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‘I am a man who wants to mend the relationship with his brother, and I am a man begging his wife, the love of his life, for a chance to show the real him. I’m flawed, Jasmine; I make spectacular mistakes, but I am not the person I was back then. I vow to be honest with you. To be worthy of you. To be someone you can trust—not just with your heart but with your worries and anxieties. I want to be the person you feel yourself with.’
‘Emilio.’Tears streamed down her face. He wiped them away with his thumbs. All she had wanted was this honesty. For him to be open with her. ‘Emilio, you already are that person. From the start, I was nothing but myself with you. It had been such a long time since I was able to do that, and the longer we were together the easier it became.’ She looked at the ring still twinkling prettily on her finger, then into his eyes. ‘All I ever wanted was for you be open with me. Just like this.’
‘You make me a better man, Jasmine.’
‘No, I don’t. You were always good.’ She felt the truth of it to her soul. ‘You just did a bad thing.’
He rested his forehead against hers and, just like that, the weeks of agony lifted. It felt as if she belonged in his embrace.
‘I’m scared too,’ he said softly. ‘I’m terrified that you’ll reject me.’
‘I don’t want to,’ Jasmine admitted.
‘Then will you give me another chance?’ Emilio whispered. ‘Will you forgive me?’
‘Yes.’
His lips were on hers in an instant, his kiss desperate. His relief palpable. And when she kissed him back his moan ignited her blood. Her arms went around his neck pulling him closer, and the embrace, already uncontrolled, became a storm of all their love. All their passion. His taste, his scent…they were so familiar. It was home.
‘I couldn’t let you go.’ Jasmine breathed against his lips.
‘You’ll never have to. I promise,belleza. I’ll be worthy of you. I love you.’
‘I love you too.’ She smiled, her heart lighter than it had ever been. There was nothing between them now. They could finally be together. Be a family. ‘I really love it here, but what would you say to coming home with me?’
‘You want me to move in?’ He stiffened under her touch. She could tell he was holding his breath.
‘I’ve had more than enough time without you. I refuse to do it for one more night.’
‘Amore…we can go right now.’
EPILOGUE
Five months later
‘Would you liketo hold her?’ Jasmine asked from the hospital bed.
‘Yes.’ This was the happiest day of Emilio’s life. ‘Hold on.’ He took off his finely pressed white shirt and laid it over an arm chair, then kissed his wife and took his daughter, holding her against his bare chest. With her wispy blonde hair and chubby little face, she was utterly perfect.
‘I thought we could name her Francesca Valentina,’ Jasmine said, her smile growing at the look on Emilio’s face.
‘Belleza!’He choked. ‘Francesca Valentina De Luca,’ he said to his daughter with unconcealed awe. ‘She would have loved you.’ Then he looked at his wife. Her curly hair was loose, her expression tired, and yet he had never seen anyone more beautiful. ‘She would have loved you too.’
‘As much as you?’ Jasmine teased.
‘No one could ever love anyone as much as I love you,amore. To think that is a crime.’ He revelled in her laughter.
‘I’m wishing I had a camera again.’
And, just as he had all those months ago in a bedroom in Italy, Emilio handed her his phone. He heard her snap a picture. When he looked over, she was still staring at the screen with a smile on her face.
‘You have a message from Enzo,’ she announced, handing the phone back. ‘When will you be giving him your mother’s ring?’
‘When he comes to see Francesca,’ Emilio replied. His brother was planning an elaborate proposal to Charlotte in Perlano and had asked if Emilio would be willing to part with the ring. He and Jasmine had agreed it would be a fitting way to share Valentina’s affection, even if only symbolically. ‘Would you mind if I called him?’
Jasmine shook her head and lay back against the pillows. With his daughter in one arm, and his wife resting by his side, Emilio video-called his brother. It would be late in Australia, where Enzo and Charlotte had made their home, yet, as always since their reconciliation, Enzo answered on the first ring. That had taken some getting used to, but now Emilio simply appreciated the ways his brother showed him that he was important.
‘Meet your niece,’ Emilio said delighting in the soft expression and gentle smile on Enzo’s face. Before his brother could say anything, Charlotte pushed into frame.