CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A New Peace
Reese
I am a bit disorientated when I woke up. I’m not in my own king sized bed. Instead, I am engulfed in Nico’s scent. It is like a warm hug welcoming me home. It is the same scent I have been trying to shake from my head for months now. A scent, I shouldn’t look so forward to.
As that thought sets in, reality kicks in. I remember where I am and why. It hits me so hard I am grateful for Nico’s comforting fresh, clean scent that is a mix of sandalwood, sage, and something else I can’t put my finger on.
I sit up and look around remembering that I fell asleep against Nico’s side. I feel a ping of disappointment that he is not still here with me. I run my hand across the sheets where he sat last night and feel the coolness beneath my fingertips. I give a small smile as I realize he kept his word and slept elsewhere.
Why can’t all men be like Nico? I frown and scoot off the bed in search of my things from last night, so I can locate my phone that I turned off. I tried to call my girls last night before I found myself on Nico’s doorstep, but I just couldn’t force myself to do it.
Tam has exams, Stacey is off somewhere being Stacey and Alee is in DC at a hair show. I know they would have dropped everything to be there for me, but this is my mess. I’m also not ready to admit that I was so wrong.
I turn on my phone and it lights up with missed calls and messages, all from Ty. My hand tightens around my phone in a death grip. I refuse to acknowledge any of his calls. I have nothing to say to him. I’ll need to find a lawyer. This marriage is over.
“I have breakfast waiting for you, Cara. Paige is here. She has some things for you to sign and Valentina is on her way to take you shopping for the things you need,” Nico says into the room.
I turn to him, startled a little, but happy to see him. He made me feel so special last night as he listened to me and didn’t judge me and my decisions. Nico was just the friend I needed. He just made it easy.
He is standing in the doorway once again, just like last night. He looks sexier this morning, if that is even possible. His hair looks damp and his chest is wet with sweat as a towel drapes around his neck. He is shirtless, standing before me in just a pair of gym shorts.
I furrow my brows. “Paige,” I ask. Though Paige and Pam are twins I have always been closer to Pam.
“Yes, I asked her to come to help you with getting the divorce proceedings started. She and Bobby Mairettie will handle everything for you,” Nico says nonchalantly.
My head starts to spin with the weight of his words. I am going to divorce my husband, my cheating, lying, no good husband. Nico had asked me what I wanted to do last night and I said without question or regret that I want a divorce. I just didn’t think he would get me a lawyer.
“The Mairetties,” I scoff. “I can’t afford them.”
“I did not ask you for money and nor will they. You are considered family. We take care of family. I had Tony get you a few of the basics for today. You will find clothes and some toiletries in the bathroom waiting for you. We will be waiting on you,” Nico gives me a reassuring smile before he turns to leave, as I stand with my mouth hanging open.
I shut my trap and make my way into the bathroom to see what Nico has placed in there for me. I find a sundress hanging and a cute pair of beaded flats. There is also a panty and bra set, a hair brush and other feminine products. Tony did well.
I climb in the shower and let the water wash away my jumbled thoughts. Mairettie and Mairettie is a prestigious law firm. Having representation like Paige and Bobby Mairettie is a sign of being ready for war. I don’t want to go to war with Ty. I don’t want anything from him.
I never have. All this time we have been married, I have never asked him for anything. The apartment, the cars, were all things Ty insisted on giving me to make me happy, when all I really wanted was him. I would have done anything to just spend time with my husband.
It dawns on me now why that was never possible. I shake my head as I think of all the money his babies’ mama will bleed him for. He’ll have enough to worry about with her. With me out of the way, I am sure she is going to up her game. In my eyes, that will be punishment enough.
I don’t want any reminders of how naïve I have once been. I have worked hard for the things I have built and that is what I will rely on. I want this divorce over as soon as possible, so there will be no fight from me. Sometimes it is not worth the fight.
I step out of the shower and get dressed with new resolve. I plan to get my life back as soon as possible. When I step into the dining room Paige is there with Nico laughing. I know she and Pam are twins, but it is still mind boggling how much the two look alike.
