A Soul Mate's Promise (31 page)

“No no ..sure, I’ll get up,” I say, sleepily. “I don’t want to be in the way.”

“It’s fine,” she says. “I just hated to wake you up. This can be very draining and you need rest, too. Can’t blame you for not wanting to leave her–we think it’s very sweet how you care for Miss Gracie. You keep it up–we know it’s helping.”

She unraveled the bandages and again I see the scrapes and tears underneath her forearms and some on her palms. The nurse cleans them, then gently snips the threads used to close the deep gashes. She rubs some ointment on them and rewraps them with new, but less gauze. The nurse catches me staring. “Now you can hold her hand better.”

I look up at her–she smiles and winks, then wraps up all of the soiled gauze and trots out the door.

I look back at Gracie and reach for her hand. I grip it, lacing my fingers between hers. I bring her hand to my lips and place a kiss on her knuckles. I smile and gently get back on the bed with her.

*       *       *

Sitting at a long dark wooden table abundant with breads, fruit, and cheeses, I am assaulted by the glare Caterina gives me as she walks in the room. 

“Good morning, sister,” I say as pleasantly as I can.

She pulls her chair from the table, dragging it on the stony floor causing a wretched sound. Then she slumps into it and the chair groans with the abuse she has given it.

She ignores me and I’m sad.

“Caterina,” I say, “I really don’t know what you are so angry about.

“Marsilio and I have been in love for a long time. He was given a choice and he picked me. Everyone knew he would.
You
knew he would. But I did not write the rules. I wish you could just be happy for me. I don’t like to see you this way.”

She gives me an icy glare. “Sister Sophia, I am well aware of the rules–more then you may think–my marriage arrangement should have been dissolved. I can’t believe I was forced to marry that evil Duke of Burgundy. I was in hell, why am I being punished?”

“I am so sorry sister. Please, he is gone–you are here now, safe with us. Why can you not see that your life can be happy without ruling on the throne?” I give her a smile. “So many suitors I saw at the feast eyeing for your company. Go find a nice wealthy one and live a happy life–that’s what you truly deserve!”

“Deserve?” she spits, eyes narrowed. “I’ll tell you what I deserve.  “I was married to the devil himself and I will never be put in that situation again. I demand to be next in line to secure my place–and I don’t need a man to do it!”

“What is the meaning of this blasphemous conversation?” the Queen nearly shouts as she enters the room. We both jump to our feet and bow.

“Mother,” I plead, “May I speak?”

“No Sophia, I heard the whole conversation.” Her eyes trail to Caterina. “As my eldest, and daughter of my first husband, who was not of royal blood, how dare you make demands on what shall never be! You must stop this foolishness, Caterina, it is poisoning your mind. Stop it at once, or I
shall
have you dismissed and cared for elsewhere.”

Caterina looks at our mother with the same frozen glare. “It was
you
who made me marry the Duke. He was evil, Mother. I deserve retribution!”

“ENOUGH! What’s done is done. You will carry yourself
in a dignified manner. And you will go on, Caterina. There are many ways you can help in the kingdom. Many noble causes for your considerable talents. You will be happy for your sister and her child. I don’t want to hear any more of this filthy hatred in my house. As your mother, I will not put up with it. As your Queen, I will send you far away to live if I fear you will hurt the family.”

Caterina runs from the room and my mother sits in her seat at the table, then looks back at me and smiles. “Sit down Sophia, finish your breakfast. You are eating for two and you will also need your strength to please Sir Marsilio on your wedding night.”

“MOTHER!” I squeal.

“Oh my daughter, I
am
a woman–how do you think the three of you got here?” She laughs and I giggle with her.

“Oh mother, I am so very happy but, I wish Caterina…”

“Never mind of Caterina’s foolishness. She will come around. No worries my child, you have plans to attend to and we don’t want you stressing in your delicate condition.”

“Yes mother,” I whisper. I wish I could change things with my step-sister, but perhaps I cannot. I give my attention back to the Queen.

“I hear the kitchen is all aflutter with the preparations for the wedding tomorrow–and tonight’s wedding eve’s dinner. I am excited to meet Marsilio’s mother and his brother.”

“Yes, all is ready. Mother… Your Highness, I am finished. May I be excused? Marsilio will be here shortly.”

