Chapter 4 #3
“Grazie,” Stefan responded as the man opened the door for us. I climbed in first and moved down the seat to make room for Stefan. He sat beside me—and once again took it upon himself to buckle me in.
“I can do that myself.”
Stefan didn't respond. He just snapped his own seat belt and grabbed his phone out. After he turned it on, he tapped the screen a few times. Carlo's name popped up. “Just landed,” Stefan said before Carlo could say anything, “any news?”
Carlo’s voice floated out of the phone even though he wasn't on speaker. “There is—” He paused for a moment. “But nothing worth interrupting your honeymoon over. Enjoy yourself. You only get one honeymoon.”
Stefan's lips spread into a wide smile. “Will do. I'll talk to you later.”
Before Stefan had a chance to end the call, I grabbed Stefan's hand and tilted my head to the phone. “Wait! Carlo? Are you still there?”
A second later he let out an amused, “I am, Francesca. How is your honeymoon going so far?” Gosh. This man's voice alone could give me an orgasm. I swear. His deep, throaty tone was intoxicating.
“Ah,” I bit my lip. “It's going.”
He laughed in my ear.
“Anyway, can you thank Giselle again for letting me wear her dress?” And then I realized something that gave me a huge sinking feeling. “Oh, no.” I looked at Stefan. “Where did her dress go? The last I saw it was on the bedroom floor.”
Carlo let out a much louder laugh this time. And I felt a hot blush rise up to my cheeks.
“I took care of it while you were sleeping last night. It’s all packed up safely,” Stefan said.
“Phew.” Then into the phone I said, “Ask Giselle if we should take it to a dry cleaner. I’m sure we’ll pass one on the way to Stefan’s place.”
Carlo laughed again. “I'll get her to give you a call, Francesca,” he said, still laughing. “Don't worry about it.”
I shook my head even though he couldn't see me. “I don't have a phone.”
“I'm sure your new husband will spring for one. Until then,” he cleared his throat, “she can call you on your husband's phone.” His constant use of the word “husband,” felt a whole lot strange. But—whatever.
“Well, is she there now? I should ask her what I should tell the dry cleaner.”
He laughed.
Much louder this time.
“What's so funny?” I asked, feeling more than annoyed.
He answered immediately, “You, Francesca.” Carlo continued laughing. “You are.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes at him, wishing he could see. “Whatever. She must've spent a billion hours making that dress. I don't want to mess it up. Is she close by? Can you go ask her?”
There was a short silence. “Yeah, hang on. I'll see if I can find her.” I heard the sound of his footsteps through the phone.
A door opened, and then more footsteps followed.
The sound of babies crying grew louder and louder.
Another door opened, and then a wailing screeched through the phone.
It was so loud I held the phone away from my ear.
“Where have you been hiding?” Giselle's accusatory voice shot over the crying. “Can't you see I need help here?”
Uh, oh. Carlo was in big trouble.
“Fuck, what happened?”
The unmistakable sound of Giselle letting out an exhausted sigh hit my ear. “What happened? What happened? What happened was you. You getting me pregnant. And then pregnant again,” she shouted. “What are we going to do when we have another baby? And they all get sick at the same time?”
Something clunked, and then Carlo sounded further away. He must've put the phone down. “Here, give him to me. I'll clean him up.” Sounds of shuffling, walking, and crying—the babies and Giselle—filtered through the phone.
By this time, I'd taken the phone from Stefan and was sitting back in the seat. I looked over at him. His eyes held a mixture of sadness and sympathy in them.
I handed the phone back to him.
Stefan took it and ended the call. I guess I was kind of inadvertently eavesdropping on their private family crisis. “Maybe we should go back and help them? It sounds like the babies are still sick.”
Stefan grabbed my hand and brought it to his mouth. “They'll be fine.” He kissed it and set our hands down between us. “Nick and Eve are there to help if need be.”
I raised my eyebrows and said, “They're still outnumbered.”
Stefan gave me a sad smile. “They are. And they're lucky for it. And when they survive the stomach flu again, they'll realize how blessed they are. Again.”
I took a breath and squeezed his hand. “But we could help make it easier for them. How long does it take to refuel the plane?”
Stefan smiled and let go of my hand. His arm reached around me and pulled me in. “You have the biggest heart I've ever seen.” He kissed my temple. “But there's no fuckin' way I'm taking you back there during our honeymoon.”
I wanted to protest. I wanted to remind him that this wasn't a real honeymoon. I mean, the only reason the guy had married me was to save me from a horny old man. A scary, horny old man.
But something in me knew I'd disappoint him. Maybe even anger him—if I said any of that right now. And I didn't understand why he'd get mad. But I was pretty sure he would.
So—
I let it go and hoped the babies all got better quickly so their parents could get a break.
And so Giselle would stop crying.
We sat in silence while the driver—drove. There was a partition up between the front seat and here, but we could still see through that window and the side ones. I took a few minutes to look and see where exactly I was.
Rolling green hills surrounded us. There were trees, but not many of them. Not here anyway. And we seemed to have the small, narrow road all to ourselves.
“How much longer?” I asked just as a surprise yawn came over me. “Sorry.” I covered my mouth and looked up at him.
He grinned at me. “Don't apologize. You had an exhausting day. And night.” He placed his index finger under my chin and lifted. Then he kissed me. “It'll be a while yet. Close your eyes and get some sleep.” His arm pulled me closer to his warm body.
I shook my head and yawned again. “I just woke up. I won't be able to sleep again.”
He chuckled quietly, his chest jiggling me slightly. “Okay. Whatever you want, Francesca.” His lips touched my forehead. “Whatever you want.”
He shifted and used his hand to draw my head against his chest.
The silent lull of the car.
The steady beat of Stefan's heart against my ear.
His warmth seeping into me.
And it didn't take long until I passed right out.