My phone ringing distracted our musings as Nicholi escorted us all inside and lit the fire.
‘Lexi, the weather is going to be bad tomorrow; the reports say at least ten feet of snow. What do you want to do about the party?’ Sophia sounded so disappointed and I knew what to do.
‘Soph, come over and stay with us. We can make it a family only party.’ It was what I really wanted and Nicholi nodded in agreement, as the fire started blazing and I sat down next to it warming my hands.
‘Great, I will get all our stuff packed and we will come as soon as Cross finishes work.’
Peeking out of the window, the snow had already begun to fall and scooping up JC, we set to making the gender reveal cake, pink sponge inside with white icing.
Sophia, Cross, and the kids arrived a couple of hours later and helping them in, the snow was already up to our calves.
‘I bought extra torches and wood,’ Cross confirmed, as Nicholi showed him the emergency power outage supplies we had already procured.
Tucking the kids up in bed, I stared out the window at the falling snow. Turning to Sophia, I tried to imagine how I would tell her what we had discovered and whether it would change anything. Looking back at the snow, something occurred to me.
When snow fell, it covered everything in a secure blanket of bewilderment. Everything looked the same, under the thick powdery frozen water. When it thawed, we were left with the memories, but that time we had, remained. Memories do not change just because aspects do, she deserved to know the truth and sitting down next to her by the fire, I began.
‘I can’t believe it.’ she shook her head but did not fall apart or hate anyone. We had changed, we all had moved on. The memories would always remain, but we could get past them, together.
‘There is more. We have proof there was someone else working with Larissa, hence, the additional security Nicholi has been providing for us all, but that is everything. I feared telling you would leave you with so many unanswered questions, it would cause more harm than good.’ Trying to explain my delay in telling her.
‘No, Lexi, I never want you to keep things to yourself. It drove me crazy as a child. Remember we are stronger together.’ She took my hand as I nodded in agreement.
Returning to join Nicholi and Cross, I sat next to my husband as we played board games and just chatted like everything was completely normal, for us, this now was our normal.
Holding the knife with Nicholi ready to cut, Sophia stood eagerly waiting.
‘Ah, I knew it,’ she gushed, jumping and congratulating us as Cross hugged his brother.
‘Welcome to our family, baby girl,’ Sophia whispered, rubbing my stomach affectionately.
We had been inundated with snow and as Nicholi helped JC with his boots, I zipped up my coat shivering.
‘Are you sure you want to come? It is freezing out here.’ Nicholi frowned hoping I was going to concede, but knowing it was futile, he took my hand and guided me through the snow.
JC and the twins were sledding and Sophia had Liam snuggled in her coat, though you could tell he was just as excited about exploring the snow with his sisters.
‘Next year, sweetheart.’ She kissed his head and laughed as Nicholi and Cross engaged in a snow fight. We ducked stray balls heading our way after miscalculated throwing led to profuse apologies.
Having no feeling in my feet, I concluded it was time to go back inside and made a reluctant JC hot chocolate with marshmallows to ease the premature exit.
Being outside in the open too long still frightened me and despite the additional security guards never out of sight, I would not feel completely safe until Larissa’s partner was found.
‘Soph, did Cross have anything to add when he saw the file?’ I was clutching at straws that were always slipping through my fingers. She shook her head, her expression a big resounding no.
‘He has hired a new private investigator; he has used him before and feels strongly that we will find something concrete soon.’ Her reassurances falling on death ears, Larissa’s words penetrating my mind. I must remember. I had gone over everything with Nicholi a million times and nothing came up that could explain those words or some piece of information that would open the door, even a crack. But in the dark recess of my mind, I felt with certainty I had recalled something, I just needed to dig deeper.
Having everyone settled in for the night, Cross and Sophia were watching a movie downstairs and I had gone to take a bath. Nicholi had joined me shortly after and was massaging my feet, aching from the walking we had done today.
