Anna smiled down at me.“I have a driver.But thank you.”
I shook my head and said, “There's more than enough space.”I swung my arm around.“There must be at least a billion bedrooms in this place.”
Anna laughed.
And I laughed.
“I don't have any of my night things.Or my soaps.”
I shrugged and smiled at her.“Giselle and Eve packed me enough soap for a year.And I have plenty of brand-new robes and sleep things.I can toss your clothes in the washing machine while you get ready for bed.”
Stefan cleared his throat.“Francesca's right.We'd love for you to stay the night.”
Anna looked at her son—and her eyes grew wet.Then she looked at me.“I brought along a change of clothes in case something happened in the kitchen.But if you have an extra robe, I'll take it.”
8
Stefan
It was well past time for Francesca to be back.She'd left with an armful of soaps, lotions, makeup remover, a robe, and a few choices of nightgowns.
An hour later, I walked into the guest room to find them giving each other facials.
Half an hour after that, Francesca had decided they needed to do mani-pedis.
Yes, I wanted my wife.But I hadn't seen my mother this happy since our father died.Even so, I figured I should go check on them.
Again.
I didn't hear any of the laughter I had the first two times I went in.As I got closer to the room, I saw that the light was dim in there now.I stopped right outside the door.I heard my mother say, “No one's slept in my bed since my husband died.”
Francesca reached across the bed they were both lying in.“Really?You're a total hottie.I would have thought you'd catch some big, strong Italian men to keep your bed warm.”
My mother giggled.
Fuck.
She actually—giggled.
Christ.
Francesca was a fucking miracle worker.I felt a distinct stinging behind my eyes.
“Will you stay with me?For a while longer?”
Francesca let out a loud yawn.“Of course.I'd rather sleep here anyway.Stefan hogs the sheets.”
Then they both laughed loudly.
But Francesca kept holding onto my mother's hand.
And that squeezed my heart something fierce as I walked back to our room.Alone.
In the early hours of the morning—right before dawn—Francesca's soft, warm body snuggled into me.“Your mom snores.She should get that checked out.”And then, without another word—she drifted off to sleep in my arms.
I tried my best not to wake her with my laughing.
9
