A Soul Mate's Promise

by Soprano, Robin H

  “You spoil me, you know that, don’t you?”

  “Yes,” he answers. “I live to spoil you. He smiles, You spoil me too.”

  “How is that even possible.” I say with a shrug. “You have done so much, and you take such good care of me! ”

  “Gracie, you spoil me with your love, and your body.”

  We sit there quietly, eyes locked. “As for taking care of you properly, that’s my job as a man. Now, drink your coffee, then get dressed. We’re spending the day together, just us.”

  “Just us? Where are we going? Where is everyone?”

  Sal gets up from the bed laughing. “So many questions. You’ll see–it’ll be fun.”

  * * *

  Within an hour, we are both showered and dressed. We walk out of our little cottage and see Joe, Mary and Pop in the courtyard. Joe’s holding a big picnic basket and a blanket.

  “Here ya go”, Joe motions to the basket. It’s ready to go.”

  “Sal, where are we going?” I ask again.

  “I told you, we’re spending the day alone. Joe and Mary told me about a beautiful place we shouldn’t miss seeing while we’re here. Trust me!”

  I’m still confused, but everyone else is all smiles. Joe hands Sal the basket and I took the blanket.

  “Just follow the trail,” Joe points, “through the vineyard–you’ll see the hill shortly. Have fun you guys! We’ll see ya later.”

  “Have-a-good time, caro. I look after–a-Toby,” Antonio says, smiling from ear to ear.

  As we walk along, I wonder why everyone seems just a little bit strange, this morning. “What’s up with them?”” I ask Sal.

  He glances back over his shoulder, then down at me. He laughs. “ Nothing, they’re fine.”

  We discover the trail and follow it along through the open field and out past the vineyard. It’s a bright, beautiful day and not too cool.

  I take in the hilly and plush green landscape stretched out before us. It’s truly breathtaking and nothing like what I’m used to on the east coast. Because the vines are bare and cut back for the season, the winery employees are all gone, so it’s very quiet–I can hear a few birds and an occasional wind gust rattles past us.

  We walk about fifteen minutes when we spot the hill with the big tree that Joe told us about. It isn’t very steep so it’s easy to reach the top. We set down the blanket and basket and look out at the scenery surrounding us. Hills roll into hills. Row after row of crops. And an endless blue sky.

  “I said it before, I’ll say it again. I feel like we left the country. The land here is beautiful! And that funny sense of impending doom isn’t as strong here, either.”

  Sal comes up from behind me and hugs me, then kisses the top of my head. “It is beautiful out here–and so peaceful. Don’t worry, Whatever’s coming, we’ll handle it, together.”

  “I agree with him. “So, tell me… why did you want to spend the day together alone? We’re here visiting with your family–tomorrow’s Christmas Eve. We should be with them.”

  He turns me around to face him. “Gracie, it’s all good. Actually, this was their idea. Come over here.”

  I shrug. Obviously, something’s up, but I choose to relax. We spread out the blanket and sit down. Sal opens the basket and pulls out a bottle of wine and some container’s of food. He opens the wine–a bottle of Chianti–one of my favorites! “My brother came through!” Sal chuckles.

  We have an array of cheese and fruit, and one huge sandwich layered with meats that we cut up into sections. There are also a couple of napoleon pastries for dessert.

  A while after we eat, I feel Sal’s eyes all over me.

  “Why are you staring at me? Do I have food on my face?”

  He laughs and it’s a sound I’ll never get tired of.

  “No, Princess, I’m just watching you. You seem calmer. Being away agrees with you. You like it here?”

  I smile and look around us. “Yes, I love it here. It’s nice being away–home seems a million miles away.”

  Sal runs a hand through his wavy hair. “It is miles away–around two-thousand two-hundred and eighty six –give or take.”

  I give him a sarcastic look. He winks back.

  “No, I mean, home seems like a distant memory since we arrived here.”

  “I’m glad you’re relaxed. I want this to be a happy time for you. Come here.” He holds his arm out to me and I snuggle in closer.