‘Your ankles are swollen. We need to go see the doctor first thing tomorrow,’ his expression resolute, and despite the fact I knew this was perfectly normal, I did not protest. He needed the reassurance everything was okay and I would never take that from him.
‘Nic, I want to try hypnotherapy again.’ It was something I had researched a lot over and if anything could help me trace that nagging doubt; this was it.
‘You know I support you in whatever you need to do, but please can we wait until the baby comes?’
Not wanting to cause him any more anguish I nodded in agreement, snuggling in bed with him until our eyes met and our bodies craved more.
NINETEEN
A SAVIOUR IS BORN
It was Christmas Eve and my C-section was booked for two days’ time. I had packed my bag weeks before and just checking one more time, I zipped it in readiness.
Nicholi was wrapping last minute presents and I joined JC in the kitchen to start on our sugar cookies. My back had been aching all day and I sat uncomfortably as Nicholi walked into the room.
‘Lexi, are you okay?’ He hurried to my side as I tried in vain to reassure him.
‘Nic, I am thirty-eight weeks pregnant, my back is going to hurt. Have you seen my whale belly recently?’ standing up to empathise the giant football sticking out under my top.
‘Yes, the most beautiful thing I ever did see.’ He kissed my belly and gestured for me to sit back down.
‘Me and JC have got this right, son,’ winking as JC handed his dad the mixing bowl and they set to making the cookies with me restricted to the chair supervising.
We had our hot chocolate under the tree and prepared Santa’s plate with his cookie and a carrot for Rudolph. I wrestled a hyperactive JC into the bath and ready for bed.
‘Momma, I want to stay awake for Santa to come,’ he pleaded as Bart snuggled next to him, his Santa collar glowing under the seawater lamp flicking around the room.
‘He won’t come if you’re awake. Listen, close your eyes and before you know it, morning will be here and Santa will have left all your presents under the tree.’ I watched him yawn and turn over, finally settled.
Nicholi was waiting in our room to massage my back and feet, something I was extremely grateful for. Finding my eyes closing without realising, I felt Nicholi kiss me and nothing until the morning.
‘Wake up, Momma, Daddy, he has been.’ JC pounced on the bed and I jumped up a little too quickly, my back groaning in protest.
‘Okay, let’s go see.’ I slipped my dressing gown on that Nicholi held out for me, grinning with excitement.
‘You know, Santa has a little something under the tree for you too,’ winking at Nicholi as he planted a chaste kiss.
‘I already have all my Christmas gifts rolled into one.’ He took my hand and led me downstairs.
JC flew into the living room and had already opened his first gift before I even had a chance to get the camera out. Taking picture after picture and as many video clips as my battery would allow, I documented every single piece of wrapping paper that was torn. Every smile and cry for joy when he realised what was inside, melting each time.
‘Okay, your turn.’ I handed Nicholi a box wrapped with a sapphire blue ribbon. He opened it carefully, not wanting to rip the paper until my patience exploded and I urged him to finish it. Removing the last piece, his smile lit up the room.
‘I love it, baby, it is abso
lutely perfect.’ Twirling round and round the silver locket key ring with pictures of us all and a space for the baby.
‘Your turn,’ he grinned, handing me a huge box that at each opening turned out a smaller one was inside. Finally getting to the end, I opened the red velvet box carefully, gasping when I saw the sapphire, diamond and pearl eternity ring sparkling back at me.
Placing it on my finger, Nicholi kissed me longing, and I wiped the tears from my eyes.
‘It is stunning, I love you so much. Thank you.’ I watched the ring shimmer as I twirled my hand around.
JC was ecstatic with his new scooter, art supplies and enough candy to last a year, riding in the garden as I waved to him from the window.
Putting the turkey in the oven, I felt a sharp twinge that took my breath away. Sitting down it passed quickly and to my relief, abated.
Sophia arriving with Cross and the girls had everyone running around with excitement, opening more gifts and enjoying the family time together. She had dropped by to see our father who was now in remission and was filling me in on his new girlfriend, a nurse at the hospital he had been attending.
