Chasing forever, p.24
Chasing Forever, page 24
Willa is sleeping on the couch. I consider moving her, but simply cover her instead. I retreat downstairs to pound away some of the tension I still carry from yesterday. It’s impossible for me to keep her beside me every second of the day despite my desire to do so, especially after yesterday.
After a long run, I gulp down a water and peek into the living room to check on Willa. Yet she isn’t on the couch anymore. I push down the concern and search for her. I find her wrapped in a blanket on the back porch. Even though it’s summer, it’s brisk today.
“Hey, sweetheart. Everything okay?” I slide my arms around her from behind despite my sweat-soaked shirt.
“Yeah, I didn’t want to bother you. Feeling better after your hard run?”
I smirk. This woman knows me well already.
“Luca, I promise you, I’m fine. Was yesterday all roses? No, but he didn’t mean to hurt me. He wanted time with his brother. I’m sure he would’ve preferred it when they were both alive, but he spent most of the time pacing beside the bed and staring at him when we weren’t talking.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve seen some horrific things during my career. The depravity of people never ceases to shock me. Yesterday could have gone so much worse.” I step around her and set my hands on her hips. “If I could lock you in this house, I would to know you’re okay. I know it’s unreasonable, but right now my brain isn’t winning. My heart is.”
“Luca, I—”
There’s a knock on the front door and then a veritable stampede entering our home. I kiss her forehead, and we move inside to find out who is here. I can narrow it down to Frankie or Davis. They both have keys.
“What are you doing here?” I ask my parents and two of my sisters, kissing their cheeks as they pass.
“We decided to bring dinner to Willa today,” Lily shares as she passes me with a pot, presumably filled with deliciousness.
In this moment, I know without a doubt my family accepts Willa and will be overjoyed when I ask her to be my wife. Mama, Frankie, and Lily overtake our kitchen.
“Why don’t you go clean up while we finish cooking?” my mother dispatches both of us in our own home.
I shake my head, take Willa’s hand in mine, and lead her into our bedroom.
“I thought you called her earlier,” Willa states without a hint of disappointment in her voice. I guess she doesn’t mind them crashing our afternoon.
“I did. Apparently I wasn’t convincing enough that you needed time. In reality, I need time.”
“Go, take a shower. I’ll change and greet the rest of our guests as they arrive and figure out where everyone will sit.” I point him to the bathroom.
“I love you, Willa.”
“I love you. Don’t take too long.” She winks, lightly shoves me toward the bathroom, and rummages through her drawers for something to wear.
The rest of my family, including Lina, the kids, and Lia, have joined the party when I return to the kitchen. With Willa’s assistance, we bring a folding table upstairs and set it up beside the dining room table. Antonio and Emilia are going to eat at the island. Willa and Emilia are setting the table while Antonio and I retrieve chairs from the basement.
“Uncle Luca.”
“What’s up?”
“Is Miss Willa okay?”
I gather he saw the news coverage or Lina shared with him. Since the situation with his father, Lina has been more open with the realities of the world with Antonio, more so than I would as a parent, but it’s her choice. I suppose my job jades me a bit more than most people.
“Yeah, she’s fine. I think I’m more worried about her than she’s worried about herself.”
“I like her. Try not to screw it up,” my nephew admonishes me.
“I’ll do my best.” I shake my head and follow him back upstairs with the final set of chairs.
We each take a seat and enjoy family dinner at our home. I’m grateful Mama didn’t listen to me. Perhaps we should take turns hosting family dinners, although I’m sure Mama will balk for a little while longer. Either way, I love this tradition we have going.
Hours and great food later, my family leaves for the evening. I settle with Willa against my chest on the couch outside.
“Are you ready for tomorrow?”
“Yes. I’m looking forward to having set hours and less patient interaction.” Her voice is steady. No hint of regret in giving up her patients. Even if she doesn’t say so, Mr. Hernandes may have solidified her decision yesterday. I don’t think she was wavering, but if she was, his actions clinched it for the new job.
