by Joy, Melita
Leilani searched his face and knew that she could trust him on this but before she could respond, he turned towards the window. Taking a moment he faced her once again and with her hands captured in his grip and his voice a gravelly whisper he called her, “La mia bella farfalla,” his beautiful butterfly. “How could I ever expect you to trust me when I’ve allowed my integrity with you to become shattered? I need you to know how much I love you but how could you believe a word I say after all my lies and manipulations,” his eyes misted, and her heart squeezed.
“I believe you,” she said so softly that when he didn’t respond she raised her voice and spoke clearly. “I believe you, and I do trust you and did you just say you love me?” she asked laughing with tears spilling down her cheeks.
“I said it, and I’ll say it many more times in our life if you allow me to stay married to you,” he smiled at her. “I can’t believe that you would trust me after all that I’ve done,” he looked in awe. “How can you forgive me?” he asked.
“There is nothing to forgive. When all is said and done, there were so many reasons for each of us to behave the way we did. Even I can’t claim to be entirely innocent. When you first pushed me into marriage, I thought that the money would help me in my efforts to find my real dad. So I guess even I am not above reproach,” she admitted.
Renato picked her up and whirled her around. “I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he yelled loudly dropping her down almost to the ground before kissing her thoroughly.
Leilani reciprocated with every fibre of her being. She had finally found her home; she had found where she belonged.
EPILOGUE
A month later…
Leilani looked around the table at her wonderful if slightly unorthodox family. Her mother whom she’d very emotionally reconnected with sat across from Leilani and was seated next to Vittorio. The man could be a little frightening to some, but she knew better. He was deep down a softy and empowered with that knowledge, she could no longer take his bark seriously.
She had thanked him profusely for all that he’d done for her over the years. It didn’t matter to her that the money, the letter nor the presents had reached her. It was the thought that had honestly counted and knowing that he had gone to that effort for her meant everything. She had kissed him on his cheeks and flung her arms around him, embracing him in a hug to make up for all the missed years.
“You may not have been my real father, but you have shown me more love than any other supposed father I’ve had,” she stated sincerely. He’d gruffly accepted and promptly told her to quit her carry on about it.
To her right, pouring champagne for Rosa, Vittorio and himself was the love of her life, her adoring and much-adored husband. “I’m sorry, but sparkling apple juice will have to do for you,” he laughed.
She had given him a mock grimace before he proposed a toast. “I have something I’d like to say,” he stated somberly.
Renato had all of their attention before beginning. “I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge my amazing wife,” he started. “As you are all aware, none more so than you, my sweetheart,” he gazed directly at her. “I began our relationship, well pretty poorly,” he openly admitted. “But you generously forgave not only me but I hope I can speak for all of us?” at Rosa and Vittorio’s nod. “You opened your heart to all of us here and allowed us to be your family.”
Tears were welling in her eyes at her husband’s beautiful, heartfelt words. “But Leilani it is us who are privileged to be allowed into your world. You show us daily how much you care, all the little things you do. We don’t want you to think that any of it goes unnoticed. Most women can talk the ear off a cob of corn,” they all laughed, “But you my sweet, you listen, you understand and you support and we don’t take that for granted. Now I could go on all day,” he proposed.
“Please have mercy on us,” Rosa laughed, beaming with pride at the both of them.
“Fine I will just say this. Leilani, I know we had an unconventional start to our marriage. However, I promise you this, I will never intentionally hurt you or let you down. I will be faithful all of my days and I will love you eternally,” he declared. “Oh and finally, I will love our baby and all future children to come,” he shouted proudly.
Leilani embraced her husband, and they kissed each other with genuine love.
“Break it up,” Vittorio demanded but his smile gave away his joy in the couple.
“I love you so much,” she stated simply. Her eyes shining with happiness she turned to the dinner that was being placed before them all.
“I’m so proud of the two of you,” Rosa stated a catch in her voice.
“It’s alright mum; I love you, and I’m so glad you are here,” she knew her mum still felt raw. It had been a great shock to find out that her husband of so many years had been a liar, a gambler and a thief. They hadn’t decided to press charges, but Rosa had up and left him.
Renato had been incredibly supportive and offered her a place in his home. “You are family,” he had comforted her mother. However, it turned out that she didn’t need the accommodation for long.
Leilani watched as her mother fussed over Vittorio during the meal. Their love had never actually died; the embers just needed a puff of oxygen to breathe life into flames.
“All this talk of love,” Vittorio was gruff. “You’ve turned my boy soft,” he declared.
“I hardly think so,” Leilani winked at her husband.
“Ha, that’s what you think,” Vittorio chose not to pay attention to her naughty wit. “You should have seen him when I got to him in the hospital before you arrived,” he revealed. “I thought he must be delusional, declaring his love for you and babbling about how you would never forgive him. The highlight though was him telling me to stuff the business where the sun doesn’t shine,” he roared with laughter.
