by Day Leclaire
She instantly realized she’d said the wrong thing. His expression closed over, growing cool and remote. “Put the earrings on,” he requested in a clipped voice. “And the garter, too.”
Not wanting to argue with him, after all the trouble he’d gone to, she accepted his gifts. Turning her back to him, she slipped on the garter, then the earrings. “I’m ready,” she finally said, and faced him.
He took her hand in his. “Let’s go.”
She stared at their joined fingers. Was he afraid she’d cut and run if he didn’t hang on to her? Given half the chance, she just might. She looked up at him, searching his face for a hint of his innermost thoughts. He returned her look, his golden eyes glittering with determination. But love? If he felt it, it wasn’t apparent. Defeated, she dropped her gaze and walked with him into the living room.
Her father waited in front of the picture windows. When he saw her, an expression of pride and tenderness leapt to his face. He crossed to her side and Luc released her arm, stepping back.
“You look beautiful,” Reverend Barnes murmured. Gathering her close, he whispered, “Are you certain, Grace? This is what you truly want?”
“Yes, Dad, it is,” she responded quietly. “I want it with all my heart.”
“Then I’m happy.” He held her tight for an extra moment before setting her free.
Alessandro stood close by, Toni in his arms. As soon as Reverend Barnes returned to his stance by the windows, Alessandro took his place and dropped a kiss on Grace’s cheek. “Welcome to the family,” he said with a warm smile.
“Thank you.”
Luc picked up a huge bouquet of pure white tea roses and handed them to her without a word. More moved than she could possibly express, she didn’t resist when he cupped her elbow and drew her to stand in front of her father.
“Shall we begin?” Reverend Barnes asked, giving Grace a final searching look.
She nodded, careful not to allow her doubts to showr — “I’m ready,” she said.
“Very well, we’ll begin.” He settled his bifocals on the end of his nose. “Dearly beloved —”
The banging at the door drowned out his words. With a murmured excuse, Alessandro practically ran to throw it open. “What are you guys doing here?” he demanded in exaggerated surprise.
Rocco shoved past his brother. “You told us to haul tail over here or we’d live to regret it. What’s going on?” Stef and Marc piled in after him.
“Yeah. What’s going on?” they chorused.
The three stopped dead in the entrance to the living room, their mouths dropping open. Marc recovered first. “You’re getting married?”
“Without inviting us?”Stef followed up.
Luc glared at Alessandro, his look promising retribution. “Yes, I’m getting married. If you want to witness it, stand next to Alessandro and be quiet.”
“Give me Toni,” Marc told Alessandro.
“No, I want to hold her,” Rocco said.
“I’m holding her.”
Luc thrust a hand through his hair. “I want you four to shut up or you’ie out of here! “ He took a deep breath, then said, “Please continue, Reverend Barnes. I’m sorry for the interruption.”
“Go ahead, Dad,” Grace urged.
The minister glanced uncertainly at the four Salvatore brothers. “All right. Now, where was I? Oh, yes. Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here today to join this man and woman in the state of holy matrimony, a state not to be entered into lightly.” He focused a stem gaze on Luc and Grace, then his brow wrinkled in concern. “Why didn’t you invite your brothers?”
Luc gritted his teeth. “Because they don’t know how to behave in public. Proceed. Please.”
Toni let out a loud wail. “Uh-oh,” Alessandro interrupted. “Can we take five for a diaper change?”
“No!”
“Luc, be reasonable,” Grace murmured. “Go ahead, Alessandro. Marc, mix up a bottle — just in case.”
Luc turned on her. “You know full well that if you fill up the one end it comes out the other,” he argued. “Marc, no bottle.”
“Never mind, Marc,” Grace said, exasperated. “I’ll get the bottle.”
Five minutes later, they gathered once again in the living room. Toni was cradled in Rocco’s arms, cooing happily. Marc held the bottle, ready to insert it at the first squawk. Luc’s face had settled into grim lines.
“Are we set?” he asked the room at large. “Any other comments, criticisms or concerns?” No one said a word. He nodded in satisfaction. “Then, we can begin.” Reverend Barnes cleared his throat. “Let’s see … Dearly beloved —”
“We did that part already,” Luc bit out. “We’re currently in a state we shouldn’t enter lightly.”
