Cyprian the Fair

by C. L. Cattano

  “Lesbica,” said Rafe helpfully. “But don’t say it too loud. We’re in Italy.” She chuckled. “Not everyone here would stay in love with me if they knew.”

  “I don’t think anyone who knows you would care,” she said laughing softly. “My god you smell good.” She breathed in Rafe’s scent. “I think you may smell better than Gabri,” she quipped.

  “It’s my sexy lesbian smell,” Rafe teased. “I’ll buy you the soap I use to give to Gabri.” She turned her head to look at Nora. “You wouldn’t have to be gay for me to take care of you.”

  “No, no,” Nora said as she laughed. “That’s not what I’m trying to say. I mean, in that scenario, I would probably fall in love with you because of the way you love. Like I said, I can feel it from you, the love you have for me.”

  “Yes,” Rafe pretended to yawn, “I’m irresistible, just like Gabri, but I smell better.”

  Nora laughed again. “You both also have big heads. I’m trying to show you how Eden might feel,” she said with a sigh. “I’m failing, I think.” She kissed Rafe’s head.

  “I think you’re doing fine,” said Rafe softly. “You have a voice like an angel. Keep talking, I should fall asleep soon,” she chuckled lightly.

  “Just remember I’m talking metaphorically and don’t go telling Gabri all this,” she said and tapped her on the head.

  “He already knows you’re madly in love with me,” said Rafe with a shrug.

  “Oh, he does?” she scoffed as Rafe nodded her head into the pillow. “Well, I guess I’m as bad as the two of you at hiding who I love.” She kissed Rafe’s head. “You love her. Just maybe she loves you too.” She listened as Rafe sighed but said nothing. “If you promise to talk to her, and be nice, and listen to her, I’ll sing to you,” she said softly. “I know how you love to hear me sing.”

  Rafe knew Nora had her best interests at heart and wanted her to be happy. She just didn’t know everything going on and what had happened. She also knew Nora could keep talking all night, and she was right, she did love it when she sang. “Since you’re making fun of me, you have to sing Venus,” said Rafe and grinned into her pillow. “The one by Frankie Avalon

  “Seriously?” Nora groaned.

  “Oh, did I pick a song you don’t know?” Rafe chortled.

  “No,” said Nora, resigned to her fate. “I know it.” She shook her head and took a breath then sang. “Hey, Venus, oh, Venus...” Nora began.

  After the first verse, Rafe laughed and turned over to join her in the song. They sang with gusto then finished it together.

  “Make my wish come true—”

  The last note was sung, and they laughed. Then Nora kissed Rafe on her forehead. “Yes, it’s definitely your love song. You just remember when you talk to Eden.”

  “You sing beautifully.” Rafe smiled then closed her eyes, purposely not responding to her about Eden. “Now will you sing Soft Kitty?”

  “No!” Nora laughed and gave her a playful slap on her arm. “Go to sleep.”

  “I love you, Nora,” said Rafe softly trying not to grin as she wrapped her arms around her.

  “I love you too,” she said and held her close.

  Nora fell asleep and Rafe’s mind kept her from the same peace.

  16

  IT WAS EARLY Sunday morning, and Nora De Angelis was up, answering the call of the baby pressing into her bladder. She came out of the restroom and looked over at Rafe, who was asleep. She wondered how long Rafe had laid awake before her mind allowed her to rest. Nora still couldn’t believe how beautiful Rafe was, even after all these months of looking at her. She was tempted to draw a mustache on her in her sleep, but then she would probably look like the most beautiful boy she had ever seen, and it would just make things worse.

  She laughed at herself at the thought. Gabri would have some competition then. The two of them together were like something Michelangelo or Bernini would have carved or like they were exquisite people who walked out of a beautiful painting from the Renaissance. They only needed the clothes. Somehow, they enhanced each other. She thought that maybe it was because of how close and comfortable they were with each other. She still believed if Gabri put a photo of the two of them on his CD, it would make it sell even more copies, though they both laughed at the idea.

