“I can’t believe you’re a father,” Luca says. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” Nico beams. “I’m so excited. He’s an incredible kid and Candace is a great mother. I can’t wait to have more with her.”
“So, will we be hearing wedding bells in this direction too?” Luca asks.
“I’m working on that,” Nico says. “How do you think Mom and Dad are going to react?”
“Considering mamma’s burning desire for grandchildren, I’d say she’s going to be shocked and excited.” He looks over at me. “It takes a great deal of pressure off of us, too.”
Nico laughs. “Glad I could help with that.”
“When are you going to tell them?” I ask.
“During dinner. Everyone takes shocking news better when we’re eating.”
I laugh. “I like it here.”
“I do too,” Luca says.
We sit down to eat and I feel nervous for Nico and Candace. They sit little Christopher between them and get him situated. Nico puts a few crackers in front of him and he picks one up to eat it. He looks up at Nico with his big brown eyes.
“Thank you, Papa.”
These are the first words he’s said all day and they bring a room full of noisy Italians to absolute silence.
“What did he say?” Luca’s mum asks.
Nico looks a bit unsettled. I don’t think this is the way he planned it. He looks down at Christopher. “What did you say?” he asks.
The little boy smiles. “Thank you, Papa,” he repeats.
“Papa?” Maurizio asks. “You want him to call you that?”
“Isn’t that what all Italian sons call their fathers?” Nico says slowly.
Nico’s parents look back and forth at each other, then at Nico, then at the little boy. The realization hits and his mum loses it. She stands up, knocking over her water glass, which is fortunately empty.
“This is your child? Your son?” she asks, now nearly screaming.
“Yes, he’s my son.”
I can’t tell if she’s happy or angry. She’s flailing her arms around and repeating the words, ‘his son’ over and over. She turns back to him. “Your son?”
“Yeah.”
“I have a grandchild?”
“Yes.”
“Why am I finding out right now?”
“I just found out myself, Mamma.”
“This is awful. Just awful.”
We all sit quietly, waiting for her next words. Candace looks ill. Maurizio speaks.
“Adele, calm down.”
“No. I can’t. If I had known he was your son,” she emphasizes, “I would have bought him so much more for Christmas! I only have a few things for him. This is terrible.”
I stifle a grin. She’s upset she didn’t spoil him more. Luca visibly relaxes and so does Candace.
“I can’t believe this,” Adele continues. “I’m a grandmother!” She bursts into tears for about the tenth time today as Nico rushes to console her. “I’m a grandmother,” she murmurs.
After calming herself down, she walks over to the small child, who looks up at her with a huge smile on his face. “I’m your nonna,” she says. “Can you say nonna?”
“Non…na,” he repeats and giggles. “Nonna, nonna, nonna!”
“Yes, that’s right.” Adele picks him up and holds him close. He pats her back and repeats nonna one more time. Maurizio crosses the room and wraps his arms around his wife and newfound grandchild. The elder nonna sits in her chair smiling.
All is well.
“When will you come back?” Adele asks.
“I’m not sure, Mamma, but we will. I promise,” Luca says.
“I can’t remember the last time you called me Mamma.”
“It’s been too long,” he says.
“It was wonderful meeting you,” she says to me. “I can’t tell you how much it means to me to see my son happy. It’s been so long. He deserves to be loved.”
“Yes, he does and I’m happy to do it. He’s easy to love. You raised a wonderful man.”
“Two wonderful men,” she says, looking over at Nico.
“Yes. It’s been a big day for you.”
She laughs. “I couldn’t ask for a better Christmas. Are you sure you two don’t want to stay the night?”
“We’re sure, Mamma. We want to wake up in our home tomorrow. It’s our first Christmas together.”
She hugs both of us. We say goodbye to everyone. Nico is holding a sleeping Christopher and it’s a heartwarming sight. This is indeed a good Christmas. Walking back to the car, the cold hits me like I walked into a brick wall. It was so warm in the house. I can’t wait to get back home now.
“What shall we do the rest of the evening, angel?”
“It’s so cold, I just want to cuddle in bed with you.”
“That, we can do.”
He leans over and kisses me, deeply, sensuously, until suddenly I don’t feel so cold anymore.
“Thank you for being here with me today. It warmed my heart to have so many important people in my life in the same room today. First Clara’s family and now mine. I am a truly blessed man.”
“You are a loved man, Luca. You always have been. I hope you see that the people in your life never left you. They always loved and always waited for you. You made so many people happy today and…” my words choke on the emotion bubbling to the surface.
Luca rubs my cheek with his thumb. I look up at him as my eyes fill with tears. His eyes gaze back at me, so full of love I can hardly stand it.
“It makes me so happy to see you happy. It’s all I’ve ever wanted since the moment I met you.”
He kisses me again, wiping away my tears. “I didn’t know what I was missing. All these years I thought I was alone. Unloved. Broken. I didn’t know so many people were here for me because I refused to look. I didn’t feel like I deserved to be happy because I caused so much heartache. Now I see how wrong I was, but I’m not sad about those years because they led me to you and you are worth all of it. This love we have is special and it was worth it.”
