They talked freely for the first time, into the wee hours of the morning. Getting to know each other, sharing their dreams and obscure things, some silly, eliciting laughter, and others more profound and painful…finally secure in the knowledge of each other’s love.
Epilogue
A year later...
Giana sat on the sofa making notes from a cookery book that she had retrieved from an old trunk in the storeroom. Her eyes strayed to the clock once more. The drawing room of Villa ‘Jardin d’Eden’ was bathed in the glow from the giant Christmas tree, more magnificent than the one that Max had proposed under, the previous year.
Max had called to tell her that he might be late. But she had decided to wait up for him. She couldn’t sleep without talking with him...not today of all the days. Her heart soared like a bird taking flight over the clouds, reminiscing about the past months.
It had been a wonderful year! If Giana were asked to measure her happiness and contentment, she would have pointed to the sea as her unit of measurement. The past year had been tumultuous and exhilarating. They had been engaged a day after Christmas by Fr Da’Cunha who hustled them along into holy matrimony with the alacrity of a matchmaking matron, smoothing all the church formalities, allotting the earliest available date for the wedding in January.
It had been a beautiful wedding, flawless and elegant, remarkably different from her first one. Max’s parents came over and stayed with them for a month after the wedding. They loved Giana and Toby on sight just as Max had expected. They were happy that Max had finally let go of the past. Eva’s parents came, in spite of knowing that it would be painful to watch Max with another woman and child. But they were kind enough to want him to be happy. His older brother, Phillip came with his wife Janice and their twin daughters. It was wonderful, joyous, and noisy as the twins showered their new cousin Toby with undivided attention.
Toby was thrilled to have a new family. His excitement grew even more to know that he could play with Mutt every day. But most of all he was happy to have ‘Mak’ as his father who was fiercely protective and caring. It took him a while to understand that he was supposed to address ‘Mak’ as Daddy, a new word that he had never heard before! Toby and Max had an effortless bond which never failed to amaze Giana.
They had decided to stay on in Villa ‘Jardin d’Eden’ and make it their new home. It was a beautiful house, now filled with love and laughter. Their honeymoon in Andaman’s was an experience that Giana would never forget. She understood the true meaning of being Max’s wife only after they were married. His love for her, unleashed to its true potency, enveloped her like a vital force, protective and all consuming. It was everything that she could have hoped for and everything that he had promised. Max was a generous lover and a supportive husband, and not a day passed when she did not send up a prayer of gratitude that she had found him.
Giana had resumed work at the cafe, something that Max had insisted on. Over the past one year, she had become more relaxed, taking up only lucrative projects which were simpler to execute. It gave her the time to be with Toby until he began to go to a playschool. It also gave her the time to forge a deeper connection with her husband.
Her relationship with Carol underwent a drastic change. She had begun to see her mother more as a confidante. Annabel’s vociferous declaration that Mamma had sprouted a heart didn’t surprise Giana. But her sister did grumble occasionally that their mother had retained most of the old dragon-traits, especially when her plans for the salsa classes were shot down in flames by Carol.
Giana heard from a common friend about Ricky’s lavish wedding with the daughter of his father’s business associate. Apparently, after a few months of struggling with living independently, he had decided that having a wealthy family and a profitable backup plan was more than an asset that he could wish for. He joined his family business, and married the girl who could promote his father’s financial dreams. The merger was a success. Ricky had no choice but to admit that fat was beautiful and that having an ugly wife was preferable to not having money to splurge on his pricey whims. Giana was certain that fidelity and loyalty were still not part of his schemes and that he would most probably be seeking other pleasurable avenues of entertainment while still married to the unfortunate woman who had become his wife.
Giana was grateful though that Ricky never came to visit his son. She knew that someday Toby would have to be told about his real father. But she was certain that her son’s relationship with his adoptive parent would never be compromised for that reason.
It was indeed the year of revelations.
A little after twelve-thirty, Giana broke into a smile when she heard the Bugatti being rolled into the garage. Max, as usual, had stopped well before the gates and rolled the bike in, lest it make too much noise and wake up Toby. It was only one of the many things that he did to show his love and care for his family. She heard his easy banter with Mutt as he locked the gates.
Max left the portico lights on, knowing that Giana hated darkness. Another week to go for Christmas. His parents were coming over next week. It would be hectic and full of love and spirit. It was their first Christmas together as a married couple. He wanted to enjoy every bit of it. The noise and chaos. He smiled at that thought, looking at the villa decorated with huge paper stars and fairy lights and lanterns on the terrace facade. But it was not these lights that lit up his life. Giana was the source of that light. He loved coming back home to see her waiting for him. It gave him a rush to see her open the door, and hear the shrieks of the little tyke, Toby, as he hurled himself into his father’s arms even before his mother could. Max reminded himself of his blessings every single day, for having found happiness again, perhaps much more than ever before.