“Amen to that,” Reverend Barnes muttered.
Grace tightened her hold on Luc’s arms. “Dad. Please!”
“Perhaps if we skipped to the crucial bits?” Luc suggested.
Reverend Barnes glanced uncertainly at Grace. “You don’t object?”
“No, Dad. I don’t.”
“Very well. I must say, this is highly unusual, but if you both agree, I guess it’s all right. Let’s see … Oh, right. Do you, Luciano Salvatore, promise to love, honor and cherish this woman?”
“I do.”
“And do you, Grace Barnes, promise to love, honor and obey —”
“Dad!”
“Don’t interrupt your father, Grace.”
She turned on Luc. “I will not promise to obey. It’s archaic. If you get to cherish, so do I.”
The doorbell rang — a long, strident, insistent ring. Luc muttered beneath his breath in Italian. Grace closed her eyes and sighed.
“I’ll get it,” Alessandro offered brightly.
A minute later, Dom hustled into the room. “What is going on?” he demanded. “Why have I not been told there is to be a wedding?” He regarded Luc and Grace with a hurt expression. “And why did you tell me you were married, when you were not?”
Luc sighed. “You know why.”
Dom nodded grimly. “Because I would have thrown you out of the family if I had known you had a baby with Grace without benefit of a wedding ring. I still might.”
“What?” Reverend Barnes stared at them in shock. His gaze slid to Toni, kicking and gurgling in Rocco’s arms. “She’s … she’s your baby, Grace?”
“No!” She covered her face with her hands. “Dad, could you finish the ceremony? Please? I promise I’ll explain everything then.”
“I think you’d better explain everything now.”
A loud, determined banging resounded through the apartment, and Stef ran to the door. Luc threw his hands into the air. “That’s it. Who the hell’s left to barge in here? Wait a minute. What about the police? They haven’t shown up yet. In fact, they’re the only ones who haven’t.”
“I came in their place,” a tall, stunning brunette announced from the doorway, Stef at her side. “Cynthia Cuthbert, social services.” She smiled at the horrified gathering, her gaze shifting slowly to Luc and Grace. “Hello, Luc. It’s been a long time.”
If the identity of their latest visitor came as a surprise, Luc didn’t show it. “Not long enough,” he said dryly. “Hello, Cynthia.”
Marc elbowed Stef. “Cynthia? The Cynthia? The woman Luc couldn’t charm?”
“The Cynthia,” his twin confirmed gloomily.
The social worker glided across the room. “You must be Grace,” she said, offering her hand. She lifted an eyebrow. “Am I interrupting something?”
“You know damned well you are!” Luc spoke up.
“If this little event has been staged for Antonia’s benefit, I’m afraid you’re too late. The jig is up.” She planted her hands on her hips and fixed Luc with an annoyed glare. “I must say, I’m not at all happy with you. You’ve positively ruined my caseworkers. They’re as giddy as schoolgirls. Am I the only woman in the world you haven’t charmed the pants off of?”
“You�
�re the second.” He pointed at Grace. “And she’s the third. Though it’s not for want of trying, I might add.”
“Don’t feel bad,” Cynthia told him sympathetically. “I’m sure you did your best.” She glanced at her watch. “I’m afraid I have to get down to business now. I’ve come for Antonia.”
Luc folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Not a chance.” His brothers instantly formed a protective circle around the baby. “In one minute Grace and I will be married.”
The social worker shrugged. “That won’t matter. You lied, Luc. You told the department the two of you were already married. Ms. Cartwright warned you of the con-
sequences, if you told any more lies, and you ignored her warning.”
“Don’t treat me like a child, Cynthia,” Luc practically snarled. “We both know the department can make exceptions. I want you to make one now.”
A smile of genuine amusement touched her perfect features. “You always did have a way with words. Tell me why I should make an exception for you. Because we were once … friends?”
“That’s one reason. You also know my family. You know we’ll take care of Toni, that she’s safe with us.”
“Um … excuse me,” Reverend Barnes interrupted. “I’m very confused. Exactly whose baby is this, and why are you trying to take her away?”
“This I would like to know, too,” Dom chimed in, folding his arms across his chest.