“Yes of course my darling, go..go.. oh and for heaven’s sake, make sure your sister Anne doesn’t hide from the servants. I want that child washed for the celebrations!”

I chuckle. I had seen her dashing off on my way to breakfast. I’d have to go find her. “Yes mother, she is quite rambunctious, isn’t she?”

“Yes–I fear she will miss you the most.”

“Well, maybe she can come for a while after I have the baby–and stay with Marsilio and me. If that would please Your Highness.”

“I think that would be fine, Princess. We will talk of these plans when the time comes.” She waves her hand to dismiss me and I leave to meet Marsilio.

As I wait in the courtyard I cannot shake the image of Caterina, cold and so full of anger.

“Princess?”

I turn on my heel. “Marsilio! I’m sorry I did not hear you…”

“Are you ill? You look upset,” said he says, thoughtfully.

“I feel well but I am distressed.”

“Tell me my Princess, what puts a frown on this beautiful face?”

“Caterina does– I am afraid she has gone mad! Even mother said she would have to her put away if she doesn’t stop her anguish. It makes me sad to think she was married to such evil. God only knows what she has really been through–she didn’t come back right. She is angry and jealous… I feel it has gotten worse, like a sickness. She scares me, m’lord.”

“Caterina, yes…” his answer is hesitant. “She does have some problems but none of this should be of your concern. Worrying is not good for your condition”.

He puts his hands on my waist and pulls me close to him. “After tomorrow it will all be done and you won’t have to be involved with her–we will be miles away from here. Now, promise me, Princess–happy thoughts only. Tomorrow you shall be my wife–all I want to see is your smile. Let’s not allow Caterina to spoil our day.”

CHAPTER 31

“The fever has broken, Mr. Petroni. And, the swelling has significantly reduced on the brain. The last scan shows good brain activity. This is all very good news, reports Doctor Rosaro. “Good news indeed. Now we just wait some more. I know this is tough, Sal, but she is better and the baby is fine. Hopefully she’ll wake soon.”

“Thanks, Doc, I hope so. It’s been ten days now. This is the hardest damned thing I’ve ever been through–and I was a prisoner in a Bosnia prison. I know about waiting.”

He gives me a smile. “I get it–that’s your heart right there.” He gestures to Gracie. “She’ll come back, Sal. Hang in there.”

And the tenth day forges on like all the days before. My father, Celine, and Maggie come twice a day to sit with us. They bring me food and clothes, and a few days ago, Maggie brought my laptop.

They talk to Gracie and help me brush her hair and massage lotion on her legs and back. We keep the conversations happy and talk of wedding plans and baby names. Some of the names are just awful and the girls laugh loudly at the facial expressions I make.

We’re finished with lunch and taking care of Gracie and are on our second round of baby names when there’s a knock on the door and we all fall silent and glare at the door.

Richard Boumont slowly enters.

He looks around at all of us, then his eyes rest on Gracie. “May I see her?” he asks quietly.

No one moves. I take a breath. A week ago, I wanted to beat the man to death for bringing Camille into Gracie’s life, but I’m not so angry now, though I might feel pretty good about giving him a broken jaw.

He hangs in the doorway not knowing where to look. The girls look to me and I nod. “Come in,” I say gruffly.

Celine and Maggie back away from Gracie’s bedside and take a seat on either side of Pop, who’s staring at Richard. I’m not sure if it’s with pity or disgust.

Richard steps to Gracie’s bedside. I stay by her and stand up, my hands fisting at my sides. Richard looks down at Gracie and grunts a sob.

“I’m so sorry,” he moaned. “I’m so sorry… I wanted to come days ago, I wasn’t sure I should…” He switches his gaze to me.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t know….I didn’t know Camille was crazy–not in a million years would I have wanted any harm to come to Grace, please believe me!”

I inhale a deep breath and let it out slow–just the sight of him makes my jaw clench tight. Gracie’s going to come out of her coma, and we’re going to be married and have our baby, she’ll hate it if I really hurt him. I look him in the eye.

“I believe that’s probably true Richard, but if you weren’t so busy being egotistical and self centered, you would have seen what that lunatic was doing right under your nose this whole time. Stealing from you–trying to steal from Gracie. Hired a hit!” I breathe in deep again and try to keep my voice calm.

“Gracie told me how self-absorbed you are. Even when you were married to her you couldn’t be bothered to ask if she was having a bad day or felt well. It was all about you.

