Merciful Vows: A Bittersweet Second Chance Romantic Suspense (The Giannotti World Book 1)

by Vanessa Luisa

  Our kids rush out of the car as I round Valencia’s side to help her out. The silk blindfold prevents her from seeing anything. It’s perfect. Her right hand laces with mine and Oscar rushes back to hold the other.

  Ah, the perfect chivalrous gentleman in training.

  My heart’s never raced this fast or felt this full. For the past six months, I’ve been directing the design of this home through my business with a contracted agent to sell, but with every single detail, I found myself architecturally customizing this house for my family. Our marriage was broken at the time, yet I made the leap and bought this house with the hope that if we were to fall back together…this would be our forever home.

  Away from the city.

  Away from the panic.

  Alone on our little island.

  “The suspense is killing me!”

  “It’s worth it, Mommy.”

  I guide her forward until we reach Slonne. “Okay…you can undo it now.”

  The blindfold is stripped with a loud gasp as a shocked Valencia stares up at our new contemporary home. “Oh. My. GOD!”

  “Welcome home, baby!”

  We step inside onto the white oak floors and soaring ceilings. The theme of white, Pietra gray, sleek black, and brushed gold are consistent through the elegant architectural design. White panel walls and polished rich finishes greet us. Her favorite pieces of artwork illuminate particular walls. Tempered glass pocket walls compliment the open plan style living area and aid our top of the line security alarms. Our home is complete with sophisticated imported Italian furnishings I personally custom designed.

  Excluding our master suite, there are five spacious bedrooms and four baths. Aside from our master bath, we have a sophisticated glossy charcoal tiled shower room with a ceiling mounted, brushed gold square rain head, a detachable showerhead, and three body spray jets.

  The home is three stories, each level with a full wrap-around balcony to complement the scenic views of Lake Washington and the mountains. The house is elevated and while the east wing leads to a large backyard with evergreen trees and mountain hemlocks, at the west end there is a different type of picturesque scenery with the clear blue water.

  It’s there by the expansive dark composite deck that reality really seems to sink in for Valencia.

  She looks at me with the biggest grin. “You’re joking, right?”

  “This is ours! Coming back together doesn’t only mean starting over again, it means starting off stronger. We even have our own makeshift ocean with Lake Washington for when times get tough. See? The water doesn’t have to represent the pain of the past, it can represent the calm tranquility of our future.”

  “I love the sound of that. This home is sensational!”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “YES!” Slonne and Oscar scream in unison, jumping up and down in pure joy. Their happiness means the world to me. They’re incredibly strong little renditions of us. “PLEASE SAY YES, MOMMY!”

  “Yes!” Lencia embraces me and that damn vanilla scent electrifies my body.

  “Happy Birthday, baby!”

  “Thank you. I cannot believe this is ours! Wow! Thank you so much, Giulio,” she whispers by my lips before sealing her appreciation with a sensual kiss. My already skyrocketing desire ruptures at her single touch. Mommy and Daddy definitely need some alone time, away from our children who watch us intently.

  I hope bearing witness to their parents falling back in love will always be something significant for them. I hope this teaches them that love can conquer anything. For now, I want to show Valencia something of her own first.

  I crouch down to Oscar and Slonne’s height with a smile. “Hey angels, why don’t you both check out the bedrooms again? They were pretty awesome!”

  They disappear in seconds.

  I chuckle at their new tendency to get along. The tragedies in these past few weeks have drawn them closer than ever before. The sibling rivalry is still there, but they know that in the end family is most important.

  Those gorgeous hazel eyes I love sparkle. “Hmmm, I know all your tactics. What exactly do you have planned, Mr. Giannotti?”

  “A celebration of your existence, but first, there is one more room I’d like to show you.” Without warning her, I scoop her into my arms and move through the house. Her sweet laughter is a cure for part of the remaining agony in my chest. The one that’s there for Addilyn.

  We’ll find her too.

  This house isn’t complete without her.