“Let’s go home. I want you to make love to me.”
“You don’t have to ask me twice. Put your seatbelt on.”
“Yes, Professor.”
“I love it when you say that. I always have, with your sexy little minx voice.”
“Me? Sexy? You’ve gone mad.”
“No, I’m quite sane and you are sexy.”
“I guess if you think librarians are sexy.”
“As a matter of fact, I do.”
Luca laughs and I do too. How do I argue with that?
I WAKE UP FEELING ODD. I can’t explain it. It’s a cross between anxiousness and excitement. We have no plans today, but we need some. I look over at Londyn, still sound asleep. Tonight we’ll ring in the New Year. I want to do something fun and over the top, but I’m not sure what. I slide out of bed and walk to the study. Sitting in the dark, I reflect on how much my life has changed. This time last year, I was writing, trying to dull the pain of a loss that defined my existence. Now, I’m trying to think of what I can do to make sure the woman I love knows how much.
Logging into my computer, I search ‘romantic new year’s eve options’ and wait. There are the requisite restaurant reservations, which I probably couldn’t get anyway, street parties, which the both of us would despise, and nightclub events we would also hate. Then an idea pops into my head. I pick up my phone and dial my former roommate. If anyone can help, he can.
“Hello?” he answers. I hear the chaotic sound of children playing in the background.
“Sean? It’s Luca Di Roma. How are you?”
“Luca! Man, it’s been ages. I’m great. What’s going on with you?”
“I’m very well. I know it’s been a long time and we do need to catch up. I have a favor to ask, though. I know it’s last minute, but perhaps you can help.”
“I’ll do my best. What ya need?”
“Is there any way y
ou could get me into the library tonight?”
“Just you?”
“Me and my fiancée?”
“What are you going to do?”
I tell him my plan and wait for his reaction. “That actually sounds pretty cool,” he says.
“I’ll need to call one person to get authorization. I think he’ll say yes. Let me call you back in a few.”
“Thank you. I really appreciate it. If I can pull this off I’ll be her hero.”
Sean laughs. “I’ll do my best.”
I sit back in my chair and wait for his call. Thirty minutes later, he does and it’s a go. He says he’ll alert security. We can arrive at seven pm and we’ll have the entire place to ourselves. This is perfect.
I decide I’ll pack a picnic dinner for us and try to make this the most romantic night she’s ever had. She deserves it.
I creep back into the bedroom, but Londyn isn’t in bed anymore. She appears in the bathroom doorway, her hair a mess from last night’s lovemaking session. Every day she seems just a little more beautiful.
“Good morning, Professor,” she says, smiling. “Don’t you look like the cat that ate the canary? What are you up to?”
“Nothing. Come here.” She approaches me and I pull her into my arms, kissing her neck and running my hands over her beautiful backside. “I love you,” I whisper. “So much.”
“I know, my love. I love you too.”
“I know,” I say, looking into her eyes. “You look so beautiful in the morning. I love your messy hair.”
She smiles. “I don’t look much like a doll at the moment.”
“No, you look like my stunning future wife.”
“You’re so sweet with your words.”
“You are worthy of my affection. I hope to be always worthy of yours.”
“There is no doubt you are.”
I pat the bed next to me. “Sit for a moment.”
She climbs back into bed and lies against my chest. I stroke her hair and treasure these moments when our bodies are touching.
“We have plans tonight. Do you have a dress you can wear?”
“A dress like I wore to Angela’s or a dress like I wear to work?”
“Perhaps something in between?”
“Hmm, not really.”
“Well, why don’t we go and get you one nearby?”
“What are we doing?”
“That’s a surprise. You like surprises, don’t you?”
“Not especially.” She smiles.
“You trust me?”
“With my life.”
“Good, then everything will be fine.”
“Alright, I’ll trust. There’s a nice shop near the university with some dress options. I can go out and pick up something.”
“I’ll come with you.”
“If you’d like.”
“I’d like.” I kiss her mouth. “Now, breakfast?”
“Yes, please.”
Waiting for Londyn, I pace my living room. I know it’s going to be worth it when she comes out. I decided to get a driver for the evening so I can focus all my attention on my angel. I called Sean again just to confirm everything was on and it is. I think tonight will be very special.
I fiddle with my angel wing cufflinks, my Christmas gift from Londyn. I successfully avoided too many questions as I prepared our dinner tonight and packed it. Londyn decided to trust me and just go with it.
“I’m ready,” I hear from the hallway.
When I see her, my breath catches. She looks incredible in a simple dress that clings to her figure. It’s black and sets off her creamy skin perfectly. She curled her hair and it flows luxuriously down her back. She’s even wearing makeup. Her look is finished by high heels and she looks nothing like any librarian I’ve ever seen.
“You look beautiful,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Thank you.”
We stand together for a moment, not speaking, just gazing into each other’s eyes. I know that for some reason we don’t always need words. I can feel her love for me and I know she feels mine.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes,” she says.
We bundle up in our coats and I grab the picnic basket and blanket.
“Are we eating outside?” she asks.
“Trust,” I say, grinning.