“People like you should not try to love–you’re simply incapable of it. So yeah, I believe you when you say you didn’t know. You didn’t know you brought shit in–you weren’t paying attention to anyone but yourself. And Gracie–an innocent bystander–almost paid for your mistake with her life.”

Richard stands there, then wipes at his face and looks around the room at each of us.

“I didn’t know who she really was–I didn’t know about her mother and my father! My parents never told me…why would they? Truly, I’m sorry, but I don’t believe any of this is my fault! I may be a little self-centered but I’m not the bad guy! I was just as in shock as any of you. Antonio, you were there–you didn’t even know who she was. I never would have gotten involved with her. And I never wanted anything bad to come to Grace! I want you to believe that.”

Antonio nods at him and adjusts his wheelchair so he’s in front of the man. “Richard, it’s true. She played-a-the game well, pulled the wool right over our eyes. You, Richard, are-a-just like your father in many ways–all business, never put the family first. Your mom was-a-not so happy, she knew of your father’s mistresses, but she stayed. She loved you and hoped you wouldn’t turn out like him. Your father made a terrible mistake many years ago. Maybe your mother should have-a-told you, maybe you would have been more mindful of things, maybe you would treat people better–maybe you would have loved Gracie better.”

An uneasy quiet settles in the room as Richard stands by the foot of Gracie’s bed, looking at Pop.

“I think you should leave, Richard,” snaps Celine.

Maggie sits beside Gracie, wiping tears from her eyes.

My eyes wander back to Gracie, sleeping so peacefully. I feel a calming wave wash over me–even now while she is sleeping the sight of her calms me. I know she would want to hear Richard’s apology.

“Richard, I believe you are sincere and I’m not gonna throw the blame on you. Quite honestly, I don’t have the energy to waste on you.” I sit back down and take Gracie’s hand in mine.

“I love Gracie–she is my world, so, I will accept your apology, but, can I ask a favor of you? When Gracie comes around and is feeling better, you need to apologize to her, yourself. She’s the one that needs to hear this from you and decide if she can accept it.” I direct my eyes back to him.  “Are you man enough to do that for her?”

Richard’s eyebrows furrow above his red, wet eyes as he looks at Gracie. He nods. “Yes, I ahh…can do that, Sal. In the meantime, would you please keep me informed of her progress?”

“I will,” I tell him.

Richard turns slowly to leave–then peaks over his shoulder at me sitting with Gracie. “I really did love her once, you know. I did.”

He has no idea what love is and for that I feel sorry for him. I had loving parents and a great brother and now I have Gracie and her friends in my life. I’m far richer than he will ever be.

I give him a tight smile and a nod –and he walks out the door.

*       *       *

“Welcome my loyal and loving family, and royal subjects, to the engagement celebration of my daughter, Princess Sophia.” The Queen announced in the great dining hall. All are gathered for dinner on the night before I am to wed my love, Sir Marsilio.

She continues on, every bit the monarch in her glorious gown  with the ruffled collar, and I swallow the butterflies that still dart about my belly.

“We could not be happier of the pending nuptials that will take place tomorrow. I bless this joyous union and wish for healthy heirs these two shall hopefully soon produce.”

Mother tosses a glance in my direction and discretely winks. Everyone cheers with joy and the servants usher in the evening’s feast on big silver platters.

After we eat, the minstrels play and tables are cleared away to make room for dancing. Marsilio gets up and offers his had to me.

“Dance, Princess?”

I take his warm hand and it gives me tingles. I rise from my chair and he leads me to the dance area. It is our role to lead the evening’s festivities.

“Volta!” Marsilio calls out to the minstrels.

Everyone gasps, then giggles at his request. This new dance comes from Rome and Paris and might be considered immoral to some. But it is all in good fun.

The music starts in a three-fourths beat and Marsilio faces me with his hand on my waist.

I put my right hand on his shoulder, and pick up my long skirts in my left hand so it will not get stepped upon.

Marsilio spins and twirls me about several times, lifting me high into a leap and landing me gently, safe and secure in his arms. The court cheers for us every time we leap, and when the dance is over, they stand and applaud for us thunderously.

Marsilio stands arms outstretched, still holding my hand, and we bow low to the floor as smiles and laughter fill the hall.

“Sister, oh sister…” Anne comes skipping over to me and hugs me tight.” That was wonderful!  You must teach me that dance!”

