by Paula Kay
Jemma laughed and her smiling face filled up the screen. “Were you? I hope you’re not too mad at me for not being there with you all right now.”
“Are you kidding? I wouldn’t dream of taking you guys away from the orphanage. The kids need you and as long as I get you for the big day, I can handle that.”
Jemma and Rafael had taken over at the orphanage for the past two months while Tori had had to go to the U.S. to care for her sick mother. Isabella had thought it pretty incredible for Rafael to insist that he could manage when Douglas had been preparing to go himself.
“Well, you can count on me. Oh, I can’t wait to see you. I really miss you all so much.”
“I miss you too. It always feels so weird for me to be here without you.”
“Are you outside? It’s so sunny!”
“Yeah, just taking a little run while I wait for Thomas to come back.”
“Shirking his wedding planning duties?” Jemma winked.
“Oh, you know. He gets with Antonio and those two could talk wine and business all day long. I heard Antonio speaking earlier about a meeting with a buyer, so I suppose he let Thomas tag along.”
“That’s great—that they all get along so well with him, right?”
“I guess we’ve both done pretty well in that department, huh? In terms of choosing our husbands wisely?” Isabella laughed as Rafael came into the picture to sneak a quick kiss from Jemma.
“Hey, Bella. How are you doing? Everything coming together for the big day?”
“Hi, Raf. It is, yes. I was just telling Jem that it doesn’t seem the same without you both here. I hope you two will be able to get away to come early before the wedding.”
“Yes, we’ll be there.” Jemma looked quickly at Rafael. “Well, we’re waiting to hear back from Tori, but she’s due back within the next few weeks.”
Rafael waved toward the camera. “On that note, I gotta get back to the kids. We miss you, and please give Thomas and everyone our best.”
Isabella watched as he gave Jemma a quick kiss before leaving. Jemma looked tired, but who wouldn’t be, overseeing an entire orphanage?
When Isabella and Thomas had visited the orphanage for the first time a few years ago, Isabella had been awed by how everything ran and how sweet the children were. She instantly knew what the draw had been for Gigi and Douglas, and it made her appreciate them that much more.
“How are you doing, Jem? Don’t take offense at this, but you look pretty wiped out.”
“Do I?” Jemma reached up to smooth her hair back from her face. “Well, it is all pretty exhausting, to be honest, but it makes Rafael very happy to be able to help here and of course, it makes me happy too. It will just feel good when I can get a regular night’s sleep again—and some more structured painting time—but enough about how I am. I’m happy to hear that you’re having fun there, and it sounds like the planning isn’t too stressful. And the house? All of that is on track?”
“Oh yeah. All systems go. We should be able to move in by the end of the month, I’d say.”
“You say that with such enthusiasm—and I’m not sure if you’re aware or not, but you also wrinkled your nose.”
Isabella laughed. “Did I?”
Jemma nodded. “You did.”
“Well, it’s nothing we’ve not already talked about. I am feeling better about things, in fact. I guess I need to do a better job of showing that, huh?”
“Yeah, you might need to work on that poker face of yours.”
Isabella laughed. She told Jemma pretty much everything, and they’d had long talks about how Isabella felt in regards to her future plans for settling down in Connecticut.
“I really am okay about it. As long as Thomas is doing what he thinks makes the most sense for his career, I need to support that. And that is something I learned by your example, you know.”
Years ago, before Jemma and Rafael had become a couple, Jemma had loaned Rafael money so that he could open his dream business. It was only after they’d been married a year—just a few months ago—that Rafael finally agreed that the business loan was null and void—it was their business and Jemma’s inheritance was what she brought to their marriage for both of them. This was the way Jemma had wanted it from the beginning, but she had to learn to bite her tongue when it came to understanding that Rafael wanted to financially support their life together as well.
Isabella had admired the way that Jemma had gone to Guatemala to live and work alongside Rafael, not because they needed the money, but because it was what he’d always wanted. So she’d taken all that to heart, thinking about her own relationship with Thomas and what his own goals were.
“Well, Thomas is lucky to have you—you’re lucky to have one another, I should say.”
“Speaking of which…” Isabella waved to Antonio’s truck slowing down as he grew nearer. “Here comes Thomas now. I think I better grab a ride back to the house with them. He and I need to finalize a few things before we leave here.”
“Okay. Bella?”
“Yes?” Isabella grinned into the phone just as Antonio and Thomas pulled over to the side of the road across from her.
“You’re going to be the most beautiful bride. I can’t wait to see you soon. And I really miss you.”
“I miss you too, Jem. Big hugs! And see you soon!”
Isabella clicked off the video chat and crossed the road to lean into the passenger side window where Thomas sat grinning at her.
“You need a ride, li’l lady?”
“Why, yes. If you kind sirs are offering.”
“We only pick up the prettiest girls.”
Isabella giggled as Thomas opened the door and pulled her in onto his lap.
“Yes, I think you just might be the prettiest one we’ve picked up all morning.”
“Very funny!” She playfully punched him on the arm and they made their way back to the villa.