  We sit like that for a while, then open the other bottle of wine. We share kisses and conversation. We watch as the sun starts to drop and the sky changes from blue to golden orange with purple hues.

  “It’s getting late, should we go back?” I ask.

  He takes my face in both his hands and gazes into my eyes then slowly he kisses me. I feel that kiss all the way down to my toes. When he stops, I grab at his shirt fisting the material, pulling him back to my lips.

  He puts a hand on the back of my head securing me, deepening the kiss. I let go of his shirt and twist my fingers in his hair, breaking the kiss and panting. “Maybe we should go,” I say again.

  He leans me back on the blanket and settles on top of me, kissing my lips and trailing down my throat. “I want you Gracie… Now. Right here.”

  When he says the words, fire heats my stomach, I nip at his bottom lip and we start to undress each other. Laying on the blanket I feel the cool air rush around my naked body when Sal gets up to shrug off his jeans. Slowly he makes his way back to me, kissing me from my instep to my belly and breasts, till he is completely smothering me again with his body. He raises up on his elbows so he can look into my face–his eyes pierce mine.

  “Gracie,” he whispers, his voice thick with emotion, I want you to know…god, I love you so much–more than I know how to say.” He blinks, then swallows.

  “From the moment I met you, I knew it. You knew it. We are made for each other. Until you, I was lost. No one has ever captivated me so deep. You own my heart. I’m not living without you”

  He takes my left hand and I feel something cool slide down my ring finger…. He whispers, “Marry me.”

  My heart skips a beat. Tears well up and drop from my eyes. I can’t speak.

  “Shhh, don’t cry, Gracie.” He kisses me tenderly.

  My entire body trembles with emotion. I try to respond, to speak, but I’m paralyzed with joy.

  “Gracie,” Sal smiles, wiping at my cheeks. “Can you nod your head or something?” He laughs, nervously.

  “Yes…” I squeak out on a breath. It comes out so faint I almost can’t hear it myself. I put my hands on Sal face and take a deep breath. “YES! Sal, yes!”

  I look at the gold band with a marquee cut diamond in the center and smaller diamonds surrounding it.

  “It’s beautiful, Sal. I love you, too.”

  Sal kisses me hard. I return his passion. “I love you,” he whispers over and over.

  I open myself wide to receive him and he buries himself deep into my core. He rocks his hips giving all of himself to me and I meet his every thrust.

  I arch my back and a moan escapes from my throat as I begin to feel my release coil within. Sal hisses and we both climax so violently our bodies shake with tremors for long moments afterward.

  The cool night air on our naked, perspired bodies makes me shiver, and Sal wraps us up in the blanket. We lay still, intertwined in one other. Sal reaches up and brushes some hair out of my eyes and seals his lips once more over mine.

  “You have made me so happy Gracie, and I swear to God, I will take care of you until the last breath I take…I promise.”

  * * *

  Christmas Eve ushers in happy and welcome cheers of good luck and joy for the Petroni family.

  Pop is as proud as a peacock. He has a grandchild on the way from his eldest son Joseph and his wife Mary, and intended future nuptials for his second son, Salvatore.

  “This is a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.” Antonio is beaming. “It’s just what-a-this family needs–ha
ppy, good things. My Mary, full with a bambino, and-a-mio caro Gracie, my heart is about to-a-burst with much happiness."

  That night we eat a traditional Italian-American Christmas Eve dinner consisting mostly of seafood. And, as is another tradition, we eat until we can’t move–and then go back for more.

  We nestle around the Christmas tree and talk of baby names and wedding dates.

  “I really don’t want a big wedding,” I say. “I did that already, but, Sal’s never been married–what do you want to do, Sal?”

  Sal shrugs and urges me up on his lap. “I think a nice small ceremony with friends and family would be just fine. I would rather spend the money taking you on a tour of Europe for….let’s see, two, maybe three months?” He tosses me his best toothy smile.

  “OH MY GOD! Are you serious?” I scream.

  Sal laughs, along with the rest of the family.

