by Tanya Vought
“Um, Gracelynn why are you showing me your skin?” He smirks. “Damn. I need to get a drink since I smirked at you. ” He sighs and comes back with a glass of cider and takes a drink in front of them.
“Can I continue with your present now?” She laughs. “Or will you be smirking at me again?”
He laughs and shakes his head, agreeing he’ll be good.
She shows him a tattoo of angel wings on her shoulder, similar to the ones he has on his own chest.
“This angel represents everyone we’ve lost. It also represents the peace and love I’ve experienced here and when I leave… I want a part of me to have each of you with me.”
Gio stares at her while tears stream down his face.
“I wanted a special reminder to always have of New Hope and the reminder to appreciate life and have our angels forever on my skin.”
* * *
Gio’s speechless as he looks at the angel wings on Gracelynn’s porcelain skin. He doesn’t care who is in the room… he bawls like a baby and grips her, pulling her toward him. He can’t believe that she’s marked her body with the love of him, his grandfather, his deceased wife and also his daughter. He’s speechless. He holds her tighter and squeezes her.
“I know, it’s not on your body to be a present, but I wanted to symbolize you and share it with you. So I’ll always have it.” She smiles and hugs him back with just as much passion.
“Besides, I saved the best gift for tomorrow.” She smiles at him and touches his cheek with pure happiness.
He steps back and kisses her shoulder since it’s still exposed for him so he could see the angel wings. He is amazed by her beauty inside and out and now knows she’ll definitely love her presents.
“Now, it’s your turn, beautiful.” He gathers four small boxes and hands them to her, leading her to the sofa. The two lovebirds seem to have forgotten all about Anne and Kat as they sit opposite them and don’t say a word as they watch these two people slowing falling in love.
* * *
Gracelynn’s heart pounds when she sees four presents for her. She gasps as she opens the first gift. Inside the first one are two charms, which makes her heart rate quicken. One charm is in the shape of a car and another of a jeep on a white gold bracelet.
She continues to open a dog, camera and an angel charm. She loves them. She’s never gotten a charm bracelet before and she loves that Gio got them for her.
As Gio takes her wrist to place her charms and bracelet on, he tells her Kat and Grandma helped find the charms. He kisses her wrist and then places her hand on his lap.
Everyone is smiling and having a wonderful time until Anne speaks up.
“Did you know, Gio, that Gracelynn has a set of lungs on her?”
“What do you mean, Grandma?” Gio looks back and forth between the ladies, confused.
“Anne, you promised.” Gracelynn lets go of Gio’s hand in embarrassment.
“Well, my dear, I figured he’d enjoy hearing about how you cried and cursed like a sailor to get that tattoo.”
Chapter 32
“WAIT JUST A MINUTE. You took her to get that tattoo, Grandma?” Gio is baffled. He’s surprised that she would take anyone to get a tattoo.
Kat chimes in. “I went along too. I was the one that told her to go for it when she told me she wanted to honor everyone you both have lost.”
Kat smiles at Gracelynn. “I love the charms Gio has given you. Now all you need to remember me by is this charm to go along with it.” Kat hands her a coffee charm to add to the bracelet and they all laugh.
By the time they each give their love hugs and kisses it’s late. They leave telling Gio and Gracelynn they will back in the morning.
Gio takes Holly out again and finds Gracelynn sitting on the couch looking at her bracelet, smiling and holding her Angel necklace. She stares at the fire, obviously lost in thought and he’s afraid to disturb her.
“Everything okay? I’m going to be heading to bed soon and wanted to say goodnight.” He starts to walk away when she stops him.
“Wait. Can you come talk with me a second?” Gracelynn fidgets on the couch.
Gio walks back to the sofa towards Gracelynn. He puts some space between them, but places her feet on his lap, and then gently rubs them.
Gracelynn sighs in contentment and it makes him happy to know he’s the one giving her comfort.
“You know, I’ve not had a Christmas like this one in a long time. I never thought I would get my life back together. I don’t know what it is about your town. Maybe it’s the nature, the silence and serenity or just the wonderful people… well most of them are, anyways.”
He stops her. “Don’t even think about him. Yes, most of us here are very nice, helpful and would never hurt a woman.” He continues to rub her feet once again.
“I haven’t done a lot of sightseeing, but loved every minute of spending time with you and your family.”
He stops rubbing her feet and smiles at this amazing woman. She’s truly a gift, just like the voice told him.
As they get up from the couch to head to bed, Gio stops her. “Is it okay if we lay together tonight? You’re leaving me soon and I would love to hold you close.”
She nods and tells him that she’ll be there soon. It makes him happy to know she agrees but saddened by the thought that she’s already stolen his heart, but will be leaving New Hope soon.
Chapter 33
GRACELYNN WAKES UP TO SUNSHINE on Christmas day. Her handsome, sexy man is staring at her with pure elation.
“Wake up, sleeping beauty.” Gio gleams with excitement as he leans over and gently places a kiss on her forehead.
“Get up; I’ve got some presents for you. I want you to see them before we have to get ready to go to church with Grandma and Kat, remember?” His eyes sparkle like a child’s on Christmas day, which makes her so delightfully happy too.
