I smile at him affectionately. “Of course, I will. I can make apple jelly too. Or apple strudel.” I look up at Gino, and he’s watching us with a strange expression on his face. “Or if your papa allows it, we can make chocolate-covered caramel apples.”
“Please, Papa!” Caleb races to hug Gino’s other leg. “Can she make us chocolate apples?”
“Be good boys, and we’ll see,” Gino says. “And her name is Natalia.”
I straighten up, glad he didn’t tell them to call me Mama. They are so little, and I wonder if they even properly understand their mother has gone to heaven or if they will remember her when they are older. My heart aches with sadness for them.
“You will need these,” Ben says, appearing at the side of the house, carrying two small baskets with handles. He crouches down, smiling at the twins. “Why don’t you come with me while your papa talks to Natalia. I can show you the way to the orchard.”
Miraculously, both boys leave the safety of Gino’s legs and rush to Ben, snatching the baskets from him. Gino nods his gratitude before they race off across the grass in the direction of the orchard.
Silence ensues, and it’s uncomfortable.
Gino clears his throat as we walk at a leisurely pace. “I know you want to continue your studies, and I applaud you for that, but it simply won’t work.” His brown eyes bore into mine. “My sons need a mother. One who will be with them every day. They have just lost Juliet, and they are confused. I can’t bring you into their lives to have you disappear every day. It will only confuse them more.” He stops, touching my elbow. “My sons are my sole priority, but you will be my wife, Natalia. Your needs matter to me too. If I could align both goals, I would permit it. Perhaps you could return to finish your studies when they are older and they don’t need you so much?”
“When would that be?” I ask because a lot of Italian boys remain tied to their mama’s apron strings forever.
“Perhaps when they start high school?” he suggests.
It’s not what I want. I want to complete my senior year now and get my initial degree, but maybe I can use this to my advantage. “If that could happen, would you be agreeable to me studying for an extended period of time?”
“Explain that?” he asks as we walk.
So, I do. Telling him how obtaining my undergraduate degree is only the first step to a full-time career as a doctor, I explain how I would have to go on to med school and a hospital residency after that.
“If I have understood correctly, you would need to complete your senior year and then go on to do another three or four years and then another few years as a resident?”
“Yes.” I nod.
He looks contemplative. “I think that could work. The boys would be adults by the time you started your residency.”
“You wouldn’t resent your wife working long hours at a hospital?” I inquire because I think most dons would.
“You will not be chained to my side, Natalia, and I will be working long hours too. If this is what you need to agree to this marriage, then I am happy to permit it.”
It feels wrong to thank him, but I want to start this marriage on the right footing. The fact he is willing to compromise and to give me some say in my future is reassuring. Perhaps, this marriage won’t be too bad. “Thank you, Gino.”
“I am happy we could reach an acceptable compromise.” His hand moves to my face, and my eyes startle wide. “You are truly very beautiful, Natalia.”
I nod my thanks, too terrified to form words. His palm is heavy on my face, and his touch doesn’t elicit shivers the way Leo’s touch does.
That’s a good thing, my inner voice whispers in my ear.
“You will make a good wife and mother,” he adds. “And I will take care of you the way a husband should, but there is one thing you must know.”
I take a deep breath as I prepare for whatever he’s about to say.
Pain crawls across his face as he removes his hand from me. “Juliet was the love of my life,” he says, his voice cracking a little. “She willalwaysbe the love of my life. I promise I will look after you, Natalia. I will take care of all your needs, but I will never love you. I am not capable of loving any other woman because my heart will always belong to Juliet.”
He says this like I expected him to love me. How naïve does he believe me to be? I wonder if he chose me because I look nothing like his beloved wife?
Juliet was tall with long straight blonde hair, and she was extremely slim with small breasts and a nonexistent ass. I’m shorter, curvier, with big boobs, a shapely ass, and wavy dark hair. The only thing we have in common is our blue eyes.
“I appreciate your honesty,” I truthfully say, “and I don’t expect love.” I wish I could tell him I’m incapable of loving any other man becausemyheart will always belong to Leo. “I expect respect and kindness, and I will show you the same in return. I will be a good wife, and I will love your sons like they are my own flesh and blood.” Caleb and Joshua are sweet little boys, and I don’t think it will be hard to love them. “One of the reasons I want to pursue a career in medicine is because I like looking after others. Being a mother is a natural extension of that. I promise you I will care for them and protect them and cherish them.”
He kisses me on the mouth, and I flinch at the unexpected contact and the tender nature of it. Undeterred, Gino grasps the nape of my neck and angles his head, deepening the kiss. Cautiously, I kiss him back, testing it out. He really shouldn’t be doing this, and Papa would not be pleased. If it means Gino isn’t a complete stickler for the rules and traditions, that can only be a good thing for me.
Slowly, we break apart, and he smiles, seeming pleased. My eyes lift to the window above, as if I’m pulled by some gravitational force. Leo stares down at me through the glass, pain clearly etched upon his face.