“She’s my daughter,” a voice spoke from behind them. “And no one’s going to take her away. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
Everyone turned. “Pietro!” Grace exclaimed in delight. “You’re back.”
“Back . . . “ He held out Carina’s hand. A diamondencrusted wedding band decorated her third finger. “And married. Everyone, my wife, Carina Donati … Salvatore.”
“Antonia is Pietro’s?” Dom questioned in confusion. “Per diofAm I told nothing anymore?”
Spying her daughter, Carina wrenched her hand free of Pietro’s and darted across the room, snatching the baby from Rocco’s arms. “Toni!” she cried, bursting into noisy sobs, Italian endearments falling as fast as her tears. She hugged her baby close, dropping frantic kisses on Toni’s tuft of black hair. Pietro crossed to her side and peered down at his daughter, an expression of wonder dawning on his face.
“She’s beautiful,” he whispered, reaching out a tentative finger to touch a round, pink cheek. “Everything was so hectic before I didn’t really notice.” He looked up and grinned. “I have a daughter,” he announced in a proud voice.
It took close to an hour to straighten everything out. To Grace’s secret amusement, Pietro proved to be the one Salvatore capable of charming the uncharmable Cynthia. By the time she left, he’d managed to straighten out most of their problems and had set up an appointment to settle any final questions.
Grace stood quietly by her father, grateful for the supportive arm he’d wrapped around her. She watched the happy reunion with a calm facade she hoped concealed her inner turmoil. Luc didn’t need to marry her now. And though the knowledge came as a relief, it also caused the most agonizing pain. But that pain was nothing, compared to what it would have been if they’d gone through with the wedding and the subsequent divorce.
It was time to face facts. Their marriage wouldn’t have worked, not when Luc didn’t love her. And no matter what he said, he didn’t love her. Not enough, anyway. If she left now, she could leave with some dignity. A few minutes longer and she’d break down. She glanced up at her father. “I guess there’s no more reason for the wedding,” she told him quietly.
He covered her hand with his. “I’m sorry, Grace.”
She blinked back tears. Obviously, he understood far more than she’d realized. Was her love for Luc so apparent? “Let’s go, Dad.”
“You’re not going anywhere.” Luc moved to stand in front of her, blocking her escape.
“Luc, don’t,” she pleaded. “Toni is safe now. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself. There’s no point.”
“You’re right. There is no point. Except this.” He took her hand in his. “I want to marry you, cam mia.For real. Now. And it won’t be a marriage of convenience. I love you, Grace. I want a forever kind of marriage with you, the kind with vows to love, honor and cherish”
“Not obey?” she asked in a shaken voice.
He nodded in satisfaction. “Fine. And obey.”
“Actually,” Reverend Barnes interrupted, “I was planning to add just one more vow to all that. Love, honor, cherish and never tell another lie. Seems more appropriate that way, don’t you think?”
“Done,” Luc agreed. “Grace?”
She didn’t dare believe. “Why, Luc? Yesterday you wanted an affair. It wasn’t until Miss Caruthers found out we weren’t married that you changed your mind.” He shook his head, his golden eyes dark and stormy. “Something else happened.”
“What?”
“Your father walked in.” He cupped her face in his hands, speaking softly, for her ears alone. “Making love to you was beautiful beyond compare. When he walked in the door, it became sordid. I could see it in your face. You were ashamed. And I realized I’d turned something beautiful, something you should remember with joy for the rest of your life, into something shabby. In that moment, I realized I didn’t want an affair with you. Affairs end. And I don’t want what we have to end. I don’t want you just for my lover. I want you for my wife. I want a forever with you.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I love you, Luc.”
“Bellissimamia,” he murmured. “Haven’t I told you how much I love you? You’re the only woman I see anymore. You’ve made me blind to all others. Awake or asleep, I see only your face, hear only your voice. The air I breathe is filled with your scent.” He held out his hand. “Will you marry me?”
“Try and stop me,” she said with a huge smile, and slipped her fingers in his.
Luc turned to Reverend Barnes. “From the top, Reverend. And this time … don’t skip a single word.”
And he didn’t.
Table of Contents
WHO’S HOLDING THE BABY?
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