Nicholi and Cross were discussing his new power tools and the security team were checking the perimeter, some things never changed.
After eating a ton of food and feeling absolutely shattered, Nicholi tucked me up in bed after I said goodbye to Sophia, Cross, and the kids. They were having a party tonight and Mia and Angelo would be there so I needed to get some rest now. Closing my eyes, I drifted to sleep instantly.
Walking down an endless flight of stairs, each step causing shooting agonising back spasms, I finally reached the bottom, breathless and panting.
Looking at the box that was awaiting me, I prised the lid open and peered inside. The mahogany box gleamed back up at me, its iron-clad handle urging me to open and look inside.
Jumping up in bed, I knew instantly what the nagging doubt that had been circling the drain, but never pushing through was. Climbing the stairs to the attic, I searched for the box that would hold the solution to my problem and opening it tentatively, I removed the mahogany box. Staring at my seventeenth birthday present and remembering the dream, the key would be inside.
Opening the lid, the red satin lining crinkled with age, I pulled out the secret compartment. Turning round and round the key in my hand. Larissa’s words an echo throughout the empty attic space. You need to remember, the key.
Trying to stand, my leg numb from sitting funny, I stumbled back as the pool of water surrounded me.
‘Nicholi.’ My voice echoing all around, travelling downstairs and reverberating throughout the house.
I could hear him running up the stairs, clutching my stomach, overtaken with a contraction, the force of a bus ploughing over me, I was unable to speak.
‘Lexi,’ he shouted, running to my side and scooping me up into his arms. Shouting for the security team, he lay me on the back seat of the car, ushering JC in and taking off at full speed.
We reached the hospital twenty minutes later as Nicholi, now a shade paler short of translucent grabbed medical staff to assist us.
Wanting desperately to reassure him, but unable to form two words, the contractions feeling like they were tearing me in two, I could only watch as the fear sucker punched him time and again.
I was taken to the delivery room, and Sophia having rushed there was with JC in the waiting room.
‘I’m okay,’ I managed to grit out in-between contractions and squeezing Nicholi’s hand so hard, I could cut circulation off.
‘No, she is supposed to be having a C-Section, this is not what was planned,’ yelling at the doctor who was on call and was now stuck with a terrified husband and a woman in full-blown labour.
‘Mr. Veneto, this is a baby, not a development, things don’t always go to plan, but rest assured; she is safe. I assure you.’
Nicholi was continuing to argue when I felt like the baby was coming out.
‘I have to push.’ I managed to squeeze out the words as the two men turned completely shocked towards me.
Pressing the emergency buzzer, a team of doctors and nurses surrounded me as I gave two pushes and our daughter came into the world.
Holding her on my chest, Nicholi was in tears stroking her face and kissing mine.
‘I can’t believe it, she is so beautiful.’ His words generating floods of tears as I stared down at our little princess.
Her hair a strawberry blonde fuzz tickled my nose as I kissed her. Each finger and toe the most exquisite thing I had ever seen.
Nicholi held her hand in his finger as I let her search for the breast and settle there.
The doctors had been and gone, confirming and reassuring Nicholi several times I was well and everything was perfectly fine.
He gazed upon his daughter as though she were a fallen star and he had caught her.
‘She is an angel,’ he proclaimed as he held her in his arms, and I stared at my husband and daughter together, exploding with happiness and excitement for JC to meet his new baby sister.
‘She is so cute,’ JC gushed, with Nicholi helping him to hold her.
‘Ah, Lex, she is absolutely gorgeous,’ Sophia whispered, gazing at her new niece and kissing my cheek.
‘Cross sends his love and will come by once the twins and Liam have woken from their nap. You delivered so quickly, barely thirty minutes. Are you okay?’ frowning, seeking assurances that once again I provided.
Feeling like I was about to shatter into a million pieces any second with the way Nicholi and Sophia were watching me, I requested something to eat, hoping the distraction and feeling useful would quell their fear.