  Nora made her way to the kitchen and cleaned up the tea set and wine glass from last night and then looked over and saw Rafe’s drawing pad. She loved looking at the drawings Rafe made and the paintings she seemed to make with such ease. She picked up the pad and thumbed through it looking at the illustrations.

  “Oh, Rafe,” she said with a sigh as she closed the pad and put it back. She took one last look around and then quietly went out the door to go back to the main house.

  Walking into her bedroom, Nora found Gabri had dragged himself home sometime in the night. She went over to the bed sat down and kissed him gently. He was so beautiful. Nora knew the moment she saw him that she wanted to be with him, and the first time he kissed her, Nora knew she would marry him. She was so happy he felt the same way.

  He was upset when Rafe missed the wedding, but he knew she was busy starting her new job at the time. He emailed Rafe about the baby due in May, but she didn’t answer his emails or calls. Not long afterward, Rafe sent an email telling him she had been in a hospital. No one had contacted Gabri about it, and he was distraught. The next email was everything about transferring Rafe’s power of attorney to Gabri. Gabri was so concerned that he couldn’t get to America fast enough. It was fortunate he happened to have taken a job there, and he was able to check on her in person.

  Nora had no idea who Rafe really was when she first arrived. She knew nothing about her except what she learned from Gabri in his stories about Rafe and her father, Ettore. She knew Rafe was a big part of Gabri’s life, but she didn’t know her personally. Nora was telling Rafe the truth about her jealousy when Gabri brought the beautiful woman home, and it seemed he spent every waking moment with her. Then the doctor showed up, and she knew something was wrong. Gabri finally got to a place where he would talk to her about everything. It was then she decided to get to know Rafe. She was so glad she didn’t react first and think later. Otherwise, she might not have Rafe as the friend she loved so much now.

  “Hey, beautiful lady,” said Gabri in Italian as he opened his eyes and saw Nora looking down at him.

  Nora smiled down at him. “Good morning,” she said speaking to him in his native language. “What time did you get home?”

  “Late,” he said with a yawn. “I saw your note. Was Rafe okay last night?”

  “She was fine,” she said and kissed him gently. “I stayed with her because she was having a hard time and not sleeping. We had tea then I lay down with her. She made me sing Frankie Avalon.” She smiled at the memory.

  Gabri laughed. “Venus?”

  “Yes.” She laughed with him.

  “Be thankful it wasn’t the one by Bananarama,” he said with a chuckle.

  Nora smiled at the thought. “Are you getting up or staying in bed? I’m starving.” She got up and started changing her clothes.

  Gabri watched her from the bed and couldn’t help but smile knowing she loved him. He remembered the first night they had met. He had not yet seen her but heard a beautiful voice singing and had to know who sang so sweetly. He made his way through the crowd and saw a vision standing next to the piano. The piano player was terrible. He went up, tapped him out, and then played for her. When he saw Nora smile, he knew his heart was lost before even knowing her name. He was so happy when she met with him again, and finally, he had to kiss her. From that moment, she was all he lived for, and they sang so many beautiful songs together.

  “I’ll eat with you.” He yawned then got out of bed and dressed. “Maybe I’ll try to come take a nap with you after lunch to catch up on my sleep.”

  They went down to the kitchen where Gabri made cappuccino and Nora got out the fruit and brioche with jam. When everything was ready, t
hey sat down and enjoyed their breakfast.

  “Thank you for not making chamomile tea,” said Nora as she sipped her milk-heavy cappuccino. Gabri smiled at her as he chewed his food. “Why didn’t you tell me Eden was here yesterday?”

  Gabri stopped chewing and shifted in his chair. “It was up to Rafe, and it looks like she told you.” He shrugged as if it was nothing.

  “Why did you send her away? You knew Rafe would be home for lunch. Why didn’t you ask her to stay?” she asked looking at him sternly.

  “Because I don’t want her derailing Rafaella’s progress,” he said tensely.

  “How can seeing the woman she loves derail her progress?” she asked with an arched eyebrow. She knew when Gabri called Rafe by her full name, he was in protective mode.