She smiles as he hovers over her. “I like it when you wake me up.”
He chuckles. “We didn’t get into the smirk game last night. We could try to relive that today, if you’d like to.”
She playfully hits his arm.
“Did you forget what happened last time you hit me?”
“That’s because nothing did happen,” she laughs. “Let me use the ladies room and I’ll be right out, okay?”
She watches as he pulls the covers off himself, gets up from the bed and walks out of the room looking scrumptious in his checkered bed pants that hang just right on his delicious body. How she got this lucky to spend time with him, she has no idea. Then all of a sudden the voice appears again.
“You deserve it, you know. He’s a wonderful man who loves you the way you deserve. You make a beautiful couple. It’s written in the stars. It’s from Granted Wishes. Keep your heart open, Gracelynn.” She gets chills. What is it about New Hope that has her hearing voices?
* * *
Gio leaves the bedroom, elated for Christmas morning. It’s the first time in years he’s excited to set the table and enjoy Christmas. He leaves the lights off except for the Christmas tree, which gives it a rich cozy ambiance. He sits at the table smiling at his masterpiece, questioning where Gracelynn is. It’s been half an hour and she hasn’t come out of the bedroom. He gets up from the barstool and starts walking towards his room and stops in his tracks.
Gracelynn stands near him, looking stunning in a pair of black slacks, a crimson sweater and white scarf. And her hair is in waves and looks beautiful today.
“I was coming to find you. Breakfast has turned cold. ” He runs a hand through his hair and then rubs his fingers through his slightly scruffy beard.
“I’m sorry. I, just, I…” Gracelynn tries to explain, but holds him instead. She squeezes him so tight he can barely breathe.
He tries to release her grip on him and turns her face towards him. “Wh
at’s going on? You’re scaring me.”
“I heard a voice again,” she whispers into his shoulder.
“What did it say?”
“Ah, nothing I need you to worry about. It just surprised me and I’m wondering what’s going on in this town.”
“Let’s eat, then I’ll get dressed and we can focus on having a wonderful Christmas day. Besides, I have presents for you to open up.” He gives her his most famous dimple smile.
They both let go of one another. He grasps her hand, wraps it in his and leads her to the table, where she again, gasps in amazement.
The table is filled with pancakes, bacon, and orange juice and left over pie. There’s a box with her name on it, next to where she usually sits to eat.
She looks oddly at the box on the table.
“It’s not what you’re thinking. Let’s eat and give our special presents and then we can get to the church.” He hopes he’s settled her nerves.
She smiles at him as they eat in silence. Gracelynn finishes first and excuses herself to leave the room and comes back with a huge, nicely-wrapped gift.
Gio wonders what on earth she could’ve gotten him.
She tells him to finish eating and get dressed before exchanging the presents. He agrees and leaves the room, speechless. No woman has ever taken a hold of him and had him want to do anything to please them the way he wants to do for her. She brings out the joy he used to have in his life, before it all got taken away.
He decides he will dress down some, despite the holiday. He wears black slacks, a white dress shirt with a red tie and a black jacket to go with it. He likes the idea of matching with Gracelynn. He wants everyone to know that he’s with her. Wait. Where did that come from? He’s with her? He styles his hair and fears that maybe he shouldn’t have made the beautiful present he’s about to give Gracelynn.
When he comes back into the kitchen, his heart leaps out of his chest. He notices Gracelynn reading. When she hears him approach, her mouth opens wide in joy and her eyes gleam with passion. He hopes his convey the same amount of passion as he sees in her eyes.
He grabs her gift and gently hands it to her. As she looks at him, his eyes try to tell her what he feels, but they can’t.
She looks at him, confusion written all over her face as she opens the box to a beautiful Infinity ring with elaborate diamonds.
His heart practically leaps out of his chest. What if she hates the present? He clears his throat and wipes his sweaty palms on his slacks.
“You see, the love you and Angelo had was infinite. I know he’s gone… but never forgotten. I too, want to be a part of your life, for infinity. I want to be your safe place, your place to fall, trip, and pass out, anything.”
Tears pour out of her eyes as he continues. “This ring is a symbol of everyone’s love. The color on the left is emerald for your birthstone, Angelo in the middle with the clear, flawless diamond and then peridot for me. I wanted you to have a ring that symbolizes infinite love. That it’s Angelo’s love keeping us together, his love for the both of us. You’re my family and I wanted you to know that I care about you so much, even though we’ve only met recently. I had to let you know I was serious about you and would like to stay a part of your life even when you go back home.”
He pulls the ring out of the box and places it on her right hand ring finger. It fits perfectly. He stares at her while tears stream down her face. Her mascara is in streaks, but he doesn’t care. She truly is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. He gently cups her cheek, wipes her tears away and kisses her nose.
“Why the tears, beautiful girl? Was this not an appropriate gift to give you?” She still doesn’t respond and now he’s worried; but she seems speechless, staring at the ring in amazement.
He tries to step away from her, but she won’t allow it and grips him in a tight embrace.
Eventually, she lets go of him and kisses him on the cheek. She looks down at her hand again, then back into his eyes.
