Chapter 30
JENNA
I feel emotional as I get off the yacht, which we had to take to get from Peru to the island.
Not only is Cassia here, but Mom and Aunt Sherrie arrived last night.
We would’ve been here yesterday morning already, but Enzo had last-minute business to take care of.
As I climb the stairs from the docking area that’s inside a tunnel, I take in all the lush greenery on the island.
Just as I reach the top, I see a huge building and houses situated around it. One of them belongs to Enzo, and it’s where we’ll be staying during the holidays.
It was Enzo’s idea to fly Mom and Aunt Sherrie here so they could spend Christmas and New Year's with us, and in that moment, I couldn’t have loved him more.
The past eight years have been very lonely and depressing around the festive season. But not this year. I get to spend it with all the important people in my life and the man I love.
“How are you holding up?” Enzo asks, giving my hand a squeeze.
“I’m just nervous,” I admit. “But very excited as well.”
He takes me to the building situated in the middle of the island, and as we enter, my eyes land on a beautiful restaurant. At one of the tables, Cassia is having a conversation with Mom and Aunt Sherrie.
I stop dead in my tracks as I look at my family, then my chin begins to quiver, and I can’t stop the tears from coming.
Mom glances in my direction, and seeing me, she darts to her feet and runs toward me.
A sob sputters over my lips as I pull my hand from Enzo’s to meet her halfway, and we fall into each other’s arms.
“Oh my God, kiddo,” she breathes, her voice filled with relief. “Finally.”
She holds me for the longest time, then I feel another pair of arms wrap around me as Aunt Sherrie joins us.
I pull back, and smiling through the tears, I wipe the wetness from my cheeks with the back of my hand while softly saying, “It’s so good to see you. Did you travel okay?”
“Oh gosh, yes,” Aunt Sherrie says. “Five stars all the way. We had beds on the plane.”
My smile widens even more. “That makes me happy.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Cassia and Enzo shaking hands before he comes closer to us.
He places his arm around me and says, “I wanted to give you a minute alone with them.”
I lean into him and pat his chest.
They all greet each other, then Aunt Sherrie mentions, “Quite the size difference you’ve got going here. You didn’t look as tall via FaceTime.”
“It’s because he was sitting and I was on his lap,” I reply while I hug my man sideways. “He’s my very own big teddy bear.”
Cassia lets out a snort, drawing my attention to her. I pull away from Enzo so I can give her a hug before looking at her pregnant belly that’s now showing.
We all move to the table, and once we’re seated, a server comes over to take our drink orders.
As soon as we’re alone again, Mom places her hand on my forearm and looks at Enzo as she says, “Thank you for taking such good care of Jenna, and we appreciate the money you send us every month.”
“You’re welcome,” he replies, not looking comfortable being the only man among four women.
Just then, a man comes walking into the restaurant, and Enzo gets up to shake his hand.
“This is Knight,” Cassia tells me. “My husband, who’s come to get me for my check-up at the hospital. I’ll catch up with you later.”
“Nice to meet you in person, Jenna,” Knight says.
I wave at him and nod at Cassia.
When Enzo sits down again, I place my hand on his thigh and lean into his side, feeling awkward until Knight leaves with Cassia.
“She never used to be this shy when she was a kid,” Mom mentions to Enzo. “She used to talk our ears off and was even captain of the cheerleading squad her senior year.”
I tense up, and it has Enzo wrapping his arm around me. “People change as they get older,” he replies, then he changes the subject by dropping the mother of all bombs. “I want to marry Jenna and would appreciate your blessing.”
We all gape at him, and Aunt Sherrie is the first to catch her bearings. “Oh wow.” She slaps Mom on the arm. “He’s waiting for your reply.”
“Right.” Mom blinks a couple of times, then she says, “If that’s what Jenna wants, then you have my blessing.”
My cheeks grow warm from all the attention, and I grin like an idiot.
We spend the rest of the afternoon catching up and enjoying the good food the restaurant serves.
When we’re all done eating, Mom and Aunt Sherrie take the elevator up to one of the suites in the main building so they can have a nap.
My heart feels full as Enzo leads me outside and we walk down a path until we cross a wooden bridge. When we stop at a front door, Enzo presses his palm to a scanner and keys in a code, then he glances at me. “Press your palm to the scanner.”
I do as I’m told, and Enzo once again keys in a code, then says, “Now you can come and go as you please.”
“Really?” I chuckle as I roll my eyes at him. “You’ll let me go anywhere by myself?”
“On this island, yes. And only until I start getting withdrawals from not being near you.”
Laughter bursts over my lips as I walk into the house that has a vacation vibe to it. I walk to the French doors and open them before stepping onto a small veranda. I hear rushing water, and glancing to my right, I see water trickling down into a stream.
“It’s so beautiful here,” I murmur.
“Not half as beautiful as you,” Enzo says.
I turn around to look at him, and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. He’s down on one knee, holding a black velvet box in his hand. I stare at the exquisite diamond ring for a moment before my eyes dart to Enzo’s face.
“I took one look at you and couldn’t help falling in love.
You put up with all my quirks and accept me for who I am, and that means more to me than you will ever know.
I want you for the rest of my life, meu anjinho.
” Enzo clears his throat and gives me a pleading look.
“Without you, life will be hell. Wear my ring so everyone can see you belong to me. Please marry me, Jenna.”
For the second time today, a sob escapes me as I nod. Holding my left hand out to Enzo, I say, “A million times, yes.”
He climbs to his feet and pushes the ring onto my finger. “Thank you, meu amor.”
Lifting myself on my tiptoes, I wrap my arms around his neck and give him a tender kiss before saying, “I’m the thankful one that such an amazing man like you found me and decided I’m yours.”
Enzo presses his forehead to mine, all his love for me shining from his eyes. “Minha para sempre.”