L'amore: The Luminara Series

by SJ Molloy

  “It was beautiful from what I remember. I think I had the steak.” I wrinkle my nose, tilt my head, and look up at the ceiling trying to remember.

  He smiles at me. “Good. Well, I will take you one night, and if you want any changes made to the menu, let me know and I will arrange it with Giorgio.”

  Lucca’s phone starts ringing. It’s Savio, Lucca’s older brother by one year, looking for the new code to the front gate. We walk out the front to greet Savio. Again, like Armando, he has the inky black hair and eyelashes and deep olive skin and has their father Antonio’s appearance.

  Savio has short neat hair, wide eyebrows, and is slightly wider in the face and jaw than Lucca. He’s dressed in a smart looking pair of grey, washed-denim jeans and a fitted, white shirt. When he places his hands on my shoulders to kiss both my cheeks, I smile because it feels familiar.

  Similar to Lucca’s gesture that I’ve grown fond of.

  Kate exits the car with their two children running around at her feet. I’m entranced by her beauty. Her white-blonde, thick, wavy hair sits just below her shoulders. She wears thin braids at either side, pulling her hair back in a half-up fashion, and she has a thin, printed blouse on and skinny leather jeans. She looks beautiful—very fresh and modern.

  Kate rounds up her two children, who are adventuring towards the water fountain centrepiece in the garden. Lucca strides down the steps, and a huge squeal escapes the beautiful blonde girl.

  “Uncle Lucca!” she yells as she runs towards him. He gracefully picks her up and cuddles her, spinning in circles.

  “There is my favourite girl. How are you, my little princess? I have missed you.” He gives her a kiss, and she giggles and swings her legs.

  My stomach jitters at the sight of Lucca’s effortless, carefree love. Lucca has already told me Roberta is nearly five years old, and that she was named after Kate’s father Robert.

  Savio and Kate also have a young son named Emilio. He is three years old and very much a little character. Lucca mentioned he’s very mischievous and has lots of energy. He scuffs his feet around the gravel, and his brown curls bounce and bob as he fidgets around.

  “Unkie Wooca, can I play in the pool?” he says.

  Lucca places Roberta down on her little pale pink ballet pumps and strides over to him. “Absolutely, buddy. Have you been a good boy for your mamma and papa?”

  Lucca scruffs his hair, treating him like a big boy, and Emilio peeks down at his feet. I find it very amusing. Cameron used to do this when he felt guilty about something. Actually, he still does it as an adult. I smile watching him.

  “Me been good boy. Me got gold star at big boy schwool.” He beams up towards Lucca.

  “Well done, buddy. That is brilliant. Have you been playing nice with your sister?” Lucca inquisitively asks, knitting his brow.

  “No, he’s bad. He stole my sweeties and my teddy bear and pulled my hair,” Roberta gripes. Lucca stares at her with the soft, loving glance he often gives me. Oh my goodness, she is four – nearly five years old and has him hooked around her little pinkie. Emilio starts sobbing and stamping his feet.

  “I never. I pwomus I never, Mummy.” He must know he is about to get into trouble.

  Kate picks him up, shaking her head, calming him down. She walks over, introduces herself, kisses me, and then kisses Lucca. She passes Emilio to his father’s arms, and he buries his head in Savio’s chest. Both Kate and Savio congratulate us on our engagement as she admires my ring.

  I make small chat with Kate but crouch down when I notice a huge pair of blue eyes scrutinising me as Lucca holds my hand. “Hi, I’m Lexi. I’m so happy to meet you, Roberta. I love your dress. It’s very beautiful.” I smile.

  “Why are you holding my Uncle Lucca’s hand?” she asks.

  “Roberta, don’t be rude,” Kate scolds, knitting her brow just like Emilio did moments ago.

  I don’t know what to say. I’m being challenged by a four year old. Lucca leans into my neck and whispers, “You have your work cut out there, baby,” he chuckles.

  I smile broadly, matching her confidence. “I’m your Uncle Lucca’s friend,” I say, hoping this explains our relationship.

  Lucca nearly chokes. “Lexi and I are getting married. She is going to be my wife and then she will be your aunty.”

  Savio finds this amusing. “Ah, Lexi, you might have a fight on your hands for Lucca’s attention.”

  Roberta crosses her arms over her chest and scowls her little forehead and pouts her lips. “Are you going to have a big princess dress?” she asks.

