His natural scent surrounded me.
Alessio.
Alessio Remotti.
My husband was in my bed and holding onto me like his life depended on it. I smiled and stayed still so he didn’t wake up. What did this mean?
“I can hear you thinking,” he whispered. “If you want me to leave, I will.”
“What do you want?” I asked, trying not to breathe. It was wrong to assume anything. He was here and that meant something, but I didn’t want to guess anything. I needed to be clear about his intentions.
“To stay here.” He shifted his head closer to mine on my pillow.
“Then stay here.” I turned my head toward him. “I don’t mind.”
Our lips nearly touched. His breathing tickled my nose. Those same sensations I’d had when we made love were back. That was good, right?
“Gia, my heart aches terribly when I think about you going home to Sicily.”
“It does? But I thought you weren’t going to stop me.”
“I won’t stop you, because I love you, Dolcezza. I know it sounds crazy because it’s only been a few days. But I’ve known about you for years. I saw pictures of you. I basically studied everything about you so it’s like I’ve known you since you were sixteen. How can I stop you for my own selfish reasons?”
I started crying. Those were the words I needed to hear.
“I love you, too. I don’t how it happened so fast, but I’d like to believe it’s because it is God’s plan for us. And I don’t argue with God.”
He snuggled closer to me. “Me either, Dolcezza. Does that mean you’ll stay?”
“I never wanted to leave. It was my papà’s idea.”
“That makes me so happy.” He kissed me. “I love you.”
“You’re my person and I know as time goes by, we will get closer and fall more in love with each other than we are tonight.”
“It’s morning, but I know what you mean,” he said teasingly.
“I want to promise you that I will support you always. You can count on me to be on your side no matter. But I won’t stop voicing my opinions.”
“I wouldn’t dream of you being the obedient silent wife. I love your fire and your compassion. You’re the wife I never knew I wanted.”
We continued kissing frantically, and before I knew it, we were making love.
10
Alessio
On February 14, 1989, surrounded by friends, family, and my associates, I vowed to love Giovanna until I drew my last breath. I promised to honor her, respect and cherish her. I proclaimed these things in front of two hundred people, and I meant every word.
Giovanna Gloria Amano Remotti was my one and only true love. As I danced with her to our first dance as husband and wife, I felt it in my bones. It was always her. As she said the night I could’ve lost her forever,it’s God’s plan for us. And we’d never argue with the Almighty God.
“How are your feet, amore mio?” I asked her. She hadn’t fully recovered and was barefoot.
“I’m so happy, I don’t feel any pain.”
“Perfetta.” I spun her around slowly. “You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Gia. Inside and out.”
“I wished we could stay just like this forever. Dancing and kissing. Surround by beautiful flowers. Laughter. Our families.”
