by Andie Brock
Now, only twenty-four hours later, here they were, back at Castello di Trevente. And their life together as a family could finally begin.
‘Here, let me.’ Opening the car door, he helped his wife out, then went round to unbuckle the baby’s car seat. Coming beside him, Harper slipped her arm through his and together the three of them ascended the steps to the entrance.
‘Wait a minute.’ Putting down the car seat, Vieri lifted out the baby and, cradling him in the crook of one arm, clasped Harper’s hand with the other. ‘There, that’s better. Alfie needs to have a better view of his new home. Look, Harper, he’s opened his eyes.’
It was true, he had. And as Harper gazed at her baby son cradled in Vieri’s arm she thought she might burst with happiness.
The housekeeper opened the door, duly fussing over the baby as if he was the most remarkable infant in the world, which clearly he was. Going into the salon, they settled themselves on the sofa as she bustled off to bring them some refreshments.
Harper looked around her, at her husband, her son, at the beautiful room they were now in, still having to pinch herself that it was real. Discovering that Alfonso had left them Castello di Trevente as a wedding present had been the most wonderful surprise. They had been living here for a couple of months now, and, although in some ways it still felt like a dream, it was also starting to feel like home. The whole place had been beautifully refurbished, a project that Harper had loved overseeing during her pregnancy, apart from when Vieri was fussing over her and insisting that she was doing too much. Now it was the most amazing for ever home that Alfonso had wanted for them. All the more so since baby Alfie had joined them.
‘Are you comfortable? Can I get you anything?’ Slipping one arm around her shoulder, the other still holding Alfie, Vieri pulled her close.
‘No, I’m fine.’ She reached for his hand, threading her fingers through his. ‘In fact, everything is perfect.’
‘It is, isn’t it?’ Leaning in, Vieri kissed her softly on the lips. Alfie, pressed between them, gave a small grunt of disapproval.
‘Though we had better make the most of the peace and quiet.’ Harper pulled a mirthful face. ‘We’ve got Leah and my father descending on us tomorrow.’
‘Don’t remind me!’ Vieri looked down tenderly at his son. ‘Don’t worry, figlio, I will protect you from your mad auntie Leah.’
Harper laughed. ‘She’s just excited, that’s all.’ It was true that Leah’s constant calls as she had waited for news of the birth had been a bit over the top, eventually leading to Vieri insisting they turned off their mobile phones. But, of course, she had been the first one Harper had called when Alfie had finally arrived—Harper’s eardrums were still recovering from her shrieks of joy. ‘I’m so glad Dad has agreed to come with her.’
‘Me too.’ Running the palm of his hand over Alfie’s soft, downy head, he addressed his son. ‘From now on we guys have to stick together.’ He looked back at Harper. ‘I have to say I like your father. I think we are going to get on fine.’
‘He is a good man. It was just that after Mum died he lost his way.’
‘Grief can do strange things to a man.’
‘Indeed.’ They locked eyes, Vieri acknowledging Harper’s knowing look with a wry smile. ‘And the project you have involved him in has given him a new lease of life. He’s a changed man. Thank you so much for that.’
‘Nessun problema. Your father has such a wealth of knowledge and I intend to exploit that to the full while he’s here. I have set up meetings with a couple of my land managers to see about starting to keep game birds on some of the estates. It could turn into a lucrative business. I’d happily employ Angus full time if he’d let me.’
‘Dad’s roots are in Scotland and the Craigmore estate is his life’s work. You will never persuade him to leave. Leah, on the other hand...’
‘No-o-o.’ Covering Alfie’s small ears with his strong hands, Vieri recoiled in mock horror. ‘We didn’t hear that, did we, Alfie?’
Laughing, Harper gave him a playful punch on the arm and Vieri pulled her in for another kiss. ‘I don’t mean it. Your family is my family now. And I have to say, that feels surprisingly good. Plus, of course...’ he gave her a cheeky grin ‘...I am very much looking forward to increasing its numbers. I think it is our duty to provide lots of brothers and sisters for Alfie.’
‘Our duty, eh?’ She raised her eyebrows at him.
‘There may be some pleasure involved along the way.’
Harper laughed again, knowing for certain that there would.
‘And to think this is all down to Alfonso.’ She offered her finger to Alfie, who took it in his tiny grasp. ‘We have so much to thank him for.’
‘We do indeed.’
‘I hope he would approve of what we’ve done with the castello.’ She glanced around her. ‘It looks very different from when he lived here.’
‘Believe me, Alfonso won’t be worrying about the decorations. He’ll be too busy gloating over the way his plan has come together. I bet he’s looking down feeling thoroughly pleased with himself.’
‘You think?’
‘I know. And his spirit will always be here at Castello di Trevente. He is part of the fabric of the place.’
‘That’s true. And of course his name will live on in this little one.’
‘So it will.’
Kissing the top of his son’s head, Vieri turned to his wife. ‘And together, my most beautiful Harper, I know we will make him proud. The future starts here, amore mio, with you, me and baby Alfie. And it is going to be the most wonderful future ever!’
* * * * *
Coming soon
CLAIMING HIS HIDDEN HEIR
Carol Marinelli
‘We were so hot, Cecelia, and we could have been good, but you chose to walk away. You left. And then you denied me the knowledge of my child and I hate you for that.’ And then, when she’d already got the dark message, he gave it a second coat and painted it black. ‘I absolutely hate you.’
‘No mixed messages, then?’ She somehow managed a quip but there was nothing that could lighten this moment.
‘Not one. Let me make things very clear. I am not taking you to Greece to get to know you better, or to see if there is any chance for us, because there isn’t. I want no further part of you. The fact is, you are my daughter’s mother and she is too young to be apart from you. That won’t be the case in the near future.’
‘How near?’
Fear licked the sides of her heart.
‘I don’t know.’ He shrugged. ‘I know nothing about babies, save what I have found out today. But I learn fast,’ he said, ‘and I will employ only the best so very soon, during my access times, Pandora and I will do just fine without you.’
‘Luka, please…’ She could not stand the thought of being away from Pandora and she was spinning at the thought of taking her daughter to Greece, but Luka was done.
‘I’m going, Cecelia,’ Luka said. ‘I have nothing left to say to you.’
That wasn’t quite true, for he had one question. dpg!
‘Did you know you were pregnant when you left?’ Luka asked.
‘I had an idea…’
‘The truth, Cecelia.’
And she ached now for the days when he had been less on guard and had called her Cece, even though it had grated so much at the time.
And now it was time to be honest and admit she had known she was pregnant when she had left. ‘Yes.’
Copyright ©2018 by Carol Marinelli
Continue reading
CLAIMING HIS HIDDEN HEIR
Carol Marinelli
Available next month
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