The Reluctant Wife (13 page)

Chapter Seventeen

Dante had been in the air when he got his mother’s frantic call. Once landed, he’d broken every speed limit on his way to the hospital. He had to remind himself to breathe. He strode down the corridor, his heart beating so fast it hurt. Katarina and Nana Taylor greeted him in the waiting room with red-rimmed eyes.

“Where is she?” he demanded before they had time to cling to him.

“She’s in surgery,” his mother said while Nana Taylor hugged him as if she’d never let him go.

He hugged her back and smoothed her hair. “Abby will be fine.”

“How do you know? I can’t lose her too.”

Katarina looked on with fear in her eyes.

“No one is going to lose anyone, do you hear me?” He pushed her out of her arms and looked into her eyes. “Do you really think I’d let anything happen to Abby?”

“You didn’t see her. There was so much blood,” Nana said.

Katarina nodded her head, telling Dante that the old woman was not exaggerating. Cold fear blanketed his insides. “I need to find the doctors.” He strode off in search of some answers, desperate to hear that his wife would be okay. Five minutes later he returned to his mother and noticed that the pair had been joined by Salice and Marcia, both of their faces pale from the news. He felt the dread shift through his body and settle like a yoke on his shoulders. Abby had suffered an ectopic pregnancy and they could tell him no more until Dr. Molinari finished in the operating room.

All four women looked at him expectantly. He couldn’t meet their eyes. He’d left Abby in the Maldives—alone—while pregnant. Why hadn’t she told him?

Because you didn’t give her a chance to tell you.

He’d accused her of hiding the truth from him, of lying, yet he hadn’t given her a chance to explain. He’d left her upset and alone and… Oh God, what if that had worsened her condition, what if this was his fault?

“Did you know Abby was pregnant?” Salice asked.

He raised what he was sure were guilt-ridden eyes. “No.” His anguished reply echoed in the small waiting room.

“Don’t blame yourself. She was probably waiting for you to return home before telling you.”

Dante knew that was not the reason. His silly pride had gotten in the way, as it had before, and this time—this time—the penalty he might face could have far higher consequences. He’d do anything to turn back the clock.

Anything.

Half an hour later, Dr. Molinari emerged through the doors at the far end of the corridor, sweat soaking his green surgical smock. Dante prided himself on being able to read people. He watched the doctor approach and went rigid with shock. He couldn’t have moved to greet the doctor if he tried. Fear of what he’d learn kept his feet glued to the floor. His hands fisted at his sides and his heart pounded in his chest. He knew before the doctor spoke that the news was not good.

Dr. Molinari looked at each person waiting anxiously for news. Dante saw him swallow and felt his world fall apart.

“Abby’s had an ectopic pregnancy that has resulted in a burst fallopian tube.” Dante ignored the gasps from the women surrounding him, totally focused on what Dr. Molinari would say next. The doctor looked directly at him, pity filling his eyes. Dante sucked in a deep breath, waiting for the blow. “There’s been a lot of internal hemorrhaging, and Abby’s lost a lot of blood.” The doctor paused. “She’s slipped into a coma.”

“No,” Nana cried. “Abby…” She promptly burst into tears, Katarina and Salice holding her up.

“The next twenty-four hours are crucial. If she makes it through the night, I have every confidence she’ll make a full recovery.”

Dante’s knees shook with the effort to stand. He almost stumbled under the blow.
Make it through the night…

“Can I see her?” he asked in a whisper of a voice.

The doctor looked at him. “Of course. It sometimes helps to talk with her. The nurse will show you the way.”

The women moved toward the ward. Dante hung back. “Did Abby know she was pregnant?”

“I have no idea. Ectopic pregnancy can give a negative pregnancy result. Besides, she only learned of her condition at our first meeting. I’m not sure she took in everything I said. Only once we’d done the laparoscopic procedure would I know the extent of her condition. I did tell her that if she found herself pregnant she should come to me immediately. I warned her of the risks of an ectopic pregnancy given her endometriosis.” He raised an eyebrow. “I gather she didn’t tell you? Perhaps she did not know. Did you notice any signs?”

