Chapter 10
Francesca
We spent a couple more hours or so in the suite. Having sex, lounging around, sitting in the hot tub, having sex in the hot tub, and generally just enjoying each other's naked bodies.
Eventually, my stomach started rumbling. Which was kind of a bummer. But also not. Because that just meant we got to go back to the outdoor market for food. And there was a ton of it available.
Stefan bought us the best sandwiches I'd ever had. Prosciutto, mozzarella, salami, tomato, and lettuce, between the yummiest ciabatta rolls. It was to die for.
After that, we found more pastries. This time he bought us cannoli. Chocolate ones with creamy, fluffy filling. They were completely delicious. We shared an orange-flavored sparkling water and wandered around some more.
Stefan bought some beautiful paintbrushes I was looking at. And even though they cost way, way, way too much money—all I said was, “Thank you.” I might have teared up, though.
A while later, we went back to the hotel for a nap. Which led to more sex, of course. And another nap.
And then it was time for supper.
So, we packed up the car, and Stefan took me to a cute ocean-side restaurant where we sat outside and watched the sunset.
On the way home, I reached for his hand. “This was the best day I've ever had. Thank you.” And it was true. I couldn't think of a time I'd had more fun. I saw so many new things, my head was swimming. In a good way. A very good way.
But my body was also so relaxed. Probably exhaustion from all the sex we had.
Stefan brought my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “Me, too, Francesca. I had the best time. With you.” He gazed over at me briefly as he drove.
Our conversation was light on the way home. He asked me what I was going to paint with my new brushes. I didn't have an answer for him, though. I'd have to see what kind of inspiration hit.
When the castle came into view, I was happy. But I was also a little teeny bit disappointed that our day was almost over. “I wish this day would never end,” I said out loud, instead of in my head as I'd meant.
Stefan just chuckled as he parked the car in front of the castle. He didn't park inside the garage like I thought he would.
“Don't get me wrong, I love everyone in there.” He jerked his head at the castle. “But honest to Christ, they can be a lot sometimes.” He parked and got out. Then he came around to my door and let me out. We gathered all our bags and goodies and headed for the front doors.
Before we were even fully up the steps, Dani came bursting out. She barreled right into me, nearly knocking me over.
Luckily, Stefan was there to keep me upright. “Hello,” I said, still in a bit of shock at almost falling.
“I missed you, Auntie Fran-schmesh-ka.” She buried her face into my leg and hugged me tightly with her tiny little arms.
“I missed you, too, sweetie.” I hugged her back as well as I could with full hands.
“Daniella,” Stefan said from behind me. “Let your aunt inside the house, please.”
Carlo stepped out and removed her from my leg. “Sorry, Francesca. She got away from us for a minute.” He turned around with her in his arms. “She's been watching out the damn window forever for you two to get back.”
That vision inside my head broke my heart. Poor Dani.
We followed Carlo inside, and Stefan closed the door.
“What did you bringed me?” Dani's beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“Ah, shit,” Stefan mumbled under his breath. “Daniella, I forgot to pick something up.”
Her little girl face crumpled, and she was about to burst into tears.
“I didn't forget!” I said loudly, hoping to stop this latest tantrum.
“Hang on a second.” I set my bags down and opened my purse.
I pulled out the little package inside. It was wrapped in brown paper, and it had a cute pink tag on it.
“See? It even has your name on it.” Indeed, it said, “Daniella,” on the decorative tag.
Dani gasped, and Carlo set her down. “What is it?” she asked in amazement and a little confusion.
“You'll have to open it up and see.”
I handed the package over to her, and she carefully started opening it. I thought that was the cutest thing ever. So much patience for such a young child.
When she finally got the paper off, she pulled out the small receiving blanket and tiny pajama set.
Her face frowned. “Oh, is this for the babies?” Her stern expression broke my heart.
“Daniella, say thank you. Your auntie Francesca went through a lot of trouble to—”
I shook my head and laughed, interrupting Carlo.
“No, it's not for the babies, silly.” I knelt down on the cool marble tile.
“It's for your bunny, see?” I took it from her and undid the ribbons around it.
“I figured that you take care of all these babies so well, that your bunny might be a little jealous sometimes. So now,” I held up the cute pajamas and blanket, “bunny has her own outfit and blankie. Where is your bunny?” I asked, not seeing it in her hands.
“Right here, right here!” Giselle said, dangling the bunny in the air. She handed it over to me.