  “Very serious, Princess. You’ve never been–I thought you might like that. I was thinking Italy, of course–and Pop, if you want to go with us on that part–you’re welcome to do that.” I nod in agreement.

  “Then, England, France, Monaco, to name a few. You can choose. We’ll sit some night and map it all out–sound good?”

  Shaking my head in awe, I whisper, “Perfect.” Then I seal the idea with a kiss.

  * * *

  As magical as the days before it were, Christmas Day comes and goes like a blur. All morning we open presents, drink coffee and eat delectable pastries. The horrible loss that has marked my past six Christmases is completely gone. Once more surrounded by a loving family, I feel more complete than I can ever remember.

  After the paper and mess is cleaned up, we get ready to resume the holiday regiment of feasting–and we do it well into the evening. By the time we crawl into bed Christmas night, I’m asleep when my head hits the pillow, blissfully wrapped in Sal’s arms.

  When I wake the day after Christmas and step on the bathroom scale, I want to just vomit. I put my hands to my mouth and whisper, “oh holy crap” to myself.

  “You’re beautiful,” Sal says from the doorway of the bathroom.

  “How long have you been standing there?”

  “Not long, he laughs. What’s got you so worried, Princess?”

  I look at the scale again and cringe.

  Sal takes a few steps in my direction as I get off the scale.

  “Gracie, you have a woman’s body. I happen to be very turned on by your curves” He takes me in his arms. “And it’s mine.”

  “I just don’t want to get too curvy.”” I mumble.

  “You won’t.–besides, wait till you see all the Renaissance paintings in Europe–you know the woman in those paintings are chubby–you might have been considered too thin to be painted back then.”

  “I’m still gonna watch it though,” I grumble.

  “Fine,” he says. “But don’t worry so much– You enjoyed yourself and I loved every minute watching you do so. Now get dressed.” He pats my behind. “Joey and Mary are taking us all out for a little sightseeing around Napa.”

  “Oh good I want to see more of the area–though that probably means more eating and drinking.”

  “Last day, Princess,” he kisses my nose. “You’re beautiful–stop worrying so much.”

  We all pile into the rented Chevy Tahoe SUV and get a tour of Napa. We visit other wineries and participate in wine pairings, then we shop in some local gift shops and have lunch at the cutest little bistro.

  As we’re leaving the bistro, Mary suggests one more place we have to see. We travel up the North St. Helena Highway into the heart of Napa.

  There stands the Castello di Amorosa winery.

  “How cool!” I shriek. “It looks like a medieval style Tuscany Castle!”

  We pull up and take the tour, which was magnificent. Again I experience the sense that it’s somehow familiar.

  I spend some time taking photos of the castle from various places on the grounds when Mary holds out her hands and points at my phone.

  “I’ll take a picture of you and Sal with the castle behind you. Smile!”

  Sal and I pose together, arms wrapped around each other’s waist. We smile at Mary.

  I look at the picture and break into a grin. “Good shot!” I tell her. Taking another peek at it, I think about Maggie. She’ll get a real kick out of this picture. I send it off to her with a text.

  Merry Xmas Mags!

  Guess what? He asked. I said yes!

  Napa is beautiful–they even have a castle.

  It made me think of you!

  Talk soon!

  After a few more stops, we head back to Joey and Mary’s. I’m not looking forward to packing, and the thought of it makes me sad. It’s been such a magical time, surrounded by family. And, free from that relentless sense of disaster that annoys me from day to day…

  * * *

  Nick was very pleased to see that Sal had popped the question. Only then did Gracie realize why Nick had called him “chicken shit” on the flight out.

  Upon safe arrival back into Jacksonville, Nick gave Sal a wide grin. “Let me know about the honeymoon plans, mate. I’ll help you work out a schedule for Europe.”

  “Thanks, Nick, Sal said, giving him a hug and a pat on the back. “I’ll let you know the minute we work out some details.”

  “Have you heard from the Department?” Nick asked, his voice low.

  “No, why?” asked Sal, glancing over his shoulder.

  “The director has called some of the team. Some mission is going down–class C, I think. Anyway, I know you keep in touch with them. They haven’t sent you an alert?”

