Forty-five minutes later, I’m slipping on the Jimmy Choos when the front door clicks open. Little feet patter across the hall and burst inside the bedroom. I pull Slonne and Oscar close to me. “Hey lovelies, how was school?”
“It was so good! I learned a new rhyme.” Slonne doesn’t even wait to proceed with it and I clap, swaying side to side and cheering her on.
By the end, Oscar joins along too. “Yeah, I only learned the last part. It’s the best part.”
I kiss their foreheads and grin at their cuteness. “So tell me, am I looking at the next champion soccer player and dance superstar?”
“You are! Daddy spoke to them and they both said we can join. Slonne starts dance after school next Tuesday—”
“No.” Slonne interrupts her brother. “She said next Thursday, remember?”
“Oh yeah, whoops. Yeah, Slonne has dance on Thursday and I have soccer on Wednesday.”
“I’m so happy for you both! I’ll be sure to talk to Daddy about it. Why don’t you both get ready for dinner now? I’ll come to help in a minute.”
Slonne shakes her head. “Daddy said he’ll help us and to let you finish getting ready.”
“Well, that was very kind of him. Okay. Tell him I’ll be finished soon, alright?”
They nod and skip out of the bedroom hand in hand.
Addilyn. My breath staggers. The final piece of the puzzle.
We’ll have her soon.
In the bathroom, I decide against my normal lipstick and choose the deep red one instead.
“Amore?” Giulio calls from outside the bathroom door, his husky voice shooting electric sparks across my body. “Sorry, I couldn’t come in earlier. I’m halfway through making dinner. Everything going okay?”
“It’s no trouble! Yes, I’m almost done. You can come in.”
“No, not yet.”
Snickering, I draw the lipstick away from my full lips. “Why not? It isn’t as if this is the night before we get married and you can’t see me or my dress.”
“That night was pure torture without you.”
“Ditto.” I rub my red lips together. The dress hugs me in all the right places, accentuating my legs and cinching my waist. “Is that why you picked white?”
“I guess that’s for me to know and you to find out.”
I’m having the time of my life and the night hasn’t even begun. For the first time in ages, I feel like myself. When I step out of the bathroom with a hand running down my smooth thighs, I find Giulio sitting on the edge of the bed wearing a dapper tuxedo. White tuxedo dress shirt, dark silk bow tie, a finely pinstriped black vest with matching slacks, and a hot blazer.
He looks elegantly sexy, as always.
“Oh, Dio.” His jaw visibly drops. “My god, Lencia. You look so stunning, you always do. Those red lips…your hair…wow.”
I run my hand through my short hair. I’ve curled it into loose waves tonight. “You really like it, huh?”
“I love it. I think you’re ready for world domination.”
I laugh at his comment. “If you say so.”
“It suits you so well. New beginnings, huh?”
“New beginnings.”
Giulio stands and motions for me to step forward. Head high, I stride towards him. We’re grinning from ear to ear as he takes my left hand and raises it over my head. “Spin around for me, baby.”
I do. Slowly.
“I love everything about what you’re doing. I know what it means and could not be prouder.”
Leaning forward, I steal a peck on his lips. It’s short, yet enough to signal just how grateful I am. Our grins deepen, proving difficult for me to wipe away the scarlet transfer on his lips. “Keep still, baby.”
“Impossible.” He kisses my thumb. “By the way, the kids helped me pick out the dress.”
“Aww, really?”
“True story.” Giulio’s hands depart from the dips of waist and I laugh when he softly spanks my ass before giving it a tight squeeze. Then he dips forward and in a sexual, deep voice he teases by my ear, “But those panties were all me. They’re mine. And don’t you forget it.”
“Oh I won’t, Mr. Giannotti.”
“Good.”
I’ll never forget this birthday.
Giulio has turned the luxurious rooftop deck on what is the fourth level into this mesmerizing wonderland. Flickering candles guide the path to the large rounded marble table. Adjacent to us are lounges, a hot tub, and a dreamy rooftop pool with views of the mountainside. Below, in our backyard, fairy lights wrap around the soaring trees, gold balloons align the fence, and everything I could have ever wanted is here underneath the pink hued sky.
All except for one.
Dinner outside our new home is something special to me. The rustic Italian food is divine and the orange flourless cake is to die for. Later, we switch to wine as the kids sip their hot chocolates. The conversation flows easily from topic to topic, and the outdoor gas heaters blanket us in sweet serenity. It’s simply perfect.
As the stars begin to show, we navigate the skies until we find ours. They’re impeccably aligned and the twins are completely mesmerized, just like they are every single time we show them…and every time I see them too.
“Why don’t you get Mommy’s gift?” Giulio says.
“Oh, yeah!” Oscar rushes down the outdoor marble steps and into the house with his sister hot on his tail.
Giulio rounds the table and moves his chair next to mine.
“Thanks for everything today. It’s truly been one of the greatest birthdays I’ve ever had.”
“Better than that Beyoncé concert years ago?”
“Smart move.” I nuzzle into his chest. “Better than the Beyoncé concert.”
“Helena will never forgive you for that answer.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself if I don’t choose you over Queen B. There’s no better healing than when we’re together.”
“I would do anything for you, and you know I’m not just saying that. You’re the only woman I want, and I’m glad we have overcome our version of hell.”
“Same.” I’m hot all over, loving the way our citric vanilla scents mix into one as my lips trail down his neck. “I could stay
