“You are a very handsome man, Francis.”
“Yes. For you.”
Tracy laughed out loud. Had Francis been American, his response would have been terribly arrogant. But he was Francis, the super-fine, Sicilian boss. Of course, he knew that he was handsome.
“Well, thank you for being so handsome just for me,” she said with a smile.
Francis nodded and placed the shell of an oyster to his lips. As he sucked the delicacy into his mouth, Tracy’s lower lips clenched. The man was made, specifically, to be a temptation.
“Will you walk the beach with me tonight?” Francis asked.
“Francis, I would walk the plank with you,” Tracy boldly declared.
Francis laughed and fed her a celery stalk.
“That won't be necessary, bella.”
****
As soon as they stepped onto the beach, Francis lowered himself to his knees and slipped Tracy’s sandals off of her feet. He placed them on the wooden step and stood to his full height. He held his hand out for Tracy, and she eagerly placed her hand in his.
Together they walked along the beach, listening to the waves crash to the shore.
“I want to marry you, Tracy,” Francis said out of nowhere.
“Y-you...what?” Tracy stuttered.
“I know how hard it must be for you to move on. I know that this is something you may not be ready for. I just wanted to tell you my intentions for our future.”
Tracy inhaled the fresh, salty scent of the sea. She didn't know how to respond, so she didn’t. For minutes, they walked without words. Marriage, after Steve’s death, was something she couldn't fathom. Well…at first.
“You will be my wife, Tracy. I know that you need time, and that’s okay. But, you will be my wife.”
“Because I’m pregnant?” Tracy asked in a tiny voice.
“No,” Francis said, shaking his head. “Do you know the feeling that you get from being at home? You're going to be my wife because I want you to be home for me. I would be home for you as well. And, Tracy, I would accept death before sacrificing your happiness.”
Well gotdamn!
Tracy turned to face Francis. She placed both hands in his, and looked him directly in the eye. “I feel guilty, Francis. My feelings for you make me feel guilty.”
Francis nodded. “I know, cara. I know. But those will be feelings that you have, you’ll have to learn to deal with. In time, they will go away. We are a family now, bella; mother, father, and baby. I know that your feelings for me and your child will be stronger than your guilt.”
Tracy covered her eyes, unable to control the tears that flowed. She felt pain, sorrow, and misery. How was she supposed to let go? She flew into Francis’ arms and held him tighter than she had ever held on to anything in her life.
“I loved him, Francis. I loved him so much!” she cried.
Francis wrapped his strong arms around her and held her as she wept.
“I know you loved him, but you love me now. You're mine now. And your man would be pleased because he loved you. Now you have a man that would give his life for you, for your happiness. That’s what Steve would want for you.”
With her head pressed against his strong chest, Tracy continued to weep. She knew he was right. She and Francis were two-thirds of their family. It was time to accept the fact that Steve was gone, and it was time to admit that Francis was not onlyapart of her life but an enormous part her life. She wanted him. She dreamt of him. She missed him when he wasn't around. She did love him. As painful as his death had been, Tammy had come to the realization that Steve was no longer Tammy’s future, Francis was.
