53. The holiday season
FIFTY-THREE
THE HOLIDAY SEASON
Lake
Prescott’s out of school during winter break between Christmas and New Year’s, so the timing of our trip is perfect. The entire long flight over, he hung out in the bedroom where Leo would normally be during the flight, while I tried to distract myself with reading.
The flight attendant, who I recognized from our trip to Paris, covers me with the same gray blanket and feeds me delicious manicotti. I snack on “good enough” caviar-covered hors d'oeuvres. I thought they were excellent.
The plane taxis to a stop, and after a few minutes, the exit door pops open, letting in the fresh Mediterranean air. It’s cool, but not as cold as it is in Kentucky.
Behind me, Prescott taps his foot. “Hurry up, Lake. I want to see the ocean.”
“It’s the sea.”
“Can we see it from here?”
I step outside and blissfully sigh. The sun’s just setting. It’s beautiful, perfect even. “Yes, we can.”
“Oh, wow. This is so pretty.” Prescott squeezes past me and rushes down the stairs.
“Watch your step, please.” I descend the awkward airline steps, taking care I don’t slip or trip, and once my feet hit the ground, I look for Alessio.
At the entry to the main airport, a short distance away, I spot two people. One is a tall man wearing a long black coat and a scarf that the subtle wind tosses about. He holds the hand of a boy who wears a matching outfit and carries a massive bouquet of dark red roses.
“Is that them?” Prescott asks.
“Yes.” I’m going to cry again.
Prescott waves. “Hey, guys.”
I walk toward them. Leo shoves the flowers at Alessio, who barely catches them before the boy starts running toward me. I run too so I can meet him faster. I drop to my knees to give him a proper hug, and I hold him tightly.
He squeezes me back. “Hey, Lake, look.” He pulls back and points, his blue eyes as clear as the sea. “My uncle got you a bunch of flowers. It’s one for every day we missed you.”
I look up at Alessio, who hasn’t moved from his spot.
“Prescott, this is Leo. Leo, this is my little brother. I hope you can show him around.”
“I will.” Leo shakes Prescott’s hand, and since they’re both nice boys, I’m sure they’ll get along fine.
I walk to Alessio, who holds the flowers between us. I lean in and sniff them.
“They smell nice,” I say.
He offers them, and I accept, moving them to the side so I can stand in front of him. Alessio appears guarded, maybe even unsure of what to expect. His blue eyes seem darker than I remember them, as if they hold shadows or pain now. That makes two of us.
The world around us buzzes with energy, but we stand still. It occurs to me that Alessio won’t make the first move, or he would have already. I glance down at his clenched fists and hope I read the body language correctly. I think he’s holding back from grabbing me and kissing me silly. By not doing that, he’s allowing me to control the moment. If that’s the case, and I’m pretty sure it is, I appreciate the gesture.
I take the end of his scarf and bring it to my nose. God, this man smells good. “Alessio, if you don’t bend to kiss me, I’ll have to fetch a ladder and climb you like a tree.”
Alessio scoops me up, and I press my lips to his. If the kids weren’t watching, I’d stick my tongue into his mouth right now. But the boys stare like two curious birds, so I pull back, then kick my feet. “Your hair grew back.”
“It happens,” he says. “Welcome home.”
I swallow. “Thank you.”
Alessio puts me down and turns to Prescott, who’s blushing, probably because he’s never seen me happy with a man, and the affection feels strange to him.
“I’m Alessio, Leo’s uncle.” He takes off his glove to shake Prescott’s hand, and my little brother squares his shoulders when he introduces himself.
“Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for having us.”
“My pleasure. Are you ready for the carriage ride?”
“Heck, yes.”
We walk through the lobby of the Giulia Angelini Airport, which is decorated with a large silver-and-blue Christmas tree. Christmas music plays softly in the background.
“You noticed I sent a one-way ticket, correct?”
“Yes, Alessio.” I slide my hand into his. He’s wearing leather gloves, and the leather on my bare skin turns me on. I squeeze his hand.
We walk outside, where Alessio’s coachman, Nicolo, waits for us in a carriage covered in Christmas lights. The horses have antlers on their bridles. The massive tree on the lawn outside twinkles, and everywhere I look, there are decorations.