Chapter 6
Lia stood by the big breakfast window, sipping her tea and watching her granddaughter with her soon-to-be-husband outside. They were walking hand-in-hand along one of the paths that ran the entire length of the vineyard. She smiled as she saw Thomas reach down to pick a flower and then hand it to Isabella before he pulled her in for a kiss.
She felt Antonio’s hands come around her from behind, his breath warm at her neck, which to this day still made her go weak in the knees over how much she loved him. She tilted her head slightly, feeling the slightest bit guilty, as if she’d been caught spying on two young lovers.
“Hello, my darling.”
His words were barely a whisper in her ear.
“Hey you.” She turned only slightly to brush his lips with a quick kiss before turning back again, feeling one of his hands gently at her waist, the other pulling her hair back so that his lips could nestle into her neck once again.
“Are you spying, my love?”
She didn’t turn around but she knew that if she did, he’d have a smile on his face.
“Just look at them, Antonio. They’re so much in love, aren’t they? And they’re good kids. They’ll have a happy life together.”
“Yes, they will. He adores her. We couldn’t have asked for better for our lovely Bella. I know that for a fact. They are lucky to have one another.” Antonio turned Lia gently toward him, as it was his turn now to kiss her on the lips. “Just as we are lucky every day for having found one another again. My dear, if it is possible, I am even more in love with you today than yesterday or the day before.”
Lia kissed him back, feeling emotional all of a sudden and unable to hold back a few tears. “Oh, you Italian men—always knowing exactly the most romantic things to say to an emotional woman.” She laughed and Antonio laughed with her.
“But you don’t doubt me, my love.” He winked at her and she kissed him again quickly.
“No, I never doubt you.” She sighed without meaning to and then hoped that Antonio hadn’t noticed.
“Are you okay, darling
? Are you tired?”
“I’m okay. I’ve just had a little nap actually.”
“And how did everything go today—with the others? Did you have a talk with Bella?”
Lia turned to look into his eyes. “I’ve decided not to tell her—not until after the wedding. I don’t want her to worry and I know that she will.” She searched his face for reassurance that her decision was a sound one. She knew how he felt about keeping secrets, and for good reason. It was something that they’d vowed not to do in their marriage, and Lia had tried very hard to be honest and upfront in her relationships.
“Are you sure, honey? You could just tell her the truth.”
Antonio went quiet and Lia had to turn to see the look on his face that would tell her what he might be thinking. “What? What is it?”
“It’s not the same, you know—as Arianna. You’re going to be okay. The doctor says there’s no reason not to believe that. We caught it so early and the treatment seems to have done its job.”
“Oh, I know honey. Just still—I don’t want her to have any thoughts that aren’t beautiful and magical during this time. I don’t want to ruin that for her.” She reached out to squeeze Antonio’s hand. “Please support me in this. I have the others—Gigi and Blu—and they’ve been wonderfully helpful the last few months. And I’m really okay—just a little tired, but that’s to be expected.”
“Honey—”
“And no—I wouldn’t have our friends stay anywhere else.” Lia laughed lightly. “Don’t you worry about me. Everything is just as it should be.”
Antonio looked at her for a few seconds before he kissed her again quickly. “Okay. I trust you.” He gently turned her around again so that his arms were circling her from behind—enveloping her with the strength of him. He held her tight that way for a few minutes as they both watched out the window in silence.
Sometimes Lia still felt she had to pinch herself—when she caught a glimpse out their expansive windows or she felt Antonio’s arms around her the way they were now. How had life turned out to be so good to her? How was it possible that she’d been married to this incredible man for over ten years already?
And the years had been wonderful to them. The villa—their home—had brought so much joy to her life. Not for the vineyard itself—although she loved the passion that Antonio brought to his land and the crops year after year—but for the sense of home that it had brought her. She felt complete peace on their land together, especially when all the rooms were filled with their family and friends.
“What are you thinking about?” Antonio whispered in her ear. “That time I think it was a sigh of contentment that I heard.” He laughed and Lia did as well.
“Oh, I was just thinking, for about the millionth time, how wonderfully blissful our life together is.” She felt his arms around her tighten just a bit. “How happy you’ve made me these past years.”
“No words could be sweeter, my love. And that goes double for me. I didn’t really know happiness until you came back into my life. Everything else after that has just been icing on the cake.”
“The cake!” Lia turned around as the realization hit her. “I have to go pick up the cake!”
Antonio laughed. “What cake? And I’ll go for you, love. You stay here with our guests.”
“Oh, I’d ordered a cake—it’s at the bakery down the street from the restaurant—just a little dessert for our family dinner tonight.” She looked toward the clock on the wall. “Chase is due here any minute and I’ve got everything he needs for dinner but the dessert.”
Antonio walked across the room to get his keys from the hook on the wall. “I’m going, love. You finish your tea and enjoy some time with your friends before the house gets loud with the girls.”
Lia laughed and crossed the room after him to plant a kiss firmly on his lips. “Thank you, sweetheart. I think I will do just that.”
Chapter 7
Bella laughed with delight as Thomas handed her the flower he’d picked her and then pulled her in close for a long deep kiss. She’d never realized how romantic he was before they’d started their life together as a couple. She had never seen him as romantic when they were younger—with the other girls he’d dated. Thomas told her that he’d been saving all his ideas for her. That every romantic thought in his head had only ever been reserved for his one true love.
