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We took Stella up on her offer. She and Amanda were going to have a girl’s night, and I was going out with my husband. Nathan owns a Maserati Ghibli and let me tell you, it’s the smoothest ride I’ve ever taken. Once I conceded to us going out, he made some phone calls and about two hours later here we are.
“Where are we going, Nathan?”
“My favorite restaurant. I want to start to show you some things that are me. I want us to get to know everything there is to know about each other. So I thought first things first, favorite food.”
“Food is always a great way to start.” I say.
“I’ve always loved Italian. My grandparents had a housekeeper who was from Italy. I loved going over there when I was young and watching her make everything from scratch. It amazed me what just a few ingredients could create. So little would go into her homemade pasta, but it was like heaven in my mouth.”
“I love Italian. My mother never allowed pasta. She didn’t want it to land on my hips. We were more meat and potatoes. More meat than anything else I guess. My father being a rancher he would actually have the family’s steer slaughtered and sent up here. We never bought beef from the store.”
“Do you still do that?”
“Me, yes. It’s one of the spoils of having ranchers in the family. But my mother, no. She never cooks so she had it stopped once my father passed.”
I feel the car stop, and I look up to see a sign for the restaurant, ‘Peasant’. Interesting.
“Hold on, sweet girl. It looks like we have company. Stay in the car until I get you out.” I look around and see reporters standing with their cameras ready. There’s no way we’re going to be able to get into the restaurant without getting bombarded. I look down and check my outfit. I’m wearing a rose pink pleated A-line skirt with a cream strapless top. I’ve coupled it with a pair of nude pumps and a chunky necklace. Nathan looks great in a pair of dark jeans and white button-up long sleeve shirt. Seeing Nathan at my door, I take a deep breath. The door opens and the bright lights of constant flashing blind me momentarily. “I’ve got you, love. Keep a hold of my hand and don’t let go.”
“Never,” I say with a smile. Once I’m out of the car, the questions are nonstop.
“Nathan, is this your new wife?” Well duh.
“Is it true that your union was a dare?” Ha, that’s funny.
“Is it true your father wants to out you from your mother’s company because of your mental instability?” That one isn’t farfetched. Marrying me actually makes him mentally unstable.
“Where are your daughters’ tonight while you’re out on the town?” None of your damn business.
“Do you care for your kids yourself or do you have hired help?” Really, please!
“Mrs. Whitmore, is it true your mother is against this marriage and is threatening to team up with your ex-husband to take your children away?” Fat chance, buddy.
“Nathan, how is your fiancée taking the news of your wife?” At that question, I whip my head around. I can’t tell who it was that spoke, but I know it was a woman’s voice.
Nathan leans down and whispers. “Don’t even allow that thought to cross your mind, baby. There’s no way I’ve ever been engaged.” I nod, and we make our way through the crowd without so much as acknowledging the vultures that are feasting on our marriage.
Once the doors close, the silence overtakes me, calming my nerves. I stand there with my eyes closed and feel Nathan’s hands come up to my cheeks. “Laney, I love you. I want you to always remember that fact. My love will never waiver, and I hope you feel just as strongly for me as I do for you.”
I look into his eyes. “I love you too, Nathan. My heart and my future are yours. I will never doubt how you feel for me.”
“And for the girls.” I nod.
“And for the girls.”
“Good, now let’s go eat.”
The restaurant is amazing, so authentic looking, it’s like we stepped into a small Tuscan town. “This is beautiful.”
“You’ve never been here?”
“No, I haven’t. I can’t believe I never knew about this place.”
“Well, baby you know about it now.” He takes my hand to his mouth and places a kiss to my knuckles.
As we are walk to our table, I’m able to take in my surroundings. There are bricks and stone throughout with low lights and a busy wait staff. The stone ovens align the kitchen with flames roaring as the chefs create masterpieces. The aroma makes my mouth water; the garlic is so intense. The tables are adorned with multi-sized candleholders. It’s absolutely beautiful. “Here’s your table, sir, miss.” We both take a seat at the small intimate table.
“You look beautiful tonight, love.” I feel my cheeks heat.
“Thank you.” He reaches out, and I take his hand. He spins my ring on my finger.
“Are you all right? Are you okay with everything that’s going on?”
“I’m good. A bit overwhelmed with everything. I’m worried about Addie and her leg. I don’t want anything to hold her back. I don’t want her to struggle with life. Amanda already has her speech issues, and now Addie may have growth problems. I just want the best for my girls.”
“You will have everything you need, and the girls will have everything they want. If they need anything to make sure their life is easy, then we’ll make that happen. You don’t have to worry about the girls. I’ll make it my life’s mission to make sure that you’re all taken care of.”
“I don’t need that, Nathan. You know that.”
“I know you don’t, I’m just letting you know.” He looks down at our joined hands and back at me. “I never thought there would come a time when I wanted to be married, to have a family. The moment I saw you, everything hit me at once. The need to have the life I never knew I wanted. I want to do everything I can to make sure I’m worthy of your love. I want to show the girls that I’m a man of my word. That no matter what it is I may say or tell them, I’ll always follow through with it.”
“I believe that, Nathan. I don’t think you’ll ever give me a reason to think otherwise. You’re a man of your word. I can see your determination and conviction; I will never doubt that.”
“Are you alright about moving in with me? I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable or pressured into anything. I want to be there for you and the girls. I want you to realize that I always want to be there for you and the girls.”