She hadn’t lied. She had only just learned of her condition. “No.” Dante inwardly berated himself.
Because I was so self-absorbed. Because I’d told her, and proved to her by my actions, that the only thing I cared about was a child.
Dante swallowed hard. He hoped and prayed he’d have a second chance to tell her that she was all that mattered to him.

“She did not tell me about her condition so I wouldn’t have worried.”

“She didn’t tell you…did my phone call…” The doctor sighed. “Don’t blame yourself. Her condition came as a big shock. It’s hard for any young woman to hear she may not be able to conceive. I did try to tell her there are many other options available to couples in your situation, but she seemed desperate to have your child.”

Dante shook the doctor’s hand. “Thank you for all you have done.”

Dr. Molinari gave a wan smile. “Go and sit with your wife. She needs you now.”

Dante watched the doctor walk away and turned to look toward his wife’s room. He’d failed Abby once more. When she left him three years ago, he’d known it was his fault. He’d pushed her away because he thought it unfair to let her love him. The possibility of dying young like his father had him fooled into thinking she’d be better off without him. He’d done that to her because he loved her, but he hadn’t been thinking clearly. His rationale was flawed—he saw that now. Faced with Abby’s death, he realized how stupid his actions were. If he lost her, he’d be devastated. He was being given a very hard lesson in life. Everyone dies. Some sooner than others. But it’s how you live and love while on this earth that counts.

He entered her room and promised God he’d do anything to have a second chance with Abby—third chance. He’d already blown two.
Please God, let me be third time lucky.

He needed to beg Abby’s forgiveness. No child was worth losing her.

His mother moved from the chair beside her bed so that he could sit down. He took her limp hand and pressed a kiss on her knuckles.

“I’ll get you some coffee,” he heard his mother say.

His sisters went home at about midnight. His mother and Nana Taylor were given the room next door. Dante promised them he’d wake them if there were any change. His mother urged him to rest, but he didn’t budge from the chair by Abby’s side. He refused to let go of her hand, as if doing so would see her slip away from him.

He’d been up for almost forty-five hours. Whenever he felt himself falling asleep, he started talking to her, telling her how much he loved her, how much she meant to him, and how he’d been such an idiot.

At around four o’clock, just after the nurse had rechecked Abby’s vitals for the hundredth time, he broke down and cried. He cried over the unfairness of life. He cried for the vibrant woman lying so still in the bed, but most of all he cried in fear. He didn’t know what he’d do without Abby by his side. To think he thought it would be easy to marry another.

He didn’t want any other woman.

Only Abby. His Abby.

“You’re making me all wet,” a small voice whispered. “And I can’t feel my hand.”

Dante raised his head and, through eyes full of moisture, he saw a smile so radiant his heart wanted to soar.

“Abby. Thank God.” He rose and rained wet, sloppy kisses all over her face. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

…

The person crying over her and kissing her was Dante. She must be dreaming. He’d walked out on her. He’d left her…

“I’m thirsty.”

Dante helped her take a sip of water.

“What happened?” All she remembered was that she’d collapsed at the villa.

Dante reached for her hand and twined his fingers through her own. His head lowered.

The monitor beside her bed beeped rapidly as her heart began to pick up speed. He lifted their interlocked hands to his lips so that he could kiss her palm. Her heart was thudding heavily, slamming against her chest wall.

“Tell me,” she said.

“You’ve had an ectopic pregnancy.”

“I was pregnant? But how? I can’t conceive.”

He cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should call Dr. Molinari.”

“No. Please, I want you to tell me.”

“They had to remove your fallopian tubes,” he said quietly. “One ruptured and nearly killed you. The other was so badly damaged from the endometriosis that he thought it advisable to remove it, too.”

She could never have children. She closed her eyes, unable to look at Dante. He’d never want her now because she couldn’t have children. A sob escaped from her mouth, the sound echoing around the room. Dante climbed on the bed and two strong arms encircled her, pulling her tight against him. “Please don’t cry.” He was crying too and gently rocking her.

They stayed together like that until she could cry no more.