  “You don’t understand, Nora,” he said then sipped his coffee.

  “Help me understand then,” she insisted, “because it seems to me you’re interfering where you shouldn’t.”

  Gabri put his coffee down and sighed in frustration. “Eden and her friends are why Rafaella was in the shape she was when I brought her here. They pushed her further into her sickness and were making her worse. I won’t allow them to do it again.”

  “Well, Rafe loves her, and I think Eden is here because she loves Rafe,” she said firmly. “I listened to you complain about how Eden knew nothing about Rafe’s problems, so, if it’s true, then she didn’t mean to do anything to hurt her.” Gabri was frowning, but she continued despite his displeasure. “Maybe you should consider telling her what happened to Rafe so she’ll understand.”

  “No,” Gabri said sharply. “She is not Rafaella’s family. Even Rafaella told her nothing.”

  “She is her family,” said Nora firmly. “Eden is Bronte’s mother, and she has the right to know.”

  “I told her I’d make an appointment when Rafaella is ready,” he said hoping to end the conversation.

  “Well, I think she’s ready. You should call her,” Nora informed Gabri.

  “She’s not ready,” he said flatly. “Eden is here to push and pressure to get whatever it is she wants, and I won’t allow it.”

  “You won’t allow it?” scoffed Nora. “How do you know she wants something? What did she tell you?” She watched as Gabri scowled at her. “What did she say?”

  “She only said she wanted to see Rafaella,” he said in exasperation. “Stefano and I made sure she didn’t stay long.”

  Nora eyed him suspiciously. “Stefano and you?” She put down her fork with a bite of brioche still on it. “Gabri,” she said in annoyance, “what exactly did you do? Did you double team and scare her with your angry Italian man and translator act?” She caught his guilty face. “I can’t believe you! You intimidated her! You speak perfectly good English. Why would you pretend you don’t?”

  “So she would listen,” said Gabri affronted by her chastising. “I don’t want her to see Rafaella if she is going to do the things she did before. I don’t want her to hurt her again and send her into a trance. I am protecting her!”

  “You’re protecting her? From Eden? The woman who loves her?” Nora demanded. “Have you seen Rafe’s notebooks? They are full of drawings of Eden and Bronte. Don’t you think seeing them would help her?”

  “How do you know she loves her?” Gabri demanded. “Even Rafaella isn’t sure!”

  “For a man who writes such beautiful love songs, you are so blind!” she yelled back. “What woman travels thousands of miles, with a baby, puts up with a bully like you, and waits by a phone in a foreign country for a call that may not come, unless she loves someone? I swear you and Rafe are so hard headed!” She fumed with flashing angry eyes. “You are not her father, and you have no right to interfere in her relationship.”

  “I may not be her father, but you are not her mother!” he yelled back. “I have every right! I have her power of attorney!”

  “I guarantee you the paperwork says nothing about you dictating her love life!” Nora yelled. “I may not be her mother, but at least I can see she loves Eden!” She picked up her fork. “You need to fix this,” she said trying to calm herself.

  “Fix—” Gabri choked out.

  “Yes, this is your fault,” said Nora. “If you hadn’t put yourself between them, this wouldn’t be happening.”

  “Nora, Nora, Nora,” Gabri said pleadingly. “Even her doctor thinks she’s not ready for this. I have to make sure she stays well.”

  Nora shook her head at him. “I know the doctor made her decision based on whatever you told her,” she said and knew she was right by the guilty look on his face. “You can’t protect her from everything. She has to live again. Keeping her from love will hurt her more than help her, and you know it. She couldn’t sleep last night and even talked about asking for a pill. She needs to know so she can put her mind at ease.”

  “This is why Eden should have stayed home,” Gabri insisted.

  “If it turns out Eden doesn’t love her, we can help Rafe find love again,” said Nora hoping Gabri would see reason “But she deserves to know why Eden is here, and she deserves to see Bronte.”

  Gabri took a short breath and tried to hide the tear forming in his eye. “I can’t see her so sick again,” he said sadly.