  “No, I probably won’t, but you can. We’d like you to be a flower girl and wear a pretty dress and carry flowers.” We spoke about this on the flight coming home from Tuscany. Family is very important to Lucca; he very much wants the kids to be involved when we get married, and I can see why. I notice her expression change from sceptical to inquisitive.

  She thinks about it. “What’s a flower girl? I don’t want to dress up as a flower. Everyone will laugh at me,” she whimpers.

  I hold her hand, trying not to giggle. “You won’t be a flower, and no one will laugh. They will think you’re beautiful. You’ll be a helper and get to wear something very fancy and be my special little princess fairy girl.” I hope this wins her over.

  “I love fairies and princesses and castles and rainbows and unicorns and teddies and queens and crowns. Mummy, can I? Can I be a princess and have a big fancy dress?” She twirls on the spot and looks up at Kate who smiles adoringly down at her.

  “Yes, honey. Princess it is.” Kate sighs with a hint of a smile.

  Lucca picks her back up, tickling her, sending her into playful giggles. “You already are a little princess.”

  Once in the house, the kids go exploring. Lucca helps Savio in with the bags then parks his car around the back next to the guest accommodation. It gives me a chance to talk with Kate and get to know her.

  I pour us both a glass of wine as I learn that Kate helps Savio with the restaurant part-time. She tries to split her time evenly between being a mum, wife, and business owner. I like Kate. She appears to be friendly and ambitious—not what I expected.

  “So when are Armando and Sarah coming?” I ask her.

  She rolls her eyes. “God knows. Those two are late for everything. Sarah has her hands full with Antonia. She’s only eight months old and teething, so she’s restless and into everything. She’s very inquisitive.” She then asks me about our trip in Tuscany and how I enjoyed it.

  Lucca returns with Savio, Armando, and Sarah. A-Jay is pulling at Sarah’s legs, and Antonia is snuggled in her arms.

  Sarah has beautiful hair, almost pre-Raphaelite with its warm-red colour and shiny condition. She has a pale skin tone with minimal makeup on, naturally pretty, and is wearing a green short-sleeved blouse, tight jeans, and flat pump shoes. Antonia has a head of thick chestnut hair and bright blue eyes. She’s very pretty, like a little doll with her fat legs and chubby face. She’s wearing a cream linen dress with a lilac sash and bow and a little lilac flower clip holding her hair back from her face.

  Little A-Jay has darker hair than Antonia and warm brown eyes. His hair is styled short and spikey at the front. He has on denim cargo shorts and a white T-shirt with a purple knitted V-neck tank over the top. A-Jay is the same age as Emilio; there are only six weeks between them, so they are very good friends. He slides along the kitchen floor on his knees pretending to be a Ninja Turtle.

  Armando kisses me then helps Sarah with the baby bag hanging over her shoulder. Lucca kisses Sarah and lifts Antonia straight out her arms. She uses the opportunity to congratulate us and admire my ring.

  “A-Jay, come here please and say hello to Uncle Lucca and Aunty Lexi,” Sarah says.

  “Helwo, whares Emo?” That’s all we get.

  I chuckle, watching him run away. It’s strange being called Aunty Lexi. I’ve never really been around children much before now, and I’ve been welcomed into such a large family. It feels wa
rm and nice.

  I watch Lucca kiss and coo at Antonia, making her giggle at his funny facial expressions. She tugs on his long, wavy hair at the back of his neck. “Ouch, missy,” he says, and she chuckles even more.

  “Would you like wine, Sarah?” Kate asks.

  “No, I’m good, thanks. I’ll wait until after Antonia is down,” she says, rummaging through the baby bag.

  “Do you want to meet your Aunty Lexi, wee cheeks?” Lucca says to Antonia then places her in my arms. My goodness, she’s a heavy little lump.

  She puts her fingers straight in my mouth, pulling on my lip, and I rest her on my hip and kiss the side of her head. She gargles and goos and swings her chubby legs around.

  “I think she likes you. Looks like you have a night off, Sarah,” Armando says, placing baby bottles in the fridge.

  Sarah puts the kettle on. “I’m going to find the boys and make sure they are behaving then I’ll bring their things in from the car. I’ll be back in a minute. Lexi, are you okay with her?”

  “Yes, we’re fine. Aren’t we, honey?” I reply, looking down at her big blue eyes that could melt a thousand hearts.