Chapter Forty-Six
Luca
Two weeks have passed. We have fallen into a routine and finally get our workouts done before our shifts each morning. Willa is thriving in her new position. Stacey loves her new position as nurse manager. Her first week was great. Each day gets better when we’re together. Willa’s ring is safely hidden at Davis’s until the end of work today. He’s bringing it to me with a few other supplies for tomorrow when he and Tabi join us for movie night.
Over pizza and wine, the four of us attempt to watch Sabrina. I love having our friends here, but Willa wasn’t kidding, Tabi talks through the entire movie. Other movie nights with Tabi weren’t talkative because of my now squashed issues with Davis.
Along with Davis, I slip into the kitchen to clear our plates. Once I set the dishes down, he palms the velvet box in his hand and slides it into mine.
“Did you look?”
He checks over his shoulder. “Yeah, it’s gorgeous. You have no reason to be concerned.”
“I’m not concerned about her answer. Only her reaction when she gets to the part where her father won’t be here for it.”
“Makes sense. You have no control over her reaction.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Everything will be fine, Cappelli. I’m happy for you. We should get back in there before the ladies get suspicious.”
“Rightfully so, at least right now.” I hurry away and stash Willa’s ring in a spot I hope is discreet enough until tomorrow.
Davis laughs, grabs our beer refills, and the bottle of wine for the girls on our way back to the living room. After another round of drinks, Davis and Tabi head to her place for the night.
“Let’s go to bed. We have an early morning tomorrow.”
“We do?” Her voice rises in question.
“Yes, we have a date, and it starts very early.”
“What are you up to?”
“Nothing, sweetheart. I wanted to take you on a date. I know you prefer to be here, but it’ll be worth it.”
“Okay, only if we can resume our weekend plans as soon as we get home.”
“I’m absolutely on board with you wearing nothing as soon as we get home.” Except your engagement ring. I lead Willa to our bedroom and tuck her against me for the last time as my girlfriend.
My alarm blares incredibly early. Willa stirs slightly and snuggles deeper into my arms.
“Sweetheart, we need to get moving. Go get ready.” I fully anticipate her to argue with me or plead with me to push off our date, but she doesn’t.
With a cute sigh of discontent given because it’s still dark out, she rolls out of our bed and into the bathroom. I hurry into the office and slide her laptop into a tote along with the rest of the supplies I need. I start the coffee and the water for Willa. Quickly, I dress and finish at the same time as she does.
“Can you finish our beverages while I pack the car?” I kiss her cheek and hurry past her without waiting for her answer. I slip my arm through the tote bag and let the dogs outside. I stash the supplies in the car and hurry back into the bedroom. I lock the door, uncover where I hid her ring, and zip it into my pocket.
“Ready?” I step back into the kitchen.
Willa has let the dogs back in and scooped their food. “Yes.” She hands me my coffee and follows me outside.
The ride feels much longer than it is. If she suspects where we’re going, she doesn’t indicate as much. I park near the top of the hill at Sohier Park and grab the bag of supplies from the back seat. The Nubble Lighthouse is straight ahead, cloaked in twilight. I round the car and open her door. Thankfully she’s now accustomed to waiting for me. I appreciate she indulges and accepts my urge to be gentlemanly despite her strength. Linking our hands, I lead her to the grassy area and lay out a blanket. Before offering her a seat, I orient myself where east is.
“Have a seat but face this way.”
She obliges.
I lower myself behind her, drawing her against me.
“This is amazing, Luca. I never took the time to see a sunrise. Thank you.”
I simply nod because my brain is spinning with what I want to say to her. I’m chastising myself for not writing my thoughts down. The sun peeks over the horizon, decorating the sky with hues of red, pink, and a mix of orange and red that can only be described as tangerine. I’m not nervous about her; I’m terrified I’ll screw this up.
