LITMIR.BIZ

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      Sophie had been the one to tell her that Luka was doing all he could to reverse some of the damage that his father had done and that the deeds had been signed over to Bella.

      It had remained untouched, in the same way Paulo’s had, because Malvolio’s plan had been to tear down more buildings and build yet another hotel.

      Instead, the pretty town remained.

      Today the house was dressed with flowers from the garden and so too was the bride.

      Flowers that her mother had planted dotted Bella’s hair and were in the tied bouquet she would carry.

      ‘Your dress is amazing,’ Sophie said. ‘Though I think shoe designers everywhere are going to hate you very soon.’

      The bride wore Gatti!

      It was the most delicate Sicilian lace with a scoop neckline and it fell loose on her slender figure and, given the intricate fabric, Bella had decided it needed no more.

      No make-up, no perfume, no curls and no shoes, just a dress spun in the lace of home, flowers from her mother’s garden and Bella’s smile.

      Late afternoon they stopped at the church and left flowers on her mother’s beautiful stone, one that Bella had had laid in a moving service.

      The villagers still left flowers and she smiled when she remembered her mother telling her she’d had her share of lovers.

      Roses amongst the thorns.

      ‘I’m happy, Ma,’ Bella said. ‘Matteo is the most wonderful man. Soon we will start our new life in London...’

      And Rome.

      Or perhaps Dubai.

      The demand for Bella’s work was starting to grow, both here and overseas. With Matteo’s impressive property portfolio, where they were based wasn’t an issue.

      ‘I’m not scared of the press any more,’ Bella said, though her words were braver than she perhaps felt. There had been an article in a rather plummy paper alluding to Bella Gatti’s impoverished past and that she had been the only child of a single mother.

      The article had left a slight unease in Bella’s stomach but she remembered Matteo’s words.

      She was proud of her mother.

      She took some flowers from her bouquet and placed them on the stone then she returned to the car and they drove on along the one road out of Bordo Del Cielo till they came to the small lookout. That was where the car stopped and Sophie and Bella got out.

      Behind the lookout there was a path that could easily be missed and down the trail they went. The moss was cool beneath Bella’s bare feet. All the trees were dotted with lights to lead the way and then like an oasis there they were—at the ancient baths that Bella loved so.

      There too the trees and columns were lit with tiny lights, and the stone tables were piled high with the awaiting feast. Everyone in the village had made the same journey down the path and they were waiting for the bride to arrive. The ancient baths were alive again.

      Luka was the best man and stood beside Matteo. Matteo looked more handsome than ever and was wearing a dark suit and a tie that was the same mossy green as her eyes. There was no one to give her away but there was no need for a substitute, she went alone, willing to be by his side.

      ‘Babe in the woods,’ Matteo said when she joined him. ‘You look as if you just stepped into my dream.’

      He was always in hers.

      As they said their vows, just before he went to place the ring on her finger Matteo lifted her hand and kissed her palm deeply.

      Only they knew what that meant and Bella did the same to him.

      They forgave their pasts as together they embraced the future. So much had been against them and yet love had won.

      It was a stunning party in the most incredible location and to dance with Matteo under the moonlight and to know they were finally together made Bella sure she was the luckiest person alive, and she told him so.

      ‘Second luckiest,’ he said.

      When it was time for the happy couple to leave, Bella embraced her friend.

      ‘It’s time to be happy, Bella,’ Sophie said, and Bella nodded.

      ‘For you too,’ she said.

      In a couple of days’ time they would again sit together at their secret cove and catch up properly, just as they had done while growing up.

      Tonight, though, was for Matteo and Bella.

      No one could quite understand why, with helicopters and planes at his disposal, Matteo would insist that their wedding night be spent at Brezza Oceana. And certainly the staff there could not fathom why Matteo Santini had not asked for the best room but also for a bottle of the cheapest wine.

      Oh, and nuts.

      This time, when Bella stepped into the room she was happy and laughing.

      Matteo opened the windows and put on the music they had danced to all that time ago.

      ‘I’ve got a present for you,’ she said, and she went into the bag she had left in the room and she watched as he opened it and took out the pregnancy test card. ‘I forgot one thing when I came to your room that night.’

      Matteo stared at it for a very long time and then he looked at Bella.

      ‘Well, I’m very glad that you did.’

      ‘Surprised?’

      ‘No,’ he said. ‘Happy. I never thought I’d have a family...’ And now he had a wife and also the news that he would be a father. ‘Barefoot and pregnant,’ Matteo said, and then he looked down at her feet. ‘You need a bath.’

      ‘I do.’

      ‘I’ll go and get it ready while you open your present.’

      Bella looked at the thin package that was on the bed and as Matteo left to run the water, she peeled open the silver paper and then opened an envelope and took a moment to read it.

      She sat on the bed for ages, just looking out at the view and wondering how she could be so lucky, so happy, so deeply in love and, best of all, so very loved.

      When Matteo called to her she went through to the bathroom and saw that he was already in.

      ‘You’ve bought this hotel?’

      ‘We’ve bought this hotel,’ Matteo said. ‘Just us. This isn’t a part of the business Luka and I have.’ He explained his thinking. ‘The happiest time of my life, before you, was here. I love the place and I love being here again. I could see that with better management and a massive refurbishment we could turn this place into a jewel. The people will be happy because there will be fewer tourists, albeit richer ones, and...’ He looked at Bella, who just stood at the door. ‘When I thought your past might be a touch more colourful I tried to think of a place where the people would look out for you,’ he said. ‘There are no secrets now, and so I knew nothing that might be revealed would be news to them. The people of Bordo Del Cielo will also take care of you.’

      That he would take such tender care of her heart brought tears to Bella’s eyes.

      ‘Our baby will be born here,’ she said.

      ‘And grow up here. Though there will be a lot of travel with my work and yours, I thought that it might be nice to have here as our base.’

      It was more than nice, Bella thought. He had brought her home.

      This time it was Matteo who lay in the bath as she undressed.

      The dress was loose enough that she could lift it easily over the head and he watched as she hung it on the hook.

      She took off her bra and slid down her panties and Matteo smiled. No shoes, no

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