Prescott sighs. “This place is magical.” He approaches one horse and extends his hand. The horse nudges his fingers briefly, and Prescott smiles. It’s good to see my brother happy. As the boys load into the carriage and Leo answers all the things Prescott is curious about, Alessio stands beside the carriage, waiting for me to climb in.
I tug his coat, asking him to bend so I can whisper in his ear. “I didn’t say anything to Prescott about the one-way tickets because I’m not sure he’ll want to stay with me. Maybe he’ll want to go back to the US and stay with my aunt. I want him to have a say in the matter.”
Alessio nods and offers me his hand. I take it and climb in the carriage, and he sits across from me. His gaze is intense, more intense than I remember it. Or maybe in the months we’ve been apart, I forgot how beautiful this man is, and now that I’m back in his presence, I’m smitten all over again.
Nevertheless, the intense way he looks at me makes me drop my gaze. Heat rises to my cheeks when he smirks.
“Did you miss the island?” he asks.
I nod. “I did.”
“What took you so long to write to me?”
I clear my throat. “I didn’t know how to best convey my regrets. I never meant to hurt you.” I glance at Prescott, who, thankfully, is immersed in something Leo’s explaining about the traffic.
Alessio cuts to the chase. It’s easy to forget how forward he is, but that’s okay, because he’s steadfast too.
“I never asked you to explain anything.”
I stare at my hands. “I felt I owed you an explanation and an apology.”
He leans in and captures my hands. “Look at me, Lake.” When I do, he says, “You fought for your family, and you went to great lengths to protect them. I don’t require an apology. I require commitment, and if push ever comes to shove, I expect the kind of loyalty from you that you’ve showed me you can give. Do you understand me?”
“Yes, Alessio.”
“I have terms and conditions, which are basic. But nonnegotiable. Are you ready to hear them?”
I glance at the boys. They’re not paying attention to us, but still. “Now?”
Alessio tilts his head. “Yes, now. The house is full of people, and I can’t… I can’t wait until tonight or tomorrow or Christmas Day, because I must know.” He runs a hand through his hair. “I must know.”
The carriage makes its way up the property’s driveway and around the fountain. Leo jumps out before it comes to a full stop, and Prescott follows. A golden doodle barks happily at them.
“You got a dog. I love dogs.”
“Yes, I know.”
I linger in the carriage, complimenting him on the Christmas decorations around the mansion and the garden as Nicolo takes leave.
Pinned by Alessio’s gaze, I chew my lip.
“I must know if you want to spend your life with me, Lake. I have to know if you want that. I have to hear it from you in person and right now, because if you say yes, I’ll marry you tomorrow morning.”
“My dear Alessio, I would marry you tonight.”
Alessio chuckles. “I like how you think.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the same small jewelry box I saw once before. He doesn’t show me the box or open it for me to view again. He takes out the ring and offers me his palm.
I stretch out my hand and lay it over his palm so Alessio can slip the ring on my finger.
I try to lift my hand to so I can admire the beautiful rock, but pause when Alessio leans back and exhales. He tilts his head back and stares at the stars. I step between his legs and lean over so I can kiss him on the mouth. His eyes are closed, and as I kiss him, his hand slides into my hair. He tugs my ponytail and forces me to break the kiss.
“How many people are at the windows?” he asks.
Oh. I look over at the house and count two heads at the kitchen window and two in the office. “Four.”
“I should probably tell you that my family has a bet going about the timing of our marriage.”
“I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’m here with you again and that we’re together. Together together.”
“We’re so together, we’re never parting again.”
I smile, but Alessio looks serious. I think I know what he wants. Reassurances from me. “We’re never parting again.” At least, I hope not. I’m so nervous about how he’ll react to the baby news. I’m ninety percent sure he’ll welcome it, but that ten percent of doubt is causing me heartburn. I’m taking antacids.
Alessio flashes me a dimple when he smiles. It makes him appear playful and reminds me of the first night we met, when his fingers played over my body like maestro over a pianoforte.
Alessio takes my hand, and we walk toward the house.
“Don’t be nervous, Lake. Everyone has been instructed to be on their best behavior.”
“Thank you.”
“But in case they’re not, remind them that I chose you. Remind them who the fuck you are.”
Tears cloud my eyes. “Okay, Alessio.”
“Ready?”
I chew my lip but nod anyway.