Chapter 8
She was so deep in the middle of painting that at first she did not notice the door had opened, until she caught a glimpse of her mother-in-law standing there.
Hissing out a breath, she put away the paintbrush and wiped her fingers on the already soiled rag.
“If you’re here to reprimand me about taking matters into my own hands and the consequences of it, I would like you to know that I am not in the mood.”
Ignoring the sharp sound of her daughter-in-law’s voice, Marianne settled herself on the padded sofa and crossed her excellent legs.
“That looks bold and exaggerated,” she murmured, nodding towards the painting as she examined the slash of violent purple, red and black colors, “I am not sure what it’s supposed to be.”
“Just a reflection on my violent mood. What do you want, Marianne?”
The older woman studied the mutinous face and the shadows beneath the mahogany eyes.
“You were right about what you said at the dinner table.”
“Which part?”
Ignoring the sarcastic tone, Marianne continued. “I never approved of you because I thought it was too hasty, and you did not fit. You were a schoolteacher and would never be able to become the wife, which would best suit my son.”
She smiled whimsically. “He is my favorite. I happen to love all my children and never hankered for a daughter. I prefer dealing with men, they are less complicated.
I had problems during the delivery and almost lost him twice. I threatened the doctors, begged, and pleaded with them to save him at all costs. My first glance at that adorable face made me realized that I would do anything for him. I would fight to keep him alive.
He had my heart, and I simply melted when they finally placed him in my arms. I spoiled him dreadfully, plied him with toys and lavished him with attention. When I became pregnant with Clive, he would follow me around, clinging to me as if he wondered if he was going to be replaced.”
She shook her head. “He never was, never could be.” She eyed the younger woman who had gone still at the telling of the story. “But I have discovered that you truly love my son, possibly more than you love yourself. He adores you.”
The smile came again. “I saw that from the very beginning, and I was jealous. I was no longer first in his life. I saw the way he looked at you, the fact that he cannot stop touching you. And because he loves you so much, he is scared to death of losing you.”
She moved forward, her eyes intent. “My dear, you are entering into one of life’s greatest sacrifices and it is most wonderful and magical realm. Carrying a child cradled inside your womb. But you are carrying four at one time.” She shook her head. “I cannot impress enough how much that is going to cost the both of you.”
Blair turned her head away and gazed out the window. January had dumped several inches of snow on the ground and from the looks of the bleak sky, it was far from over. She was tired and depressed, two combinations that were not conducive to her current situation.
“I thought I was doing the right thing,” she murmured. “Still do. I want a family.” She took in a deep breath and let it back out. “I know my husband is scared and so am I.” She shook her head and turned her gaze to the woman in front of her. “I want these babies. And losing even one of them is not something I want to think about.”
Marianne rose gracefully and crossed over to her. Placing a hand on her shoulder, she squeezed lightly. “I am cautiously excited. These babies will be my first grandchildren, and I am praying that everything goes right.”
“Thanks Marianne, I really appreciate the support.”
She nodded and turned to stare at the painting. “It has a certain appeal.”
Blair let out a startled laugh and felt the tension easing inside her chest.
“I think so, too.”
“Goodnight my dear.”
“Goodnight.”
Blair watched as Marianne left, her elegant figure disappearing down the hallway. She remained still for a moment, absorbing the conversation that had just taken place. Her thoughts drifted back to the beginning of her relationship with her husband, the laughter, the shared dreams, and the inevitable challenges that had come their way.
She knew that the path ahead would not be easy, but the conversation with Marianne had given her a renewed sense of determination.
As the night deepened, Blair sat by the window, looking out at the snow-covered landscape. She placed a hand on her growing belly, feeling the faint fluttering of life within her. The room was silent, save for the faint ticking of a distant clock, and she found solace in the quiet.
*****
“Nineteen sixty-five Cabernet blend.” Clive picked up the bottle and studied the label, a smile playing around his lips. “A mixture of fruity blend and a double wallop of alcohol. Excellent choice.”
“Thanks.” Cayden’s voice was rife with sarcasm, “not that I needed your approval.”
