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After she disappeared, Valentino slid his phone from his jacket pocket. He began texting on it, but I did not snoop or bother him. I reached over, opening the shade on the window. Peering out, I watched as the jet started to move forward slowly and take a right turn.
Ciao Mamma. We’re going to be unavailable for dinner tomorrow, sorry.
I whirled my head around to see him on his phone.
Yes, she’s right here. Taking her to Italy.
Sì. I’ll let you know.
Sì. He moved the phone back from him ear. “My mother says hello.”
“Hi Mrs. Gre…I mean, Giulia.”
Okay mamma, I have to go. We’re about to depart.
Ciao. He turned his phone off and slipped it back into his jacket with a satisfied grin. “She always knows when you’re next to me because I speak English.”
“Um dinner—”
He rolled his eyes. “I know. I forgot we were supposed to have dinner with my parents tomorrow.”
“I didn’t even know they were in New York right now.”
He sighed. “They’re in town for an event.”
I scrunched my face, covering my mouth. “Ew?”
“Notmyevent.” He chuckled. “That would be revolting.”
I managed to stay awake during the majority of the nine-hour flight. Valentino and I spent a lot of time discussing the wedding and the baby. I was happy how well he had taken the news of my pregnancy. When he discussed the baby, he became an instant proud father. We threw names back and forth but could never decide on one. Nothing seemed perfect enough for our child.
We touched down in Rome around 2:00 a.m. By that time, I was exhausted as it was late in the evening back home as well. As we stepped off the plane, Valentino greeted several people in Italian and placed his hand in mine, guiding me to the waiting car. It was parked between two others.
Instead of exiting the car, the driver stayed inside. Valentino opened the back passenger door for me. I slid in and he closed it. He, Joseph, and Noah had a private conversation just outside the car. The driver kept peeking back in the mirror at me. I finally decided to greet him.
“Buon…buona…ugh.”
The man tittered. “I speak English, and good evening to you, or morning depending how you look at it.”
Just and I opened my mouth to respond, Valentino opened the other back door and slid in. Joseph got in the front. Both clicked their seatbelts at same time.
“Where’s Noah?”
“He’s riding up there.” He lifted his chin to the SUV in front of us.
Soon, we followed the vehicle Noah was in with the other pursuing us. I tried hard to keep my eyes open, but it was nearly impossible. We rode passed many landmarks I would have loved to have taken photos of, but it was late.
My heavy eyelids lost their battle. I began to drift off to sleep less than twenty minutes into the car ride. The soothing Italian music playing softly through the car speakers was enough to finish me off.
“Isabelle.” Valentino whispered in my ear.
I cracked my eyes open, shifting in my seat and sitting up straighter. My eyes widened as they fell onto a Tuscan style palace. It was three times bigger than the estate back in New York. The car pulled into the front gate, revealing a marvelous entrance with Mediterranean decor and foliage surrounding the drive, framing the grand entrance.
“No freaking way.” I snapped my gaze toward Valentino. “How?”
“Welcome to where I grew up.”
Italia