“Yes, of course, but only if mother will allow it. Anne,” I give her a quizzical look, “where is Caterina? She was not at the dining tables and I have not seen her since this
morning. It breaks my heart she is not sharing in my happiness.”

Anne sticks out her chin. “I tried coaxing her out of her bed chambers before dinner and she would not answer. I told mother and she said for us to pay Caterina no mind, for she probably wants the attention. Mother is not at all happy with her ill manners.”

“Poor Caterina,” I say. “We truly don’t know how hard it has been for her since returning from that evil Duke. I wish there was something I could do.”

“Princess, what did I tell you about upsetting yourself?” Marsilio gives me a stern but loving look.” Happy thoughts only.” He seals his command with a swift kiss on the top of my nose and I giggle.

It is hard not having Caterina around to share in my bliss and I hoped she will be at the wedding. Truth be told, I cannot not stay sad for long. I am overcome by my own joy–marrying the love of my life and being with his child. I beam with delight.

*       *       *

Night comes again on the eleventh day. Everyone has left the hospital and I’m alone with Gracie like I am now every night. I want so much to hear her voice– need to get lost in her hazel eyes. I can’t allow myself to give up hope, especially when things sound better every day. But I miss her so much I hurt.

I wash up, change into a pair of sweatpants and a tee shirt, then reach for a magazine. Planning to sit in the recliner next to Gracie’s bed and thumb through it before curling up around her, I lean over to kiss her forehead.

When I look down at her, she appears different–something in her face–she has the smallest shadow of a smile on her lips. I look closer and turn on the bedside lamp.

Holy crap!
I gasp and put my hand over my mouth to keep from yelling like a maniac.

“Gracie,” I call. I pick up her hand. “Gracie, can you hear me?”

She doesn’t respond, but that little smirk on her lips tells me she’s surfacing.

I plan to watch her all night, afraid to fall asleep for fear she will wake and I’ll miss it.

I don’t call for the nurse or anyone–this little victory is mine. I climb on the bed next to her and watch her lips move back and forth all night.

She is in there–she’s coming back to me.

*       *       *

Morning comes and I wake with a jolt, realizing I’d fallen asleep.

I glance at Gracie–she’s still out but there’s still that hint of a smile. I get up as the nurses come in to do their daily routines and check on her.

“Good morning, Sal,” says one of the nurses. “How was your night? You seem to be getting a bit more sleep.”

“Oh..ahh good, yes, I’m  calmer than I was weeks ago. I was running on pure adrenaline then.” I point in Gracie’s direction. “Do you ladies see a change on Gracie’s face? I noticed it last night–I’m hoping it’s just not wishful thinking.”

The two nurses focus on Gracie. It takes them a minute or two, then one of them gasps, “I believe I see a smile!”

“Yes!” says the other nurse, “it’s very faint but it’s there–is that what you see?” They ask as they look back at me.

“That’s
exactly
what I see,” I say, smiling wider than I have in weeks. “That’s a good sign, right?”

“Well, any kind of movement is a good sign. Is she responsive at all?”

“No, I tried calling for her last night, and I watched as her lips moved, forming a smile. I know it’s a small thing, but I feel good about it like maybe she is on her way back.”

“The doctor thinks she is and all the tests seem to indicate that,” one of the nurses answers. “Her swelling is way down now and her blood count is normal. Only time will tell.”

“She’s probably dreaming something happy,” says the other nurse. “Maybe about you! Keep talking to her, Sal–I believe she’s on her way.”

Right before noon, Pop and the ladies show up with a pizza and it smells great. I guess I’m making my way back, too.

“One of Gracie’s favorite food groups!” Maggie says with a laugh. She takes her slice over to Gracie and waves it under her nose. “Come on, girlfriend,” she coos, “you gotta wake up for a slice.” Maggie sits next to Gracie and nibbles at her slice.

“Hey, last night I noticed something new,” I say around a mouth full of melty cheese. Everyone turns their attention to me. “Look at Gracie,” I continue. Look really close at her face and tell me what you see.”

Maggie and Celine lean over, “She looks peaceful,” says Celine.

“SHE’S SMILING!” Maggie yells.

“Well I’ll be.” Celine takes another peek. “She
i
s smiling! It’s very slight, but I see it!”

“So, it’s not the smell of pizza?” Maggie jokes.