I folded my arms and pretended to pout.
He set the vase of flowers on the bedside table and tucked whatever he had in his other hand behind him when he sat on the bed.
“You asked me a few minutes ago when I had to get back to my ‘other life.’ For the first time ever, I know exactly where I’m supposed to be. What’s more, I never want to leave. You are my life, Pia. You and the sweet little baby growing inside of you.” He reached behind him, pulled out a box, and opened it. “Please marry me, Pia.”
I covered my face with my hands and cried the happiest tears I ever had. We’d talked about getting married, but I’d wanted to wait until after our baby was born. Until this moment, I had no idea that what I was really waiting for, was for Mylos to ask me.
“Yes, yes, yes,” I cried, throwing my arms around him. He climbed back in bed, beside me and put the ring on my finger. “It’s so beautiful.”
“It’s you and me. Ten years.”
I studied the ring and thought about his words. It was us.
“I’m not leaving, Pia. I want you to know that.”
“What about your work?”
“You mean in the tasting room?”
I swatted him. “Be serious.”
He put his finger on my chin, and I looked into his eyes. “I am serious. This is our life. You and me and all the babies we’re going to make.”
“My mamma told that since Estancia, each heir has only had one baby.”
“Yeah? Well, we’re going to break that record. Let’s practice right now.”
It was mid-afternoon, and we were downstairs, rummaging around for food when the look on Mylos’ face turned so serious it worried me.
“I did something yesterday.”
“What did you do?”
“I went and saw Nonna Bella.”
I sat down. “What did she say?”
“She wants to see you, Pia. You and your mother. She told me her heart breaks every day she isn’t here to take care of you.”
I smiled through my tears. It sounded exactly like something she’d say. “But?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. When I told her how much you and the countess missed her, she cried and cried.”
“Did she say anything about Georgio?”
“A little. She blames herself.”
“She shouldn’t.”
“She said he’d always had a chip on his shoulder about their life. No matter how many times she told him she was happy working for your family, he would chastise her for not wanting more.”
“I asked my mamma once about Georgio’s papà. What she said sounds a lot like Georgio. He left them, wanting more out of life, she told me. My mother that is, Nonna Bella never spoke of it.”
“Do you want to go and see her?”
“Of course!”
“I mean now, Pia.”