Turn Towards the Sun Book Two: After the Rain (29 page)

I can’t do anything, but stare at the image.

“Does it make you happy, amore, to have a home in Italy? We’ll go there as many times a year as possible.”

I nod my head. Now, I’m astounded. I didn’t think there was anything he could do to blow me away more than he has already, but this is it.

“Amore?” he presses me.

“It’s perfect,” I reply, my lips spreading into a smile.

“Our babies will play there,” he adds, reaching out to rub my belly.

“Yes.”

He raises me up from the bed with a smile. “This is the best Christmas of my life, Ava.”

“Mine too.” I grin and it dawns on me that making love now has a whole new meaning. “Every time we make love, we could be making a baby. I just realized.”

“Well, then, we should make love as often as possible,” he says, laughing.

I giggle. “Thought we already did.”

“I’m sure we have time for more,” Enzo remarks, leaning in to kiss the tip of my nose. “Oh, I almost forgot, I have one more gift for you, but you’ll have to put this blindfold on. I don’t want you to see it right away.” He takes a red silk tie from the dresser.

“A blindfold? That seems elaborate. What do you have up your sleeve now?”

His eyes twinkle. “It’s not up my sleeve. It’s in the living room, waiting for you.”

Enzo ties the silk gently around my eyes and helps me into my robe. Then he leads me out into the living room, chuckling softly as we walk.

“Enzo?”

“Shush or you’ll wake Cassandra and Chris.”

He walks me to a certain spot and stops me, turning me around by my shoulders. “Ready?” he asks.

“Very.”

The silk tie falls from my eyes. I gasp and clasp my neck with my hands. From somewhere deep inside, an unexpected but jubilant noise rises up, and I find myself jumping up and down, and screeching at the top of my lungs.

“How did you? Where? Enzo,” I scream. “Oh, my God!”

I turn and leap into my husband’s arms, pushing him back against the wall. He swings me around and around, laughing joyously. Maximus jumps up, barking around our feet.

A half-asleep Cassie stumbles around the corner, looking groggy. “What the hell is…?” she starts and then stops. “Oh.” Then she actually begins to laugh. Chris appears alongside her, tightening his robe.

Enzo strokes my cheek and sets me down. “My love, a little birdie told me this was something you’ve always wanted.”

I cannot believe my eyes, before me stands a stunning, black grand piano. I’ve wanted one my entire life. Although I learned to play as a child, my parents could never afford a proper piano.

“I can’t believe it. I just can’t believe it,” I whisper.

Cassie puts her arms around my shoulders. “Believe it. This is yours. Enzo made this happen for you because you deserve it.”

“You told him.” I cry, hugging her hard.

“Yeah, sure did. I come in handy sometimes.” She laughs. “And now I’m going back to bed for a while. What freaking time is it anyway?”

“It’s seven.” Enzo points to the clock on the wall.

She rolls her eyes. “I’m definitely going back to bed. Chris?”

“Right behind you, sweet cheeks,” he says with a laugh.

I turn to my husband. “Thank you isn’t even enough. This is so incredible, Enzo.”

“We can find a nice one for the house in Tuscany, too, I promise,” he replies. “I just want your happiness, Ava. Any dream you have, I want to make it real.”

“You’ve given me so much already. I still can’t believe this.”

“I asked Cassandra if there was anything at all she could think of that would be a true surprise for you, a dream come true. She told me the piano story. So now, you must play for me,” Enzo insists.

“I will, I promise, but when those two wake up. Keep in mind that I haven’t played in a few years though.”

“I’m sure it will be perfect.”

“How the heck did you get that in here without me knowing?” I ask.

“Well, it required some work on my part. I had to get up in the middle of the night to let the movers in, and get it set up without you hearing a thing. Cassandra stood by our door in case you woke. Her job was to keep you in the bedroom. Fortunately for me, you sleep like you’re in a coma.” He kisses the tip of my nose.

