Rocco laughed, raspy and low, when one of Mia and Saverio’s twins came zooming by, brandishing a wooden sword he’d gotten for Christmas. He was after his brother, who promptly stopped and brandished a sword of his own. The twins clacked their swords, their father herding them to the door, while Mia stuck wool hats on their heads and forced them to stop while she bundled them both up.
Scarlett smiled, watching them, Brando’s hand on her shoulder. Her hair was the most beautiful shade of auburn, made more beautiful by the pure silver strands mixed in. I’d never looked at Scarlett Fausti and not thought that she was justso beautiful. Everything about her was beautifully made, all her features as stunning as the entire picture she made.
She turned to us, her smile as bright as her green eyes. “I’m sure you’re both ready for some down time, but…we have a gift for you both.”
“You’ve given us—” I was about to say “enough.” We’d all exchanged gifts earlier, and just like everything Scarlett did…she was an excellent gift-giver.
I was already on cloud nine about Luca giving Scarlett permission to share his mamma’srecipes with me, Carmen, and Juliette. He said we were all daughters of his heart, and he felt his mamma would be proud that we all had what she considered recipes of love to pass down to us. Scarlett also gave us Luca’s grandmother’s recipes, too, that Aunt Lola had given her. She said Aunt Lola gave her permission before she passed—she could share the recipes with any woman in the circle who Scarlett felt would honor them.
Scarlett made it extra special by finding the same exact book Nonna Grazia had written her recipes down in. Then she copied each page—she even got the stains.
Scarlett’s thoughtfulness and Luca’s blessing made me cry.
Scarlett shook her head. “I’m so excited about this gift, but I wanted to give it privately.” Even though she was talking to me, she was looking at my husband.
I squeezed Rocco’s hand, and he nodded.
“We’ll meet you in an hour at your chalet,” Brando said.
It seemed like we all left Luca and Maggie Beautiful’s chalet at once. She said she was going to miss all of us, especially watching the kids with all their presents, but she was going to stay in her pajamas and watch old movies for the week to recoup.
“Me too!” Juliette said. “I’m beat!”
I noticed how Luca relaxed some when someone else agreed with Maggie Beautiful. It almost seemed like he was relievedwhen she wasn’t the only one tired. I’d noticed how he held onto her tighter when she’d said it.
I was tired too—tired to the bone.
Rocco sensed this, and after he kissed my temple, he picked me up and carried me home. Since Scarlett and Brando were not as formal as Luca, I changed into lounge wear while we waited for their visit. My husband only removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
The knock came exactly an hour later, and Rocco answered it. He took a few steps back when Scarlett and Brando came inside. I wrapped my thick cardigan tighter around myself when a gust of wind blew inside. It smelled of the firs, smoke from the chimneys, and ice.
At first, I wasn’t sure what was going on, but when Rocco took his place next to me, I realized what Brando had carried up the steps.
A stroller.
But not just any stroller.
A pram—a vintage looking thing that would fit perfectly in England back in the day. Maybe even in that day. But the carriage was brand new. The smile that came to my face was instant. I ran my hand over the design, loving how delicate it was. Light purple, the most delicious color cream, and gold. The handles seemed made of pure silver. The wheels were gorgeous!
Scarlett had stuck a huge bow to the top. The card on top read:
Rocco, Aria, and the newest Little Baby of the Fausti family…
Love,
Brando & Scarlett
When my eyes could leave the beautiful gift, I found Rocco and Scarlett staring at each other. Her eyes were glossy withtears, so were his, and Brando cleared his throat, though he didn’t say anything after.
I was crying too.
Because I knew the gift meant something. It meant something to Rocco, and he grabbed my arm, pulling me close, kissing the top of my head.
Scarlett refused to confirm it, but in that moment we all knew…
Soon enough, because time moved too fast, my husband and I would be pushing our daughter in the gift our sister and brother had gifted us with.
Chapter 37