“What’s wrong?” She leans back, craning her neck to look at my face.
“I’ve gone over this moment in my mind at least a dozen times….” I shift out from behind her, sidle against her, and draw us to our knees. “I chased you for almost two years. Honestly, after you turned down my coffee date when I was assisting Jacob Blackthorne, I resolved to leave you alone.”
Her shoulders fall slightly.
“Then a few months later, Tabi and Davis swindled you a ride home from the brewery. I’m grateful to them. If they didn’t hook up, we wouldn’t be here. I truly thought you didn’t want me. Learning about your father explained your hesitance to date a cop. You gave me a chance despite your concerns. I love you to the depths of my soul. I never want to experience another stunning sunrise without you beside me.”
I pull the box from my pocket and move to one knee. A single tear falls down her cheek. Opening the box, I pull the oval diamond ring set in a diamond halo with an eternity band out. She brings her hands over her mouth before setting one in my outstretched hand.
“Willa, will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
“You hear my unspoken words. The words I could never voice to anyone else. I never saw you coming, and you changed my life. It will be my honor to be your wife, Luca.”
I slide my hand around her neck and kiss her deeply, sealing our future. Both breathless, we resettle onto the blanket with her in my arms.
“Give me your hand.” I lift her left hand to my mouth and kiss it before sliding my ring on her finger.
“It’s gorgeous, Luca.” She leans into me, nuzzling my neck. Early birds start milling around us.
“Ready for the next part of our date?”
“There’s more?”
A grin spreads across my face. “We have a call to make.”
Her expression turns confused for a moment. “Who do we need to call?”
“Your grandparents.”
“You asked them?”
“Willa, I love you completely. If your father were here, I would have asked him. Traditional and archaic, I suppose, but it was the right thing to do.”
“Any chance Marco is home?”
I reach into my pocket and pull Marco’s WIFI password from my pocket and hand it to her. “Your laptop is in the car. Nonna and Nonno are expecting your call.”
“I love you, Luca Salvatore.”
“I love you, Willa…. What’s your middle name?”
She laughs softly. A laugh I’m lucky enough to hear each day for the rest of my life.
“Rae, my middle name is Rae.”
“Like ray of sunshine?”
“No, like Norma Rae.”
“I like sunshine better.”
She tilts up and kisses me softly. “Can we call now please?”
“As you wish, future Mrs. Luca Cappelli.”
“Willa Novello Cappelli has a nice ring to it.”
“You’re going to add your dad’s name?”
“I think so. I can change it to whatever I want. I considered changing it after he died, but then I would have to redo all my licenses, so I pushed it off. When I take your name, I’ll make the change to my middle name too.”
“It’s perfect.” We walk hand in hand to the car and park in Marco’s driveway. I grab the laptop and plop myself against the garage door with Willa beside me.
This time there’s no suspense. Nonna and Nonno are ready to answer.
“Did you tell when you were going to propose ahead of time?”
“No, not other than asking for their permission.”
“Hi, my sweet girl.”
A huge grin is plastered on Willa’s face. She doesn’t even care other people knew before her. I’m surprised she didn’t ask if I told Tabi.
“Hi, Nonna and Nonno.”
“I’m so excited for the two of you. Let me see your ring,” Nonna croons through the speakers.
Willa moves her finger close to the camera and twists it a few times.
“Luca, it’s beautiful. Congratulations to both of you!”
“Thank you.” When I narrowed down the choices, it was between this one and a single classic solitaire. Based on her reaction, I chose well.
“We won’t keep you. You should celebrate. I’m so happy for the both of you, sweet girl. Welcome to our family, Luca.”
“I’m ecstatic she said yes! I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Nonna and Nonno laugh and blow kisses to Willa and end the call.
“What next, sweetheart?” I tug her against me to kiss her temple.
“Do you have any more plans?”
“No.” I have no idea where she’s going with this.
