Page 32 of Italian Professor

“Listen, you can play in the back but you are not to go near the water unless your mother or I say so. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Daddy,” a choir of little voices answers.

Aria unloads Alex, the baby, and I unbuckle Ariel, Armand, and Alessio from their car seats in the back of the SUV. I glance over at Aria as the kids run off to the garden.

“That was quite a ride. Maybe four kids are enough,” she says.

“Enough for what, Princess? I say we have four more.”

She laughs and replies, “No, maybe one more.”

“Alright, I’ll settle for one,” I say as I take Alex from her arms.

With Ariel and Armand being school-aged now, we made the decision to leave the city for a quieter life. I began looking for administrator positions and was offered a job here in Gromo. From our veranda, we can see the Alps and tell the children tales of walking across the mountains to Switzerland.

This property was a perfect pick for us because it has a guest house for Aria’s mother. She’s retired from the runway and sold her house in Milan. Still the jet setter, she needs a place to call home when she tires of the party scene.

After providing some direction to the movers, I carry Alex to the garden where I find Aria and Ariel dancing in circles like fairies under the Pintus pines. The boys are pointing and shouting at the sheep wandering through the pasture next door.

“We should have come earlier in the week so we could have some extra family time before you report to the new school,” Aria tells me.

“I know, but I had to finish out the week. I couldn’t leave the school unattended until the new headmaster arrived. Besides, this is going to be our life now. We can take the kids boating from our own back garden every weekend.”

“This is amazing. I’m so glad we found this place. I think my mother is going to love it, too.”

“Are you sure? There isn’t much high society in Gromo.”

“No, but there’s amazing architecture and fantastic views. Oh, I almost forgot the best part. There’s you!” she giggles, kisses my cheek, and takes the baby from my arms.

I sit down on the old wooden rocker the previous owner left behind, and Aria snuggles in on my lap, still holding the baby.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this party tonight,” she confesses.

“What do you mean? You’ve been so busy with the kids. You deserve to dress up and get out.”

“Yeah, I know. And I know that it’s important for you to be there. You’re the guest of honor, but my mother will have barely landed and we’re going to leave her to babysit?”

“Your mother wants to do this. Besides, we have food coming and Ariel will really be in charge so there’s nothing to worry about. “

“That is true. Our little girl is the boss, isn’t she?” she smiles.

“The movers are just bringing in the last few boxes. Once they’re gone, Ariel and I will take care of everything until your mother gets here and you can get dressed in peace,” I assure her.

I didn’t expect my new school board to host a party for me when we arrived, but they insisted. There’s been a small resurgence in the population here and that means a lot of new money from wealthy parents who want their children in the best schools. Naturally, the board wants to show me off to them. I’m the first Milanese headmaster to join their ranks.

* * *

This isa semi-formal affair and the last thing that Aria did before we arrived was borrow a dress from her mother’s wardrobe. I haven’t seen it and don’t know what to expect, but she’s taking a long time getting ready and I’m worried that she may have changed her mind.

I’m about to go upstairs and check on her when I hear a car pull into the drive. It’s Jennifer, finally, so I go out to help her with her bags.

“Look at you in your tuxedo. My daughter found herself quite a handsome catch,” Jennifer says as I approach.

“Did you have a good trip?” I ask as I lean in to kiss her cheek.

“It was alright. I landed a little early so I stopped for pastries. I hope the kids like them,” she replies. “Where is my beautiful daughter?’

“She’s been upstairs getting ready for over an hour now. I might need you to go up there and intervene,” I tell her.

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