  “No,” Sal shrugged, “but I’m done. They said I could walk, so I did. I’m finished.”

  Nick laughed at his statement. “Yes done, but never finished.”

  Sal chose to ignore his old friend. He was finished with that life. “Hey, listen man, thanks for taking care of us. Happy New Year! We’ll be talking to you soon, Nick. Take care, brother.”

  “Yes, same to you, and congratulations again,” Nick said as he hugged all of them including Toby, and they departed the plane.

  On the way home from the airport Gracie asked Sal what Nick was talking about.

  “You heard that, huh?” Sal asked with a lightheartedness he didn’t feel.

  “Yeah, I heard it,” she said, her brow furrowed, the sparkle in her eyes gone. “What’s class C and the team?”

  Sal grinned and glanced at her, then returned his eyes to the road. “Now, you know you’re not supposed to know any of those terms. Nick really should not have said anything in front of you or Pop. There’s obviously a mission going down–class C is a code yellow–not real dangerous. Sounds like they have assembled some of the team–my old team. But I haven’t gotten any word.”

  Pop said something in Italian from the back seat, and Sal looked at him coldly in the rear view mirror.

  Sal felt his jaw muscle tighten. Damn it..

  Pop said it again, but louder.

  “NO! Sal shouted. “No.. and they haven’t called me anyway, so now, can we drop it?” Sal took Gracie’s hand in his.

  “They haven’t called you… not yet,” Pop muttered.

  Gracie glanced at her hand in Sal’s. He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, then toyed with the ring he had put on her finger just days ago. Finally he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. Giving her a sideways glance, he whispered, “I love you.”

  CHAPTER 22

  Maggie was cleaning up wrapping paper and empty boxes that cluttered her living room when she heard her phone beep. She grabbed for it and tapped the icon. Up popped Gracie’s photo and message.

  “OH MY GOD!” Maggie shouted, scaring her husband out of his Christmas nap. “Holy Shit!”

  “What, what..Maggie? What’s the matter?” Mike said, trying to focus.

  “Mike, Gracie’s engaged! And look–look at this picture!” Shoving the phone in her husband’s face, she babbled on. “
Look how happy they are.”

  “Yeah? Good for Gracie! What a Merry Christmas for her. Where are they?"

  “They went to Napa–Sal’s brother and wife live there. Huh, that’s is so peculiar,” Maggie said as she gazed at the picture some more.

  “What’s peculiar?” Mike asked.

  “Oh nothing, just, the Castle behind them. It’s funny because I told her, the last picture she sent they looked like royalty, so she took this one as a joke. But, I’m getting that shiver up my spine again.”

  Mike just gave his wife a caring look. “Bad or good shiver?” he asked.

  “Humm, I’m not sure. Not real bad, just weird.”

  Maggie tapped at the keys on her phone:

  Congratulations!!!!! Holy shit!!! I am over the moon happy for you! Love you!

  She finished cleaning up and her husband Mike resumed his horizontal position on the couch. Maggie went up to her studio, and downloaded the photo on her big screen computer. She glanced back and forth between the two photos then eyed a blank canvas that sat patiently on an easel.

  She stood, grabbed a smock and a paintbrush, and went to work.

  * * *

  On December twenty-eighth as promised, my brother Steve shows up with a few fun presents from all of the places his ministry has taken him. A nice bottle of rum from one of the islands and a silver necklace with white onyx stones in between the links were among my favorites.

  Sal and my brother seem to hit it off. Steve is a little concerned with the speed of our engagement but happy for me just the same.

  “Now don’t get me wrong, guys,” Steve cautions. “I’m thrilled you’re getting married, but you just got divorced,” he points in my direction. “Maybe you should just go slower. Make sure.”

  Sal gives Steve a sympathetic look. “We’re in no hurry. We haven’t set a date yet. I understand your trepidations for Gracie’s future, but, even though she is just recently divorced, she was separated from Rich a long time. I love your sister. I promised I’d love her forever and I will.”