Triple yikes.
12
Francesca
“At least she waited until the end of the ceremony,” Eve muttered under her breath.She took Nicco from me, and then Stefan went to grab Marcello.
“No, you don't have time for that,” Nick interjected while he carefully undid his—soiled—tuxedo coat.“Give him to Giselle, Francesca.Please.”
I wanted to argue and insist on keeping at least one baby.But there was just something in the way he ordered me to do something that immediately—made me do it.
It was weird.
I handed over the sleeping baby while Nick explained himself.
“The airplane is fueled and ready to go.Things are not—” He swallowed and looked Stefan in the eye.“Safe for either of you here.There's a car waiting for you out front.He'll take you to the airport.”
Eve piped in, “I packed a few things for you.It should tide you over until you land at least.”She smiled, and then with watery eyes, she added, “Congratulations.We are all so happy to have you as part of our family now.Finally.”
Stefan grabbed my hand but spoke to Nick, “Are you sure about this?”
Nick nodded.“Go.Now.”
13
Francesca
Iwanted to change before we left.
But Nick wouldn't allow it.He maintained that, “Time was of the essence.”And we had to leave immediately to avoid a—situation.
I wasn't sure what kind of situation he was referring to.But I didn't really want to find out either.
Giselle encouraged me to wear the dress on the plane even though I had huge reservations about that.For one thing, it was her dress.And for another, I didn't want to ruin it.Even if we were only going a short way, that didn't mean I couldn't do irreparable harm to this beautiful gown that she had spent hours making.
And when I expressed my concern about the safety and integrity of her dress—all she said was, “Oh, honey.It'll be fine.Besides, it's your wedding night.You should wear it.”Then she rushed off to deal with the kids.
Anyway, that was how we got to now, where I was currently sitting beside my—husband.
Whoa.
That was—weird.
To think of Stefan as my husband.
Even if it was fake.It was still—crazy.
“Do you think I have time to change?”
Stefan buckled his seat belt and looked at me.“What?”He seemed distracted.
“Do you think we'll be taking off right away?Or do I have time to go and change?I don't know what Eve packed for me, but I'm betting there will be something more comfortable than this to wear inside that suitcase.”I waved my hands down my body quickly and waited for him to answer.
“No time,” he said, reaching across me to grab the seat belt.
I set my hands on his and stopped him.“It’ll take me like a minute.Can't you ask them to wait?”
He was so close.I could smell his warm, spicy cologne.