Snuggling my angel, with Nicholi and JC at my side, we needed to make a decision.
‘Okay, let’s name her. JC, what would you like?’ smiling broadly at my son who was clearly besotted with his little sister.
‘I like Dory,’ he smiled leaving us in hysterics laughing as we kissed him in turn.
‘Nic?’ turning to face him, our eyes locking as we read each other’s mind.
‘She is going to be a ballerina, I’m sure of it,’ winking as he kissed his daughter tenderly on the head.
‘Hi, Caitlan Irina Veneto,’ kissing her little hands as JC concluded he loved the name.
Sophia had returned with sandwiches for us all and handing her the baby while I ate, I smiled at Nicholi.
‘Soph, meet your new niece, Caitlan Irina Veneto.’ Her eyes glazed over with tears as she kissed her little cheeks.
‘I love it, thank you.’ Her voice was ragged as we all shared in another box of tissues, cherishing this time together.
Nicholi stayed with us overnight, and Caitlan slept for three hours straight giving me some much-needed rest and by the morning, I was ready to leave.
‘We can stay another night, there is no rush,’ Nicholi began as I shook my head.
‘No, I want to be home.’ I slipped on my coat and helped buckle Caitlan into her car seat.
‘She is so tiny, I’m terrified I am going to hurt her,’ Nicholi confessed, reluctant to raise her arm to attach the straps.
‘You will never hurt her. She has the best daddy in the universe.’ I kissed him tenderly as he drew me closer to him.
‘I love you so much. You have and always do make me the happiest man alive.’ Reaching in to seal his proclamation one last time.
We arrived home and Nicholi insisted I go rest in bed. Placing Caitlan’s co-sleeper next to the bed, I felt my eyes close immediately.
Waking up several hours later and nursing the baby, Nicholi carried a tray into the room with JC following behind.
‘Momma, can Caitlan come watch cartoons with me?’ He was desperate to include his little sister and it was adorable.
‘Yes, daddy will carry her down with you while momma grabs a quick shower.’ Anxious to wash the hospital smell away, I eagerly threw off my clothes and hopped into the shower.
Descending the attic stairs quietly, I
picked up the key that I had left in the jewellery box and placing it in my pocket, returned to my family.
Caitlan was six weeks old and I was fully recovered. Everything had returned to normal at home and we loved being a family of four.
Having dropped JC off at school, Nicholi had returned, still on paternity leave and settled Caitlan down for her nap. I knew what I wanted.
Kissing his neck as he worked on the computer, my hand wandering he turned to face me.
‘It is six weeks, I am all healed,’ pouting at his reluctance to join me on the sofa.
‘I don’t want to hurt you. The doctor needs to give the all clear first.’ Frowning as I scowled at him.
‘Hey, I want to, you have no idea, but I want to be certain you are well,’ he smiled as I flopped onto the sofa in a sulk.
Sighing and sitting on the floor, his head on my lap, I resisted the urge to smile at him.
‘If you’re sure,’ raising his eyebrow as I jumped up beaming straight into his arms.
‘That was explosive.’ Nicholi kissed my neck as I wrapped my arms around him and never wanted to let go.
‘I really missed you.’ He emphasized, the really, as he planted a smouldering kiss on my lips and we were once again undone.
‘Nic, there is something I have to show you.’ I reluctantly pulled away to reach into my pocket handing him the key.
‘What is it?’ his brow furrowing as his shoulders stiffened in readiness for the weight I was about to drop.
‘The key Larissa was referring to, it is an actual key. I found it in the jewellery box she sent me.’
I watched him examine the key curiously.
‘Looks like a safety deposit box,’ thinking aloud as I nodded in agreement.
‘Yes, my mother had one. I think she has left something in the box we need to see. Maybe information about her partner?’ I was getting way ahead of myself, but now Caitlan was here, the desire to end this once and for all, ever more paramount. I had to protect my family.
Echo (The Butterfly Series Book 3) Page 22