He still missed Joey and Eva. There were times he felt his loss acutely. He knew that Giana knew about it. But she never complained. She accepted that he had been a different man once and that he had loved a different woman and child. She never begrudged him that little space he had given to his other family. Her promise of friendship never faltered. Her peace was contagious. It inundated his spirit and helped him cope. Her touch healed his grief. When he reached for her body, it was with the utmost faith that he would find everything he had always desired. He could not be grateful enough for having found her. With her, life was enriched with new meaning. Living was more than just existing. In the past one year, Toby had become the centre of his life, and Giana, his strength, passion, and peace.
Max retrieved the keys from his pockets and opened the front door, knowing that she would wait up even though he had told her that she shouldn’t.
Giana rose from the sofa, discarded the cookery notes, and ran bare feet to welcome him at the door. Max strode in looking dishevelled, his tie askew, his jacket on his arm, and a smile as bright as the blazing sun. She flew into his arms and gave herself up to his loving kiss. His husky, sensuous laughter was the happiest sound to her ears as he backed her up against the wall and proceeded to melt her bones into a puddle. He kissed her with all the passion and love stashed away in his heart. They surfaced breathlessly from the delicious preoccupation and Max released her reluctantly with the sweet promise to continue later.
“Where’s Toby?”
“He slept an hour ago after waiting up for you. After his grand, Santa Claus performance at the playschool, he insisted on wearing that fat, red costume all afternoon. He followed poor Mutt around, calling him a ‘rainder’ and tied a string on his tail so that Mutt could help him fly.”
Max grinned proudly. “That’s my boy! Optimism at its best!”
“Poor Mutt finally hid inside his kennel, tired of your son’s bullying.”
Max guffawed at that. “Mutt is a sturdy chap. He probably has canine dreams of flying himself!”
“I doubt you would be so optimistic when you see the lump on Toby’s head.”
“What lump?” Max was instantly worried.
“He leapt off the table trying to fly after several failed attempts jump
ing up and down on the floor! Good thing the Santa suit was padded!”
“Is he ok?”
Giana smiled at his obvious worry. “Oh, he is fine. But at this rate he would lose all his teeth!” said she, exasperated.
“Let me check on him!”
Max was already at the steps, when Giana caught his hand and looped her arm through his, laughing.
“He is all right. I need to speak with you. You are neglecting me!” she teased.
“Is that so?” he drawled, teasing her back. He chuckled, pulling her up against his chest to drop another kiss on her mouth to pacify her. “You know that I take such complaints very seriously!”
He led her to the sofa where her notes were strewn around. “Why aren’t you in bed?”
“I couldn’t. I haven’t been feeling too great since morning.”
“Seems all right,” he said, touching her forehead. He pulled her onto his lap. “Had dinner?”
“Sort of,” she replied, smiling evasively. “Did you?”
“Sort of! Was really busy today.”
“Should I get something for you?”
“No. Stay,” he said holding her hands in his. “I had something important to work on. I am glad it is finished now.” He fished out from his laptop bag, a roll of paperwork, tied in a red satin ribbon and handed it to her.
“What is it?” Giana looked at it confused.
“Open it! It’s for you,” said Max huskily, brushing his knuckles over her cheek.
She removed the ribbon and read through the first sheet of paper. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she stared at her own name written in the space for ownership of property.
“It’s the shop next to your cafe. It was renovated and put up for sale. I bought it last month. The paperwork finished today. Everything is in order. It’s yours to start any time you want.”
“Is that why you were hovering around there last month? Oh, Max!” exclaimed Giana, astonished that he had remembered her words spoken many months ago. “There was no need for this. I am happy not to...”
“Not to do the work you love so much?” whispered Max, brushing away the tears of awe that transformed her soft face. “I want you to start thinking about your dream.” He took out his drawings from his bag and showed her one. “I have a couple of designs for you here. If you want something different we could change this.”
“Max!” She flung her arms around his neck, showering kisses on his face, immensely grateful for the man who loved her so much. “I wanted to start the catering business because I didn’t want to depend on my mother to look after Toby’s needs. Yes, I love my job. It was also the only way I knew how to swim against the tide. But I have been very happy this past one year cutting down on rigorous work, spending this much needed time with Toby and you.”
“I want you to do this!” countered Max, fervently. “You are a very talented woman and I don’t want you wasting any of it. I don’t want you to wake up some day and...”
“And blame you for not taking my needs into account?” prompted Giana.
