“You’re disappointed?”
“Never!” he said grabbing her by the hips and bringing her with him on the sofa. She straddled his lap hiking her nightgown up her thighs but keeping her robe loose and open to cover her legs. Giovanni dropped his head back. He smiled up at her. With her robe open he could see how lovely the lace cupped and lifted the bodice of her gown with it’s deep v that revealed a suggestive sample of her cleavage. “It’s time for your Christmas present. Reach in my pocket Bella.”
She lifted her right knee to reach down into the pocket of his pajama pants and brought out a square shaped jewelry box.
“What is this Santa?” she shook the box and sat back on his lap.
Giovanni placed his hands behind his head. His chest swelled with pride over what he’d gotten her. “Open it.”
Mira sat back and peeled away the gift paper. “You wrapped this? All by yourself?”
“Eve helped,” he chuckled.
“I bet she did.” Mira opened the box. The bracelet’s beauty captured the breath in her lungs. It had a tiny charm of a diamond pacifier dangling from it. This was a link bracelet with diamonds connecting each golden loop. “It’s beautiful.”
“The jeweler said it’s from his motherhood series. We put a charm on a link for every milestone in Eve’s life. Or if you give me more babies?”
Mira glanced up at him and his voice faltered. He smiled shyly. “You haven’t said if you will give me more babies.”
“You want another baby?” Mira asked.
“More than anything. This time I can take care of you. Protect you. Be there for the birth of my son.”
“Or daughter.” She corrected.
He winked. “As long as we can create another as beautiful and special as Eve I’m happy.”
Mira dropped her head. She couldn’t contain her tears. Giovanni made her lift her face by raising her chin with his finger. “What is it?”
“I’m so happy. You have made me so happy.”
He drew her to him by cupping the back of her neck. His tongue explored her mouth and the kiss deepened. Mira lost herself in his kiss. “There’s more,” he said when they were left panting with their foreheads touching.
“What is it?”
“Under the tree. Green present. Go get it.”
Mira sat back, she handed him the box with her bracelet, and he removed it to fasten it around her wrist. The diamond charm bracelet sparkled beautifully under the Christmas lights. The house remained silent. Most were either in bed or outside patrolling. They were alone. “So what now? A pair of matching earrings?” she asked curiously scanning the few scattered presents left. The only green one was a wrapped six-inch cylinder tube. Mira frowned. “Is this it?”
Mira returned to his side, this time sitting next to him. “Now I’m curious,” she said a bit anxious. She peeled away the wrapping and removed a silver engraved tube. The date 1-1-92. “I don’t understand?”
Giovanni removed the tube from her hand. He held it out for them to see the date. “In Italia, to marry, a citizen must appear before the clerk and declare their intentions. The banns, which are wedding announcements, go up for two consecutive Sundays in town hall. After the second Sunday there is a four day wait. Bella, January 1st you will be my bride.”
“It’s our wedding day?”
“I’m sorry. We can’t marry traditionally. To convert to Catholicism would only delay the wedding, and I want to marry now.”
She accepted the tube. “So this is where our wedding certificate will go?”
“It is.”
“It’s beautiful.” She kissed him. “I have your gift.”
“Where is it?”
She reached for his hand and pressed it to her belly. “Here.”
Giovanni frowned. Mira chuckled. “You will be a father again. I’m pregnant.”
He sat up right. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. Yes! We’re pregnant.”
He lifted her and brought her to his lap so suddenly she gasped in fright then exploded in laughter. Giovanni hugged her tight to his chest. “Ti amo!”
“I love you too!”