“Hey,” Paige stands to greet me with a hug. I return her embrace, only slightly embarrassed by the reason she is here.
“I’ll leave you ladies to it,” Nico says and stands to leave the room.
“No, please stay,” I rush. I take a calming breath. “This shouldn’t take that long. Paige; I don’t want a thing from my ex-husband. I just want a divorce and my name back.”
Paige looks at Nico and then me. She gives Nico one more glance before her eyes settle on me. “Alright, if that is what you want. I have a few things for you to look over and sign. I’ll get everything taken care of right away,” Paige says with a warm sympathetic smile on her face.
“Hello everyone,” Valentina sweeps into the room with a big grin on her face. She looks great for a woman that has just pushed out two big boys. Nori and Inzo are adorable. I feel just a little ping of disappointment that she doesn’t have the boys with her.
“Nic-nic,” Vita calls from her side and launches her little body toward Nico.
We all laugh and shake our heads as Nico lifts her into his lap and starts to talk to her in Italian. She loves it and eats the attention up. I am floored when she actually responds in Italian, speaking more clearly than she does when speaking English.
Valentina shakes her head. “They’ll have my baby speaking nothing but Italian,” she sighs and gives a playful frown. “Uri, nor Michael will speak a word of English to her. Even Luca has joined in. I think it is a conspiracy. My father loves it.”
“Please don’t give my husband and in-laws any ideas,” Paige chuckles. “I’ve caught Rita teaching the kids a few languages already. My kids will be talking about me behind my back soon and I will have no idea what they are saying.”
“I know. They are all so adorable. Daniel speaks Mandarin pretty well,” Valentina says with a proud smile before her eyes settles on me and become sad. “I’m so sorry, Reese.”
“For what, I’ve met Rita’s son. He is adorable and I can just imagine him speaking other languages, he seems like a bright little boy. You all have bright, beautiful children,” I reassure her.
Valentina gives me a skeptical look as she absentmindedly brushes and hand over her now flat belly. A month ago, I may have felt depressed about hearing about all of their little ones. Today, I just feel light. Like the world has been lifted from my shoulders.
This too shall pass.
“I nostri figli si parlano lingue diverse anche,” Nico says, drawing my attention.
I turn to him to find a heated stare in his eyes. My breathing comes up short and my chest heaves. I feel like his blue eyes are looking through me. My skin heats and I swear I am about to melt right here.
I am stuck in a trance until Valentina clears her throat while fanning herself. I want to fan myself too, as I tear my gaze away, but I won’t. I don’t want Nico to know the true effect he has on me. I’m not ready to admit that to myself.
I need to finish one chapter before I start another. And then it hits me. Nico wants children. Why wouldn’t he? I see how great he is with Vita. I almost broke into tears the first time I saw him with Nori and Inzo. What if I can’t give him that? I feel the tears sting the backs of my eyes.
As if reading my mind, Nico speaks again. “Il nostro futuro è nostro, amore mio. Il tuo passato non ci definisce,” he says with such passion, I have to fight back a sob.
Valentina places a comforting hand on my back and starts to rub circles. I refuse to look at Nico again because I know I will lose it. How can a man that I have never given myself to burn so deeply within my soul, when the man I once pledged my life to, has created such a gaping hole in my chest?
“I don’t know what I just missed, but whatever it was has me hot and bothered,” Paige breathes fanning herself as well.
Valentina giggles. “Let’s just say you need to get moving on that divorce before Nico has me coming out of retirement once again,” Valentina replies.
I look up at Valentina with questioning eyes, but she just smirks and winks at me. Something tells me my new friend and her husband are so beyond what meets the eye, but I don’t question it right now. Sometimes a little crazy is good. I wish I had let some of mine out on Ty and his baby mama. No you don’t they don’t deserve the satisfaction of another black woman going crazy. You did well.
I have to agree with myself and Nico. I have a future and it will not be defined by being an angry black woman. I have a better idea for my revenge. It has always been about Ty. Now it is about Reese. Let him suffer the neglect I felt, because he will suffer from the loss of me.