. . . and I knew everything would be alright. She’s got this amazing way of making me feel cared for. Like I’m special. It was only a bloody chicken soup, but there was something about watching her in the kitchen today that I just can’t explain. She makes me feel at home.
Sarah trembled through the tears, and Matthew’s hands closed in on her knees, keeping her comforted and steady as she jumped ahead.
. . . and her lips. I could’ve kissed them all night. Margherita and Riccardo had no idea. It was just a fake kiss. For show. But, those lips. What is this hold she has over me?
Sarah swallowed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. ‘Is it all . . .?’
Matthew nodded, biting down on his bottom lip to restrain the stinging behind his eyes. She dropped a hand to meet his and gave it a squeeze before reading on.
. . . and I can’t understand how anyone would put her through that. It tore me apart to see her like that today. I always thought she was strong, but today just proved to me how strong. I’ve never really thought of myself as the ‘Dad-kind’, but I’d have a family with her in a heartbeat. She would be an amazing mum.
‘You really think I’d be an amazing mum?’ She dropped into sobs.
‘Iknowyou would be.’
Matthew leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, and she lost herself in the warmth and comfort of his hold. ‘All this time, every single day, you were writing aboutus?’
‘The most important part of this journey has always been us.’
‘How does it end?’ she asked, gesturing to the journal.
‘Take a look.’
She flicked through the pages until she came to the last entry.
She makes me believe in love. There is no life without Sarah. I am not worthy of her. All I can hope is that she trusts me enough to know that I will do all in my power to support her, care for her and build the greatest life for us. Together. I came into this needing an Italian ‘marriage’, but what we found was an Italian love story.
Closing the journal, she set it carefully aside and stood beside him. With outstretched hands she welcomed his, and held them tight. ‘I love you so much, Matthew.’
He dipped his head and caught her lips in a feverish kiss. ‘You’ve got no idea how much I love you.’
Sarah turned her head and motioned to the bed. He raised one eyebrow, reading her signals with enthusiasm. She pulled the sheer voile behind them as they stepped back into their room.
Matthew caught her at the foot of the bed and they set about removing their clothing, tossing it all to the floor. With expert hands that knew how to touch Sarah, and a heart full of want for her, Matthew knew exactly what she craved. He could silence her with his mouth, his hands, a finger and more, all in a matter of seconds.
Joined by warmth and love, Matthew lay her back onto the bed and she parted her legs, coaxing him on top of her. Running her nails down the line of his spine, she sucked in a breath, expecting to feel his excitement at her centre. But Matthew stopped then pulled away. His eyes met his toiletries bag, which he could see on the washbasin through the open en suite door.
Sarah could read his mind and she took his face into her hands.
He gazed down at her with an intense look of trust, his eyes darting across her face, seeking consent.
Sarah gave a small, contented nod, drawing in a deep breath. ‘I’m ready if you are.’
He brushed a lock of hair from her forehead and dropped to give her a tender kiss. ‘I am too.’ With a reassuring smile, he said, ‘No matter what happens, I’m here for you. The long and short of it.’ His right hand slipped between them and rested on her abdomen. He held it there; comforting, strong and steadfast. His fingers traced over the thickened lines of her scars. ‘Whatever it takes, no matter how it turns out for us . . . we walk this together.’
Again, she nodded and the tears returned.
‘Please don’t cry,’ he said, reaching around her to tighten the grip her thighs had on his hips.
‘Happy tears,’ she sniffed.
‘Onlyhappy tears from now on.’ He smiled and, without breaking eye contact, they became one. In doing so, Matthew set Sarah free; smashing through the fear of the unknown, paving a new path to a joint future. Together.
La prossima estate
Sarah’s eyes twinkled, reflecting the warm light cast by the fairy lights overhead.
‘Matthew,’ she began and gave both his hands a squeeze, ‘our journey has been unexpected and unconventional – in absolutely every sense of both words – but I am so thankful that it was you by my side. I could never love anyone quite like I love you; your humility, your patience, your kindness and your attention to the little things all make you who you are. And to me, you are beyond perfection. I love you so much, in fact, I would even renovate another crumbling villa for you. Actually, no. Let’s never do that again.’ Matthew stifled a laugh. ‘I love and adore you, and look forward to spending the rest of our lives making each other feel like we do today.’
