Giorgio (Members From Money Season 2, #136)

Chapter 14

“Don’t you think it’s time he heard that he is going to be a father?” The question was asked irritably.

“No. And you promised not to interfere,” she reminded him. They were just exiting the private clinic where her OBGYN was located and received the news that she was having a son. Her brother insisted on accompanying her to every doctor’s appointment, even when she told him she could manage.

The pregnancy was going fairly well, which was a relief since she had been rushed off her feet since the opening of the store in mid-October.

Even she had been surprised at the instant success. The papers had written up about it and the reviews had been wonderful. Le Evasione had been described as the perfect place to shed the worries of the day and just curl up with a good book and socialize with others of like minds.

“The owner and creator of this establishment has taken the idea of a simple bookstore and added elements that are simply divine. Step into another world when you walk through the front door. Just want to read?

No problem, but it is more than that, you will be getting the full experience of chatting with friends, making more friends, drinking tea, and eating delicious pastries, seeing fledgling authors, and getting copies of your books signed, or just simply hanging out and getting pampered.

Juliana Campbell is a charming host and yes, she could never be called a bookstore owner when she greets each person with a smile and a kind word.”

The article had gone viral, and the store’s success was established. Instead of employing just one person, she had been forced to employ three. And even so, the days were so busy, she was often rushed off her feet.

She was constantly researching innovative ideas and running them by her brother who took an active part in making certain she was not in need of anything, including sound business advice.

He was looking forward to being an uncle and had started talking about decorating a nursery. Juliana did not have the heart to inform him that she would be moving out soon.

Her brother stared at her in angry frustration.

“The son of a bitch needs to know so that he can stand up to his responsibilities. “You are six months pregnant, and he has obviously put you and what happened in Italy behind him.”

“I don’t want him to come because of an obligation,” she said stubbornly. “You don’t understand…”

“I understand that this bastard is getting away with murder.”

She made a show of glancing at her watch. “I have an author coming in fifteen minutes and it looks as if we are in for some snow.”

“Jules…”

“Please, just be my brother and support my decision? I cannot think or talk about it right now. I have too much to do and this- “Her hands drifted to her extended tummy. “This is cause for celebration.” Her dark brown eyes sparkled. “Can’t you just be happy for me?”

His expression softened as he stared at her. He admired her immensely. She had taken the negative aspects of her life and turned them into something positive. She looked serenely beautiful, and the success of her bookstore was the talk of the town.

She worked hard at it and was out of the apartment early in the morning while conscientiously taking care of herself and making sure she ate healthy. And she was never morose or dejected. She was handling the entire thing with aplomb, and he couldn’t be prouder of her.

“Alright,” he said grudgingly. Moving forward, he flipped up the collar of her jacket and adjusted her scarf. “What time will you be home tonight?”

“I have no idea. We have a chocolate tasting by the fire and there is a new book everyone is dying to explore. Around eight, I think.”

“Stay off your feet.” He ordered. “Dr. Simmonds is a little concerned about your swollen ankles.”

“They are just slightly swollen.” She gave him an impish smile. “When are you going to invite her out to dinner?”

“Why should I?”

“Julian, she likes you and it’s obvious, you like her too. Stop trying to mother me and go out and have fun. Just don’t do anything to mess things up. I happen to like her a lot and I am very comfortable with her.”

“We’ll see.” Bending, he kissed her on the lips and propelled her towards her car. “Be careful on the road, it’s slippery.”

“Yes, mother.” Throwing him a cheeky grin, she waved and entered her car, easing the seatbelt over her swollen abdomen.

A gasp escaped her when she felt the slight movement and she had to take a second to savor it. Her son was letting her know he was alive and kicking, literally. With a soft laugh, she pushed the start button and called for some classical music.

*****

“Edoardo cleared you?” Alfred walked into the bedroom where his son was propped up on his pillows.

“Yes.” With a grimace, he reached for a glass of water and took a healthy swallow. His throat was parched, and he was still feeling very weak.

Two months ago, he had come to his senses and decided that he was going after her, but disaster had struck. First, there was the series of bomb threats on the Milan stores which had sent him and his father flying over to investigate and it had taken a month to sort things out.

Then there had been a threat to Giorgio, which had forced him into lockdown until they caught the culprit who turned out to be a crazed fan who had been writing him numerous letters.

Then he had caught a virus which left him weak and bedridden for three weeks. In his delirium, he had called out for Juliana.

“How soon are you planning on leaving?”

“A few days.” Putting away the glass, he closed his eyes wearily. “I don’t want to show up after six months, looking like I am a newborn kitten.”

Pulling up a chair, Alfredo stared at him anxiously.

“I think you should go to Switzerland and recuperate for two weeks.”

He shook his head. “I have already left it for too long.” He dragged his hands over his face. “It might be too late.”

“So, call her.”

He shook his head again. “I don’t want to give her any warning, or a chance to refuse to see me.” His expression was bleak. “I have been such a bloody fool. I tried to run away from my feelings and ended up dying a little inside each day I am away from her. What if she no longer loves me?”