  In our office, there is a door that’s sealed off with a large ceiling to floor wall art. I set Lencia down and her jaw drops when I push on the frame, revealing a secret door.

  “Woah…Are you going all Mission Impossible on me now?”

  I lead her down the hallway to another secret door. “I’ll leave that up to you to decide.”

  “What’s in there?”

  I fail to keep a straight face. “Uh…no idea…”

  “Yeah, right! You lie, boy. You lie.”

  This is what I crave—our laugher. Our happiness. Us.

  A beaming Valencia tugs the door open. “Oh my god! You did not!”

  “Oh, yes I did!”

  It’s an art studio.

  A gray marble countertop runs down the center of the room. On the right side, printing machines and drying racks are stationed. Whitewood cabinetry with painting tools inside line the back walls separated with their own specific stations. Easels and canvases can be easily stored inside them too.

  What I love most about this studio, apart from the warm lights that give the room that moody ambiance I know she loves while painting, is the floor to ceiling window that looks out to the mesmerizing skies, mountains, and hemlock trees.

  We can’t be afraid of windows because of our traumatizing past, so this will be a simple way to learn to adapt and remember the beauty they can give—a mesmerizing view.

  I know Valencia hasn’t had the inspiration to return to her love of art between Addilyn and losing her job, but I want her to know that she has the choice to start again when the time is right.

  I used to love watching her eyes light up whenever a stroke of inspiration hit and her dedication to not rest until the artwork was perfect. To me, they were always flawless, even as initial sketches.

  “Oh, wow! This is perfect. You didn’t have to do this; it’s too much!”

  “You’re welcome, darling. Nothing is too much when it’s for you. Seeing as it’s Friday and Amanda returns to the office next week, I thought it would be a good idea if you had the chance of remaining tied to the company in some way. After all, you’ll always be a part of Notti Designs. I thought that if you truly want to let go of teaching and when that passion returns to your heart, perhaps you can have your own division at Notti Designs. You could create artwork for interior design clients and naturally your own independent clients too. You would receive the entire profit, plus a normal salary. Even if you don’t know now, the offer will always stand.”

  I want nothing more than for Valencia to be a part of Notti Designs permanently. To run the chance of seeing her for more hours of the day and collaborate with her on business projects.

  “That would be perfect. You’re spoiling me!”

  “I’m not spoiling, baby. I’m just giving you everything I can because you deserve the world.” I pick up a small canvas from the drying rack. “I painted something for you.”

  “Oh? This day just keeps getting better!”

  “Mmhmm, never doubt my artistic hands.”

  Valencia bites her lip. “I prefer those hands when they’re on me…”

  I arch a suggestive brow and smirk. “As an architect, I’m obligated to ask you the following question. You prefer my hands on what specific parts of you, Mrs. Giannotti?”

  “On everything, Mr. Giannotti.”

  Hell yeah, baby.

  “Well…it’s your birthday so be careful what you wish for, darling.” I come to a stop in front of her with the c
anvas behind my back. “Okay, promise you won’t laugh?”

  “Promise.”

  I haven’t even shown her the painting for a split second before she’s shaking with laughter. Blends of pink, red, and yellow spread across the top of my canvas, creating a dawn sky. I’ve also painted textured green hills, but I know for a fact that they’re not what has her so flustered. Holding hands on top of one of the hills are five stick figures. It’s supposed to be our family, however they’re stick figures and practically have no identifying features at all…yeah, not my proudest moment!

  Valencia points at what is supposed to be her and happy tears flow. “Oh my goodness! Why are we stick figures? I can’t get over the fact that the only thing differentiating me is the ponytail!”

  “You said you wouldn’t laugh!” I tease through my own laughter.

  “I’m so sorry, I can’t help it! This is gold! You’re supposed to be good at drawing!”

  “Darling, this was my third attempt!” Our bodies continue to rumble as I pull her closer to me. By the end of it, I’m wiping away both of our happy tears. “It’s a masterpiece, no?”