Max sighed and cupped her face lovingly. As usual she had put things into perspective. He kissed her, drawing her to his chest where she lay hearing his steady heartbeat. It was the song of hope for her. “My marriage with Eva was a disaster because we didn’t take care of each other’s needs. We had everything and yet nothing! I don’t want that kind of dissatisfaction to seep into our relationship. It’s a long journey. And you were right when you told me once that our needs and expectations from one another in a relationship keep changing as we grow old together. I will never withhold the support that you need from me. This is the time you can do something with your talent. I will never keep you from it.”
“You haven’t, Max, and I love you so much for that! Thank you for thinking about me!”
“All that is mine is yours! It is important to me that you become self-reliant and secure. We both know how unpredictable life can be. If something happens to me, I want you and Toby to have a secure future.”
Her gaze filled with love and tears of wonder. “As you would be there for Toby, if something happens to me.”
His arms tightened around her, bringing her face level to his. “I don’t think I could bear that kind of loss again.”
She knew Max was acknowledging his worst fear. His mouth slanted on hers taking a fierce kiss that left her breathless. She kissed him back, with all her heart, knowing that he needed that confirmation from her that she wasn’t going anywhere.
“We have both seen the worst, haven’t we? So, let’s always remember to cherish our blessings. That is the best gift we can give each other.”
“Yes!” He released her and settled her down on the couch. “So when do you plan to set up the place?” he asked, happy that she had accepted his gift.
“It may take some time!” she said, her smile growing misty.
“How much time do you need?” he asked, frowning at her reluctance.
“Maybe another year or two!”
Max was surprised. “Why? Let’s go shopping and get some equipment for the place! I’ll get the place decorated into a spacious office. We’ll need furniture and employees...What’s so funny?”
He looked adorably cross when she began to laugh earnestly. He tipped her on the sofa and silenced her laughter with a thorough kiss that had them both distracted for blissful moments. “Now will you tell me what’s going on?”
She brushed away the hair from his forehead, her fingers tender and loving. “We are having a baby, Max!”
He raised himself off her and brought her up into a sitting position, staring in utter shock at her. He ran a trembling hand over his eyes, frowning at the floor, deep in thought. “I thought we were careful...”
“Max? Are you not happy?” she asked, perturbed.
“Ecstatic!” he exclaimed, with a heartfelt sigh. “You don’t mind having a baby?”
“No!” she said with a blinding smile. “I want this baby!”
That removed the frown of doubt from his countenance. His smile grew beautiful with pride and joy. He drew her close, placing a hand on her belly, infinitely gentle this time. “You are so young! We should have...”
“No, Max!” Giana stopped him, her fingers touching his lips to staunch the flow of words. “I am so very happy that it happened and you have no need to worry. It is a sign that we came through all the bad times. You fulfilled all my dreams for me. Now, I am going to fulfil yours.”
“You already have!” emphasized Max. “More than anyone could ever have.”
He kissed her again, a pledge of devotion in each touch. They talked about the future, making new plans to accommodate the new changes in their lives and the children they would have and the work they would accomplish...all in between famished kisses and the touch of loving hands. They went upstairs together to check on Toby, enveloped in their own private world. A world that they had created with love, gratitude, hard learning, and a firm promise to never take each other for granted.
***
About the Author
Leena Varghese writes for the sheer love of experiencing the myriad world of multi-dimensional characters and an alternate reality that words can create. A heart-warming tale that portrays the spectrum of human emotions with a healthy dose of idealism, humour, intrigue and passion is always an inspiration for her.
She was a closet writer for a long time, scribbling funny snippets from life and tales full of hope and happy endings. Finally, she decided to send a manuscript to Mills & Boon UK, who brought out her debut book, A Perfect Mismatch, under the Indian Author Collection. The second book, A Silver Dawn, was published by Harper Collins India under the Harlequin imprint. Her third book, A Bittersweet Reprieve, was published through Amazon KDP.
Leena lives in Mumbai with her family and is a post-graduate in English Literature, with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Diploma in Fine Arts. Leena enjoys illustrating children’s books and loves to experiment with various media includi
ng oils, water colours and pastels.
Some of the books that she has illustrated are A Date with Daddy, A Date with Mommy and A Luna Moth, A Lightning Bug and Mr Kipling.
Connect with Leena through: Goodreads / Amazon author page / mailto:[email protected]
Other Books by the Author
A Perfect Mismatch
Published in 2014 by Harlequin India under the Mills and Boon Indian Author Collection, this was Leena’s debut book. Available in paperback as well as e-book editions.
A Silver Dawn
Leena’s second book was published in 2016 by Harper Collins India under the Harlequin imprint. Available in paperback as well as e-book editions.
A Bittersweet Reprieve
Published in 2017 through Amazon KDP.
Books Illustrated by Leena Varghese
A Luna Moth, A Lightning Bug and Mr Kipling
A Date with Daddy
A Date with Mommy
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