  “You better watch out, Lucca. I think Lexi is getting broody there.” Kate chuckles.

  Lucca just smiles but watches me contently. He’s giving me the look. Soft eyes … dimple smile … biting on his bottom lip.

  Absolutely not happening.

  “Don’t give him ideas, Kate. Let’s find your cousins, baby girl.” I walk out the kitchen into the family room with Antonia on my hip and pause in shock, hardly believing the sight in front of me.

  Oh my God, I forgot all about Doris.

  Astonished, I watch Doris sprawled out on the carpet as Emilio pulls her ears, Roberta cuddles her face, and A-Jay sits on top of her.

  She loves it. Doris is in doggy heaven getting lots of attention.

  “Kids, just be very careful. She’s a big doggy and if she gets excited she’ll knock you over. Don’t place your hands near her mouth in case she snaps.” I frown, watching Roberta pry her mouth open and count her teeth. Hmmm, looks like she won’t be snapping after all. Her tail is wagging frantically.

  “What’s the doggy’s name?” Roberta asks.

  “Doris.”

  They all giggle.

  “That’s a fwunny name,” Emilio says, looking in her ear inquisitively.

  Sarah walks in and gasps at the sight of them snuggling into Doris. “I think they’re fine. She’s very soft and protective, but I’ll take her out if you’re worried about the kids being around her,” I gesture.

  “It’s not the kids I’m worried about. They seem fine and they like animals, but your poor dog will be face painted and dressed up soon. Beware,” Sarah says. We both start laughing. “I’m going to heat up Antonia’s milk. Are you okay with her still?”

  “Yes, off you go. I’m fine.”

  Doris runs over to me and paws at my legs, nudging me off balance. I believe she’s jealous that I’m holding a baby. I’ve seen it all now.

  Peter was right. Doris is far too spoiled.

  Roberta kisses Antonia’s hand as I hold her. “That’s nice, Roberta. You must love your little cousin, so sweet.”

  “She’s just a baby, Aunty Lexi, and I am a big girly,” she says in a sing-songy voice.

  I chuckle. “Yes, you are.”

  I walk back through to the kitchen area, Antonia on my hip, Doris following me, and Roberta holding my free hand. I ask Lucca to put Doris outside so the kids can play. I don’t want to leave her unattended with them in case anything happens.

  “Lucca, is the pool door locked?” My mind is now running wild because I want the kids to be safe and to ensure the house is child-friendly for them.

  “Yes, baby, it is locked.” He wraps his arms around me, settling his chin on my shoulder. Antonia looks up at him and gargles. He runs his hand over her hair and rubs her cheeks. “You look very comfortable. You are a natural,” he whispers into my ear.

  I press my finger on Antonia’s button nose. “Your Uncle Lucca thinks I’m going to fall for that. Well, little honey, he’s very much mistaken.” She sings out a long tune, and I agree with her, smiling and nodding my head. “I know, that’s what I think,” I say in an animated voice.

  “I will just need to convince her one day, wee cheeks,” Lucca says. He kisses my cheek before helping Savio and Armando into the kitchen, which leaves me with fluttering butterfly wings at his sincerity and gentle touch.

  I fasten Antonia in her high chair just as Sarah comes with her food and milk. Then I head upstairs. In one of the spare rooms upstairs, I find the gifts we brought back from Tuscany for the kids.

  “Aunty Lexi, can you put makeup on me?” Roberta’s little voice says behind me. I think she is going to be my shadow tonight as she has followed me.

  “I don’t know if your mummy would approve, princess.”

  She looks upset.

  Folded.

  “Okay, how about some pink blush and gloss to match that pretty dress, and then we will do your nails? I will tell your mummy it was my idea.”

  She claps her hands and hugs my legs. I sit her up on the Parisian stool at my dressing table in our suite and pamper her. I let her open one of the gifts, which is a little silver bracelet with a diamond set heart charm on it and matching necklace.

  “I love it! Do I look like a princess?” she asks, swaying in front of the mirror.

  “Yes, you do. Shall we go and show Uncle Lucca?”

  She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me. “I love you, Aunty Lexi. You’re my new bestest friend. Well, you and Millie from my nursery.”

  I smile and love how innocent and sweet she is. Always room for more bestest friends, especially sweet ones like Roberta.

