised. We’re really happy. Let me introduce you to his parents.”
Rose scanned the room and bristled when she saw Lyon leaning against a wall talking to Dominique. She excused herself from her brother and walked over as if to take a victory lap.
“Rose, you remember my old friend Dominique,” Lyon said nervously.
“How could I forget?” Rose smiled. “What brings you here, old friend? Did you come with your husband?”
Dominique swallowed hard. “I came because . . . well, to congratulate you on your work and Lyon on your engagement. I guess you got what you wanted after all.”
“We both did,” said Lyon.
Just then the cardinal approached, shaking Lyon’s hand and hugging Rose. Dominique quietly slipped away.
“Ah, my dear, you’ve really impressed me with this vision,” the cardinal said. “I think this is something that will garner attention all ov
er Italy, and who knows, maybe all over the world! Congratulations!”
“Thank you so much, Cardinal. I appreciate that.”
“I wanted to mention that I’m heading to Kenya next week to check on the project there. If you’re interested, you could come and see the school there and perhaps meet the locals.”
“Well, I might just consider that idea, but only if Lyon consents to join me.”
“I hope so,” the cardinal said, gazing at Lyon, who had moved away to chat with someone. “You could really make a difference in the lives of those children.”
“You have no idea how much your moral support means to me. I hope you don’t mind me saying that you remind me a bit of my father.”
“I don’t mind at all,” said the cardinal, who smiled warmly at her.
***
Rose headed to the restroom to freshen up. She was still a bit unnerved from seeing Dominique, her mother, and from all of the attention from admirers.
Beatrice walked in and said, “Rose, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. The show is absolutely first class!” She paused, looking at her pale face. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Yes. Just feeling a bit overwhelmed.” She paused. “I saw Lyon talking to Dominique and I got annoyed.”
“All that says to me is that you are crazy about him. A good problem to have. If anything was going on, she certainly wouldn’t have shown up here. You need to have more confidence in him, and yourself. Please enjoy your success. You and Lyon are an absolutely fantastic couple. I’ve never seen two people more in love.”
“I definitely got a little jealous. That woman bugs me.”
“So what? Today is about you, and you have Lyon. I’m sure you’re exhausted from all of the work and late nights leading up to tonight.”
“Oh, Beatrice, you’re so right! My mother always sets me on edge.”
“I want you to pull it together and go enjoy yourself. It’s a gorgeous summer night and you need to go have fun.”
“Absolutely.” She hugged Beatrice and told her how much she appreciated her friendship.
Rose searched for Lyon, but he was nowhere to be found. She waded through the crowds of people and cut upstairs, but there was no sign of him. The whole thing felt very strange, and she grew increasingly nervous that he had left. Rose looked over the balcony to see him deep in conversation with the cardinal. Rose practically raced back down the steps to join them. Lyon put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head and held her tight. He mouthed the words, I’m sorry.
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