It got very loud the second they walked into the restaurant. His parents were kissing her and him. Aunts and uncles were also there, and everyone was so happy for them.
Anna was glowing as they grabbed hold of her hands and ushered her to a very comfortable chair and congratulated her again and again. They told her how wonderful it was to be a mother especially if she had a nanny for the child.
The women discussed things like nannies and a baby shower and baby names.
Rosangela told Anna that her mother and Francesco would be flying here to celebrate Christmas with them. Anna was thrilled.
Antonio watched Anna from his spot by the men. Him having Anna made him a full-blooded man now. He was no longer only Emilio’s son. He was Antonio who would be a father in nine months.
Antonio spoke of playing football with his son, and his uncle told him that a little girl with her feet on his shoes as they danced was also very special.
They asked which he preferred, a girl or a boy.
He said that he only wanted the baby to be healthy as all parents do, but what he really wanted to say was that he wanted the baby to live so Anna could hold him or her in her arms and smile.
Chapter 40
Anna was sitting in a very comfortable chair again. Antonio was standing next to the chair with a cup of coffee in his hands.
“It’s a good thing you don’t like coffee because you would have to have given it up. Our child should have the best start possible. I was reading last night about how bad it is for the baby. Maybe we should print a warning label on our coffee.” Antonio had been up all night reading.
He loved the idea of them being a real family now. “Just think, next year you will have our baby in your arms.” He smiled at her.
His parents were pleased with the way Anna and Antonio were treating each other.
Anna smiled almost constantly. They were waiting for the servants to finish getting breakfast ready. Anna was staring at the tree. “The tree is just lovely, Rosangela.”
“Thank you, Anna. I had a designer do it this year. I wanted something special because you two are here this year.”
“That’s saying a lot. I’m here every year, and she never did that for me,” Antonio joked.
“Anna, I am really sorry that breakfast is taking so long. I’ll go check on them again.” Rosangela marched off again. “Don’t they know we have a pregnant woman here,” she mumbled to herself.
Anna looked up at Antonio and smiled at him. He had never been happier in all of his life. She had said that she loved him yesterday, and he knew she had meant it.
“Time to eat,” Rosangela called out, carrying in a platter of croissants.
Anna jumped to her feet eagerly. She was so hungry that she hoped that she would eat nicely. She felt like shoveling the food into her mouth.
Antonio snaked his arm around her waist and led her to the table. He whispered in her ear how much he loved her.
She blushed and smiled back. He saw in her eyes that she loved him too. She had said it again last night in bed. Those words meant the world to him.
He pulled out her chair and carefully pushed it in, making sure that her tummy didn’t get pinched against the table. He sat down next to her and smiled at her some more.
His parents were both moved by the way he was treating her. The rumors spread about their son were clearly false. Admittedly, they had met very strangely, but Antonio was always the kind to take what he wanted the second he saw it.
Antonio filled Anna’s plate with whatever she wanted. He scolded her to eat her fill. She nodded at him shyly.
Anna obeyed him, immediately and without discussion. That impressed Emilio. His Rosie could go on discussing with him for hours at a time. Anna would never embarrass his Antonio.
She ate, and he was happy. He bragged that she would be the best later when they sang Christmas songs. He had his hand on the back of her chair and sat proudly next to his beautiful wife.
Anna unwrapped the sweet smelling present and look at her husband. He had given her the vanilla bath scent that he liked so much.
Meanwhile, Antonio opened his present from Anna. He had no idea what she would give him. After hearing about the baby, both had forgotten that they wanted to buy presents for each other, and neither had dropped hints.
Antonio opened his box and pulled out a long thick red ribbon. “What is this good for?” he asked his wife.
“That was the only hint you dropped. I’ll be wearing that later, only that.” She winked at him.
Antonio couldn’t believe it. He wanted to make love to her immediately, but their parents were waiting on the other side of the door. He could hear that Pamela and Francesco were arriving. “I can hardly wait to get you back in here,” he admitted.
Anna blushed and smiled at him.
Antonio opened the door for his wife. The rest of the family was gathered in front of the Christmas tree. Most of the presents under the tree were for the baby. Everyone had fun shopping for a baby.
Antonio and Anna sat down between the fireplace and the tree. Anna smiled up at a picture of Antonio and her on their wedding day, which was displayed on the mantle.
Antonio took Anna’s hand and kissed her wedding ring.
“Anna,” Francesco interrupted them. “I got you several books. Most are from the best-seller list, but I also have a few less known authors that I think you should read.” He explained a little about each book, and they spoke about the book that Anna had given him when he was at the house.
Antonio spoke with Pamela and his parents, letting Anna talk to her father. Well, he soon would be her father. Francesco had popped the question and Pamela had accepted.
Francesco now had everything he wanted: a lady in his life, who he would marry next month and a daughter who shared his passion for books. None of his sons did. He wanted to be a good father to Anna, one that her real father would be proud of.
When Anna had a moment alone with her mother, she whispered in her ear and asked her if she had confronted Francesco about the Mafia.
