"He is gone. Apparently being a husband and father was too much for him. He left us right after my Rocco was born."
She reached out and placed a hand over Viviana's where it rested on her lap. "Oh Viv, I'm so sorry." Before she could respond, Nikki walked back into the room. Viviana clutched her hand as they waited for Nikki to tell them what she'd found.
Nikki looked at the two women and noticed how closely they were sitting as well as Alex's hand held possessively by the stranger. She swallowed before she began to explain. "I think it would be best for Patrizia to go to a hospital. I don't have any tools here to make an official diagnosis, but I believe she may have pneumonia and she is severely dehydrated."
Viviana's eyes welled with tears. "She'll be okay, Viv," Alex said as she pulled the crying woman into her arms. "I'll call 118 for you while you get her ready."
Viviana pulled back and nodded. "Thank you."
Alex stepped into the waiting room and looked around. She spotted Viviana sitting alone in the corner and headed her way. She watched as Viviana lifted her head and saw her making her way across the room. Her eyes widened in surprise and the corner of her mouth lifted in a ghost of a smile.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to see how you and your mother are doing. Am I not welcome?" Alex asked, startled by the question.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. Of course you're welcome." She removed her purse from the seat beside her. "Please, sit. You surprised me that's all. I didn't expect to see you again."
Alex sat down in the offered chair and smiled at her. "I thought you might like a ride home as soon as your mother is settled. It will be much better than a taxi."
Viviana nodded and gave her a small smile. "Yes, that's true. Thank you." She looked deep into her eyes and sighed.
"What is it?"
"I think my mother was right. I never should have let you go, Alexis. I was a fool." A single tear spilled over and ran down her cheek.
Alex reached out and gently wiped it away. "Some things just aren't meant to be, Viv. We wouldn't have made it and you know it. Things happen certain ways for a reason. Without Leo you wouldn't have Rocco." She took Viviana's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "And you wouldn't trade him for anything would you?"
She shook her head. "No, I wouldn't. I love my son." She looked down at their joined hands. Viviana clasped the hand gently holding her own, and ran her thumb over the soft skin. "But sometimes I wish things were different. I miss how you made me feel. No one else has ever made me feel so alive, so loved."
Alex was startled at the confession and sat quietly for a moment. When Viviana finally looked up, Alex tilted her head slightly to one side as she took in the beauty of the woman before her. Her long light brown hair had chestnut highlights, and her green eyes sparkled with mischief when not filled with worry. She gave her a tender smile and said, "You are a very beautiful woman, Viv. The Viviana I know is a warm, gentle soul that deserves to be loved. Believe in yourself and you will find love again, my friend." As if drawn by a string, Alex's head turned and she stared into Nikki's eyes from across the room. A smile lit up her face and the love she felt was obvious to anyone who cared to see.
Viviana followed her gaze and saw Nikki walking toward them, a cup of coffee in each hand. "You are in love with her."
"Yes, I am."
Viviana gave her a wry smile and squeezed her hand before releasing it. "She's a very lucky woman."
"I'm the lucky one, Viv, because she loves me, too."
Minutes after dropping Viviana off, Alex and Nikki walked into the villa and were greeted by Dani and Rachel. "Is everything okay? You were gone much longer than I expected." Dani said as they walked into the living room.
Nikki sat on the couch and leaned her head back. Alex sat beside her and snuggled into her side before responding. "Patrizia has pneumonia. We called an ambulance and followed them to the hospital in Lucca. We waited with Viviana while the doctors got her mother settled, then we took Viv home."
Rachel's eyebrows rose as she watched Nikki's expression when Viviana was mentioned. "So, it sounds like you know this Viviana fairly well, Alex."
"I did once." Alex felt Nikki's body stiffen slightly. She ducked under her arm and snuggled into her side as she placed her head on her shoulder. Her hand came to rest on Nikki's stomach. "I spent quite a bit of time here right after I bought the place. I was overseeing the renovations on the villa, and working with Dante on the running of the vineyard." She felt the muscles under her fingers begin to slowly relax. "Patrizia came highly recommended as a housekeeper. It was through that relationship that I met Viv."
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly when she felt Nikki's arm tighten around her. "I was young, quite full of myself, and I was completely smitten the very first time I saw her." She slipped her hand under the hem of Nikki's shirt, and ran her fingers over the tense muscles of her abdomen. "Viv was a good catholic girl and resisted my charms for a long time."
"I take that to mean she eventually gave in?" Nikki asked, a touch of jealousy in her voice.
She leaned back and looked into Nikki's eyes. "Of course. I'm impossible to resist."
Nikki pulled her close and whispered, "Yes, you are." She captured Alex's mouth in a searing kiss that left them both breathless.
Alex pulled back and looked into Nikki's eyes. "You have
