Cyprian the Fair

by C. L. Cattano

  “Fausto?” asked Gabri shaking his head. “He’s a teddy bear and wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

  “We know that, but Eden doesn’t,” she insisted. Fausto looks like a burly scary mobster unless you know him. “I wouldn’t have blamed her if she hadn’t sent the baby. I think she only did because she felt intimidated. She was distraught.”

  “But she is Rafe’s baby, too,” Gabri reasoned.

  “I know,” said Nora, “but you could have asked in a better way.” She watched as Gabri frowned looking in the direction Rafe had gone. “I talked with Eden and the woman she came with, Julia,” she said hesitantly. “I’m not sure Rafe’s wrong about why Eden’s here. Julia seemed very possessive of Eden and angry at Rafe. I think they should talk sooner than later. If she’s here to get closure, then I think Rafe’s better off knowing right away rather than worrying about it for days. She’s already started to lose sleep over Eden being here, and it’s not good for her.” Gabri leaned over and put his head in his hands. Nora rubbed his back. “We’ll be here for her no matter what,” she said softly. “I hope I’m wrong. Eden is hard to read because she’s so shy. Maybe it’s best for both of them if they can start talking now.”

  Gabri sat up and gave Nora a worried frown. “I hope you’re wrong too. Let’s go talk to Rafe.”

  21

  NORA DE ANGELIS FOLLOWED Gabri outside. They found Rafe taking pictures as she and Bronte played. As they approached, they saw Rafe and Bronte were tearing off petals and throwing them in the air, so they floated down on them. The petals landed on their heads getting stuck in their hair and covering them. There were so many it looked like they were sitting in a bed of flower petals.

  “The flower garden too,” Nora complained to Gabri as they got closer.

  “Little girls love flowers,” said Gabri with a shrug. “They grow just for them to enjoy.”

  “Who’s logic is that?” she asked with a sigh. “Don’t tell me,” she muttered as they got to Rafe and Bronte. “Hello,” said Nora as Gabri helped her sit on the grass next to Bronte. “Look at all these beautiful flower petals,” she said giving up her anger when she saw how happy Bronte was as the little girl walked up to Rafe and put petals in her hair.

  “You look pretty now, Mama,” said Bronte then went to get more petals.

  “Hey,” said Rafe and tossed some petals on Nora then took her picture. “Do I have to send her to Eden now?”

  “No,” said Nora as she watched Bronte for a moment. The little girl was trying to keep playing and fighting sleepiness from all the excitement of the day. She looked so much like Gabri and was such a beautiful little girl. Bronte sat in Rafe’s lap, and it was clear she was worn out. “Maybe we can take her to the nursery and put her down for a nap.”

  “I don’t need a nap,” Bronte informed them and took off running through the flowerbeds laughing.

  “I’ll get her,” said Gabri and rushed after her.

  Rafe watched Gabri and Bronte with a smile and Nora struggled with her decision to bring Eden home. It was too late to change things, plus Gabri had gone about his actions wrong too, so she could only hope for the best. “We can take care of Bronte so you can talk to Eden. Maybe she’ll agree to let Bronte stay the night or come back again tomorrow.”

  Rafe shook her head doubting it would happen. “I guess I really don’t have a choice,” she said trying to hold in her frustration.

  “You do have a choice,” said Nora. “I invited her because I thought, if you’re right, it would be better to talk to her now so you don’t keep worrying about what she wants to say.” She could see Rafe wasn’t happy. “What you did this morning was wrong,” she said firmly. “You really upset her, and you both should have known better. I know you’re Bronte’s mother, but Eden is in an unfamiliar place surrounded by unfamiliar people. I can guarantee you, if someone did it to me, I would not have sent my child. I think she only did because Fausto and Gabri intimidated her. If you love her, you can’t do those kinds of things to her—even if she doesn’t feel the same.”

  Rafe frowned darkly at Nora. “I wasn’t ready to see her,” she said softly. “I just wanted one good day.” Bronte came bounding back, with Gabri close behind and jumped into Rafe’s lap. She gave Bronte a kiss on her cheek. “Your mommy’s here to take you home.” She picked Bronte up from her lap and put her in a pile of flower petals to play. “Bye-bye,” she said then stood up.

