Chapter Eleven
Libby’s heart thumped nervously as she waited in the Arrivals lounge at Heathrow. Luca’s flight had landed forty minutes ago. He would be walking through the door any minute now. Her palms were sweaty and her throat felt dry. It was the evening before her twelve-week scan and, as promised, Luca had flown over to support her. Libby had come straight to the airport from work to meet his flight. She was suddenly terrified that it would be awkward between them; that she wouldn’t know what to say, that she would be self-conscious. She looked down at her stomach, skimmed over by a loose grey top. Would he notice that it had grown? She drummed her fingers on the railing. Suddenly she saw a familiar face pushing a trolley laden with suitcases through the crowds. Her heart skipped several beats and she broke into an enormous grin, pushing her way around to the opening in the barrier and calling out his name.
‘Libby!’ he shouted, rushing towards her. He abandoned his trolley and wrapped her in a huge hug, covering her neck, her cheeks, and finally her lips in kisses before pushing her away to look at her, then hugging her once more.
‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he said, gazing adoringly into her eyes. He was even more handsome than she remembered; his eyes shone and his beautiful smile stretched across his face from ear to ear.
‘I’ve missed you too,’ she said. ‘I can’t believe you are actually here.’
He put his hand on her belly and said, ‘I’m here for both of you, Libby. And I’m not going anywhere. I promise you.’ It took her a few seconds to realise what he was saying. She looked at the trolley and realised that, rather than a weekend’s carry-on, he had two enormous suitcases with him.
‘Do you mean you are staying? For longer than the weekend!’ She could barely believe it might be true.
‘Exactly. I’ve told Floriana – it’s nearly the end of the season and she is happy to let me finish a bit early. My work for Prospero can mostly be done from home and I can always fly over if I have any meetings that can’t be done via Skype. I will look for more work in London. If that’s what you want?’ He suddenly looked worried, as if perhaps he had presumed too much.
‘Luca, are you crazy? Ofcoursethat’s what I want! I can’t believe you would do that for me… What about your family, have you told them?’
‘I told them last night. They were more than a little shocked, I must say, but they definitely approve of my being here by your side.’
‘Oh my goodness. I just can’t believe it. Thank you! God, I hope you like it here. I hope you like the flat! I have a spare set of keys so that’s going to be fine.’ Libby wittered on nervously, thinking aloud as she adjusted her train of thought to this change of events. They got a taxi back into London with all Luca’s stuff, and she let him into her flat.
Picking up a letter that was lying on her doorstep as he came in he read, ‘Forty-four Lansdown Road. My new address, I’d better get used to it!’
‘Yes, you are now an official resident of Shepherd’s Bush.’
She showed Luca around. There wasn’t much to see: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and separate sitting room with a small dining table. There was also a tiny spare room which her mum used when she came to stay.
‘So this would be the nursery, I guess?’ Luca asked.
‘I think so. Though we might have to get rid of the bed or there won’t be any room for a cot and stuff. But we’ve got plenty of time to figure all that out.’ Luca hung his coat on the back of the door. Libby felt so nervous she didn’t know what to do with herself. If she could have drunk, she would have necked a glass of wine to still her nerves, but she couldn’t even do that. Luca, on the other hand, appeared not to have a care in the world. He seemed completely at ease in his new surroundings and in her company. He turned around, listening to her nervous chatter. Smiling, he crossed the room towards her and silenced her mid-sentence with a kiss. Her heart was beating so loudly that each beat echoed in her ears like a rhythmic drum. She thanked god that her morning sickness was over. A week ago she would not have been in the mood for this, but Luca’s kisses were having a forceful impact on her libido.
Slowly, Luca undressed her, one item of clothing at a time. She had put the radio on after arriving home and the room was filled with music. He took his time, caressing her softly and kissing her over and over again. Every touch sent a thrill though her body, small electric shocks that drove her into a frenzy of longing. He pressed himself against her and pulled her towards him. He muttered endearments into her ear. He picked her up as though she weighed next to nothing and carried her into the bedroom, closing the door behind them, determined to remind her just what she had been missing since they had been apart.
Libby was relieved that he had come to London; it felt good to have him with her. She realised a part of her had been unsure whether he would turn up. Now, they sat at the table in candlelight and talked and talked late into the night. She was suddenly excited beyond recognition that he was here to stay. This meant that they had a real shot, a real chance to be a family when the baby arrived. It was more than she could have dared hope. This amazing guy, this handsome, kind and sensitive man wasn’t going to leave her to cope alone. He was there by her side and he would be there every step of the way. It made her realise just how much she had been dreading facing it all by herself. Even if their relationship had worked out long-distance, what would have happened when the baby arrived? You could hardly have a family straddled across the continent. They fell asleep, as they had done on their last night together in Positano, wrapped in each other’s arms.
The next day was the day of the scan. Libby had to go into work in the morning. The scan was at four o’clock and she gave Luca instructions, choosing to meet at the closest Tube and walk to the hospital together rather than leaving him to his own devices. The Tube would be confusing enough for him. He had barely left Italy before, except for the odd family holiday when he was young. He was the opposite of Libby in terms of how much he had travelled, and again she wondered just how well he would cope with life in London. Reluctantly she tore herself away from bed and got dressed.
‘My god you look sexy in your work clothes,’ he said. ‘I loved beach Libby too, of course, but this is a whole new you.’
‘Well I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be fitting into my old outfits, so enjoy them while you can,’ she laughed. She blew him a kiss as she shut the bedroom door behind her. It was so nice having someone in her apartment again. It had felt so empty without a man around since she had broken up with her ex. She wasn’t used to living completely alone and was glad to have someone to share her home with once again.
After a busy day in the office, she made her excuses, explaining that she had an unavoidable medical appointment. She was relieved to see Luca at the exact location she had written down for him when she emerged from the underground, looking very cool as he lounged against the wall, staring down at his mobile phone. His good looks were rewarded by several admiring glances from women passing by. Luckily he seemed oblivious as he scanned the crowd for Libby. Catching a glimpse of her, he smiled. Her heart melted at the sight of his dimples.
‘Ciao bella.’ They had slipped into an easy mix of Italian and English. He would have to be using English a lot now that he was to be based in London, and her Italian had improved so much over the summer she felt confident about sliding between the two now she was home.
‘I’m so nervous,’ Libby said, clutching on to his hand.
He leant across and kissed her on the cheek. ‘Me too. I’m sure it’ll be fine, though. Think of all the millions of babies that are born each year, perfectly healthy.’
‘Yes, that’s true. For every horror story there are hundreds of happy endings.’
‘Exactly.’
After a short wait in the waiting room they were collected by the sonographer and led to a small room. She invited Libby to lie down on the bed. Luca sat on the chair by her side.
‘Is this your first pregnancy?’ the sonographer asked. She was a smiley lady with rosy, round cheeks.
‘Yes it is. I’m terrified,’ Libby told her frankly.