“Love like that does not simply go away, son.” His father said quietly. He was happy Giorgio had finally come to his senses but was concerned that the travel was going to be too taxing.

“At least wait for a week.”

“No. I need to see her, and I cannot wait. As soon as I made up my mind, there is this urgency inside me that is saying that I should go now.”

“Alright son. Get some rest. I will be cheering for you.”

“Thanks, papa.” He sighed deeply. “I have wasted so much time being stupid and irrational. I thought that staying away was the best thing I could do for both of us. I need to be with her.”

Alfredo beamed at him. “Don’t come back without her.”

“Oh, I have no intention of doing so. No matter how long it takes and if I have to grovel, then so be it.”

“Get some rest.” Rising, Alfredo touched his arm briefly before leaving the room.

Leaning his head back, Giorgio stared up at the intricate pattern of the ceiling. He had tried to outrun his emotions, but that had left him exhausted and unhappy. Then he had foolishly tried sleeping with another woman and that had been a disaster. After that, he stopped trying. And it was then he had decided that he could not live without her.

“Juliana,” He whispered achingly. “Please forgive me for being such an imbecille.”

*****

She was just adding some books to the shelves at the front of the store when she heard the bell tinkled, announcing the arrival of a customer.

She had sent the staff home after an exhausting afternoon of book signing and pastry tasting, which had spilled over into almost seven. She had called Julian to let him know she was running late and would be there shortly.

“I’m sorry, we are already closed…”

“I am looking for a specific title.” The achingly familiar Italian accented voice had her going still. “It has to do with a guy and a girl who met when the guy mowed her down with his vehicle. A rather bizarre turn of events that led to them getting attracted to each other.

But the foolish guy sent her away, thinking that he was doing her some good. And now…” He paused and waited until she turned around slowly. His hungry dark gaze wandered over a face that had haunted him for six months.

“And now?” She whispered huskily.

“And now, he is hoping she will forgive him for being such a stubborn ass.” His eyes swept down to her bosom in the sapphire blue sweater, lingering on the shape of her breasts outlined in the material before going further down to her – he went rigid with shock as he stared at the protruding abdomen.

She was still slender, but it was obvious that…

His eyes flew to her face, his expression accusing. “I am assuming it’s mine.”

Her chin lifted. “I am not going to grace that with a response.”

“You are carrying my child and you never called and said anything?” He felt the excitement of seeing her turning into full blown anger and hurt. “Were you ever going to say anything?”

“No. I wanted you to come to me, but not as an obligation. I wanted you to want to be with me, not because of this.” Her hands strayed to her stomach.

“I had a right to know.” He bit out.

“You sent me away…”

“So, this was punishment?” He could not believe she had done something like this! “If I had not come back, what would you have done? Give the baby your name? Leave me out of its upbringing?”

“It is a boy She told him softly. “My due date is the middle of June.”

His eyes strayed to her stomach, and he felt his heart contracting. “I am having a son?”

“Yes.”

“You had no right…”

“Are you going to stand there slinging accusations all night? Is that why you came?”

“I can multi-task.” He told her grimly, but his anger was abating because just seeing her, especially seeing her heavy with his baby reminded him how much he was aching to hold her. Turning around, he locked the door and came forward swiftly to stand in front of her.

She stood still, waiting for him to make the first move and he did. Lifting his hands, he cupped her small face, fingers trembling. “We are going to talk about this some more.” He promised hoarsely. “But for now…,” bending his head, he rubbed his lips over hers.

“Can you ever forgive me?” He whispered.

“As long as you promise never to send me away again, then the answer is yes.” She was trembling, her body molding itself to his. She could not believe he was here. She had dreamed of this moment so many times that it was etched on her brain.

She had told her brother that he would eventually come, but there were several times she wondered about it.

Now he was here, and he looked as if he had lost some weight. Leaning back, she studied his face. Her fingers explored his cheekbones and tangled in the hairs on his face. “What happened? You are thinner.”

He chuckled at her uncanny knowledge of him. “I was ill.”

“Ill?”

His hands cradled her face gently. “I need to be with you. I am staying at the La Monde and would like you to come with me.”

“I have to call my brother.” She whispered.

He was not entirely surprised that she was not accusing him of sending her away and not contacting her. This wonderful woman he had fallen in love with was unlike anyone he had ever known. It was no wonder he was head over heels in love with her.

“Go ahead.” He did not move aside for her to make the call, but stood holding her in his arms as if he could not bear to let her go.

Being that near to her, he heard every angry word her brother had to say.

“You are just going to go with him to a hotel? Just like that? What does he have to say for himself? He just pops back into your life and that’s it. Jules really?”

She glanced at him in apology, but he shook his head. He deserved the tongue lashing from her sibling. And would allow it for now.

“I will see you tomorrow.”

“Is he going to pop off again? Because that’s what he does best, isn’t it?”

