Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Five months later
‘Would you like to hold her?’ Jasmine asked from the hospital bed.
‘Yes.’ This was the happiest day of Emilio’s life. ‘Hold on.’ He took off his finely pressed white shirt and laid it over an arm chair, then kissed his wife and took his daughter, holding her against his bare chest. With her wispy blonde hair and chubby little face, she was utterly perfect.
‘I thought we could name her Francesca Valentina,’ Jasmine said, her smile growing at the look on Emilio’s face.
‘Belleza!’ He choked. ‘Francesca Valentina De Luca,’ he said to his daughter with unconcealed awe. ‘She would have loved you.’ Then he looked at his wife. Her curly hair was loose, her expression tired, and yet he had never seen anyone more beautiful. ‘She would have loved you too.’
‘As much as you?’ Jasmine teased.
‘No one could ever love anyone as much as I love you, amore . To think that is a crime.’ He revelled in her laughter.
‘I’m wishing I had a camera again.’
And, just as he had all those months ago in a bedroom in Italy, Emilio handed her his phone. He heard her snap a picture. When he looked over, she was still staring at the screen with a smile on her face.
‘You have a message from Enzo,’ she announced, handing the phone back. ‘When will you be giving him your mother’s ring?’
‘When he comes to see Francesca,’ Emilio replied.
His brother was planning an elaborate proposal to Charlotte in Perlano and had asked if Emilio would be willing to part with the ring.
He and Jasmine had agreed it would be a fitting way to share Valentina’s affection, even if only symbolically. ‘Would you mind if I called him?’
Jasmine shook her head and lay back against the pillows.
With his daughter in one arm, and his wife resting by his side, Emilio video-called his brother.
It would be late in Australia, where Enzo and Charlotte had made their home, yet, as always since their reconciliation, Enzo answered on the first ring.
That had taken some getting used to, but now Emilio simply appreciated the ways his brother showed him that he was important.
‘Meet your niece,’ Emilio said delighting in the soft expression and gentle smile on Enzo’s face. Before his brother could say anything, Charlotte pushed into frame.
‘Let me see!’ she demanded, and Enzo indulged her. ‘Oh, she’s beautiful, Emilio!’
‘That she is. Just like her mother,’ Emilio agreed, glancing at his wife. How had he ever got so lucky?
‘We’ll be there in two days,’ Charlotte said excitedly. In the background, Emilio spied a tall Christmas tree, the bright Australian sun shining despite the hour.
‘Yes, and we will have a lot to talk about,’ Enzo added.
Talking was the last thing Emilio wanted to do when he was bursting with happiness. ‘About what?’
Enzo and Charlotte looked at each other, then she nodded nearly imperceptibly.
‘I’ve started the process to separate Vozzano from the holdings.’ Enzo pulled a set of keys from his pocket. ‘It doesn’t seem right to have a set of keys to your estate.’ He grinned at Emilio’s complete shock.
‘What?’ Emilio was certain that his heart had stopped beating.
‘I’m structuring it so that De Luca and Co still own the brand, but you own the property and vineyards. That way, the company will source the Vozzano grapes from you.’
Emilio was unable to speak. A lifetime of memories flashed before his eyes.
‘You were right. You deserved to make some of it your own. This way, the De Luca legacy will take care of Francesca and any other children you choose to have.’
‘Enzo.’ His name came out strangled, but Emilio couldn’t say any more than that. How could he express how much this meant to him?
‘You can change that hideous chandelier now,’ Enzo joked. ‘I’ll send yours in the post.’
Emilio still didn’t know how to respond. ‘Thank you,’ he managed but the words didn’t seem like enough.
‘You never have to thank me, Emilio. I’m glad you never left the company. See you in a few days.’ Enzo ended the call, but Emilio still held onto the phone as he processed the news. Slowly, it slipped from his grip, falling onto his lap.
Jasmine smiled. ‘Congratulations.’
Emilio shook his head, reaching out to take her hand and kissing her knuckles reverentially. ‘All that’s mine is yours, belleza .’
‘Is that so?’ she questioned with a cocked brow.
‘Including my heart and soul.’ A truth that would never change.
‘Sono tuo,’ Jasmine replied, smiling broadly at the amazed smile on his face. ‘I’ve been learning Italian. I was going to surprise you on your birthday, but I couldn’t wait any longer.’
Emilio placed the baby in the cot and went over to his wife, kissing her fiercely.
‘Tell me more,’ he begged.
Jasmine laughed, her green-gold eyes shining. ‘We have our whole lives.’
‘Forever,’ Emilio agreed.