“I’m so sorry, Dante. I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want most in this world.” She took several deep breaths. Just saying the words made it all seem far too real. “But please believe me. I didn’t know about my condition until after I agreed to your deal. I’ll pay back every cent of Nana’s care, I promise.”

“Mio fiore, I don’t want your money.”

“Do you want me to go home to England then?”

She felt him shudder.

“Abby, I know this is my fault. If I hadn’t left you and gone to Paris… Do you want to go home? To leave me?”

“No. It’s nobody’s fault but nature. Besides, I told you I’d never willingly leave you again, but—” she sniffed “—I love you and I want you to be happy. I know you are desperate to have a child—”

“Not as desperately as I want you by my side. Not when I know that I love you. I’ve always loved you.” He kissed her cheek. “You make me happy. I’ve never been so happy. Nothing else matters.”

“But you were so angry with me in the Maldives.”

“It was shock. I was worried about my father’s will and what losing the villa would do to my mother. When you want something so bad it becomes an obsession, it clouds your judgment.” He hugged her closer. “In Paris, I had time to think. I was already flying back to you when I got the call from Katarina. I’ve never been so scared in all my life.”

“If we stay married, what about children, Dante? You might feel differently later. You’ll lose everything by staying married to me. I couldn’t bear it if you came to despise me.” Abby swallowed. “It would destroy me.”

“I don’t care about the title or the company. If I lost you, it would destroy
me
.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly. “I’ve loved you from our first meeting. Blackmailing you back into my life was the only way I could think to get you back.”

“Silly. All I wanted was your love. You know there was no way for me to love you when you wouldn’t let me. That’s why I left.”

He tapped the end of her nose with his finger. “It’s a lesson I’ve learned well. I shall let you love me for the rest of our lives, as long as you allow me to love you in return.”

She smiled through the pain. “Perfect. We will love each other. I just hope, for you, it will be enough.”

“More than enough. More than enough.”

Epilogue

Abby watched Dante emerge from the pool and she took in the muscled chest, trim waist, and long, solid legs. God, her husband was gorgeous. She had to pinch herself every day to remind herself that this man loved her. She looked at him with hungry abandon. He smiled back at her as if he’d love to be alone with her right now.

She didn’t care what anyone said—Dante was her Prince Charming and she was living the fairy tale.

“If you keep looking at me like that, mio fiore, these swimming trunks are going to become very tight, and I’d rather not shock our guests,” Dante said, winking at her.

Abby giggled and then squealed as a very wet Dante leaned down to place a gentle kiss on her lips.

“For heaven’s sake. Can’t you leave your wife alone for at least one afternoon, Dante?” Marcia’s husband, Alexus, called. “You’re setting a bad example for us men.”

Dante looked into her eyes and laughed. “I don’t care what any of you think. Look the other way while I love my wife.”

“Tell him to take another dip in the pool and to stop pawing at you,” Marcia said.

Abby turned to her sister-in-law, who was sitting beside her. “I don’t want him to stop. Your brother is irresistible, you know.”

“Thank you, sweetheart.”

Alexus moved to his wife’s side. “You’re irresistible too.” And he bent and kissed his wife.

Marcia tried to sound grumpy but it didn’t work. “Do your eyes need testing? I’m as big as a house.”

“More to cuddle. Anyway, I don’t notice how big you are. All I see is a radiantly beautiful woman whose heart is filled with love for her family. It’s a wonderful thing you’re doing for Abby and Dante. It makes you even more beautiful in my eyes.”

Abby’s eyes welled with emotion and she took Dante’s hand in hers.

“Come, you need some rest. It’s too hot out here for you.” Alexus gently helped his very pregnant wife to her feet.

“Now there are only Salice, Mother, all the children, Rachele, and Pietro to get rid of,” Dante murmured against her neck, “before I can have you all to myself. Give me strength. Your scrap of a sundress makes me want to strip it from you and do wicked things.”

Dante took her lips in a branding kiss, and despite becoming soaking wet, she lost herself in his embrace. Her body reacted to his nearness as it always did, and the terrace was suddenly filled with a loud moan. She drew back, cheeks heating with embarrassment. Did she just moan out loud? There were still some things she didn’t wish to share with his family.

