by Angelo, Judy
Arie reached over and patted his arm. “Aaw, did I scare you? You never know. Maya may be an angel all the way through. Who says she has to turn into a defiant teen?”
Rome gave a snort. “It’s not Maya I’m worried about. It’s those damn boys who’ll be fishing around.”
Instead of sympathizing with him, Arie gave him a look of reprimand. “Rome, you said the ‘D’ word. Watch your mouth, sir. We have a baby now.”
“Right. Sorry.” Looking suitably chastened he went back to singing ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ while Arie played out the actions and Maya babbled and laughed.
Arie soon found out, though, that taking care of a little one wasn’t all songs and laughter. When they got to New Orleans the first few days were great because Rome had taken time off from work to spend with them at the house. After he went back to his duties it was a whole different story. What she hadn’t anticipated was how exhausted she would be, getting up to feed Maya and rock her back to sleep two, sometimes three times a night. For some reason the baby refused to sleep through the night. She’d taken leave from work so the days she spent bonding with the baby were a charm. It was the nights that proved the killer. She could hardly wait until the wedding when Rome would join them and then he would share the nighttime duty. Hopefully.
Arie knew this was one of the many adjustments she would have to make, being a parent. There would be things she would sail through with ease and then there would be stumbles along the way. There was no guarantee that parenthood would be stress-free. In fact, it was sort of a given that it wouldn't be, but she was ready to take on each and every challenge headfirst.
A couple of weeks before the wedding she had a particularly difficult time, though. Maya had been fussy all day and now that night had fallen she just would not sleep. Arie was finally able to put the baby in her crib just after seven o’clock and, tired from dashing after the child all day, shielding her from all the dangers she seemed determined to explore, at eight o’clock she climbed wearily into bed.
She was just drifting into sweet sleep when a noise jerked her awake. “Maya?” she mumbled then the sound shrilled again. It wasn’t Maya. It was the phone.
Still groggy she reached over and grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”
“Arie, it’s Vittorio. How are you, my dear?”
For a second she thought she was imagining things. Vittorio being nice? What had wrought such a miracle? “I’m fine, Vittorio. Is everything okay?” She hoped he wasn’t calling and being nice because he had some bad news to break to her. “Is everything all right with the family?”
“Perfect,” he said immediately, “except for one thing.”
Frowning, she propped herself up on one elbow. “What’s that?”
He cleared his throat. “Lily and I were talking and we decided we’re not coming to New Orleans for your wedding.”
Arie’s heart tightened. She’d known it all along but to hear it from Vittorio’s lips was still a blow. She would never be accepted by the family. Now they were boycotting her wedding. But why did he have to sound so happy at the telling? “Oh,” she said, nonplussed. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be,” he said smugly. “We’ve decided you and Rome are going to get married right here in Italy.”
“What?” Now Arie sat up straight. “We can’t get married in Italy. We’ve already made all the arrangements here.”
“Yes, yes, a small wedding with just family and close friends.” Vittorio’s tone said none of that was important. “I know what you said but Lily and I were talking and we were saying how we need to make things up to you, make you see how much we want to welcome you into the family. What better way than to throw you the perfect wedding right here where the entire family can get to meet you? Rome has aunts and uncles and tons of cousins who want to be there.”
“Vittorio, are you serious?” Arie asked, incredulous. “The wedding is just two weeks away.”
“Plenty of time for my team to pull things together,” he said with confidence.
“But I would have to cancel everything…” Her voice trailed off. It wouldn’t be impossible. After all, they’d only planned a small event. But what about her friends? There was no way she was getting married without Lena by her side. “I can’t do that, Vittorio,” she said firmly. “I can’t disappoint my friends.”
“No-one will be disappointed. They’ll be flown to Italy in my private jet. We’ll arrange accommodation for everyone.” Then he chuckled. “And who knows? Your friends may love a free trip to Rome, compliments of your father-in-law.”
It was the way he said it that finally convinced her. Vittorio really wanted to please her. And, to be honest, changing plans wouldn’t be so hard. It wasn’t like she had a lot of friends. Even more convenient, she had no family, none outside of Maya. And then she smiled as she thought about it. Lena and Marylin would love the free trip to Italy. She was sure of it. “Maybe,” she said, thinking out loud. “Maybe we can make it happen but I’d have to speak with Rome first.”
“Beat you to it,” Vittorio said. “He’s on board. He just wanted me to clear it with you before he made any commitments.” Vittorio chuckled. “Smart boy.”
Arie didn’t know what to say to that. Vittorio had gone ahead and had discussions behind her back. She should be peeved about that. She should definitely be annoyed. Somehow, though, all she felt like doing was exactly what Vittorio had suggested. Right then, what she wanted to do was focus on her baby and let somebody else worry about pulling the wedding together. Like Rome told her once, it was so much easier if, on the appointed day, you just showed up.
It was so tempting to take him up on his offer. Maybe she was just tired. She sighed. “All right, Vittorio. It sounds like it could work. Can we talk about this tomorrow?” She was dying to catch a few winks before Maya woke up for her feeding.
But, like she’d sent her a message by telepathy, the baby woke long before feeding time, letting out a wail so loud it had Arie cringing.