  When we get downstairs, Hazel, Dominic, Anna, and Cameron have arrived and greet our other visitors. Roberta squeals when she sees Anna and jumps up for a hug. I give out the other gifts to the kids and leave Antonia’s next to her baby bag.

  Sarah has sweet potato splattered all over her blouse. “I’m going to change my blouse. Will you give her the milk for me?” she asks, looking down at her blouse. Antonia bounces up and down in her chair, swinging her legs.

  I lift Antonia from the high chair and sit on the sofa, cuddling her into me as I give her the bottle; she wraps her arm around my back and fiddles with my hair sitting across my chest with the other hand. I gaze down at her and feel a rush of warmth at how effortless and nice this feels.

  Lucca watches me from behind the kitchen island, glancing and smiling with adoration while I feed Antonia. Roberta jumps up and walks over to tug at Lucca’s hand.

  “Thank you for my presents, Uncle Lucca.” I’m impressed with her politeness and good manners.

  Placing his oven mitt down, he lifts her up. “You are very welcome, baby girl. I am glad you like them. Have you got lipstick on?” he asks with a cadence of amusement.

  She giggles.

  “This better not be for the boys. I hope this is just for Uncle Lucca.” He kisses and tickles her.

  “It’s Aunty Lexi’s,” she blurts out, squirming around playfully.

  “Oh, is it now? Well, let us see if she has got it on too.” He carries her over to the sofa, places her down, then leans over me, kissing my lips and holding just a bit too long in front of Roberta. “Yep, it is definitely Aunty Lexi’s lipstick, watermelon flavour. Yummy.”

  “You’re funny, Uncle Lucca.” I smile, rolling my eyes at him, but deep down I have so much love for him right now. He is melting my heart.

  Once the food is ready, we go into the formal dining room and set the buffet style platters down for everyone to help themselves. It looks and smells divine.

  Savio and Lucca pour champagne for the adults and give the kids fruit juice cartons. I notice Sarah passes on the champagne. Cameron sits across from me, but I purposely don’t make eye contact with him. I don’t want to talk to him in front of the others in the event I get angry
with him. I’m still pissed about him hurting Lucy. Savio and Armando politely chat away with Cameron and Dominic getting to know them, which gives me a bit of a breather.

  “Lex, can you pass down some bread please?” Cameron asks. Not lifting my head, I pass the platter. He looks at me with the blank expression on his face and shrugs his shoulders, obviously wanting to know why I’m so cold towards him today. I narrow my eyes, silently telling him we will talk about it later.

  I’m about to bite into a piece of sautéed king prawn when I hear Antonia crying and think of Sarah. I place my fork down and excuse myself. I have an idea.

  Sarah is trying to shush Antonia, pacing the floor with her. “It’s normally her bath time, so she is all out of sync. I’m going to bathe her and get her down, and then I can relax. I’ll heat my dinner later.” Sarah passes her from arm to arm, patting her back trying to calm her sobbing.

  “Look, I was out for lunch today and I’m not that hungry just now, so you go eat and enjoy some food. I’ll put Antonia in the bath if you’d like. I can reheat something up later if I’m hungry,” I offer, because she does look tired and flustered.

  She takes a moment then sighs with exhaustion. “Thank you, but it’s fine, really. I’ll do it.” I think she is only trying to be courteous, but her tired eyes tell me she would probably welcome the help and a break.

  “Sarah, I’m fine, honestly. I wouldn’t offer otherwise. Please, go back in and relax, and I’ll take good care of this little girly.” Antonia stops crying when she sees she’s getting attention from someone else.

  “Okay, if you’re sure, that would be great. All her things are in the baby bag, and there is a monitor already on in the first spare room. Her travel cot has been built already should she fall asleep. Her soother should be in the cot.” She kisses Antonia’s forehead and hugs me, passing me her daughter. “Shout if you need anything,” she adds, kissing Antonia before she heads off.

  I smile then walk with Antonia and the baby bag up into our suite, leaving them all to enjoy their food and company downstairs. I sing and play, trying to distract her as I run the bath. Not that I’ve done this before but Lucy has a niece and I’ve watched her do bath time when her niece stays over. How hard can it be? I strip her clothes and diaper off since she’s a lot calmer and not wriggling as much. Then I sit her on my knee, putting my elbow in to test the water. I make bubbles with her baby bath oil, and once she’s in, I let her splash around while keeping a grip on her.