“We had a long talk about it,” Pamela confessed. “He explained that he can’t quit. The mafia doesn’t work that way.” Pamela bit her lip. “He really loves me. If he were a garbage man, I would still love him. If he didn’t have a job, I would still love him. So I’ll still love him if he’s in the Mafia. It doesn’t matter what he does for a living. What matters is that he loves me, and how he treats me.”
Anna nodded along, agreeing with her mother.
“What about you? Is Antonio treating you well?”
“He found out about the servants. It was part of a plot to kill us so his butler could be the boss. Their attempts foiled. As you can see, I am alive and well. I love Antonio. I forgave him for the way we met. He used to be the kind that saw something he wanted and took it. Antonio isn’t that man anymore. He has everything he ever wanted now.”
“Look at us. Two small town girls taking on mafia men,” Pamela giggled.
“And winning,” Anna whisper so no one could hear her. She had a huge smile on her face.
Chapter 41
A week later, Anna and Antonio sat together at the doctor’s office again. Antonio held Anna’s hand tightly.
The doctor called them into his examination room. Anna was shaking in the meantime. She was worried sick that something could have happened to the baby.
Rachel told her that it was natural for her to worry, but that the baby would be fine.
Rachel was a saint, Anna thought. She took care of everything.
Anna felt that Rachel liked her. A feeling that Anna didn’t take for granted. She would miss Rachel beyond words when they left tomorrow.
Tonight there was going to be a new years party. Antonio had been clear that she wasn’t allowed to drink anything.
Anna had nodded right away. She hadn’t been planning on it anyway. She never had before. Why start now?
The doctor asked her to get up on the examination table. He ch
ecked her over and everything looked perfect. He praised her about the weight gain and said everything was right on track.
Antonio sighed happily and kissed his wife again. He smiled at her a moment. He asked the doctor several questions about exercise and the trip home.
Once Antonio was satisfied, he escorted Anna out to the elevators. There he took her in his arms and kissed her. His men glanced away.
He held up a credit card. “I have some things I need to take care of now, but I want you to take this chance to go shopping for the baby. Buy whatever the saleslady says the baby will need and buy whatever you like.”
“But we don’t know if the baby is a boy or a girl,” Anna protested. “I really want light blue for a boy and light pink for a girl.”
“Buy whatever you want. This credit card has over a million dollars on it. Have your purchases sent to my parents’ house, and we can take them with us on our plane. I am giving you two of my father’s bodyguards. You will be safe.”
The doors opened and he kissed her again. “This is your only chance to go shopping for the baby.”
Anna nodded that she understood. “I wish Rachel was with. She would know where to go. I haven’t got a clue.” Anna had spoken to herself more than to him, but he got out his cell and called his mother and arranged for the servant to meet with Anna.
He snapped it shut and looked down at his wife again. She was so sweet and innocent. “We’ll have lunch together, and then you two can go shopping.” He brought her to one of the restaurants where he had ‘friends’.
Anna ate in complete silence while he talked to the owner in Italian. Anna was so hungry that she wanted to dive into her plate and lap around in the food. “I hope the baby is a boy. If the baby is a girl who is always this hungry, we’ll never be able to marry her off.”
Antonio had been taking a sip of wine when his wife announced that. He coughed and smiled at his wife. “I’m glad you like your food. The owner called for more bread, explaining that Anna was eating for two.
Antonio liked that she was being so good for him. He hoped that she would have a lot of fun today.
His mother had pulled him aside and explained that pregnancy was hard work, and Anna needed to concentrate on that, but that she also needed special moments that helped her bond with the child. That was important.
Rachel came in and swiftly walked to Anna’s table. Antonio looked over the woman. She was young and plain especially compared to his Anna. But his Anna liked her. This Rachel girl got things done. He needed someone like her back at home.
“Rachel, thank you so much for coming so quickly. My Anna seems to be quite taken with you.” Antonio was getting an idea.
“She is a very nice person to work for, sir.” Rachel had been given very specific instructions before she left the house. They wanted her to go with them to Mexico and to report back to them about the goings-ons in their home. They wanted assurance that the rumors had been made up.
“Yes, that’s true. My Anna has a very good heart. But she has great difficulties in dealing with servants, especially ones that are older than her. Most are at my home. What we need is a head of household that Anna could give instructions too, and who would see her instructions carried out. This would be a promotion for you. Would you consider such a job? It would of course mean a substantial raise in your pay.”
“In Mexico?” she pretended to be a little overwhelmed.
Anna had moved to the edge of her seat, waiting to hear Rachel’s answer.
Rachel looked at Anna and smiled. “I’ll do it. Thank you, sir. This is a huge opportunity for me. I sincerely appreciate the confidence you are placing in me.” Rachel wanted to sound eager, but as if she were trying to keep her cool.
“You do speak Spanish and Italian?” Antonio asked her.
She spoke a little in both languages so he could see that she really could.
Anna was beaming at Rachel and her husband. This is what she needed. She now had everything she wanted.