Ignoring his brother’s surly mood, Clive wandered towards the cheerful fire burning inside the hearth. Propping a booted foot on the mantle, he gazed around the wine cellar. Millions of dollars’ worth of liquor were stacked neatly on shelves.
It had taken years to accumulate the inventory, and the room was a showpiece and the pride and joy of every Caruso male.
“Remember when we sneaked down here in the middle of the night and kept our own drinking party? I was thirteen and you were fifteen. I threw up on the floor and you cleaned up after me. We were both sick as hell the next morning. Dad somehow discovered what we had been up to and figured we had been punished enough.”
“Now that you have entertained us both with the walk down memory lane, why don’t you take a hike?”
“I am not quite ready to leave.” Clive walked over to the bar, neatly built into one corner of the room, and selected a glass. Plucking the half empty bottle from the table in front of the sofa, his brother was sprawled on, he poured a generous amount and went to straddle a bar stool.
“What do you want?”
“World peace, a wife like yours…,” he grinned at the ominous look on Cayden’s face. “And to finally beat you in poker.”
“You keep mentioning my wife and touching her. Are you looking to start a fight?”
Clive shrugged, eyeing his brother over the rim of his glass. “She is amazing. I wish I had met her first.” He smiled slightly at the frown on Cayden’s brow. “I envy you. You have a woman who would go to the ends of the earth for you and sometimes I wonder if you realize how lucky you are.”
“I’m sure you cannot wait to tell me.”
“You are,” Clive told him soberly, “and she needs you.”
“I do not need you to remind me of my obligations. I am fully aware of them.”
“Good.”
They both looked up as Conail entered the room, a smile lighting up his face. “I had no idea there was a party going on. Why wasn’t I invited?”
“Because you’re annoying.” Clive told him blandly.
“You two can stay and reminisce or drink yourselves to death, I’m going to bed.”
“Something I said?” Conail watched as his brother made his way out.
“Always.” With a grin, Clive went to fetch a glass. “Let’s finish the bottle, shall we?”
*****
She was not inside the bedroom. The conversation with Clive had set him thinking. For the last couple of months, things had not been easy between him and his wife. He knew exactly where to find her. In the past, whenever they had an argument, she would go to her studio.
He had discovered to his surprise that she was quite talented as a painter. She had confessed that it was her ‘go to place’ whenever she was feeling stressed. He had several of her paintings inside his office, proudly displayed.
She had given Clive a still life piece for his birthday last year and his brother had hung it in a prominent place inside his office, something Cayden was not certain he liked.
He stood just inside the doorway and stared at the lovely picture she made. Her hair was tied back with a blue and white silk scarf, and she had changed into one of his t-shirts and an old pair of leggings.
The fact that she was wearing his shirt did something funny to his insides. He loved her so much that sometimes it feels as if he was being overwhelmed over by it.
Sensing his presence, she looked up from the canvas, eyes connecting with his. She looked unhappy, he thought with a pang. And he had contributed to that.
“I thought you had gone to bed.”
“I couldn’t sleep.”
“It’s an interesting piece.” He came into the room and stood next to her. “What’s it called?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure yet.”
Taking the brush from her hand, he put it away and hunkered down in front of her. “I love you, desperately.”
Tears filled her eyes, and he saw her struggling to contain them.
“You said you were sorry you ever met me.” She reminded him, her voice husky.
His heart turned over at that. “I didn’t mean it.” Taking her elegant hands, now stained with colors, he lifted them to his mouth. “I cannot bear the rift between us.”
“I am not sorry.”
He smiled slightly. “I know you’re not.”
“I want this, Cayden.” Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.
“And I want my wife. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Losing you will destroy me.” His hands gripped hers. “Before I met you, I was carefree, lofty about the fact that I was not subjected to the varying degrees of emotions.” He placed her open palm on his cheek and closed his eyes as the warmth of her skin seeped into his.
“Now I wonder what I would have done without you.” Dropping her hands, he tugged her into his arms, bracing against the wall and cradling her petite frame against him. “Promise me you’ll be here until we’re both old and decrepit.”
