Turn Towards the Sun: Book Three- Forever in Bloom (The Sunflower Trilogy) (30 page)

“And I am thankful you are here to do all those things too. I’ve never been so scared in my life. After she hurt you, I couldn’t even think of anything but getting back to you.”

“That must have been awful for you, amore.”

“It was. I think the worst part, after what happened to you, was all the shouting and gun pointing. It was confusing and scary.”

He squeezes my hand. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this. I’m so sorry you were ever hurt. You’ve been through so much.”

“You shouldn’t be sorry. You did everything in your power to protect me. I’m just glad we don’t have to constantly look over our shoulders anymore.” I lift his hand to my lips and kiss it softly. “I’m especially happy that you never did anything with her. You’re still mine.”

“Completely.”

“Per sempre?” I ask, smiling.

“Yes, my love. Forever.”

I get out of the car and help Enzo out slowly. He walks a bit slower, but it will just take a little bit of time for him to be completely back to normal. We walk inside together and our living room is filled with all our friends and family. I finally called my parents two days ago to tell them what had happened. I hadn’t had the strength before that. They flew out just this morning and I smile when I see them.

I help Enzo to a chair. He sits and pets the dog’s head as he greets everyone.

“Yes, Enzo, how are you feeling?” Francesca asks as she hands Enzo a glass of water.

“Surprisingly well. I’ve had my beautiful angel next to me and it’s done much to heal me.” He turns to me and smiles. He starts to move his left arm but realizes it still hurts and he needs to be careful with it.

Alex approaches and sits down next to us on the couch. “We can talk about the hotel whenever you’re ready.”

“I’m ready,” Enzo replies.

Alex continues. “I released a statement to the press that said the hotel opening was delayed due to unexpected circumstances. It’s tied them over for now.”

“It’s best if we tell them what happened, no? Certainly some of our guests witnessed the police and the…”

“The shooting,” I finish.

“I was able to keep everyone away.” Francesca says. “No one saw you or Anna afterward. Our security team did an excellent job keeping things flowing. Eventually people started asking for you both, but we just made excuses.”

Enzo nods and sits silent for a moment. “I think we should tell the media exactly what happened. They should know that only something this dramatic would cause a delay. Then we should announce a new date for the grand opening. We’ll just start over, no? What do you think, Ava?”

“I think it’s a good idea. How quickly do you think we could pull it off?”

Calvin steps closer. “I don’t know how you would feel about this, but why not your wedding anniversary. It’s next month. It could be a hotel opening and massive celebration of your first year together.”

As his words sink in, it hits me that it hasn’t even been a year yet. So much has happened that it’s mind blowing. The idea of celebrating this event publicly is very appealing. A declaration of our love and our togetherness for all the world to see. “I like the idea, Enzo. What do you say?”

“I say that I will do whatever pleases you, for the rest of my life.” He turns back to Alex. “How soon can we schedule the press conference?”

“As soon as you’re up to it.”

“I’m up to it. I’d like to get on with the business of living as soon as possible.”

I pat his leg. “Within reason, my prince. You have plenty of healing left to do and I won’t have you collapsing on me. We can do the press conference then we’ll have a little over a month to plan our re grand opening.” Looking up at Alex, I continue. “Can you make that happen?”

“I certainly can, Ava.”

Enzo reaches up and rubs my back. “I rather enjoy this new take charge Ava. It’s very appealing.”

“I learned from the best.” I lean down and kiss his cheek. “Now, enough work talk. I want to enjoy our friends and family and have some fun for once.”

“As do I. Just think, less than nine months from now a little Milano will be in our lives.” As soon as he says the words, he covers his mouth as though that will somehow erase what everyone just heard.

“What?!” Cassie yells. “You’re pregnant?”

I feel my cheeks blush from embarrassment. Enzo looks at me, a sheepish expression on his face. This isn’t the way I wanted to tell everyone. A part of me deeply fears that I will lose this one too but dammit, it’s the happiest news I’ve had in ages and I’m just going to have to be okay letting it be known.

“Yes. I actually found out the night Enzo was shot. I didn’t even suspect it. When I fainted, the hospital ran some tests on me and low and behold, I’m pregnant.”

I hear a loud sob from my mother as my dad wraps his hand around her shoulder. The next ten minutes are filled with congratulations, hugs, and tears. I pray that this time a baby will be born. A healthy, beautiful, little Milano baby. I can’t wait.

Enzo rubs my back and the happy expression on his face is enough to bring tears to my eyes. I kiss his lips, once, twice, and then a third time slowly. I love this man.

STANDING IN MY closet, I choose my “press conference” look, as I like to call it. It’s always a sheath dress in various colors. Today, I decide to go with a bright color to reflect the happiness I finally feel inside. I pull out a coral dress with a black skinny belt and step into it. It fits nicely now that I’ve put on a few pounds again. I pull out a pair of black wedge sandals that make me look very tall. I decide to leave my hair down and wavy knowing it is Enzo’s preferred style. In the bathroom, I apply my eye cream and a light dusting of makeup, keeping my face as natural looking as possible. Adding my lip gloss, I stare at my reflection for a moment. I look…happy.

“It must be true that pregnancy makes a woman glow,” Enzo says walking up behind me. “You are absolutely gorgeous, Ava.”