  “Bye, Mama,” said Bronte with a wave then started to play with the petals.

  “I’ll be in the garden near my cottage,” Rafe said and walked away.

  “Rafe,” Gabri called, but she kept walking. He looked over at Nora. “If we are going to let that woman talk to Rafe, there are a few things I want to tell her first.” He stood up and helped Nora to her feet.

  “Just don’t intimidate her, and you better speak to her in English,” she said with concern as Gabri picked up Bronte.

  “Since you invited her, you should be there too,” he said gruffly and started to the house as Bronte held on to him fighting sleep and telling them how she didn’t need a nap.

  Inside the house, Eden was waiting. When Nora and Gabri made it back to her, Gabri put Bronte down.

  “Mommy!” called Bronte as she ran to Eden.

  “Hi, baby,” Eden cooed to Bronte and picked her up. “Were you having fun with Mama?”

  “Yeah, she lives in a garden,” Bronte revealed as she nodded. “Gabri said I have to take a nap now,” she said with a yawn.

  “It looks like you need one,” she said and hugged her. Eden looked up at Nora and Gabri. “Where’s Rafe?”

  “Rafe is still out in the garden,” said Nora. “We thought, since it looks like Bronte needs a nap, we could put her in the nursery before you go see Rafe. Come on, I’ll show you the way,” said Nora and led Eden up to the nursery with Gabri carrying Bronte close behind.

  Bronte wasn’t always good at naptime because of all her energy. Eden put her into the crib and spoke to her, convincing her to get into her sleeping position. Bronte didn’t like the fact she was in a crib but finally settled. Eden tucked Bronte in and rubbed her back for a while as she told her a good night story and answered lots of questions. “Rest your body and your eyes,” said Eden softly.

  “But I don’t have to sleep,” said Bronte softly.

  “No, just rest,” whispered Eden. “We’ll play more after quiet time.” When Bronte was settled, Eden and Nora went out of the nursey quietly. “It may take a while for her to fall asleep, but she usually does.”

  Nora nodded and smiled as the sound of Bronte’s singing followed them. “Gabri has some things he needs to say to you,” she said and led them to Gabri’s office. Nora sat down and indicated for Eden sit next to her. She looked up at Gabri. “Go ahead,” Nora said firmly.

  Gabri frowned at Nora. He was frustrated Nora had brought Eden and that he had to apologize. But Rafe didn’t tell him to send her away, so he saw no other choice but to comply. “I am sorry if you felt intimidated and for interfering in your relationship with Rafe,” he said in clear English. “Also, as you can see, I can speak English.”

  Nora nodded her approval. “He likes to pretend he doesn’t speak English to intimidate and get his way sometimes. It’s a very annoying habit,” said Nora and gave Gabri a frown. “In this case, he was doing it because he thought he was protecting Rafe, but it was impolite and inappropriate.”

  “I already apologized,” said Gabri annoyed. “You don’t have to do it again for me.”

  Nora looked up at Gabri sternly. “Yes, sometimes I do,” she said and turned to Eden who was looking at them both nervously. “We also want to tell you that we love Rafe very much and hope, after you talk with her, you’ll let her see Bronte again and maybe let her spend the night with us while you’re here. We understand it may depend on how your conversation goes, but we wanted to let you know what we hope for Rafe.”

  “Can I speak now?” Gabri asked impatiently. Nora rolled her eyes at hi
m then nodded. “Thank you.” He settled his attention on Eden. “Rafe has been getting better, but I want you to remember she is still not well. As I told you before, I don’t want you to pressure her and make her sick again.”

  “Eden,” Nora interrupted, “Gabri is just trying to tell you we care about Rafe and don’t want to see her hurt.

  “So che quello che sto dicendo,”[6] said Gabri annoyed. “Non ho bisogno si spiegare le mie parole.”[7]

  “English!” Nora chastised him. “And yes, you do.”

  Gabri threw up his hands in frustration. “Nora is the one who invited you,” he said sternly, “but you remember the things I told you and don’t be cruel or selfish!”

  “I’ll remember,” said Eden softly. “I didn’t come to be cruel or selfish.”