“I can’t…”
“Promise me!”
She lifted her head to look at him and felt emotions flooding her at the intense look on his face.
“I promise,” she murmured, hands cradling his face, “I’ll be here for you, always.”
“Good.” He responded gruffly. Placing his hand over hers, he tugged at the scarf and watched as the silk of her hair spilled over his skin, Crushing the soft strands in his fist, he lifted her mouth and crushed it hungrily.
*****
Her eyes drifted open slowly to find him propped up on one hand, staring at her.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“What are you doing?”
“Looking my fill.” He used his free hand to brush the hairs from her face. Last night, he had made love to her with a tenderness that had her crying and clinging to him.
“Why?”
“You’re so beautiful but you snore.” He grinned as she rolled her eyes.
“I do not.”
“I should know. I am the one sleeping next to you.” His touch lingered on her cheek “You make these adorable sounds when you sleep, and you burrow.”
“That’s because you always have your arms wrapped around me.”
“Hmm. Keeping you close.” He could feel the tension easing from around his chest. For the past couple of months, he had been on edge – angry one minute and scared the next. But he hated being on opposite side of the fence. His family was right, whatever the case may be and however much he did not like what she did, she needed him.
“Last night was… intense.”
His brow furrowed. “Did I hurt you, baby?”
“No.” She shook her head, feeling the warmth of the endearment. It seemed like ages since he addressed her like that. Her hand wandered over the hairs on his chest and felt her body quickening with desire. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” He stared at her intently. “Should we be making love?”
“Of course.” She moved into him, one thigh sliding through his. “I want to do it again.”
“Blair…”
“It’s been so long since I felt you inside me,” she whispered huskily, reaching down to cup him up.
“Oh Christ!”
“Make love to me. Let me feel you inside me.”
Her look melted him and with a groan, he pushed her back and entered her slowly.
*****
He played hooky and took her driving the next day.
“The cabin?” She recognized the landmarks even though almost everything was covered with snow.
“Yes,” he glanced over at her and smiled at how bundled up she was. He had chosen the clothing she had on. A thick cherry red sweater and black leggings.
He had included a throw from the sofa in their room and she was wrapped up completely and had been asleep for most of the journey. He would have teased her about that, but in all honesty, he had kept her up for most of the night.
The uncertainty of what to expect now that they knew about the babies, still hung there between them, but he wanted to make up for his shoddy treatment. He had no idea what was going to happen and there was still the element of fear.
He just wanted to give them this time together. He had called his assistant and told her to reschedule his appointments for today and the weekend and announced to his parents his intention of taking his wife off to somewhere they could be alone.
His mother had nodded in approval. “You both need the time alone, darling.”
As the snow-laden trees whizzed by, she could not help but think of the moments they had shared in the cabin before. It was a sanctuary, a place where they could escape the demands of their lives and just be together.
When they finally arrived, the cabin looked like a scene straight out of a winter postcard. Snow blanketed the roof, icicles hung like fragile daggers from the eaves, and the windows were foggy with warmth from within.
“It’s stocked this time.” He hopped out and went around to open her door and take her hand. It was so unlike the first time they were here. That time, the anger pulsed off him in waves.
This time, he was smiling at her and treating her like a precious cargo. He had insisted on picking out clothing for them to wear for the weekend and secured a flask of tea and some croissants from the kitchen.
“Watch your step.” He guided her over a patch of heavy snow right in their path. “The caretaker was supposed to plow, but he is out with the flu. He is sending someone in the morning to take care of it.” He had their bags and juggled them as he inserted the key into the lock.
The warmth flooded the room and seeped wonderfully through her clothing. “I’ll just take these to the room,’ he told her, indicating the bags he was carrying.
She nodded and went on inside the welcoming warmth of the living room where the fire was blazing. Slipping off her boots, she dragged the fluffy white blankets off the sofa and spread them in front of the fire.
She took in the familiar surroundings, the rustic charm of the cabin bringing back cherished memories. The wooden beams above, the worn leather couch, and the photographs of their adventures together all seemed to whisper stories of love and resilience. She sighed, letting the tranquility wash over her.