  Nora could see he was getting upset, and she got up and went to him. He turned and pulled her into his lap, and she took his face into her hands. “I know you love her,” she said softly. “I love your tender Italian heart. It’s why I know you’ll be a wonderful father.” She kissed him and laid her head on his shoulder. “We really have been treating her like our child,” she said softly. “But she’s not a child. She’s getting better, and Eden is in her heart. You know she won’t be better until things with Eden are resolved. Would you want someone to turn me away if I traveled so far to see you?”

  “No,” said Gabri as he held her and ran his hand over her pregnant stomach.

  “Rafe trusts you to do what’s best. It’s why she turned to you for help,” said Nora. “But it’s not your job to take this responsibility from her. She knows it’s true. She’s just afraid of the unknown.” She kissed Gabri again.

  “What if it hurts her?” he asked with worry. “I don’t want to do anything that might get her hurt again.”

  “We can be there for support if she needs us, okay?” Nora said softly. “It’s possible she might get hurt. But Eden is here now, so you can’t let this chance slip away if they love each other.” She kissed him and looked into his eyes. “You’ll talk to Rafe and fix this?”

  “Okay,” Gabri relented. “I’ll fix it.”

  17

  WALKING DOWN THE garden path, Gabri De Angelis made his way toward the cottage Rafaella had moved into a few months after he brought her to the villa. He worried when she wanted to move out of the main house, but Rafaella said she wanted to be more independent. At first, Gabri thought she might want to bring lovers home, and Nora told him he thought too much like a man.

  It turned out Nora was right because, as far as he could tell, Rafe never brought a lover home. He ran his hand through his thick black hair. Nora was right again. Rafe must still have feelings for Eden. He really was blind. Though he was not so blind that he would let Eden take advantage of the feelings Rafe may have for selfish reasons. He still blamed her for the things he learned were published about Rafe. He still could not believe everything that happened in California, but it was all true.

  Gabri shook his head and knocked on the cottage door. When there was no answer, he checked the door and found it unlocked, so he went inside.

  “Rafaella!” Gabri called. “Rafe, are you awake?” He heard a groan from the back room and knew she was still in bed. “I’m making espresso for you. Get up and come in,” he called back to her then began making the thick coffee.

  Rafe dragged herself out of bed, shuffled into the kitchen, sat down at the small table, and yawned. “Why are you here? Why are you awake this early? It’s too late to take a pill.”

  Gabri f
inished the espresso and brought it along with some biscotti he had found to the table and sat it in front of Rafe. “Drink your espresso,” he said and sat down in the other chair. He watched her take her first sip before saying anything more. “I didn’t bring a pill. I have been informed I may be overstepping my place,” he said formally.

  “What?” Rafe asked in a confused haze.

  He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and put it on the table. “This is Eden’s information. I have to tell you,” he said hesitantly, “I was rude to her.” Rafe was looking back at him with confusion. “I was worried about you, and I may have told her,” he paused, “no, I told her, she should not come if she couldn’t think of you first.” He looked away sheepishly. “Nora said it was not my place to tell her if she could see you or not and to put conditions on her visits.”

  Rafe looked from Gabri to the slip of paper. She downed her espresso and sat the cup on the table then looked at Gabri again. “So, Nora got to you too,” she said softly and smiled at him.

  Gabri smiled back. “She is a very hard-headed woman. It’s a good thing she loves us.”

  “She loves me more,” said Rafe with a sly smile. “I smell better than you.”

  Gabri burst out laughing. “I am always second to you, even with my own wife!”

  Rafe looked down at the piece of paper and bit her lower lip. “I’m not sure what to do,” she said softly as her moment of joy faded. Rafe looked up at Gabri as a rush of thoughts and emotions filled her. She couldn’t hide them in her eyes. “I feel like I’ve stepped outside my life, and I’ve wasted all my time because I haven’t tried to figure out how to fix things so I can make everyone happy.”

  “You’ve been working on getting well,” said Gabri and put his hand over hers. “It’s not your job to make everyone happy.”

  “I just don’t know how to face them now,” she said and looked away from Gabri.