“Yes, Professor.”
We both laugh as we walk out to the car. While we ride, Londyn looks out the window, her eyes full of curiosity. She holds my hand, though, and I love it. Such a simple thing, but so comforting.
When we pull up in front of the majestic and historic building that is the Boston Public Library, a big smile spreads across her lips and she looks at me with the eyes of an excited child.
“What are we doing here?”
“We are spending the evening here. Just the two of us.”
“You’re teasing me!”
“I am not. This is just for us.”
Our driver opens the door and we step out. Walking up the steps, Sean meets me at the door and holds it open for us.
“Welcome,” he says. Smiling at Londyn as she passes, he shakes my hand. “You have the place until 12:30 tonight. After that, security will meet you here and let you out. They’ve been instructed to give you privacy and stay in the office until you’re gone.”
“Thank you, Sean. This is huge and I owe you a big favor.”
“I’m glad I could help. It’s very romantic of you.” He leans closer. “She’s beautiful, man. Congratulations.”
“I’m a lucky man. Happy New Year.”
“You too. We’ll talk soon.”
“Absolutely.”
Sean leaves and locks the door behind him. When I turn to look at Londyn, she’s standing in the middle of the entrance hall looking around.
“We’re the only ones here?” she asks.
“Yes. What would you like to do first?”
“Walk around and smell the history.”
I laugh. “Let’s do that.”
As we walk up the main staircase, the only sound is Londyn’s heels clicking on the marble floors. We spend a lot of time walking through the galleries. I have one in mind where I’d like to settle in for the evening. We walk a bit further and enter into the Venetian Lobby.
“We’ll eat here,” I announce.
“I’d love to.”
We sit down at one of the tables and I begin to unpack our dinner. I prepared things that could be eaten cold, an antipasto platter with olives, salami, and cheese, sliced fresh bread, figs and honey for dessert, and wine. Londyn watches me lay it all out with a huge smile on her face.
“This is the most wonderful, most romantic thing that has ever happened to me.”
“It is by far the most romantic thing I’ve ever done. I’m very inspired by you. Sit.” I hold the chair out and Londyn takes her place. “I tried to think of what I could do to show you how much I love you. I wanted to see you happy and I wanted to fulfill a fantasy.”
She smiles. “A fantasy?”
“Yes. You, me and the books.”
“We can’t,” she whispers as though someone can hear us. “This is a public building.”
“Yes, and we are alone. This is our one and only opportunity.” I pop an olive in my mouth and chew. “Are you up for an adventure?”
“Ooh, it’s so scandalous!”
“Yes, let’s be scandalous. I want to make love to you here. What do you say?”
“I will never say no to you. It’s impossible.” Leaning forward, she kisses my cheek.
“Let’s eat and then…” I raise my eyebrows. “Let’s eat.”
Londyn’s laughter fills the space, echoing through the large empty room. I open the wine bottle and pour each of us a glass. We toast to the New Year and drink. As we eat, we discuss the décor of the room that surrounds us. It looks like a Venetian palace, with coffered ceilings, marbled walls, and majestic architecture. It makes me excited for our trip to Italy this summer.
When w
e finish eating, I pack up the remaining items and set the basket on the floor. We’ve gone through an entire bottle of wine and I love how Londyn’s cheeks glow red. She’s tipsy and it’s hilarious.
“You look stunning with your rosy cheeks.”
“Do I look like a doll or a librarian today?” she asks, tousling her hair about.
“Neither. You look like the woman I’m about to make love to on this table.”
“Mmm, but there are no books in here.”
“You’re right. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going now?” she asks, laughing.
“To the books, of course!” I grab the blanket I brought with us and walk through the halls until we encounter a room filled with shelves lined with books. “How is this?”
“It’s lovely.” She sways a bit as she stands in the entrance. I find it amusing that I’ve gotten her a bit drunk. She walks in the room and runs her hand down one of the wood bookcases.
“Books are exciting to me. There are a million worlds in all these words, waiting for someone to pick them and go on a journey.” She blushes as she smiles at me. “I’m a silly bird. Who finds books erotic, but me?”
I approach her and pull her into my arms before kissing her deeply. “I do.”
“Luca, you are perfect. Absolutely perfect.”
“For you.”
“YES, FOR ME.” I look up at him and sometimes there are these moments when I simply can’t believe this man is mine. He loves me. Bloody hell, we’re engaged. Now, he’s about to make love to me in what has to be one of my favorite places in Boston. How could this be happening? How is it happening to me?
Luca lays the blanket out between two bookcases and sits down, patting the spot next to him. I remove my shoes and sit beside to him.
Without saying a word, he kisses me and as he does, he takes my hand and places it on his growing erection. I squeeze softly, only slightly shocked that I am allowed to touch him in this way.
“Do you feel that, angel?” he whispers. “It’s for you. It’s how you make me feel. All I have to do is feel your soft, sweet lips on mine and I’m instantly turned on.” His tongue slides between my lips, eliciting a soft moan from mine. I feel his hands slide up my dress and onto my thighs. He pulls away and smiles.
Londyn Falls Page 45