by Paula Kay
Gigi called me bella ever since I was a small child. I remember asking her why she called me that one time. (And I bet that she is calling you bella now too.) She told me that it meant beautiful and that I was beautiful, but not only on the outside. She said that it was her term for me for all the beauty I possessed inside—some of it yet to be brought out into the world.
So, my dearest daughter, I shall call you Bella—for I know that you are a true beauty, inside and out—preparing to live a life that is full of love and happiness.
That’s my wish for you, my sweet Bella.
I love you more than you could ever know.
Your Mother,
Arianna Sinclair
Isabella jumped when she heard her phone ding on the table beside her. She felt shivers up and down her spine when she saw who it was from.
Her father.
She smiled as she opened the text to read it.
Chapter 3
Bella, I hope that I’m not disturbing you. Do you have a minute?
Isabella laughed lightly as she punched in a response.
Sure do. What’s up?
Lucas. Her biological father.
She still couldn’t believe how fast Douglas had found him. Within two weeks of leaving her grandparents’ villa in Tuscany, Douglas had located Lucas and broken the news to him that he had a daughter—that he and Arianna had had a daughter together so many years earlier.
Isabella was surprised at how easy their connection had been. Lucas had, of course, known of Arianna’s passing all those years ago—the whole community had known about the young girl’s tragic death—but he’d had no idea that she’d given birth to Isabella, no idea that they’d had a beautiful baby girl when he’d been barely a young man himself.
Over the past few months, they’d had numerous voice and video conversations, both of them amazed when they saw one another for the first time—Isabella at how much she looked like her father and Lucas at how much Isabella looked like the young Arianna that he’d loved so long ago. He’d been overcome with emotion the first time he’d seen her on his computer screen, and Isabella loved him instantly for the tears that so easily rolled down his face.
Yes, they’d made quite a connection after many long conversations, and now the only thing left to do was to meet in person, something Isabella knew she was ready for. Her phone dinged again and Isabella glanced down to read the text.
I want to invite you to come to San Francisco—for Thanksgiving if you can make it. Please say you’ll come, Bella.
Her heart beat faster when she saw the note. Everything had happened so fast and she had so much going on—with her travels and finishing her book—and she and Jemma were planning to meet everyone in Tuscany for Christmas. Even her parents were going to fly out from Connecticut for the holidays. Could she possibly fit this trip in? It did give her almost three months to finalize everything with her book—and also three months to spend with Thomas.
She paused for a moment, her finger hovering over the button that would send her response across the miles to her father. She thought about Arianna and the letter that she’d just reread again, smiled, and sent the text.
Yes, I’d love to. We’ll make it happen.
Great! Annie’s going to be so excited. And Kate. We all can’t wait to meet you.
Four-year-old Annie. When Isabella had found out that she had a sister, she’d been beside herself with excitement. She’d always wanted one. Watching Jemma and her little sister Kylie together had been the sweetest thing in the world to her. It was hard to believe that in just a few months she’d be meeting them. Kate, Lucas’s wife, had been lovely to her every time they’d talked or video chatted. She knew that she’d probably be feeling nervous as the time got closer, but for now she’d just enjoy the anticipation of the meeting.
She pushed her thoughts aside long enough to remember not to keep Lucas waiting for her reply.
I can’t wait to meet you all too. Chat next week some time?
Perfect. Night, Bella. Sweet dreams. xo
She smiled as she quickly calculated the time in California and sent off one last text.
Have a good day. xo
Isabella sipped her tea as she thought about her father and everything that had transpired over the past few months. It really was so unbelievable how much her life had changed. She’d gone from being a Harvard-bound high school valedictorian to someone who hadn’t given a thought about her academics in weeks—well, other than any agonizing she was doing over her writing. But she felt solid about her decision to defer her enrollment at Harvard. If she was being completely honest, she really didn’t see herself going at all, but time would tell. She’d wait to see how her writing went and if it was something that she felt she wanted to do long-term.
She checked the time, wondering if it was too late to text Thomas. Surely he’d be up—probably out at some fancy London party with his new girlfriend. She bit her lower lip and sent the text off before she could think about it.
Hey, you. Busy?
Her phone dinged in response a few seconds later.
Kinda. What’s up?
Darn. She did want to talk to him—to tell him about her plans to meet Lucas, but not if he was with “the girl.”
Oh, it can wait. Chat tomorrow? Regular time?
Shoot! Totally spaced and have plans in the afternoon. Can we do it earlier? 9AM?
Isabella grinned. She knew it was rare that Thomas was up that early. If she was being honest with herself, it felt good that he was making the effort, despite forgetting the regularly scheduled chat that they’d been having for the past three months.
Sure. 9 is fine. If you’re up for it.
I will be. Miss you tons, Iz.
Isabella smiled at the name she’d not been using for a while now. Only her parents and Thomas still called her by her childhood nickname. The name Bella seemed to come with her new life—given to her by a mother that had never known her and the new terrific extended family that she’d inherited. She liked introducing herself as Bella now, but to Thomas, she was still Izzy. And she liked that as well.