  “Hmm, I’m afraid you won’t be taking Monet’s crown anytime soon, Mr. Giannotti.”

  “Oh, what a shame!”

  Our banter brings back so much. It’s so refreshing to share moments with her like this.

  “Have mercy on me…” I playfully murmur against her pink, full lips. “For tonight I’ll show you all the other things my hands can do, baby.”

  Valencia

  I’m still in awe of Giulio’s surprise earlier today when I park in the driveway of our new home. I cannot believe it’s ours. I’ve been beaming ever since. This represents our fresh start. A better start. The home we’ll bring Addilyn to live happily in.

  I love everything about Mercer Island. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, the security and the fact it’s only a short fifteen-minute drive to the city. The grass is much greener for me on this side of Washington and not just metaphorically. Every single one of our neighbors has a blooming rose garden running up their drive with hopeful tinges of scarlet red.

  I prefer it here. I love the serenity, the privacy, and most importantly, the fact that the tight feeling isn’t in my chest anymore. It hasn’t been there ever since my life changed for the better. I’m a million percent devoted to the love of my life and my newfound self-confidence.

  Today, my last day at work, which is also subsequently my birthday, goes by so fast. I honestly enjoyed working with this team. Giulio is thoroughly blessed to have such passionate employees. Giulio not only blocked out our lunch hour schedule, but also Bryce’s, Kayla’s, Lance’s, and even Marcus’ for a joint birthday celebration at a nearby café.

  I would like to say that the relationship between us and Marcus is better, but it isn’t. There’s still tension due to everything that’s happened, but today’s my birthday and so we put it aside.

  Just as I set down my menu, Helena struts into the café grinning with killer heels and pledges she has plans for the rest of the afternoon with me before the kids get out of school. And so that’s how it goes. I have the most beautiful lunch surrounded by the people I adore before being whisked away with my sister.

  I never thought it would take me twenty-eight years to have an enzyme facial, but Helena’s peer pressure is worth it. The entire afternoon we spend pampering ourselves with chilled mimosas at the beauty spa and hair salon where blowouts and manicures are hot red on our list of must-dos.

  With everything that’s happened during the past seven months without Addilyn, neither Slonne nor Oscar have been interested in any extra circular activities. But now they’ve been wanting to try it out and so it’s better late than never, even if they did both miss the initial lessons.

  During our lunch, Giulio stated he would go personally to enquire about a later start at both the soccer club and dance studio before taking Oscar and Slonne to the final site visit he had for the day in Ballard. Then they would come home. This way, as Giulio claims, this entire birthday weekend is exclusively for discovering Mercer Island. His analytical mind has timed everything perfectly and when I offered to pick up the twins instead to save him from going up and down, he simply blew me a kiss and practically whisked me away into Helena’s arms.

  When I return home after my lovely afternoon with my sister, it’s just after three. I’m greeted by a man with an earpiece and holster in a dark suit just outside the front door.

  He extends his hand and we shake. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Giannotti. My name is Raj.”

  “Hi, Raj. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Raj goes on to explain that Giulio hired him and how he rotates eight-hour shifts with two other men, seven days a week. It’s far safer in this house with high end security.

  When I step inside and text Giulio a thank you, he replies with words that make my heart swell. A single rose is laid out on the kitchen counter, beside it is a flute of champagne, and a thin gold wrapped dark chocolate. I bring the chilled glass into the bedroom and take a sip of the bubbly livener. The suite is much brighter than our last with the northern sun brightening the dark, but it’s the large midnight blue box placed on the bed that sparks my interest. A card and a white rose rest next to it, alongside another box situated at the foot of the bed.

  I take the card on top of the larger box. It has swirls of vibrant crayons and my lips tug up at my children’s masterpiece. In the center, Giulio’s cursive handwriting reads; Happy Birthday to Our Hero!

  I open the card.