Before she could respond, Giorgio intervened by taking the phone from her. “I appreciate your concern Signor Campbell,” He kept his tone civil and his address formal. “I owe Juliana an explanation and only her. I assure you that I have every intention of standing up to my responsibility…”

“Since damn when?” The man raged. “She has been back for the past six months, and you never had the decency to call and find out if she even arrived. Now you waltz back into her life as if nothing happened. Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I am the man who is going to be her husband.” He was trying to stay civil, but it was difficult. “I made a mistake in letting her go and now I am here to right the wrong.” His eyes stayed on hers, his lips curving slightly. “I am in love with her, and it took months and several near disasters for me to realize that I cannot live without her.”

His eyes turned lambent as he continued to stare at her. Using his free hand, he stroked her cheek where a tear had spilled down in response to his words. “And I am going to hang up now, so that I can start making up for the way I treated her.” Without waiting for a response, he did just that and handed her the phone.

“Giorgio.”

“If you continue to look at me like that, we are not going to make it out of here.” He warned her thickly.

“There is a very comfortable sofa in the common room.” She told him.

“No!” He shook his head. “I intend to do this in the correct way.”

*****

His influence even here in her country was amazing. He was greeted by the manager himself who was almost bowing obsequiously as he inquired if there was anything more, they could do for him.

Curious glances were aimed at them. At this time of the night, the lobby of the luxurious hotel was teeming with well-known guests and even so, Giorgio’s impressive frame and handsome face drew attention.

The wide reception desk was manned by four chicly dressed blondes who looked up from their computer terminals to give her looks of envy. Giorgio kept her hand in his, making it clear that they were together.

“No, thank you.” He responded in answer to the man’s question. “See to it that we are not disturbed,” he added before shepherding her into the elevator that whizzed up to the penthouse suite. He did not say anything, but kept her hand in his, a thoughtful frown on his forehead.

She had little time to admire the sumptuous teal blue room with the pale gold lush carpeting before he guided her towards the bed. Within minutes, he had stripped off her clothing and gotten rid of hers.

To her surprise, he didn’t start making love to her, but laid on his side, eloquent dark eyes examining every inch of her face. His hand was splayed over her swollen abdomen and there was an indescribable expression on his face.

“Would you like an apology first?”

“Before what?”

“My avowal of love.”

Her heart took a deep dive. “Avowal of love.” She told him without equivocation.

“You waited for me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

She drank in the look of him, hardly daring to believe he was here with her.

“Tell me about the illness.”

She saw when he hesitated and thought he was going to insist on a response from her but decided against it.

He told her about the sequence of events that led to him not been able to come to her. “I knew you had purchased a store and even had the name of it.” He smiled at her whimsically. “Love the name, by the way.”

“Thanks.” She touched his beloved face, her fingers lingering.

“Then when all of that incident with the threats and the bomb scare were resolved, I picked up a virus that weakened me enough to be worrying. I could not keep anything down and my appetite was at an all-time low. I was feverish, which alarmed both my father and Edoardo.” He traced the outline of her cheek, loving the feel of her smooth skin.

“I was advised to rest for a week at least, but I was impatient to come and find you. Can you forgive me?” He jerked suddenly, his eyes swiveling to her tummy. “Was that the babe?”

She smiled slowly, placing her hand over his and pressing down. “I think he recognizes his dad.”

Emotions swirled in his dark eyes and caused a blockage inside his throat. For a few minutes he was speechless. “I am going to be a father.”

“Yes. How do you feel about that?”

He shook his head. “Bowled over.” His eyes lifted to her face. “Why did you wait?”

“What choice did I have?” She asked him simply. “I am in love with you Giorgio and have been in love since the first time I opened my eyes and saw you sitting there by my bed. I recognized that I will always love you, no matter what.”

He gazed at her for a second before staring across at the silk wallpaper. He didn’t deserve her. He had sent her away and had purposed in his heart that he would forget her. And all the while she was here, just waiting for him, carrying his baby inside her womb, and never complaining.

She hadn’t used that to try and get him to come to her but had waited with the knowledge that when he came to his senses, he would be here. It was very humbling to know that a woman like her could love him this much.

“I don’t deserve you,” he admitted thickly. Moving his hand from beneath hers, he turned her to face him, his expression one of wonder and awe. She was beautiful. Not in the way he was accustomed to from the women of his past, this was more of a spiritual beauty that was going to outshine and outlast physical looks.

Pregnancy had given her an ethereal glow and her eyes were sparkling. He hoped that her effervescent personality would be passed down to his son. His son!

The realization of impending fatherhood hit him like a ton of bricks. She was almost due to deliver his baby, and he wanted to make it legitimate between them.

“Marry me.” He whispered.

She had waited so long to hear those words that for a few seconds she could not verbalize what she was thinking.

“Is it because I am pregnant?”

He shook his head. “That plays a part and is of course a factor. But for the first time in my life, I want to be tied to one woman for as long as I draw breath. I wasted six months and each time I think about it, I want to beat myself.

You have changed my life and at first, I was confused by it and then I was angered. I told myself that I did not need changing, that I was perfectly content with my life the way it was.”

His hands cupped her small face. “But when I tried to go back to living that way, I was disgusted and turned off. I tried to sleep with other women, and I could not perform.

I was royally pissed off at you for having such an influence on me and wanted to punish you.” He brushed his lips against hers. “I want to marry you because I cannot see my life without you in it. It is that simple.”