Chapter 28

Gabriele

I nervously rubbed my hands together as I started making lunch for Luca and I. Heather was still sleeping.

I left her to sleep in because I know she needs the rest. When she said that she needed a break from this and that she's leaving after graduation I had churning in my gut. I wanted to surprise her today since my room surprise was a complete disaster.

"When is Heather getting her surprise today, daddy?"

"Later this afternoon let's hope she'll like it."

On queue, Heather walked into the kitchen.

"How late is it?" She looked outside and a frown was etched on her forehead.

" Lunchtime." I gestured to the plate I was filling with an Italian dish named Minestra di faglio, a well-known soup.

"Why did you leave me to sleep in?" She scowled. Luca laughed at me as I made a face that could only mean that I had no answer.

I placed the plates in front of Luca and her. The table was eerily silent since I was trying my best to keep the secret a secret and Luca was pursing his lips together because he was going to let it slip and I told him I'd make him eat his grandma's disgusting liver and broccoli soup if he did. Parenting at its best.

Not that I'd do that to my only son (it was the worst tasting dish ever but my mother believed that it helps you stay healthy).

She looked at us strangely but shrugged and kept herself occupied with her soup. I knew she felt off and not talking to her was making it worse but the secret was on the tip of my tongue. After lunch Heather excused herself and Luca eyed me sadly.

"Daddy,  I don't like seeing Heather sad like that."

"Let's hope this surprise helps with that, the other people are going to come to the front at Uncle Stanza's house. Buddy, you have to make sure they keep quiet and that I get Heather out of here before your uncle starts setting up." He nodded and rushed out of the house. I know it was a lot to ask for a five-year-old and that he forgets most of it anyway but Stanza would be there doing everything. It was just to keep him busy.

I went upstairs to Heather. She was sitting on the bed with her head in her hands.

I stopped in front of her kneeling down. I took her hands away from her face. My hands were trembling knowing I was most likely the reason why she was crying.

"Darling."

She looked at me and her green eyes gleamed in hopelessness.

She said nothing. I took her hands in mine.

"I'm sorry."

"I can understand why you're mad at me." She muttered softly.

"I'm not, not at all. You know the other surprise I talked about...well I'm trying to keep it a surprise that's why I didn't want to say anything." I omitted.

"Come on, let's go out." She grabbed her shoes and bag after she got dressed.

"Where's Luca?" She looked around starting to panic.

"He's visiting his uncle and aunt" We got into the car and I drove her to a market nearby, she perked up as we walked around hand in hand. I haven't told her that I lied about having work to do here, I had none but I couldn't tell her what I was planning upfront. I think she has already figured it out.

We bought a few things for the house, and I bought a piece of Italian leather for a project of mine. She looked so happy, and we talked about things that we saw. I was still very anxious.

I was getting more anxious when it was the right time to go home. I drove home and I swallowed hard a few times. Heather placed her hand on mine, she looked at me comfortingly and I eased back into my seat. I've been having so many doubts about us because the last time I loved someone they just gave up and threw my love back at me. The drive to Stanza's house was pitch black just like I planned. I still had the envelope Tristen gave me, one written by his father.

I couldn't ask her father face-to-face because he was out of the country and Tristen asked him to join him because he needed help with a client and his father knew the tricks of the trade so unfortunately, I had to ask him through Tristen. Even after he gave me the answer I made sure to call him and ask again because I wanted to make absolutely sure I was in the clear.

I hope my plan works out, even if it didn't it's too late to go back now after everything.

I opened the door to the house, switching on the lights.

"I wonder where Stanza and Luca are," I said loudly acting dumb.

"I think he is still at Stanza," I noted

Heather agreed that she'll go and find him after she sets down her handbag in the room. A few seconds later after she went into our room I heard a gasp and that was my queue. I opened the door and she held up the fine black lace long dress.

"Where did this come from?"

" Oh, wouldn't you like to know, go put it on its part of the surprise."  She didn't fight me and went to change. I grabbed my tux that was hidden in the closet downstairs and dressed as quickly as possible making sure that my bow tie was straight. She was still busy straightening her hair from what I heard when I was done dressing. A dab of aftershave and I was waiting by the door for her to finish. While I waited I let Tristen and my aunt know we were coming down in five minutes.

The door opened slowly, she stepped out without shoes on in her gorgeous black dress with her brown hair which was loosely hanging down. She looked so sexy without makeup and sexy clothes so you can imagine what restraint I had to have.

She stopped at the door and eyed me up and down settling on my face, she bit her lip harshly and walked to the closet to get her shoes. I knew exactly what that face meant.

"Miss Jackson, don't look at me like that, we can't do that now. I don't have a tie on." She grunted and playfully hit me on the shoulder.

"You were the one undressing me with your eyes first. I don't need a tie I have a black lace belt." She whispered the last part against the edge of my ear. She clearly knows what she's doing to me. I regained my composure and walked with Heather down the stairs. Rather than turning to my car I walked in the other direction.

She didn't ask where we were going, the path was nestled between trees and roses. The glow of the fairy lights was becoming brighter as we got nearer.

Finally, I saw the center of the garden away from the houses, it was a twirl of roses and lavender bushes that surrounded the paved circle and the arch in the middle. Heather gasped when she saw her and my family standing there, all dressed up. It's a miracle that my loud Italian family kept quiet and Luca wasn't running around crazily.

"Why is everybody here? What's going on?" She asked nervously. I led her to the middle circle with everybody surrounding us. Tristen and little Maya even Nichola, her parents and mine and of course my grandparents were there.

"I'm going to give you something and after you answer me please know that we can wait however long you want." I took a deep breath remembering the last time I did this.

I kneeled down onto one knee. Heather covered her mouth in shock.

"My dear Heather, in this past couple of months I've known you I've come to love you so much. I can't imagine not having you by my side. I know in the beginning we never expected this to happen and we had to get through a few obstacles that only made our love stronger."

"Heather Jackson, will you be my wife and of course Luca's mother." A tear trickled down her cheek when Luca kneeled down exactly as I was beside me giving me the ring I got from my grandmother about a month after our first kiss.

She nodded and gave me her hand. I placed the ring on her ring finger and kissed it letting go of her. Everybody cheered loudly. Our mothers were both crying and our fathers soothing them.

I picked her up swinging her around kissing her passionately.

"I love you." I breathed as I held her.

"I love you." I let go of Heather and Luca tugged at her dress.

"Can I call you mommy now?" He asked exasperatedly.

"Yes, you can."

In Stanza's house, there was a feast spread out so that we could have a good old fashioned family dinner. Our parents have met already so they knew each other. We chatted as the dinner was served and Heather was beaming with happiness. I still knew she needed a break from all of this for a while but she promised she'd be back. I gave her my grandmother's ring because I knew that she needs to know how much I love her.

Heather took Maya in her arms and cooed at the little girl. Tristen has luckily survived the first three months with a baby. Heather kissed her and rocked her back and forth.

She's my everything. Luca loved her, I love her so much.