“Is that the bambina?” Vittorio asked, his tone indulgent. “What is the matter with her?”
Arie sighed. “I think she’s teething. I’ve tried everything but nothing works. She’s so cranky. Can you hold on a second?”
She ran and got the baby and tried desperately to hush and soothe her as she again reached for the phone. Maya only wailed louder. “I don’t know what to do,” Arie cried, almost going crazy with frustration. “I tried everything.”
Then she heard Vittorio call out, “Lily, time to come work your magic on your grandbaby.”
And that was how Arie finally got some sleep that night. Lily had the perfect answer for teething, an old Italian remedy – a bit of lemon skin to rub on the gums. She tried it immediately and it worked like a charm.
And then Lily said the one thing that gave Arie a level of comfort that made her sleep soundly that night. “If you have any questions about the baby never hesitate to call me,” the older woman said. “Remember, I’m your mother now.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
"My daughter, I have never seen you more beautiful." Vittorio smiled down at Arie as she slipped her hand into the crook of his arm.
"Thank you, Vittorio." She would probably never call him Dad but that was okay. They'd reached a point where they had a certain level of respect for each other and that was the most important thing, wasn't it?
"Shall we go?" he asked, with a gallant bow.
She smiled, her heart full of happiness. "We shall." And, to the sound of the organ playing 'Here comes the bride', Arie took her first steps down the aisle, leaning on the arm of her giveaway father. Slowly and carefully she walked the length of the chapel, her eyes fixed on the man who had stolen her heart and returned it to her, filled to overflowing with love. As she drew closer and closer, her eyes never leaving his deep, dark ones, his mouth curved in a smile and his eyes shone with emotion, leaving her in no doubt that he was as touched by the moment as she was.
When they got to the front of th
e church Vittorio turned her to face him and lifted the veil, revealing her to the view of friends and family, then he turned her toward her husband-to-be. As the well-wishers looked on he took her hand and laid it, palm down, on top of his son's outstretched one. "She's all yours," he whispered, smiling as he delivered Arie into Rome's hands.
As soon as his father stepped away and headed back down the aisle Rome enclosed her hand in his and drew her close, his eyes glowing as he gazed down at her.
And then the ceremony began. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together to celebrate the love of Rome Milano and Aristotle Angelis." As she'd expected, Arie's given name brought a couple of titters from their audience but she was too lost in love to care. "Into this holy estate, these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. "
"Mama!" Maya's yell was followed by a chortle that made the whole congregation break into laughter.
Arie turned to see her daughter bouncing up and down on Lily's lap, waving her chubby arms like she wanted to be picked up. And Lily, her soon-to-be grandmother, was beaming so proudly that anyone would have thought this was her first grandchild. Arie blew Maya a kiss then turned back to the matter at hand, the business of tying the knot with the man standing by her side.
And in the deep, mellow voice she had grown to love he began his vows to her. "Io, Rome Milano, prendo te, Aristotle Angelis, come mia sposa e prometto di esserti fedele sempre," he said for the benefit of the non-English speakers and then he followed in English, "I, Rome Milano, take you, Aristotle Angelis, as my wife and promise to be faithful to you always."
They were the sweetest words she'd ever heard. Following his example, she said her vows in the Italian she'd practised and then in her native English. And then the minister said the long anticipated words, "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride."
To Arie's surprise, her brand new husband let out an audible sigh like he'd been holding his breath all that time. And then his face relaxed into a smile that was tinged with relief and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly, right there in front of family, friends and the smiling minister.
And then they were walking down the aisle together, hand in hand, and then out the open door where they were pelted with rice and flowers, the primary perpetrators of whom were Lena, Marilyn, Sophia and Lucia. "I'll get you," Arie called out as she ran down the steps of the little church but she was laughing as she went, glad that she had the support of her good friends and her two newly acquired sisters. She and Rome piled into the Bugatti Veyron convertible and then they were off, through the streets of Rome, her veil floating on the breeze. They would be meeting everyone at the banquet hall in an hour and this time Arie would not be the one doing the catering.
Rome leaned over and kissed his wife full on the mouth. "Now you're all mine, Mrs. Milano," he said, smiling, "for now and for always."
And the way he said it made a lump rise in her throat. Overcome with emotion, all she could do was tilt her face up and kiss him back. If there was a heaven on earth, this was it. She had her Maya and now she had her Rome...for always.
Thank you for reading ‘Rome for Always’ (sequel to 'Rome for the Holidays'). I sincerely appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the read. If you liked this story I would appreciate your leaving a brief review on my book page. That’s the best support any author could ask for. Thank you in advance!
Click to leave your comment:
ROME FOR ALWAYS
If you would like to be notified when new
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRE books are out,
please drop me an e-mail with the simple subject line: 'Yes'
[email protected]
I'll keep you posted!