“What, I haven’t heard this story. I thought there were no secrets,” she smiled. “Tell me everything,” she demanded.
“Renato was prepared to give everything up to convince you to be with him. He thought he needed to show you that he was willing to give it all up to prove his love for you,” the old man shook his head before continuing. “I may be a little set in my ways,” he admitted and they all laughed at the understatement.
“All right I’m set in my ways,” he went along with them. “I just wanted to say that son; I’m proud of you. You took a stand for what meant the most to you, and you demonstrated your love for your wife undisputedly,” he raised his glass towards Renato.
“Rosa,” he turned towards her mother. “I should have had the guts to follow through and claim you as my wife years ago,” her mother teared up and Vittorio pushed his chair back and stood up. “I’d get on one knee, but it’s a bit risky at my age,” he joked. Then more seriously, “Rosa I may not have all the romantic words of these young ones but I want to say this,” he paused and held her mother’s gaze. “I love you Rosa and I always have from the moment I first walked into the bakery in town and found you working behind the counter. You were a sassy young thing, and you developed into a fine, strong woman. I should never have dangled you along like I did, and it was my weakness and fear of failing that stopped me.
You’ve come back into my life, and it’s a second chance that I don’t deserve, but I’ll ask. Marry me, Rosa, my heart has always been yours,” he declared.
Her mother jumped up, “I used to dream of you saying those words to me and for years even after I married I would still fantasize. Yes, the answer is yes,” they hugged and kissed.
Renato topped up the champagne glasses it was a day to celebrate.
Not long after dinner Vittorio and Rosa took their leave and Renato and Leilani retired to their room. “I can’t believe how everything has turned out,” Leilani felt more content than ever.
“We have all been blessed,” Renato agreed. “Vittorio’s health has improved, and I’ve never seen him happier,” he stated.
“Is it true yo
u were prepared to give up the business? What on earth would you have done without it?” she couldn’t even imagine him without it.
“It’s true and if you were to tell me to give it up now or to give you up I’d choose you in a heartbeat,” he declared. “The old saying is true; all the money in the world can’t buy happiness. Just take a look at Vittorio, he is living proof of it,” Renato verified.
“He sure does look a lot happier these days,” she agreed. “Well, you needn’t worry I would never make that demand of you. You’ve put your life into the business, both of you have, and I’m proud of all you’ve achieved,” she declared.
“As I’m proud of you, without you I doubt we’d have ever cracked that deal. I’m still in awe of how you handled all of us at the business dinner,” he reminded her.
“I was shaking in my boots,” she admitted. “He was a grouch and a half. Luckily enough he appreciated my interest in providing good service in my previous roles and a conversation was struck,” she secretly felt proud that she had been able to help her husband secure the deal.
“Well no more talk about other men,” he feigned jealousy. He kissed her gently clearly wanting to make love but hesitant.
“Are you worried about the baby,” they’d only had it confirmed that morning.
“I never want to do anything that hurts either of you,” he was so serious and she loved him for it.
“I know and with you to protect us both we couldn’t be more loved,” she took the lead and they made love slowly and sensually.
Six months later…
“Renato, it’s time,” she yelled.
Understanding her meaning, he ran into the room. “I’ll call a doctor,” he looked panicked.
“No, it’s fine. We will go to the hospital as planned,” she stated. She clutched her extended stomach and remembered her breathing instructions. The contraction slowly subsided as the look of alarm increased on Renato’s face.
They got into the car, “Wait I forgot my bag,” she exclaimed.
“I’ll get it later,” not wanting any further delays he started the engine immediately.
Two hours later they were the proud parents of a beautiful baby girl, Emilia Giada Favalli.
Holding his baby girl with pride and wrapped in her soft pink blanket Renato placed her into Leilani’s arms. “She’s adorable,” Leilani stated quietly, the pain of the birth already a distant memory.
“You are both beautiful,” Renato declared and hugged them both he knew that he would always treasure and love his precious family.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
An emerging author, Melita Joy has published The Perfect Date and His Discarded Bride. Her next release will be Gisella, due out in December 2015. Melita has a passion for the romance genre which she was introduced to during her early teens. Melita would read up to four Mills and Boons books per day, never tiring of a unique happy ending.
Melita also has a wonderful family whom she is very proud of. She met the love of her life, in 2012 and married him within a year of meeting. Between them, they have three daughters and three sons, all adults. With the children all grown up, Melita now has time to do what she loves best – write.
If there is one thing, Melita enjoys as much as writing it would be talking. So please like and visit her Facebook page and engage her in a conversation. She would love to hear from you.
https://www.facebook.com/melitajoy.australia
THE PERFECT DATE: IN-STORE NOW
Gisella: in-store December 2015