Miss you too, T.
With one more glance at the time, Isabella crossed the room to sit at the desk with the incredible view out the window in front of her. She was tired, but she’d promised herself that she’d complete one more chapter before going to bed.
She took a deep breath and opened her laptop, determined to focus on her characters and the story she was trying to tell—determined to push thoughts about Thomas, Lucas, and everything else aside for the next hour or so.
Chapter 4
Isabella woke up to the smell of strong coffee and quiet music playing. In general, she liked to get up early herself, so in this regard, she and Jemma did very well sharing an apartment. It was rare that Jemma wasn’t up working on a painting before seven o’clock.
Today, like so many days before, Isabella found her friend in the living room—in the second little space next to Isabella’s work spot, with equally impressive views and the light streaming in to just perfectly meet Jemma’s canvas set up on the easel she traveled with. It was another reason they’d chosen the big apartment—the fact that they both instantly could see themselves working in the shared space.
Jemma looked up from her painting and smiled at Isabella as she walked into the room.
“Morning. Grab a coffee and I’ll take a break in a second to join you.”
“Morning. Let me see what you’re working on first.” Isabella grinned back at Jemma and made her way to where her friend was standing in front of the canvas. “Oh, it’s lovely, Jem. One of your best for sure.” The painting of the city’s skyline in the early morning hours nearly took her breath away. “Will you ship this one to your mom?”
Jemma had been shipping most of her artwork to California when she’d finished, but since they’d been in Paris, Isabella had noticed that she’d been setting a few aside.
“Nope. This one will go to the vineyard
—to Lia and Antonio’s.”
“Ah…Christmas presents.” Isabella smiled, thinking about her own gift idea for the upcoming celebration.
Jemma nodded and proceeded to finish up with the color she was working with. “Done. And good timing. Now, let’s have a coffee in the kitchen.”
The two girls poured themselves coffees and nestled into the little breakfast nook.
“So, tell me about last night. How was it? Did you go out dancing? Meet any cute boys?” Isabella winked at her friend.
“No, no boys. And no dancing either, I’m afraid. I’m saving that for when you do want to come out.” Jemma laughed.
On the rare occasions that Isabella had gone out late at night during their travels, the two girls had had the best times dancing the night away. Jemma claimed that Isabella was her favorite dance partner and Isabella felt the same. It was the one time she really did let her hair down a bit. She’d never been one to go to parties or dances during high school, so to discover how much she loved moving to the hip European music had been a great surprise to her.
“I will do it. I promise. I just have a few more chapters to write before it will be a good time to take a break.”
“Good. I’m holding you to it.” Jemma laughed and Isabella noticed something different about her friend as the light struck her hair through the window.
“Hey, your hair. You found a place?”
Jemma laughed. “Yeah, one of the girls had recommended someone to me and I got in at the last minute yesterday. Do you like it?”
One of the things Isabella greatly admired about Jemma was her willingness to be different, always changing her look, whether she was getting her hair chopped off or trying out a whole different wardrobe. Now Isabella reached over to run her fingers through the wide pink streak in her friend’s shoulder-length blonde hair.
“I didn’t notice it last night with it up. Yeah, it’s great, Jem. I love it. You’ll have to let me know where—I could use a trim myself.” She reached down to grab a section of her straight brown hair. “I know I’ve got some split ends that need to be dealt with.”
“I think you should try something different. Maybe going blonde would perk you up a little bit.”
“As if it were that easy, right?” Isabella laughed at her friend’s suggestion. “Maybe one day I’ll try something new, but now is not that time, my friend.”
The two laughed, sipping their coffees at the same time.
“So how was your night? Did you get a lot of writing done?”
“Yeah. I got another chapter written. Oh, something did happen that was pretty exciting.”
“Do tell.” Jemma leaned forward in her chair.
“Well, Lucas—my father—texted me, asking if I’d come to San Francisco for Thanksgiving.”
“Great! I assume you said yes?”
“I did, although I do have a lot to get done before then. Well, okay, not exactly true. I’ll be done with the book and enjoying some travel adventures with my two besties around that time. But yeah, I told him that I’d work it out. I think it’s important.”
“I’ll say. It’s so exciting! And you’re going to meet that cute little sister of yours.”
Isabella had introduced Jemma to everyone during one of their video chat sessions. “Yep. Oh, and you’re invited. I mean I’m sure it would be fine with them and I don’t want to leave you alone—well, unless you want to be alone by that time.” Isabella laughed at the funny look on her friend’s face.
“I won’t be alone. We’ll be with Thomas, right?”
“Oh. Right.” There was that pit in Isabella’s stomach again. “Well, who knows what Thomas and his new girlfriend will be doing, but I’m sure you’ll have loads of new friends by then too.”
“Bella, don’t be silly. I’m only joking.” Jemma reached over and squeezed her friend’s hand. “And I’d love to go with you, if you feel like you’d like some moral support. But I do think that’s when I’m supposed to be meeting my family in London. Mom has some big fashion show there and it’s around Thanksgiving, I think.”