But the sound came again, from Marcia.

Abby’s heart began to pound and she pushed Dante aside. “Marcia?” She watched Alexus scoop Marcia up in his arms. Abby scrambled to her feet, knocking over the chair in her excitement.

“It’s time.” Alexus grinned at them.

She saw Dante’s face go deathly pale.

Marcia laughed. “I’m not dying, brother, so stop looking so worried.”

Abby was by Marcia’s side during the whole twelve-hour labor. She hoped her hand wouldn’t be permanently squashed out of shape from Marcia’s grip. She owed her sister-in-law everything.

Marcia was having their baby.

Dante was pacing the room like a caged lion. “I don’t know how you’ve sat through three other births. I’d never sleep with my wife again if it meant she had to go through this.”

Alexus smiled and clapped him on the back. “Children make her happy. She wouldn’t want this any other way.”

“What rot!” Marcia yelled. “If there was an easier way, I’d take it. I’m not a masochist.” Then she gave a smile that could light up the world. “The precious gift at the end makes this all worthwhile.”

The midwife interrupted the conversation. “One more push, come on…”

Everyone in the room held their breath as Marcia gave one final scream and their baby slipped into the world. The midwife looked at Marcia, who firmly said, “Give her to her mother.” And she nodded at Abby.

Abby held out her arms and took the squirming, slippery bundle of flesh.

“It’s a boy,” she barely heard the midwife say. Abby didn’t care what sex the baby was. She felt her heart flood with song, and she wanted to squeeze this miracle to her chest and never let him go.

Dante came to stand behind her and he wrapped his arms tightly around them both. Her throat constricted with emotions. This was her son. And Dante’s. A child she thought they’d never have. But thanks to Marcia’s surrogacy, they had a child. Their child. Her egg and Dante’s sperm. With Marcia’s help, they had their miracle.

“I can’t thank you enough, Marcia. He’s gorgeous.”

“Just make sure you ask Salice to do this for the next one. I’ve done my bit,” Marcia joked through her exhaustion.

Alexus stood proudly by his wife’s bed. He gently wiped her brow with a cloth. He looked up at Dante and Abby. “Have you selected a name for him?”

Abby smiled at her husband, and he nodded.

“We are naming him Marco, the masculine version of Marcia.”

Marcia took her husband’s hand and he raised it to his lips.

“It sounds perfect to me,” Alexus said. “Just as perfect as my beautiful wife.”

A few nights later, Abby, following Marco’s midnight feeding, put him down to sleep. Dante came around the side of the bassinet and swept her into his arms. He held her tightly against his chest as they stood looking down at their beautiful boy, their miracle, and he whispered in her ear, “He’s perfect. Like his mother…”

He took her lips in a reverent kiss while walking her back to their bed. He laid her gently on the sheets and came down next to her, pulling her tight against him. He gazed into her face with a look so serious it took her breath away. “I never thought I’d ever be this happy. You’ve made my life more wonderful than I ever thought possible. I am truly blessed, and I don’t intend to waste a minute of it.” Dante reached and pulled out a jewelry box from under the pillow. “Open it. I can’t adequately speak the words that fill my heart to overflowing, but I hope you’ll take this as a token of my adoration for you.” He stroked her cheek with his finger. “I might not always be with you, but I want you to remember me and this moment, every time you wear it. I love you, mio fiore. You and Marco, my family, are my everything.”

“You’ve blessed me, too.” Abby opened the box. A stunning diamond bracelet was inside. She gasped.

“Marco’s birthstone,” he whispered. “I love you.”

She swallowed back the tears. “I still can’t believe you took the risk and loved me after you learned I could never have children. You could have lost everything. Your family could have lost everything. The title, the company, the villa—your whole world. The surrogacy idea might never have worked. You might never have been able to hold your own child in your arms.” She gave him a brief kiss. “Standing by me means more than any jewels you give me. I’ll remember the man, not the bracelet.”

She moved closer, slid her hand inside his shirt, and ran a finger knowingly down his chest. “Speaking of remembering…” At her touch, Dante nuzzled her shoulder, pushed her onto her back, and set about proving just how very good life could be.