“Thank you so much. This is the most perfect gift. I couldn’t imagine having a better gift than to have both your and Angelo’s love to infinity,” she whispers as she pulls him in for another hug, but backs away slightly so that she can look at him.
He leans in and kisses her passionately.
They step back. Gio rubs his hands in his hair and stares at the beautiful woman in front of him. She’s trying to look calm and collected, but he can see in her eyes she’s enjoyed their kiss.
“Enough ogling, come get your gift.” She shyly smiles at Gio as she wipes the tears from her face.
“I hope you’ll like these.” She steps back from him and he notices her shaky hands and wonders what will be inside this present.
He opens her gift and immediately drops it on the table and pulls her in for a tight embrace.
“Thank you, doll. Thank you so much.” He kisses her neck.
He steps away from her and goes back to the present. As he looks at the gift, Gracelynn explains who it is.
“This is you with your parents on the day you were born. I wanted you to see what they looked like. And I must say you definitely look like Thomas,” she gushes at him.
He continues to look at the marvelous, thoughtful gift and sees multiple pictures of him and his mom and dad and one of him and his brother.
He is so amazed by this woman. She’s given him the best gift he could have possibly gotten. He loves this so much. He rubs his fingers over his family photos and wishes he could have had a family. Lizzie was to give him one but that never happened. But he feels that with Gracelynn, it would be real. No lies, no cheating. Real love and passion. The real deal, forever.
“May I ask how you were able to get these photos of my family?” he asks, still gleaming down with love of his family in encased glass.
“Well, handsome, you have your secrets and I have mine.”
“That’s fine, sweetheart. I can just tickle the answer from you then.”
“Maybe you should try and see what happens.” She winks at him again and laughs.
Gio sets the photos on the bar and gets up. He runs his fingers through his hair and moves toward her like a man on a mission.
However, she realizes what he’s doing and runs away from him right into the kitchen counter, just where the whip cream was left out from the pie they had.
Gio comes close to grab her when she sprays him with the cream. He stops, laughs and licks his lips in a slow seductive manner. “Mmmm. I do love whip cream,” he moans while he continues to lick the cream off his face. He watches as her eyes travel everywhere his tongue travels. He slowly turns, getting into her personal space. He grabs the can of cream and sprays her right in the face before he runs out of the room.
Once he realizes she hasn’t come after him, he enters the room again, still laughing. He finds Gracelynn staring out the window looking like she’s lost. He clears his throat and it has her turn toward him.
“Why didn’t you come after me? You were the one who started this whip cream fight.” He watches as her eyes still sparkle with mischief.
She licks her lips and finally speaks after several minutes. “Thank you for that. I figured we needed to stop before it got dirty.”
He tips his head backwards and lets out a full belly laugh. “Woman, you will be the end of me…. But a sweet, sticky, beautiful end.”
Her eyes sparkle with undying dirty thoughts of what happened moments prior.
He’s so happy with her. It’s like nothing he’s ever experienced. “Doll, come in the living room with me, please,” he asks, wanting to dance with her again. He extends his hand out for her and she accepts it without hesitation.
They walk to the living room, where he bows for her. “Can I have this dance?”
“Why yes, you can.”
The music starts to play and they start dancing, moving intimate
ly close. He kisses her neck and can feel the goose bumps on her skin.
He kisses her again. He whispers, “Merry Christmas, Grace. I really like you. Please tell me you want this too.” He continues to dance with her, enjoying the feeling of her in his space, next to his body, moving with him.
“I feel the same way, Gio… I’m struggling with leaving tomorrow. I didn’t want to arrive in this town and now I don’t want to leave.”
As they continue to dance, his phone starts ringing. He hates to leave the position he’s in, but knows it could be important. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to stop dancing, but I should see who that is. Stay here.”
Gio kisses her forehead and goes in search of his phone.
He comes back in the room, with the phone to his ear, smirking at Gracelynn. “Yes, Grandma. We didn’t forget. We’ll be there soon. Love you too.” He hangs up and looks at Gracelynn, pouting.
“Quit your pouting. We can finish the dancing later.” Gracelynn smirks at him with a glimmer of mischief in her gorgeous eyes.
They grab their coats and head off to church, hand in hand.
* * *
The mass was wonderful and afterwards Anne and Kat come back to the cabin. They all spend the rest of the day laughing, reminiscing and enjoying each other’s company.
“I ran into Ron yesterday, Gio,” Grandma whispers when they’re in the kitchen alone.
“What did he have to say?” Gio clenches his fingers together and hopes like hell she doesn’t bring up anything that happened between Xavier and Gracelynn.
Anne leans closer to him and embraces him in a hug. “I know Xavier hurt her. Ron told me. He’s ashamed of what his son has done.”
Gio leans out of his grandmother’s embrace and raises his voice. It’s the first time he’s ever done anything of the sort to his own grandma.
“What do you mean, he’s ashamed? He darned well better be. He almost raped and possibly could’ve killed Holly and Gracelynn.” He tightly grips the chair in anger just as Kat and Gracelynn come back into the kitchen.