Jemma’s mom, Blu Foster, was a big deal in the world of design and fashion. They’d already met in Rome for a show since the girls had left Tuscany a few months ago. Now, Isabella remembered Blu giving the girls the dates in November.
“Oh, that’s right. Maybe I should change the plan with Lucas. I’m sure it would be okay—”
“—Don’t be silly. Of course you’ll go. There’ll be plenty of fashion shows to go to, and Mom would not want you to change your plan. You’ll go, you’ll meet your father and your sister, and then we’ll have the most wonderful reunion back at the villa with everyone, if not before Christmas.”
Isabella smiled. “It’s funny, isn’t it? How quickly things can change? I mean, I still can’t get over everything that’s happened—how much my life has changed since the day I found out about Arianna. I feel like I’m a completely different person, you know?”
“Do you feel like the changes have been for the better?”
Isabella didn’t even have to think about the question. She knew the changes had been for the best. She knew that she was living a life that was less stressful and much more authentic in what she felt was the way she wanted to be living. There was no doubt about that in her mind. “Oh, definitely for the better.” She grinned.
“Well, I know how much that would have pleased your mom. I was so young when she died, but everyone—the whole family—has always talked about how much she loved you and what she wanted for you. It’s really pretty awesome, isn’t it? Especially that you’ve turned out to be one of my very best friends in the entire world.” Jemma leaned over and gave Isabella a big hug.
“I agree with that statement. One hundred percent. I don’t know how I’ve managed so many years without having a best girlfriend.” Isabella laughed.
“Well, from what I can tell, it seems like Thomas managed to fill that roll. But I’m here now.” Jemma laughed and got up from the table. “I’m going to start one more painting while I’m still in the mood. Are you going to write?”
“Yep. I’ll be in in two minutes. Wanna coffee refill?”
Jemma grinned and handed her the cup from the table. “Yes, please. Oh, I almost forgot. I’m meeting the girls for breakfast at nine-thirty. Please say you’ll come?”
“No, sorry. I would do it, actually, but Thomas and I are chatting at nine.” She could tell by the look on Jemma’s face that she was disappointed, and really she had been saying no way more than she’d been saying yes to her friend these last few days. “But I’m sure our chat won’t go long, so how bout if I meet you there when I’m done?”
Jemma smiled. “Really? Yes! And maybe we can do a bit of shopping after. I still want to show you that little market I found the other day.”
“Great, sounds like a plan.”
Chapter 5
Isabella dusted her face with a bit of powder and painted her lips with a neutral lip gloss. It was the only make-up she was wearing these days except for the coat of mascara she added on the nights that she did go out with Jemma. She laughed out loud as she readied her computer for the call with Thomas, unsure why she was even going to the trouble. Thomas had seen her without make-up hundreds of times.
She waited for Thomas to pick up the call, anxiously watching the screen of her laptop.
Finally the connection was made and a few seconds later her best friend’s face appeared, hair looking disheveled per normal and more stubble on his face than she’d ever seen before. Jemma’s words from the day before flashed in her mind. Thomas was good-looking—more handsome than she’d noticed before. She pushed the thought aside and grinned widely into the camera.
“Thomas. It’s so good to see you.”
“And you, my darling. Did you put a little lip gloss on for me?” Thomas laughed and Isabella could feel the warmth in her face.
“Yeah, well, I’m meeting Jemma and some girls for breakfast after this, so don’t flatter y
ourself too much.” She laughed too.
“Point taken. So how are you? Tell me everything?”
Thomas sank back into a plush-looking sofa, raising a coffee mug to his lips. Jemma’s eyes did a quick sweep of the room behind him and she felt her forehead crinkle in confusion.
“Hey, did you switch hotels? It looks different.”
There was no mistaking the blush on Thomas’s face or how awkward he looked before responding to Isabella’s question.
“Yeah, so I moved out of the hotel. I’m staying with Natasha for now.”
Natasha. It was the first time Isabella had heard him say her name. He was living with her? How odd. It wasn’t like Thomas to jump into something so fast with a girl. He did date a lot, but usually there was something or other that didn’t work out. Then again, he was in travel mode—away from home—so maybe it wasn’t really about more than convenience. Not that Thomas couldn’t afford a nice hotel or apartment. His parents had given him more than enough money for his travels abroad, enough to be living at least as well as Isabella and Jemma were able to.
Isabella tried to hide the surprise that she was sure would be apparent on her face as she answered Thomas. “Oh, really? So that sounds kinda serious. Is there something you’re not telling me?” She tried to keep her voice light as per their typical bantering, but it was hard to imagine that they’d come to a place where Thomas hadn’t told her something so important. They’d always told one another everything, and it made Isabella sad to think about him keeping something from her.
“Oh, well—No, not really Iz. I mean, it just happened. We just decided to try it for the next month. It seemed silly keeping the hotel when we’ve been spending so much time together and Natasha lives in a great neighborhood, so—well, it just made sense. But you know. Who knows what will happen, right? You know me.”