“Can we take a drive to Boston?”
My woman never ceases to surprise me. “Absolutely. Let’s get the dogs and take a road trip.”
We drive home, grab the dogs, and get on the road toward Boston. In the late afternoon, I return to the cemetery for the second time this year. The main difference is this visit is out of joy and filled with hope for our future.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Willa
I’m so excited I can’t stand it.
“Now arriving Air Italia flight from Rome, Italy.” The words echo around me. I have been planning and talking with Nonna about our wedding for the last six months. Via video chat, she joined me at my fittings, cake tastings, and even venue tours, usually sacrificing sleep. Both Nonna and Nonno are arriving today in time to share in pre-wedding events. Nonna will be able to join me for my final fitting with Kelly at So Elegant, which is a small fib. My dress is complete, but hers isn’t.
Like almost every little girl, I dreamed of what my wedding would be like. I had the gorgeous white dress, a huge cathedral filled to the brim with family and friends, limousine service, a reception at the most sought-after venue, and the man of my dreams willing to allow me to follow my every whim. All these years later, our wedding will look a bit different. Not only because I’ve changed, but because life gives you what you need, not necessarily what you envision in your childhood fantasies.
“Sweetheart, you’re shaking.” Luca’s smooth voice echoes in my ear. Ignoring the heat flowing through me takes herculean effort. We’re at the airport, not home.
“I’m so excited. They haven’t been here in almost six years. Thank you for agreeing to a date when they would be here.”
“I would have married you the day after I proposed if it were practical.”
“You’re one of the best men I’ve ever known. I can’t wait to marry you. I love you.”
“I love—”
“They’re here, Luca!” I drop his hand and rush to the gate and throw my arms around my grandparents. It’s a miracle we don’t end up on the floor. After a round a fierce hugs, the four of us leave the airport.
“Are you hungry? Or would you like to go home and rest after your flight?” Luca asks them.
They are staying at my house, and Tabi is going to stay with Davis. They are considering it a trial run for moving in together. Nonna and Nonno will take care of the dogs while we’re on our honeymoon. Once we return, we’ll have another week or so until they return to Italy.
“Absolutely not. The first stop should be the lighthouse you two have raved about. Then the infamous Dunne’s ice cream. Willa claims it’s better than JP Licks. I’ll have to try it myself to determine if she’s correct,” Nonna asserts.
Luca squeezes my hand tightly. Like me, his memory flashes back to when we settled our friendly disagreement about the best ice cream. My skin quickly heats. I barely refrain from fanning myself.
“We can do that.” Luca points toward home. A short while later, he turns up Nubble Road.
The sheer awe of this place reflects on my grandparents’ faces. They never really left Boston when they lived here. When I moved, I did it on my own. I’m ecstatic to see my home in their eyes.
“Willa, it’s majestic! I can see why you love it here,” Nonna exclaims.
Nonno moves beside her, sliding his hand into hers. I snap a quick photo and text it to them. Each year their love grows stronger, and I can only hope we are half as happy when we reach our golden years. After a tour of the park and some time reflecting on one of the benches, we turn down the hill toward Dunne’s.
Perusing the menu takes an inordinate amount of time. Both Nonna and Nonno are determined to prove me wrong. I let them choose their own flavors but ordered Maine blueberry to make sure they tried the absolute best flavor the quaint ice cream shop has.
I watch them as they take their first bite of cookies and crème for Nonna and chocolate extreme for Nonno, waiting expectantly for their opinions. I can’t take it anymore and ask, “Well?”
“Would you like to do the honors, Paul, or should I?” Nonna asks her husband.
“On this day, it is decided Willa is correct about Dunne’s ice cream. It is in fact better than JP Licks.”
I high-five Luca and do a quick dance around the table. “This is the first time in my life I’ve ever been right about something!”
“Not true, sweet girl. You were right about Luca from the beginning. You needed to find your way to him,” Nonna asserts.