Antonio explained what he wanted Rachel and Anna to buy today. He spoke to her in Italian, telling her how much money his wife had on her.
Antonio dropped his voice and told Rachel she needed to watched Anna so she didn’t try to run away with so much money. He explained that he held her directly responsible for Anna’s welfare.
Rachel understood him. She also knew what happened to the last housekeeper. She would watch over the woman who was carrying the next family heir like a hawk.
Rachel turned to Anna and smiled with excitement. “We have so much to do. Let’s get started.”
“I want her back in time for the party this evening. Dressed and ready.” Antonio now had someone new that he could scold. Rachel was competent. She would get the things done the way he wanted them accomplished. She would save Anna a lot of problems with the servants.
Antonio kissed his wife good-bye very passionately. Yes, this was how it should be.
Chapter 42
Rachel got Anna into the limousine and told the driver where to go. Rachel started listing off what the baby would need. Anna’s head was swimming.
They went into a huge baby store with the bodyguards tailing them. Rachel talked to the saleslady. The woman gave them a list, and Anna decided that she wanted to pick out furniture first.
Rachel nodded at Anna, letting the saleslady know that Anna was the boss.
The saleslady showed them what they had, and Anna fell in love with a very expensive set. She picked out bedding and a mobile for over the bed.
“If I start getting carried away, just stop me,” Anna whispered to Rachel.
“Your husband expects this. He will be disappointed if you buy less. He was clear that today was the one and only shopping day you get.” She leaned in to Anna and whispered in her ear, “But I’m getting lots of catalogs to take home. You can still order things because we are bound to forget something.”
Rachel was writing down everything down that Anna picked. Anna was picking out books to read to the child. Rachel nodded that she approved.
Anna was so unsure of herself, Rachel thought. That must have been why it had been so easy to use her. It was Rachel’s job to make sure that didn’t happen again.
The bodyguards were getting very bored. Rachel spoke to Anna about a Nanny. She was explaining to a very wide-eyed Anna that a Nanny was there to also help her with the child’s upbringing. Anna wanted to do everything on her own.
“Your husband will also require time from you. In such moments, it is important to know that the child is being cared for by a professional whose mind is completely with the child and not worrying about laundry or what have you not.”
Rachel wasn’t going to be swayed on this point. She knew what was best. She would have a similar talk with Antonio about the matter. To him, she would say that it was a question of Anna’s health. Anna would need her rest especially after the birth.
Anna tearfully agreed.
“Believe me, after not sleeping a couple of days in a roll, you will see that I am right.”
The two woman went on with their shopping. Buying everything in light pink and in light blue.
Rachel brought Anna to a toy store, and the bodyguards seemed to like this better. One picked out several footballs for the baby. “In case it’s a boy,” he said before he went back to standing like a statue.
Anna and Rachel laughed. “He’s right you know. Antonio has a whole soccer field, but we aren’t allowed to use the word soccer, only football,” Anna told Rachel.
“Do you know which is his favorite team?” Rachel asked.
“Juventus.”
“Okay, I’ll see to it that I find a baby-sized uniform. You will tell him that it was your idea. He’ll love it. Things like that make the baby more real for men. It’s important to them.”
Anna nodded. “But I can’t lie to him. I can never lie.”
“I understand. Let him assume. He will.” Rachel wanted Anna to make a couple of brownie points with her h
usband. She adored Anna like she was a little sister, and she wanted to protect her.
Once they had a large amount of toys, Rachel showed Anna a street full of boutiques. It was already getting very late. But Rachel had talked Anna into buying clothes and toys for the first three years. Again she took catalogs with her and order more that would be sent to Anna’s house.
Anna was impressed that Rachel knew her address. Anna didn’t know it.
In front of one shop, Anna grabbed Rachel by her arm and pulled her in. Everything in this store was either blue, pink or white. Anna found a christening gown for the baby and lots of other things.
Antonio picked up the phone.
“We lost her. Her and the maid,” his father’s man told him.
“How could you lose a pregnant woman and a maid?” Antonio could already see Anna splitting the money with the maid.
“Did they go shopping?” Antonio asked.
“They bought like mad. All sorts of stuff,” the bodyguard replied.
That didn’t make any sense. Anna was smart enough to know that she would have less if she spent it all now. “Keep looking for her.”
He hung up and dialed his mother. “Mother do you have the cell number from the maid.” He had already talked to his mother about taking Rachel home with them. She was pleased and saw it as a gift to Anna.
Antonio got the number and called it.
“Hello?”
“Rachel, I want to speak with my wife.”
“Of course, sir.”
He heard her whisper, ‘It’s your husband.’
“Antonio, I found the most beautiful christening gown,” she told him.
Antonio could hear that she was crying. “Then why are you crying, honey?”
“Because I’m so happy, and pregnant woman tend to cry a lot. I suppose you’ll have to get used to it.”
They way she was talking it was clear that she hadn’t run off. He was very pleased. “Where are you?”
Mafia Bride Page 18