He returned to the living room, his face softened with an expression of contentment. "Tea?" He asked, holding out a steaming cup towards her.
"Thank you," she replied, wrapping her hands around the warmth of the cup. They settled together on the blanket, the fire crackling melodically in front of them.
For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, both lost in their thoughts. He reached out, gently tucking a stray lock of her hair behind her ear. "I’m glad we’re here," he murmured.
She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the dancing flames. "Me too," she said softly. "I think we needed this."
She finished the tea and leaned against him, closing her eyes in contentment. It had been so long since they were so happy. She knew it probably would not last, but she was going to make the most of it.
“Comfy?” His arms were wrapped around her securely.
“Hmm.” She nestled against him. “You smell good.”
His chuckle warmed her heart. “I should hope so. I showered before we left.”
“It is your particular brand of cologne. It was the first thing I noticed when you accosted me outside that café in Italy.” She grinned and lifted her head at his sharp intake of breath.
“Accosted?”
“Harassed?” She teased.
He was happy to see the light in her eyes and the vivacity on her beautiful face. It had been too long since she was like this.
“I was utterly charming and witty.”
She lifted one tapered brow. “You offered to buy me coffee, knowing full well that I was exiting the café and so I must have had my fill of the brew already.”
“You could have just gone in to ask for directions.”
“Okay.” She nodded. “And when I told you I already had coffee, what did you say?”
“That perhaps you could manage to take another cup.”
“And when I said no, thank you?”
His eyes glittered in amusement. “I followed you like a lost puppy and offered to buy you some pastries.” He shook his head, “Christ, you were stubborn. I almost gave up out of sheer frustration.”
“I am happy you didn’t.”
“Are you now?”
“Yes.” She touched his chin, her long finger tracing a path down his neck. “I never dreamed I could be this happy or this in love.”
His eyes darkened and he captured the wandering hand, bringing it to his lips. “This weekend is about you, sweetheart,” he told her hoarsely.
“No,” she shook her head, “it’s about us.”
*****
He stirred sometime in the night and opened his eyes to see her sitting cross legged with a blanket barely covering her nakedness and a sketch pad in her hands.
“What are you doing?” His sleep had made his voice husky.
“Sketching you. I love the way you look when you sleep.” She continued to use the pencil to finetune what she had already done. Giving him a quick look, she evened his jawline. “I will never be able to capture the exact shade of green for your eyes.”
“May I see it?”
“Nuh.. Uh...” She flashed him an impish smile. “It is a work in progress and I am not sure I am even going to finish it. I am not particularly good with portraits.” He started to turn on his back when she told him to keep still. “I need to get the indentation of your lower back and your taut backside.” She laughed at the look he gave her.
“I am absolutely painting you in the nude.”
“I hope you’re not thinking of hanging it in the drawing room.”
“I am going to ask Jackson if I can hang it in one of his galleries.” She captured her bottom lip and worried it with her teeth as she concentrated on the task. He loved watching her work and thought she looked sexy as hell.
“I don’t have an ounce of shame; you’re the shrinking violet.” He grinned at the dirty look she threw at him.
“Take it back.”
“You know it is true. When we made love for the first time, you insisted on the lights being off.”
“That’s because I was aware of your reputation.” She moved to the face and penciled in the eyebrow, trying to get the exact shade and density. “I did not want you making comparisons with your other conquests.”
“You never were.”
She looked up at his sober tone. “It took me a while to realize that.”
“You’re my only.”
Her hands trembled slightly and for a second, she had no idea what she was doing.
“Come here!” He ordered gently.
“I am not finished…”
“You are.” Rolling onto his back, he took the pad away and put it aside, before drawing her into his arms. “You’re my everything.”
“Oh, Cayden.” She eased out a shaky breath and blinked the tears away. “I love you so much.”
“Not as much as I love you.” He traced the outline of her full bottom lip. “Be prepared darling.” He murmured, lowering his head. “I intend to lose myself in your delectable body.”