  “Of course you didn’t,” said Nora and gave Gabri a disapproving glare.

  They watched Gabri go to a cabinet and unlock it, then take out some small packages. He walked back to his desk and sat the boxes on the edge of the desk and then sat down. “Since I’m being told I can’t interfere anymore, I guess I must give you these. They are gifts to you from Rafe. I didn’t send them because I thought they might make you come when she wasn’t ready. But it seems you’ve come anyway.” He pushed the packages forward. “When you see one of them, you may understand how sick she was at the time. I don’t know the reason she wanted to send those things to you.”

  Eden took the packages nervously. “Thank you,” was all she could think to say. She knew she probably should not have been, but she was shocked Rafe had wanted to send her gifts. She was not shocked Gabri had not sent them, though.

  “Gabri,” Nora said with a sigh. She shook her head at the fact he hadn’t sent Eden the things Rafe wanted her to have.

  “She was sick,” he said defensively. “She needed time.” He glowered at Nora. “I don’t like this. She is not ready,” he said and walked out the door.

  Nora watched Gabri walk out upset, then turned to Eden. “As you can see Gabri is worried about Rafe and about what you have to say to her.”

  “I’m not here to hurt her,” said Eden softly.

  “Good,” said Nora with a sad smile hoping it was true. Her interaction with Eden and Julia concerned her, and she was worried about Rafe. “Come on. I’ll show you where to find Rafe.”

  Nora led Eden downstairs and out the back entrance to the patio. “See the little cottage over there,” Nora pointed toward Rafe’s cottage. “It’s the cottage where Rafe is staying. She said she would be out in the garden. Just follow the path, and you should find her.” She walked over to a panel with buttons. “This is the servant call bank. Only a few buttons are set up to work right now. If no one’s here when you come back, just push this button, and Fausto will come up to the kitchen entrance to take you to the car. Do you think you can find your way to the nursery?”

  “I think so,” said Eden looking at the call bank and recalling the layout of the villa.

  “Okay, I’ll leave you to it then. We’ll be upstairs. I’m exhausted and need a rest. I’ll check on Bronte while I’m upstairs, and I’ll put the gifts from Rafe in the nursery too. Hopefully, we’ll see you later,” she said and then walked back into the house, hoping things would go well for Rafe’s sake.

  Nora checked on Bronte who had fallen asleep then went to her room where Gabri was laying on the bed. “Well, she’s going to see Rafe,” she said as she climbed in beside him. “I’m sorry this is so upsetting for you both.

  “Why did you invite her?” Gabri groaned. “Rafe would have seen her eventually.”

  “Rafe won’t get any sleep or peace of mind until they talk,” she said troubled. “When I met Eden and the other woman, Julia, I got worried I’d start losing sleep over it too.”

  Gabri sighed and turned to hold Nora. “We were having such a good day with the baby.”

  “I saw.” Nora chuckled. “I really need everything put back. We have a house full of people who will start showing up tomorrow.”

  “I know,” said Gabri and kissed her. “We’ll fix it.”

  Nora took a deep breath and hoped she had done the right thing. She kissed Gabri on his cheek. “I think you should tell Eden about Rafe like we talked about. She should know so she doesn’t make the same mistakes again.”

  “We’ll see,” he said and frowned. “I want to be careful about what we tell Eden. Rafe won’t want her to know things if she’s leaving her for the other woman, Julia.”

  “I understand, but you have to let her know some things no matter what.”

  “Rafe said she told her some things and her cousin Letty told their friends what she knows about Brettito.”

  “We can just see how things go then we can decide what to do,” she said softly.

  Gabri lay quietly with her for a while thinking about Rafe. “My heart is hurting for her.”

  “Shh, you don’t know if it will be anything bad,” Nora whispered. “Think positive.” She stroked his face and smiled. “I checked on the baby before I came in.”

  “Was she sleeping?” he asked softly.

  “Yes,” she smiled and kissed him. “You make beautiful babies.”

  “Did I tell you when Rafe asked me, I thought she would have the baby?” he asked and smiled sadly. “I was very disappointed when she told me Eden was going to be the mother.”