“It even comes with little bunny booties. Aren't they cute?” I held up the white booties that had bunny ears, eyes, and whiskers on them. “Bunny booties for the bunny.” I giggled and started stuffing the bunny into the cute little bunny pajamas. Then I put the sweet booties on bunny’s feet.
“There's even a hat.” I fit it over the bunny's head.
“It's a little big, but I bet your mommy can sew it up, so it doesn’t fall off.” I unfolded the blanket and wrapped up the bunny.
“Bunny's all cozy and ready for bed.” I carefully handed the swaddled bunny to Dani.
Her eyes were wide, and her jaw was nearly on the floor. “You really love me. Don't you?” She burst into tears right there.
Oh, boy.
I pulled her in for a big hug. “Of course, I love you.” My eyes began to water.
She sobbed into my shoulder. “You didn't forget about me.”
I kissed her sweet, tear-streaked cheek. “No, I didn't forget about you.” I held her shaking body.
“But Uncle Stefan did.” She glared at him over my shoulder.
Oh, my gosh. This kid was too cute.
“No, he didn't forget about you. But he did forget about the fantastic cannelloni he brought back for you. There are two chocolate ones.”
Her face changed instantly, and she blinked. “Him did that?”
Stefan set the bags on the floor. “They're right here,” he said, pulling out a small box with a purple ribbon around it. He didn't buy them for Dani. He watched me eat two of them and said, “I'm picking some up for later. All that cream is giving me ideas.”
So, yeah.
Stefan definitely hadn't bought those for Dani.
She let go of me and carefully rid her uncle of the box. “Thanks,” she said solemnly, clearly not over her big bad mad from only moments ago.
“What do you say we go eat some right now?” Stefan scooped her up in his arms, and she giggled.
“It's her bedtime. She can't have that much sugar right now,” Giselle piped in.
Stefan looked at her. “My reputation's at stake.”
Giselle put a hand on her belly. “Fine, but you're staying up with her until her sugar rush ends.”
He smiled at Giselle, then looked at Dani. “Sounds fun to me.”
Dani let out a cute little giggle—and off they went toward the kitchen.
“You really saved the day, Francesca. Thank you.” Carlo bent down and picked me up like I weighed nothing. He gave me a long hug before setting me on my feet. “What do we owe you for the things you bought?”
He kept his hands on me, even after I was already steady.
“Oh, I used Stefan's money. My purse and bank card are all back home. So, you'll have to talk with—”
Carlo cut me off. “It is your money, Francesca. He's your husband. What's his is yours.” His voice was firm as he frowned down at me.
“Oh, for Pete's sake, Carlo.” Giselle huffed loudly. “Would you give the poor girl a minute to get used to having more than five bucks at a time in her wallet?”
Carlo looked over at her, his frown deepening. “She's his wife, Giselle. She needs to learn how things work.”
Her head fell back, and she took a deep breath. Well, as deep as she probably could with a huge baby in her belly. “Are you kidding me right now?” Her voice rose higher.
A lot higher.
“I'm just your baby mama. And how long did it freaking take me to get used to spending your money? Huh?” she said sarcastically.
“A lot longer than the five minutes these two have been together.
And you know it still really bothers me that I'm not earning any money. But here you are, giving poor Francesca a freaking lecture.” Her hands flew out from her sides.
Yeah.
Giselle was mad.
Really, really, really mad.
“First of all, we talked about you—never,” his voice lowered, “using the term ‘baby momma’ in reference to yourself ever again. And secondly, no, you have not once told me how you feel about money. Not since we were first together. You haven't said a fucking word until now.”
I tried to sneak out of his hold, but his hands stayed on me. Tight.
“And,” he leaned over slightly, “there's no need for you to earn money. In case you haven't noticed, we're doing just fine. Or did the private plane we took over here not tip you off to that fact?”
Uh, oh.
Even I knew that was the wrong thing to say.
Giselle's face changed instantly.
Oh, boy.
“I should probably leave you two alone—” I started saying.
But Giselle's eyes cut straight to me. “Oh, no, Francesca. You should stay and listen. You should learn how these men think. Might as well find out sooner than later. Unlike me.”
Yikes.
I thought about calling out for Stefan, but he probably wouldn't hear me. It didn't seem like Carlo was interested in letting me go anytime soon. And now Giselle was adding me into their relationship issues.
Carlo opened his mouth to respond. But Eve got there first.