Chapter 23
Beth was even more nervous as she approached Marco’s parents’ house.
The first time she’d been here it was as Cesca’s friend, and now she was going as Marco’s girlfriend, even though it was still in the very early stages.
On the water bus over, she’d cuddled into Marco’s side, and he’d reassured her that everyone would be excited for the two of them.
She desperately hoped that was the case, and though she felt a little more confident in the stylish clothes she’d finally treated herself to, something that didn’t make her look older than her years, her lungs tingled with anxiety.
They were welcomed at the door by Paola, who hugged them both tightly.
As before children flew out from behind her legs, wrapping themselves around Marco and tugging on his hands.
Beth’s worries of the other night flew straight back into her mind.
Under Paola’s gaze, she kept her smile firmly intact and refused to let her worries bother her this evening.
‘You didn’t need to bring me flowers again,’ said Paola, holding her hands out for the bouquet Beth had brought with her. ‘But what’s this?’ She pulled out a wrapped book from amongst the flowers.
‘It’s a book bouquet. I wanted to say thank you for your hospitality. You’ve been so generous inviting me again.’
Marco held out his free hand for Beth while three children pulled his other, leading him inside the house. ‘I’m coming, I’m coming!’ he joked, and Beth couldn’t help but smile as a wide grin lifted his cheeks.
As soon as they stepped into the living room amongst the din of his brothers and sisters, and all the children, Elio moved to Beth, kissing her on both cheeks.
‘Marco says you are dating now?’
‘Umm, yes, that’s right.’
He smiled and it transformed his features, making them softer and gentler. ‘I am so pleased. I knew as soon as I saw you that you would make a good couple. It’s about time he found someone.’
‘Marco hasn’t dated much,’ Paola said, and Marco spun, his face beetroot with embarrassment.
‘Mamma!’
‘What? It is true!’ She turned back to Beth. ‘There was a girl when he was sixteen but that didn’t last and then another woman – oh, three years ago?’ She turned to Elio who nodded his agreement.
‘Mamma!’ Marco begged again, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Beth repressed a giggle.
‘And what about you?’ Paola asked Beth and she laughed even harder at her bluntness.
‘Nothing to report, I’m afraid. I was with someone at university, but then I focused on my career and there hasn’t really been anyone since.’ She glanced at Marco who smiled fondly.
Discussion about exes was normally a third or fourth date thing, she’d thought. She definitely hadn’t expected the inquisition from his family on only the second occasion she’d met them, but Italian families looked out for each other and she loved that about them.
There was a knock at the door and Paola bustled to get it, returning a moment later with Emilio by her side.
‘We have someone else joining us today. Come in, Emilio! Get yourself a drink. And one for Beth please, as Marco is being so rude.’
Marco was currently wrestling one child off his back while another gripped his shin. He began walking, dragging the leg with the child attached and tiny giggles filled the room. He made his way to Emilio and shook his hand. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘Cesca invited me.’ Marco didn’t seem to notice the loaded glance he sent Francesca’s way, or the way her eyes melted in return. ‘I’m due on the road again soon and Paola makes the best frittelle in Murano.’
Paola tsked but swiped her tea towel at him teasingly, pleased with the comment.
Cesca joined Beth as Marco and Emilio caught up, all the while play-fighting the children with scatter cushions.
‘I’m pleased you two are here, together,’ Cesca said. ‘We all are. I’ve never seen him this happy. For once his professional and personal life are going well at the same time.’
‘Same for me,’ Beth replied. ‘And you?’ she asked tentatively.
Cesca glanced at Emilio, love clear in her expression. ‘I am going to tell Marco, I promise. I’m just waiting for the right time. But I will do it, maybe after dinner when he is relaxed. I know you hate keeping this secret from him. It will be done soon.’
Beth nodded and hugged Cesca. ‘It’ll be all right. I know it will.’
Cesca smiled as Paola bustled off back to the kitchen telling them dinner would be in fifteen minutes. A moment later, Emilio and Marco joined them.
‘Shall we step outside for some air?’ Marco asked Beth. ‘It’s hot in here.’
‘I think it’s all that rolling around on the floor you’ve been doing.’
He opened the door onto the garden and took a breath of the cold, clean air.
