They stood in a glass enclosed room, open to the night sky, with the moon and stars shining down into the room. Lit candles were scattered throughout the room, which was also filled with lush, green plants, fragrant, exotic flowers, and a small ornamental pond, its water bubbling softly. Oversized cushions and a soft blanket were arranged on the floor, and Bella a bottle of champagne sat chilling in ice alongside crystal flutes, and a Charcuterie platter, with smaller plates and utensils so they could serve themselves.
“Oh Jack, it’s like some kind of fairytale!”
“I assume it was worth the suspense?”
“Oh yes, this is perfect, I love it, and I love you,” she said, wrapping her arms around him, kissing him with a passion she didn’t know she had within her.
“Mmmm, we should eat, they’ll be back sooner than we think.”
Settling down onto the cushions, Bella removed her jacket while Jack poured the champagne. “Happy Birthday, Bella,” he said, handing her a flute.
Bella took a small sip and promptly hiccupped. “Dammit!”
Laughing, they helped themselves to the platter while they waited for the main course - Bella didn’t have too much because she wanted to be sure she had room for whatever was coming - it was bound to be good! After dinner - a delectable sage and brown butter ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach, dessert was a luscious lemon tiramisu - they lay back on the pillows, looking at the night sky above them, not talking, just enjoying the silence.This is all I ever wanted, Jack thought.
A short while later Jack said “Bella, can I ask a question?”
“Of course.”
“I noticed you took down Jasper’s gold records. Is there any reason why? I’m curious.”
Bella took a long moment before answering, a long enough pause that Jack wondered if she was even going to answer.
“I loved Jasper so much, Jack. It wasn’t the infatuation or lust you feel when you’re young, although we certainly had that. He was my best friend, too. The person I could tell anything to and never judged me, even if what I was feeling was rotten or mean. When he died, I honestly didn’t know how I was going to make it. I did, of course - I had the girls to think about - and I know you understandthat, butI made it through - you know what they say, ’You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.’ So I carried on, came back to Dallas, even though I hadn’t lived here since I was twenty, started Bella Pelle, and slowly built myself a new life. I will always love Jasper, just like you’ll always love Susan, but for me, the gold records were a reminder of a life that doesn’t exist anymore. And nowwith you here and so alive, I felt it was time to put that old life where it belongs: in the corner of my mind where the good things live on. Does that make sense?”
“It does. Thank you for sharing that with me. I do understand everything you’re feeling, I feel it too. Maybe that’s why we fit together so well. We’ve both lost love and continued on. Do you think I should do the same with Susan - maybe put her things away?” he asked.
“Oh God no, it’s completely different. Jasper wasn’t Angela and Madeline’s father - sure they loved him and were close, but it’s not the same as Susan - she is their mother. The girls might feel you’re trying to erase her memory if you do that, even though we know that’s not the case. Leave the photos out, and anything else you may have of hers. It’s important that the girls see and know that she still has a place in your heart where she lives on. It doesn’t bother me if that’s what you're worried about. If anything, I’m thankful to her.”
“What do you mean, thankful?”
“Susan helped you become the man you are, Jack. Your love for each other, your marriage - they shaped you. People that we love do that - they make us want to be better for them and ourselves. Things didn’t turn out like we planned, for either of us, but we benefit from those relationships. They brought out the best of us, and now we give that best to each other.”
“Isabella - wait, what’s your middle name, I don’t know it.”
“Lol, it’s Marie.”
“Okay, Isabella Marie Genovese, you are the wisest, most loving, gorgeous, woman - in heart and body. Thank you for that. You’re right, I think I just needed to hear it from someone else.”
Sitting up, he leaned over to his jacket lying on the floor next to him and pulled a small box from the pocket.
“This is for you.”
“Jack, you didn’t have to get me anything, this night has been gift enough” she said, already reaching for it.
Inside lay a white gold necklace, with small charms of a star, crescent moon, and a tiny replica of the Aurora, the ship that would be taking Jack to the moon, all studded with tiny diamond chips. “Oh Jack, this is gorgeous, I love it,” she exclaimed.
“I’m glad - Sloane, Piper, and I each picked a charm.”
Leaning over, she kissed him, and said, “C’mon, let’s go home. I suddenly feel overdressed.
Chapter 22
May 2027
Bella, Jerome, and Carrie were in New York City, to meet with buyers at the major department store chains, to present them with their upcoming Spring 2028 collection, and to offer a preview ofAstra Seta, as the plan was to launch the cream shortly after the mission returned. They believed that an in-person visit was crucial to their company’s success - nothing beat that human connection. Jerome had designed the most stunning packaging Bella had ever seen, for a special limited edition, only to be sold at the most luxurious stores - Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdales, Harrod’s of London, and Bergdorf Goodman. A small amount would also be sold at the official NASA store.
Jerome had chosen midnight blue for the packaging, with small, discreet silver stars to represent the night sky.Astra Setawas stamped in silver foil on the front. The box opened to a jar commissioned from Lalique, the legendary French crystal house, in the same midnight blue, nestled in white satin, and it came with a small silver spoon, to be used for scooping the cream out. They would also be meeting with the PR firm Bella used for the company who would be in charge of getting this into the hands of beauty editors for the top fashion magazines, with the hopes they would feature it in their magazines. Bella knew they would, just like she knew Jerome would be winning awards for this design.