“I think it’s a combination of being stress free, healthy, pregnant, and with the most incredible man on the planet.”

“Speaking of being with me, this man would very much like to ravish my beautiful wife later today.”

“Are you sure you feel up to that?”

“Oh, I’m positive,” he says, pressing his hips into mine. I can just feel the beginning of an erection and it takes everything in me not to drop to my knees in front of him. He leans in closer and pulls me into a kiss, one that I can feel down to my toes. “Don’t I seem ready, signora?” he asks with that sexy raspy thing his voice does.

“Yes you do, my prince. I look forward to pursuing this later.”

He smiles and releases me. “I am so proud of you. The way you’ve handled yourself through all of this, and taken charge of our lives when I needed it most. I truly feel like we are partners in everything.”

“We are.”

“Ava,” he takes my hand in his. “You already know how much I love you but you need to know a few other things. When you left and went to Denver, it was the first time since we met that I thought I might never see you again and it was the worst feeling I have ever had. When you came back to me it was the best. You are more than just my wife and the mother of my future children. You are my best friend. You are my past, my present, and my future. You are the love of my life and the reason I try harder every day. You, my beautiful princess, are everything. I told you on our wedding day and I will tell you again now. There simply are not enough words to express my feelings for you. Love isn’t a strong enough word but it’s the best I can do. I love you, Ava, with every part of me. Thank you for loving me back.”

His words cause a steady stream of tears to fall from my eyes. I don’t even know how to respond but the look in his eyes tells me that I don’t have to. He knows. He reaches up and wipes a tear from my cheek.

“Enzo…”

“Andiamo? We have a press conference.”

“Yes.”

He takes my hand as we walk to the living room. “Ava, I know everything in your heart. The fact that you are here, standing next to me, your hand in mine, tells me everything I need to know.”

I smile as we head out to tell the public our new plans for the future. Suddenly, that future looks as bright as the sun shining on a hot, Arizona day.

“AVA MILANO SPEAKING,” I say, answering the phone in our office.

“Ava, hello, theese is Suzette.”

“Suzette! Hi. How are you?”

“I am quite well, but how are you? I heard the terrible news. Your husband, he is good?” she asks in her thick French accent.

“He’s doing very well, pretty much back to normal.”

“Theese is wonderful to hear. I know you have a new party for the hotel and your last dress was ruined by theese mess, yes?”

“Yes, it was ruined. It was so pretty too.”

“I make a new one for you. Same color, but new design. Just for you.”

“You would do that? Do you have the time?”

“I make zee time for you. That was so much trauma for you. Eet is the least I can do for you.”

“Oh, Suzette, that is just wonderful. Thank you so much. My size is a little different now though. I’ve put on a few pounds. Or ten to be exact. I’m going to have a baby.”

“A baby! Theese is such joyous news! Email me zee new dimensions and I will make it. I will have it to you in one week.”

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course. I am glad to help.”

Hanging up with Suzette, I make three more calls to confirm some of the entertainment for the evening. I took some of Enzo’s workload, as he still gets tired when he works too many hours in a day. Amazingly, he still finds the strength to make love to me every night.

Smiling at the thought, I run my hands over my belly. I feel confident this time that everything is going to be okay. I’m gaining weight and eating everything in sight, much different than last time. In just a few weeks we have our ultrasound. I can hardly wait.

I look up as Enzo walks in the room, carrying a bouquet of sunflowers and a package wrapped in pretty paper with a red bow on it. “Buon giorno, amore,” he says.

“Buon giorno. What do you have there?”

“I have my wife’s favorite flowers and her favorite snack- cupcakes. Baby needs a little sugar boost, no?”

Laughing, I reply. “I don’t know about baby, but mama sure wants some. Thank you.”

“You are quite welcome.”

Rubbing one of the flower petals, I say, “You know what I love so much about sunflowers besides how happy they look?”

“Tell me.”

“They never close up like other flowers. When it’s their time they open and bloom forever. They are strong enough to handle a storm, yet soft and beautiful.”

Enzo leans against the desk. “That description sounds very much like us- forever in bloom.” He kisses my cheek as he pushes the cupcake box closer. “I have some exciting news too.”

“You do?” I say as I tear into the package and select the first of many cupcakes I plan to eat.

“Do you remember the first bath we took together all those months ago? I played some music for you that I believe you described as music to make love to.”

“Of course I remember. I added it to my hot and bossy playlist.” I take a big bite of cupcake and close my eyes for a second enjoying the taste.

“Well, one of the singers is coming to our opening and performing a short set.”

“No way! Who?”

“Rob Terrence.”

“No freaking way? Oh my God, Enzo, I love him!”

Enzo chuckles as he leans against the desk. “Yes, I know. I called his agent and told them everything that happened recently and how much my wife adores his music. He agreed to come out and he is looking forward to meeting you.”

Clapping my hands together like an excited child, I jump out of my chair and throw my arms around my husband’s neck, causing him to slightly lose his balance. “Thank you. You are so amazing.”

“If it pleases you then I have done my job.”

“It pleases me. So do these cupcakes.” I take another bite. “Suzette called and she is making me a new dress. Can you believe that?”

“That’s wonderful. Everything is coming together nicely, no?”

“Yes. I opened the mail today and we’ve received such an outpouring of support from the community. I think the opening is going to be amazing.”