  Nora beheld Gabri’s handsome face and thought about how beautiful Rafe was. “Well, I’m glad they wanted Eden to have the baby.”

  “Why?” he asked with a frown.

  Nora laughed. “Because if Rafe had your baby, I wouldn’t have stood a chance at getting you.”

  “No,” said Gabri, “she was in love with Eden.”

  “She may still be,” said Nora with a yawn.

  “Her father never should have taken her to America,” Gabri pouted.

  “Why not?”

  “If she were here, she would not be with women,” he insisted. “If she were here, I could have made her happy.”

  Nora looked away and sighed. She knew it was Gabri’s ‘machismo’ speaking, wanting to solve problems with his ego and manliness. Gabri had confessed years ago that Ettore, for a long time, treated Gabri like he was Rafe’s husband by putting him in charge of the estates and keeping him in the loop about Rafe’s personal and medical issues. It made their relationship difficult to accept until Nora understood their love for each other was not romantic at all, for either of them. Gabri’s childhood infatuation had morphed into protector. “She does love you.”

  Gabri groaned and felt like he could kick himself for being thoughtless. “I’m sorry. I’m only talking about the past. Right now, I would not change a thing because I have you. I love you,” he assured her.

  “It’s okay,” said Nora, reassuring him with a smile. “I know you worry about her.”

  “I just can’t help sometimes thinking if she had stayed here, she would have never got so sick again, and I could have watched over her. Maybe Ettore made a mistake taking her to America.”

  “You do realize living in America is not what made her gay, right?” asked Nora with a small laugh. “She probably figured things out in high school, and even if she stayed here, she would still be gay.”

  Gabri shrugged. “Maybe. I just think she was sick and maybe she got confused. America is very confusing.”

  “Gabri, sometimes I think you have the weirdest thoughts,” said Nora with a laugh of disbelief. “America isn’t confusing.” She paused. “Okay, sometimes it can be. But living there didn’t make Rafe gay, I can guarantee it.”

  “If Rafe would have had the baby, we could have the baby here all the time,” he said with a sigh.

  Nora laughed softly. “Well, if she had, then you two would have been famous for having the most beautiful baby in the world.”

  Gabri laughed and kissed Nora. “Our baby will be the most beautiful baby in the world because we will love him with all our hearts.”

  “I’m glad she’s gay,” Nora wh
ispered in his ear.

  “Why?” He smiled at the sensation.

  “Because it means I have you, and I get to have our baby. I love you,” Nora sighed into him as she kissed him.

  “I love you, too,” he said and kissed Nora gently. “I’m glad Rafe is gay too, because now I have you, and I cannot imagine life without you.”

  22

  CARRYING THE SMALL canvas bag slung across her shoulder, Eden Kingsley walked down the garden path. The garden was beautiful, and she could see how being in such a relaxing place would help Rafe. There were well-trimmed hedges surrounding fountains, small areas planted with flowers attracting butterflies, and shaded areas with benches and statuary.

  Eden made it to the small cottage and knocked on the door, but there was no answer, so she knew Rafe was still somewhere out in the garden. She had been waiting for this moment for months. Eden had gone over in her mind a thousand times what she would say and all of Rafe’s possible responses. After talking with Gabri, she knew a lot of the negative scenarios about what Rafe might say were very likely, and it made her anxious.

  She continued her walk down the shaded path and came to a small park area with benches and statues. She saw Rafe from behind sitting quietly on one of the benches. As she got closer, she saw Rafe had a sketchpad out, but it was closed. Her heart beat hard at seeing her, and she stopped for a moment to calm herself. She wiped the nervous sweat from her brow, took a breath, and then stepped forward with determination to get her love and her life back.

  Rafe had heard footsteps along the path and knew it was Eden because Nora would not have walked this far, and Gabri had much heavier steps. She had closed her sketchbook as soon as she heard the footsteps and waited for them to come closer.

  She looked up and saw Eden come around the bench and stand in front of her. The sun shined down on her and made her golden blond hair shine. Rafe couldn’t help thinking how beautiful she was and wished she could just sit and enjoy the vision and not have it spoiled. But she knew Eden had things to say to her, so she looked down, away from the image, and waited.