She clasped his hand tight as they made their way along the path that led through the vineyard. She loved walking there and especially with Thomas, who loved it as much as she did.
“So, how was your morning with Antonio? You guys were gone early.”
“Very good. Always happy to spend time with your grandfather.”
“And? You were off on some secret adventure then?” Isabella laughed.
“Yes, in fact, we were.” Thomas laughed and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “If you call checking out property an adventure.”
“Oh, Lia mentioned that he was looking at a neighboring vineyard. You don’t think he’d buy it, do you? It seems like he’s busy enough here right now.”
“No, I don’t think so. He just wanted to look at it.”
“Well, from what I can see from here, it must be about equally as beautiful—at least the view, anyway.”
“You think so?”
Thomas was looking at her thoughtfully as she nodded, the way he sometimes did when he hadn’t quite finished a thought.
“Tell me about your morning, Iz.” He grinned. “Tell me about the dress fitting.”
Isabella smiled just thinking about what it would be like to have Thomas see the dress for the first time, the day of their wedding. “Nope. Not a chance.”
“Okay, so maybe not about the actual dress—you know I like to be surprised by you anyway—but how was the morning with the ladies? I know you’ve been very excited to all be together again, and I can only imagine how happy Blu was to finally get you into that dress.”
“Oh, Thomas, it was so nice. And the dress is gorgeous. I can tell you that much.”
“Honey, you’d make a potato sack look gorgeous, but I am beyond excited to see you in it.”
Isabella laughed. “A potato sack, huh? Well, just so you’re not having any ideas about getting out of wearing that handsome tux of yours, it’s most certainly going to be a bit more fancy than a potato sack.”
Thomas laughed. “So, back to what we were talking about earlier. It sounds like you ladies have a good handle on the final wedding prep items. I think Antonio and I can handle our to-do list when we’re back here before the wedding. I do have a few things to set up back in New York—things we need to take care of shortly after we’re back. And the realtor called me to confirm our closing date for the Friday after next.”
Isabella willed herself to look happier than what she was feeling. The idea of being back in New York suddenly felt very overwhelming to her. She took a breath in before she spoke. “Okay. That all sounds good. Maybe we can cover that to-do list on the plane or something.”
“Iz, are you okay with everything? You don’t look so happy. I promise this is going to be a team effort. I don’t want you to stress about a thing. It’s going to be such a nice change for me to be at home with no classes to worry about.”
“Oh, I’m not worried about that. You’ve been great, honey. We’ll get it all done. It’s just a bit of packing left in my place, and the movers will get most of it.”
“So, tell me what you’re thinking, please, Iz.”
“Oh, you know I get a bit melancholy whenever it’s time to say goodbye here. It’s funny that I could spend so much of my life not living here around this wonderful family I’ve inherited, and yet, it feels more like home to me than where I grew up.” She’d said the words without thinking about what she was saying or how it might sound to Thomas and now she watched his face carefully, wishing she could take it back.
“I know, Iz. And with good reason.”
“Thomas, I don’t mean that Connecticut isn’t go
ing to be wonderful. It will be, because it will be our home that we’re making together.” She grabbed his hand and stopped walking to pull him in for a hug. “And I love the new house. I do. And we’ll have our vacations here in Italy as always.”
Thomas kissed her on the nose. “And you’ll be back here soon—for your party, right? Isn’t Jemma throwing you a little bash a couple weeks before the wedding.”
Isabella nodded and wondered if she should talk to Thomas about possibly coming for the end of the Positano stay with the women. It would be at least a month before the wedding, though, even if she only met up with them at the end of their stay.
Thomas was waiting for her to answer.
She leaned up to kiss him quickly. “Yes, Jemma says she’ll be here two full weeks before the wedding.”
“And? What are you not telling me?—and why you even think you can keep anything from me at this stage in our relationship is beyond me.” Thomas was teasing her, which made her laugh, despite her misgivings over sharing more with him.
“Well, it’s just that Blu has apparently rented this house in Positano—you remember how much we loved the Amalfi Coast?”
They’d spent two weeks together last summer driving throughout Italy, exploring all the places they hadn’t made it to during previous visits. And it had been one of Isabella’s most memorable vacations with Thomas, the days filled with everything she loved—good food, good wine, and long walks with him through the old city squares or admiring the sunsets in coastal views that were beyond any she’d shared with him before.
“Yes, I do remember spending time with you there.” Thomas was grinning as he reached over to place a flyaway strand of hair behind Isabella’s ear, a gesture she still found completely sweet and endearing. “So, am I to assume that Blu would like you to join her?”
“Well, to be honest, I guess they’d all—Lia and Gigi too—been talking about it as an extended party of sorts with me. Or maybe not party exactly.” Isabella laughed. “But just a time for us to all spend together while Blu finishes up the dresses. Of course they know how busy I am the next few weeks with the apartment and the house and everything, but—well, I promised that I’d talk to you about maybe coming back early for their last week or so there.”