Regina’s son is with his grandparents and Nico, deep in conversation with his father, while Sophia entertains their son, Beau.
Regina is also pregnant, the same as me, and we are due on the same day coincidentally. I am having a boy and so is she, so I can only imagine the trouble those two will be.
To be honest, it resembles a creche in the garden right now and I’m certain our family will grow even further because life doesn’t get much better than this.
“What did Joseph buy you for your birthday?”
Regina laughs softly. “I was hoping he would ask me to rustle up something in my gift basket business, but he didn’t. I wonder why.”
Alice chuckles as Rose says kindly, “How is that going?”
Regina runs a gift basket business that she started from her apartment in Queens. When she met Nico, she discovered he owned a similar business that was international and ran out of several warehouses worldwide. He offered her the business, but she politely declined, dabbling in her small way in her basket case company. Preferring to spend her time at home with her child and enjoy it more as a hobby business than a corporate one.
“He bought me a car.”
“Why?”
Rose giggles and I shrug.
“Because I haven’t got one, I suppose.”
“And will you drive it?”
We still live in London and travel everywhere by black Range Rover. As always, there is a driver and several guards along for the ride and there is no way in hell Joseph would ever agree to me driving anywhere on my own, especially with the kids.
“He said it’s for when we go out on date night.”
“So, he’ll drive.”
Alice rolls her eyes. “What car is it?”
“A Lamborghini.”
I shrug. “It’s the thought that counts, I suppose. I asked for a bicycle.”
We all dissolve into fits of giggles at the mere idea of that ever happening. It’s way more practical in London though, but luckily, we own a country estate near the coast that we visit on weekends. It’s big enough to drive my car around the grounds and a bicycle if I get my way. However, most of my time is taken up with my family and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Sophia heads our way and smiles mysteriously.
“Girls, may I take a moment of your time? There is another guest who would like to wish Tiffany a happy birthday.”
“Another guest?”
I wrack my brains as to who it could be, and we smile at Regina as we head inside, leaving her to chat with my mom, who smiles sweetly as I leave.
It’s almost as if she knows what’s coming, and my heart flutters as I follow Sophia inside. We head to the beautiful music room that has always been Sophia’s favorite and the scene of many gatherings as she entertains us with her skill on the piano, as we dance with our children while the men talk business in Giovanni’s den.
However, this time when we walk into the room, a familiar face greets us with tears in her eyes.
Sister Agatha.
We race to her warm embrace, desperate to be the first and as she greets us all as one, it strikes me how much I’ve missed her.
“Girls. You are looking so well.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve spoken to her since we left the convent. It happens several times when she checks in on us. Not to mention the call she made to each one of us in turn, exactly one year to the day that we left the Order of The Holy Mother of God.
Our answers were unanimous. We wouldn’t be returning, but I’m guessing she already knew that.