The di Rienzo gardens were gorgeous as spring grew closer, the garden bursting into life with green buds and flashes of colour.
Birds were singing in the hedgerows and shrubs, and she could just imagine it in summer bursting with flowers, bees buzzing to and fro and the children playing on the grass.
Her fears and doubts erupted inside her like a volcano.
She’d been able to ignore them indoors, focusing on Paola and Elio and making a good impression, but as she stood shoulder to shoulder with Marco, his fingers entwining with hers, she knew she had to speak before she fell even more in love with him.
Before goodbye became too painful to even contemplate.
‘Marco,’ she said tentatively, glancing behind her to ensure the door was shut. No children were blowing raspberries on the glass or making faces this time. ‘There’s something I need to ask you and it’s serious.’
He frowned as he turned to her. ‘What is it?’
She took a deep breath. ‘You remember when we first rowed together. That I was upset and trying to understand how I felt about having children.’
‘I remember.’ His eyes didn’t move from hers and his face was so full of concern she wasn’t sure she’d be able to finish.
‘I’ve been thinking about it a lot and with my fertility issues and being asked to be godmother to Daisy and Elsa’s baby, I – I think that’s enough for me, you know.
I don’t think I see children in my future, and I need to know if that’s going to be enough for you too.
I see you with your nieces and nephews, and I can tell how much you love playing with them, and I don’t want to start something with you knowing it might never work out because we don’t want the same things. ’
Stepping closer, he took her hands in his. ‘I do love my nieces and nephews. I am always happy to play with them and when I find out another baby will soon join the family, I am ecstatic with excitement.’
Beth swallowed and it was heavy and hard, as if all her hopes had turned to stone and she was pushing them down into her stomach.
‘But I think I am like you, really. I love being around them all for a while, but I don’t think I see children in my future either.’
Beth’s head shot up, tears stinging her nose and eyes. ‘Really? You mustn’t lie to me, Marco, to try and make me feel better. I want you to have the future you want and if that involves children then you should go and have that. Even if that’s without me.’
‘The only future I want is one with you in it; that’s all I know right now. I like my brothers’ children, but I have no wish to have my own. There is so much I want to do still, a whole world to see and explore. My heart doesn’t … what do you say? Twinge?’
The way he said it made her giggle.
‘I don’t have a yearning for children. All I want is for you and me to be happy and be together.’
Relief flooded Beth’s system, and she quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks as Marco engulfed her in a hug.
She looked into his beautiful ice-blue eyes and kissed him.
She knew it was strange to have such a serious conversation so early in a relationship, but she couldn’t deny how much better she felt.
She could throw herself into this thing with her whole heart.
There was no need to hold any part of herself back.
The door suddenly flew open, and Paola stared sternly at Marco. ‘Did you make her cry? What have you said? Apologise at once.’
Beth laughed. ‘I’m fine, Paola. It was just the wind making my eyes water.’
Paola scowled, unconvinced but instead, she encouraged them inside. ‘It’s time for dinner.’
Marco kissed her again as they moved to the dining room and sat down next to each other.
As before the table was laid with more food than they could eat.
Some dishes were repeated, but this time, instead of lamb, there were two roast chickens, and Beth couldn’t wait to dive in.
The various vegetable and pasta accompaniments were there too and it was even harder to decide where to start: with the beautifully seasoned and roasted vegetables, or the delicately flavoured risotto and pastas.
Beth loaded her plate as much as she could without seeming greedy and tucked in.
Conversation was mostly in Italian and Beth enjoyed being surrounded by such a wonderful, loving family.
‘So, Emilio,’ Elio said. ‘When are you back on the road?’
‘From tomorrow.’
Beth noticed him glance at Cesca, who kept her eyes down. The sadness in her posture made her want to reach out and comfort her friend.
‘We will miss seeing you.’
Paola nodded her agreement.
‘Behave yourself, won’t you?’ teased Marco, and Cesca’s head shot up.
‘I will.’
‘I’ll believe that when I see it.’
Seeing Cesca’s eyes narrow and her mouth set in a tight line, Beth’s stomach sank. Not here, she begged. Please not here. After dinner. Not now. But before she could send any mental signals or flash any warning signs with her eyes, Cesca had opened her mouth.
‘Actually, there’s something I wanted to tell you. Emilio and I are together.’