  HAPPY 28th BIRTHDAY AMORE MIO,

  Happy Birthday, Lencia! We hope you’re having a beautiful day! Always know that I will risk it all for you. Our journey this year hasn’t been one without grit, but it has led us to this point right here and for that I am grateful. I am grateful to have you by my side. I am grateful for our children. I am grateful for loving you with no boundaries and all of our beautiful merciful vows.

  I love you with all my heart. Here’s to your birthday and many more years to come! Here’s to all my infinite years with you. Darling, here’s to our whole lifetime together.

  Tonight it is for us. Us and the twins. These pieces are for you—we hope you like them!

  We love you and cannot wait to see you! Happy Birthday into infinity (and beyond!) P.S…We can always rely on our kids for the Toy Story reference, I was peer pressured I tell you, haha!

  Yours Always,

  Oscar, Slonne, Addilyn, and Giulio xx

  I chuckle even more at the last part.

  P.S.S You’re almost in my club! Can’t wait for you to be thirty and dirty with me in two years…not that we aren’t the latter already! HAHA, the kids are gone and so I’m just rambling. Ahem…can we kindly hide this from their existence? Thanks, darling! Ciao! ;)

  P.S.S.S Hi! Hey! Yes, I’m still here giddy about how much I love you. My heart can’t function without you. You’re my air. My cure. My everything. Ti amo tanto.

  I open the first box to the most beautiful cream silk dress. Its entire make is divine. A lacy white thong is underneath the dress and I bite my lip with a growing smirk. There is no bra accompanying Giulio’s gifts and so I take it as an indication not to wear one. The silver shimmering Jimmy Choo heels in the second box complement the dress further.

  My phone rings as I step out of the shower.

  “Happy birthday, sweetheart! Wow, I cannot believe it!”

  “Thank you, Mom. I really appreciate it!”

  “I’m so happy you’ve both settled everything! I know it’s still a long road ahead to get Addilyn back, but you’re both stronger together and that’s all that matters. Plus, that house is purely sensational!”

  Wait a minute.

  How did she know about the house?

  Well played, Giulio. Well played.

  “He hid the surprise well. Everybody knew except me!”

  She laughs joyfully “That’s the exact purpose of a surprise. You don’t know how glad I am you have each oth
er again. You complement each other in the best way.”

  My mother stating the very words I feel only reaffirms just how much Giulio and I both want this. “Mom?”

  “Yes, my love?”

  “I just want to say how grateful I am to have you and Dad in my life. Your unconditional love towards each other made me the woman I am today. Although at times I’m not perfect, I think I have found my rhythm. It’s important to me.”

  “I see you’re blooming now for the better. I’m so proud of you and love you so much.”

  “Love you too, Mama. Oh, is Dad back from Vienna? I tried calling and texting but it’s been switched off and I haven’t gotten a reply yet.”

  “The idiot lost his phone the other day and needed to get an emergency one. He has a new number, but it won’t be for long as he’ll be back next week. He’ll be sure to call you soon with these time zones. Such a typical move he’d make. I send him to Vienna to see his brother after so many years and he’s in such a hurry to sustain twin telepathy he loses his belongings. Talk about men driving us crazy!”

  I smile to myself. “But we love them for it in the end.”

  “That we do. Anyway, I’ll let you go. Enjoy your dinner!”

  “How do you know about that?”

  “Now, Valencia. Don’t be jealous of our mother and son-in-law relationship. I know more than you think. For example, what exactly he’ll do after dinner.” I gasp but before I can say another word the line goes dead with my mother’s laugh drawing a smile to my lips.

  There’s nothing like healthy family rivalry.

  Forty-five minutes later, I’m slipping on the Jimmy Choos when the front door clicks open. Little feet patter across the hall and burst inside the bedroom. I pull Slonne and Oscar close to me. “Hey lovelies, how was school?”

  “It was so good! I learned a new rhyme.” Slonne doesn’t even wait to proceed with it and I clap, swaying side to side and cheering her on.