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES
Judy Angelo
Volume 1 - Tamed by the Billionaire
Volume 2 - Maid in the USA
Volume 3 - Billionaire's Island Bride
Volume 4 - Dangerous Deception
Volume 5 - To Tame a Tycoon
Volume 6 - Sweet Seduction
Volume 7 - Daddy by December
Volume 8 - To Catch a Man (in 30 Days or Less)
Volume 9 – Bedding Her Billionaire Boss
Volume 10 - Her Indecent Proposal
Volume 11 - So Much Trouble When She Walked In
Volume 12 – Married by Midnight
Volume 13 - The Billionaire Next Door
Volume 14 - Rome for Always
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. I - Vols. 1 - 4
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. II - Vols. 5 - 8
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll. III - Vols. 9 - 12
*Purchase collections and save*
The NAUGHTY AND NICE Series
Volume 1 - Naughty by Nature
COMING SOON
Volume 15 - Billionaire's Blackmail Wife
MEET THE BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES
FROM COLLECTION I
VOLUMES 1 - 4
TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE - Vol. 1
Roman Steele - The business tycoon who has the daunting task of taming the spoiled princess.
MAID IN THE U.S.A. -Vol. 2
Pierce D'Amato - The software billionaire who thinks he's in control but instead finds himself at the mercy of an angelic four year old and a dark-eyed French beauty who steals his heart.
BILLIONAIRE'S ISLAND BRIDE - Vol. 3
Dare DeSouza - The owner of a line of Caribbean resorts who tries to teach our beloved heroine a lesson she'll never forget...but then ends up learning the greatest lesson of his life.
DANGEROUS DECEPTION - Vol. 4
Storm Hunter - He loves motorcycles, fast cars and now he's got to add one more item to his list of loves: Danielle Swift. Dani has a charm he tries to resist but this committed bachelor is no match for this bold and independent woman who's like none he's met before.
Alpha males at their best - which one will you fall in love with?
Click to get:
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES COLLECTION I, VOLS 1 - 4
MEET THE BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES
FROM COLLECTION II
VOLUMES 5 - 8
TO TAME A TYCOON - Vol. 5
Enrico Megalos - A shipping tycoon with a big problem but one which 'lion tamer', Asia Miller, is determined to fix.
SWEET SEDUCTION - Vol. 6
Jake McKoy - Billionaire author, philanthropist and recluse - a man with a past that is tearing him apart. Will Samantha Fox be the woman to pull him out of his shell?
DADDY BY DECEMBER - Vol. 7
Drake Duncan - Billionaire investor and a man determined to win the love of his life: a woman who is just as determined...to stay the heck out of his way.
TO CATCH A MAN (IN 30 DAYS OR LESS) - Vol. 8
Stone Hudson - Owner of Hudson Broadcasting Corporation, Stone is thrown for a loop when he meets a woman gutsy enough to laugh at him. And then she turns into a temptress. How can he resist?
Click to get:
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES COLLECTION II, VOLS. 5 - 8
MEET THE BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES
FROM COLLECTION III
VOLUMES 9 - 12
BEDDING HER BILLIONAIRE BOSS - Vol. 9
Rockford St. Stephens - The owner of a newly acquired luxury vacation business who finds himself boss to an executive assistant who can't stand him...but who he finds impossible to resist.
HER INDECENT PROPOSAL -Vol. 10
Sloane Quest - The media mogul who's rocked back on his heels when his top competitor, the lovely Melanie Parker, makes him an offer he can't refuse.
SO MUCH TROUBLE WHEN SHE WALKED IN - Vol. 11
Maximillian Davidoff - The cosmetics giant turned NASCAR entrepreneur who's bowled over by the most ornery woman he's ever met.
MARRIED BY MIDNIGHT – Vol. 12
Reed Davidoff – The fashion mogul who gets caught up in a fairy tale romance that makes him wish he could reverse hi
s past. After the mistakes he’s made, can he win the hand of the princess?
Click on the link to get:
BAD BOY BILLIONAIRES, Coll III - Vols 9 - 12
VOLUME 1 - TAMED BY THE BILLIONAIRE
THE TAMING OF A PRINCESS...
Serena Van Buren, the privileged daughter of a wealthy businessman, can't wait to begin her three-month tour of Europe with her college mates. Little does she know that fate has other plans in store!
Instead of dancing with handsome Italians and dining with charming Frenchmen Serena finds herself trapped in a six-month internship with overbearing business tycoon, Roman Steele - an arrangement orchestrated by her own father.
Serena is determined to show Roman that she won't yield to the demands of any man, boss or no boss. She's a Van Buren, after all, known to wither a man with one look. But Roman Steele is like no man she's ever met before. Suave, sexy and stunningly handsome, there's something about him that she can't resist. It looks like Serena Van Buren has finally met her match.
A sweet and saucy romance that will have you smiling...
Click on the link to get:
TAMED by the BILLIONAIRE
VOLUME 2 - MAID IN THE USA
WHO EVER SAID BILLIONAIRE BACHELORS AND MODEST MAIDS DON'T MIX?
Celine Santini couldn't have been more shocked when billionaire bachelor Pierce D'Amato offers her a job as nanny to his four-year-old charge. After all, he hardly even knows her. But after finding herself thrown into an unexpectedly intimate encounter with him, are they really strangers? Celine is captivated by the green-eyed heartthrob who takes her heart ransom but how can she give in to her feelings when they're from two totally different worlds?