Keep Your Head Up
Aria Amora
The sun seemed to slip into the sky and send a golden glow over Winkelmatten the next morning, almost like a blanket of oozing honey over the snowcapped mountains and streets. I rubbed my legs against the softness of the sheets, cuddled up closer to my husband, and breathed him in.
That morning felt different.
We might’ve had our struggles ahead, but the most pressing one had relieved itself.
Ita Novak.
I didn’t care who the father of her baby was—I knew it wasn’t my husband. I also wondered how she felt so confident lying about it. Did she not take into consideration a paternity test? Maybe she thought her word would be good enough?
I almost wondered if it was a Fausti who’d gotten her pregnant. She was around enough to have been around them. Maybe she thought since the Faustis all had something Fausti about their appearances, if the baby looked anything like them, she’d be believed.
I wasn’t sure, and it didn’t matter. We were going to see Luca after breakfast. Massimo would meet us there. Then we were going to the slopes for a bit before dinner in town.
I felt free.
I went to lean in to kiss my husband, who had his eyes closed. In a move that made mewhoop!, he turned me on my back and started kissing me. Big smooches all over my face that made me laugh.
He was grinning too.
We both stopped for a moment, breathing heavy, even though we’d only been messing around, and it was like his glistening green eyes were speaking to mine—we are free from one beast.
“Free,” I whispered, and after he nodded, we both went for each other.
We made it to Luca’s chalet just in time. Maggie Beautiful hugged us both, complimenting me on my outfit, and I complimented her on hers—they were similar, and we both started laughing.
Luca kissed me on each cheek. He thanked me again for a delicious dinner, then said, “Perhaps soon you will make minestrone again. It brought back fond memories of my mamma’s kitchen.”
My cheeks warmed, and the pressure from my husband’s hand on my lower back increased. “It would be an honor,” I said. “I’ll also try my hand at makingpappardelle al cinghialethe next time we’re together.” Since Massimo had given me the boar steaks.
At the honor part of my response, Luca made a noise in his throat. Maggie Beautiful invited us deeper into the chalet, and after, Luca directed us to the office. Luca spoke to both of us before Massimo was welcomed into the office.
My father-in-law ordered him to recount the night. Massimo did, just as he’d done for us. Luca stared into the distance for some time, then he nodded. “This situation shall be dealt with.”He looked at me. “You vowed to cook a dinner for the damned.Pomodorion old pewter plates, I recall.”
I sat up straighter. “I did, and if she wasn’t with child, I would’ve seen it through. But I still don’t trust her not to bother us again. She’s dangerous. I can feel it. And with the baby…” I touched my stomach “…I refuse to take the chance.”
Luca stared at me. I stared back, my head tilted slightly, though my eyes were not challenging his—I was only curious about his stare on me.
“My mamma used to tell me when she would donate new clothes or food to those in need, ‘Luca, do you see how we are giving right now?’ And I would say, ‘Yes, mamma, I do.’ She would say, ‘You give, and one day you may receive. The donation goes into the pot, and someday, if you are ever in need, it will come back to you.’”
“I understand what Nonna Grazia was saying. If I forgive for Ita’s child—” I touched my stomach “—I’ll be blessed in return.”
My father-in-law was pleased with how I had addressed his mamma. I could tell by the set of his face. Though…I could tell by his eyes he was at war as he stared at me. Something told me he was battling his feelings, and I wasn’t sure why.
Luca nodded, and it was a bit stiffer, which didn’t reflect his next words. “You are a righteous woman, and fair with your punishment for what has been done to you. You are a woman worthy of the title of Queen in this family. Ita Novakwill be taken care of accordingly.” My father-in-law’s eyes cut to my husband, and even though it seemed like only a glance, I knew it meant more.
With one look, Luca had silently spoken. And after my father-in-law nodded, the meeting was over.
Even though I sensed he wasn’t back to normal (and normal for Luca Fausti was Fausti normal), there was something a tad bit lighter about him. Maybe because Maggie Beautiful wasjust dealing with a thyroid issue that could be controlled by medication.
For her age, in the grand scheme of things, it was manageable.
The mood grew even lighter and more joyous as we walked toward the chalet’scucina. All my brothers- and sisters-in-law, along with their children and grandchildren, if they had them, were waiting to start the day.
Maggie Beautiful seemed lit from the inside at all the conversation and laughter. I felt the same way. She and I had both come from smaller families. To have this many people to love…it always felt like a built-in party, if everyone was respectful and followed the rules.
