Page 25 of La Dolce Vita

The cake was taller than Eve, and it had sparklers for candles. Two people had to wheel it in. Catalina held Dominic's hand as she swayed to everyone once again singing the birthday song to her. Mirabella held Gianni, and Giovanni held Eve. Gino was in Nico's arms. The crowd applauded. The final part of the celebration occurred out on the terrace just as the night descended and covered the bay in darkness. The photographer snapped so many pictures Mirabella knew they would be perfect.

"Grazie! Thanks to everyone for coming!" Catalina said.

Mirabella accepted a large envelope from her event planner. She gave it to Catalina in front of the crowd. Catalina received it with a wide grin. She opened it to pull out a contract.

"What is this?"

"The deed tovilla Claire. Giovanni and I bought it for you and Domi. As a birthday and early wedding gift. We'll decorate it however you want."

"Really? Really!" she screamed. She turned to Dominic. He nodded with a sly smile. “You knew didn’t you?”

“Happy birthday, beautiful,” he said.

"Oh, Domi!" Catalina attacked him with a hug and many kisses. She jumped up and down in her high heels. The fireworks exploded in the sky. The kids, all of them, began to scream at once. None of them seem impressed.

"Zia? Where is Cecilia?" Mirabella asked.

"I'm here, Donna," Cecilia said. She took a crying Gianni from her. "Poor Gianni, it's just the lights in the sky, honey,"

Mirabella smiled. Cecilia was so good with her children. Even better than Zia if possible. She knew them so well. Zia guided Eve away from her father by holding her hand. Gino didn't seem to be as distressed. In fact, his tears stopped, and he stared at the sky with frightened curiosity.

“Take them inside for some cake, Gio and I will be in shortly.”

“Maybe I should take them home, Mirabella. It’s getting late,” Zia said.

She smiled. She glanced over to Nico. She understood that Zia was exhausted. “Let them have some cake first, Zia. I promised the kids. And then the men can take you home.”

The kids were led away. Giovanni took hold of her wrist with gentle authority. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed it. She smiled as he drew her into his embrace and turned her so she could face the beautiful flashing light display in the sky. All of their guests were outside with their drinks in hand enjoying the fireworks. The DJ turned up the volume of the music that Catalina and Dominic loved. She glanced to Catalina. Her sister-in-law swayed in his arms as he held her from behind. They too stared up at the sky.

“This dress, you wore it for me?” Giovanni whispered in her ear.

"You noticed," she smiled.

"Every man here noticed," he said.

"And that upsets you?" she asked.

"You trying to upset me?" he asked.

She turned and lifted her arms up to his neck. She brought his head down to her lips and kissed him. Giovanni's embrace tightened. He didn't care that others saw them. In fact, she knew he wanted them to. Mirabella knew so many speculated on their marriage since the kidnapping. It was an important message to send. Within that kiss, a deep feeling of peace entered her being. After all she'd been through Mirabella should fear a man being obsessive or possessive about their love. With Giovanni it was the opposite. His killer nature made her feel safe.

Her lips parted his and she stared up into his eyes. “Where have you been? Last night you left, and this morning you barely had time for breakfast.”

“I’m here now,” he told her.

“Are you still worried about me?” she asked.

He frowned. “Why would you ask that?”

“The nightmares, the...”

The last of her words were smothered on his lips. He kissed her again. She couldn’t hide her body’s reaction much longer. So she pushed back from him. “Gio, people are staring.”

“I can kiss my wife,” he touched her face. His finger trailed down her temple and then slid sensually down her arm. Another explosion erupted behind her. The loudest and brightest of them all. It was as if cannons were fired toward the sky. Mirabella glanced back and laughed. The guests applauded.

“We have to get the kids out of here. They aren’t going to like this.”

Before she could object, he pulled her away from the celebration. She came with him and walked at his side holding his hand. He glanced over to her and winked. He kept going through the guests that were dining. Though several called to him to have a moment to speak, he ignored them. Earlier when he arrived his eyes were on her. She didn't miss his obvious examination and approval. The dress, the haircut, all of it was her attempt to draw his attention. Her motives were not as pure as she would like them to be. She carried the shame and scars from dreams of him being compared to Kei. She wished she could tell him about the dreams. Maybe she should.

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