I laugh. “Nope, didn’t hear a thing. Amazing.”

“You’re amazing.”

“No, you are,” I argue.

He laughs. “Let’s get coffee.”

“Sure.” As we start to walk towards the kitchen, I grab his arm to stop him. “I love you,” I tell him, warmly.

He smiles. “I love you back, princess.”

Starting the coffee machine, I ask Enzo, “Any hints from Chris about asking Cass to marry him?”

His eyes twinkle. “Maybe…”

“Ah, so you know something. Spill it, mister.”

“I’m sworn to secrecy.”

“Come on, babe. Tell me,” I urge him.

“I will not. I’ll give you a hint though.”

“A hint?” I grin. “Is he going to ask?”

“Yes.”

“Today?”

“No.”

I cross my arms. “When then?”

“That’s not a hint.”

“Soon..?”

He taps his nose. “Getting warmer…”

“New Year’s Eve..?”

“Hmm, that sounds familiar,” Enzo teases.

“Ooh, New Year’s? Love it. And in Vegas, too,” I say. “How fun.”

“Don’t you dare say a word,” he warns. “Cassandra kept my secrets from you after all.”

“Yes, she did, and she kept my secret from you,” I agree. “Poor thing must have been about to explode. Cassie and secrets are normally not a compatible combination.”

“When it’s important, she came through.” He kisses my cheek.

“Yes, she did. I’m so excited that Chris is finally going to ask. They’ve been together, geez, like six or seven years now, I think.”

“Well not everyone is on the four-month plan, like us.” Enzo laughs.

I love that sound. “No, in fact most aren’t, but most people don’t have what we have.”

“Which is what, Mrs. Milano?” He stands close to me and holds my chin in his hand, rubbing it with his thumb.

“The most intense, undeniable, unbreakable, heart-stopping, world-spinning, deep love.” I enthuse, trying to think of as many descriptions as possible.

“Those are very accurate words, but we need new ones,” Enzo replies. “I’m not sure there is a word that truly describes how I feel about you.”

“We don’t even need words, Enzo. You show me how you feel and that’s more important than anything else. Every day I wake up with you is a perfect day, regardless of what happens.”

He lowers his eyes. “Yes, there have been dark days, but you stayed.”

“I’m always going to stay. That’s the kind of love we have. I don’t think either one of us could function anymore if we weren’t together.”

“Don’t even say that. I can’t imagine it. My life is so complete with you. We are one, remember? I would be nothing if you were gone.”

“Good news then – you’re stuck with me,” I tell him, giggling.

Enzo rolls his eyes. “What a burden.” Laughing again, he pulls me to him, kissing and nibbling my neck before finally releasing me and handing me a cup of coffee.

“So, what do we need to do to prepare for a baby?” he asks. “Do you need to see a doctor first? Do I? Or do we just go at it until it happens?”

“I’m not sure. I’ll call Dr. Warner after the holidays and see what we need to do. But I hope I’m not pregnant yet. I want to have fun in Vegas next week. I’ve never been there for New Year’s Eve. Where are we staying?”

He leans against the island. “I booked us into the penthouse suite at the Arabesque. It opened last year. We have the fiftieth floor all to ourselves – five bedrooms for five couples.”

“I’m so excited,” I say, wide-eyed. “Do we have any specific plans?”

“We have a very exclusive party to attend. The rest of the time is ours to decide. I have a few ideas of some things I’d like to do, just you and me.” He winks at me over his espresso.

“Like what?”

“Just a few things I’ve always wanted to do with someone, but didn’t have someone to do them with. Now I have you. Dreams come true, amore, even the dreams you didn’t know you had.”

There he goes, Mr. Romantic.

“Okay, babe, I’ll just wait. I know you’re not going to tell me.”

“No, I’m not,” he agrees with a grin. “Let’s go start a fire, let Maximus out, and wait for Cassandra to wake up.”

I nod. We walk out and I open the back door for the dog and laugh as he pushes past me outside. He’s so cute. Every time Maximus sees the yard, he acts as if it’s completely new to him. I watch him roll in the grass and run circles around the palm trees as usual.

I feel Enzo standing behind me, watching our dog play. He kisses the top of my head and nuzzles his face in my hair. “You smell divine.”

Turning around, I loop my arms around his neck. “Thank you for everything today. I feel so special and cherished.”

“Well then, I have done my job. What song will you play for me on the piano?” he asks, winking.

I stop and think for a minute. It has been so long since I’ve played, but it’s a no-brainer really – I have to play my favorite song of all time.

“Moonlight Sonata,” I reply.

“Lovely. I can’t wait.”

“I hope I can still play it. It’s been so long.”

“You’ll do well. I’m sure of it.” He kisses my nose. “I have a sudden desire to take you back to bed, Mrs. Milano.”

“I’m not sure I have the strength for you again, just yet.” Laughing, I take a seat on the couch.

He sits alongside. “You need to eat. I’ll whip up a nice breakfast for all of us. Pancakes?”

“Yes, and some eggs and juice,” I decide. “Do we have any bacon?”

He laughs. “You’re sure you aren’t pregnant already? That’s quite an appetite you’ve got there.”

“I’ll remind you that I’ve always had an impressive appetite – for all things that please me.”

“Ah yes, I do remember well. I noticed on that first night at Milano. I was such a pompous ass that evening. It’s amazing you let me hang around.” He shakes his head.

I laugh. “You were, but it was very hot. I just wanted to be around you.”

“You did?” he asks, giving me that gorgeous, yummy smile I love so much.

“Yep, I knew even then that you had me.”

“I knew it too,” Enzo admits. “Halfway through dinner, it dawned on me that I wanted to know you. I actually had an interest in the things you were saying, and the way you spoke to me, challenging me. You were, and still are, so secure in yourself. It was a turn on, and I knew right away you were different and would have an impact on me. I could not have imagined in my wildest dreams that it would lead to all of this though.”

Ha! Secure in myself? Back then I was a mess.

“What are you thinking, amore?” he asks. “You have the most charming smirk on your face.”

“I’m glad I came across that way to you, and that you pursued me… or I pursued you. I’m not really sure how that worked. But, I’m happy it did.”

“Oh, my dear, Mrs. Milano, I most certainly was the pursuer in that equation. You merely allowed me to catch you. For a while I wasn’t sure you would.”

“Did you doubt my feelings for you?” I ask him.

“No. I doubted whether I was good enough for you, and if you would be willing to put up with the shit that goes along with my lifestyle. That’s a lot for most women to take.”

“Back then my resistance was about taking your money and becoming some kind of trophy, who just stood by you looking pretty, with no goals or direction of my own. I still worried about that until recently.”

“What changed?”

I guess I hadn’t really thought about that. Until now, I didn’t even realize it had changed.

“Mostly working with Checca,” I reply, “and realizing that I have a passion and interest in design. Also, just being around you more, and knowing that you hear me, listen to my feelings and value me as your equal. That is very important to me.”

Enzo leans over and plants a series of sweet kisses on my neck. “Meeting you and falling in love saved my life in so many ways. You are much more to me than you know. You are my anchor that keeps me grounded. What you think of me and how happy you are – those things guide me through my day,” he says. “You are much more than equal to me. You are the center of my world.”

“The Christmas spirit must be affecting you… you are mighty romantic this morning,” I reply, smiling. “More than usual even.”

“Could it be the effect of my beautiful wife unveiling a most precious gift this morning?” Enzo asks me.

“I’m glad I could give you this.”

“You’re the only one who can.”

We stare at each other for a moment. I want to throw Enzo down on this couch and kiss every inch of his body. My love causes a physical yearning deep inside me and my heart swells with joy. I want to devour him.