Sunday is all about packing, getting ready for our day-long flight home to Tuscany. Aiden says that since I’m officially a Steffan now, it is my home as well. Brandy, as always, is on top of things. She cancelled Papa, Mama, Ysabel, and Gianni’s flights and booked us, including herself, on a flight together. It was hard, but she’s found a flight that has nine first-class seats available. My husband refuses to fly unless it is on Emirates or Singapore Airlines. He loves the amenities and the way the flight attendants tend to each person in first class. Because the original plan was to stay here in New York until the beginning of the year, Brandy had to scramble for seats leaving on the same day and flight. Since it was less than thirty days ahead, the prices were through the ceiling. When she gave us the total of all nine seats, I was in shock. Aiden barely flinched and said, “Book them.” Papa and Johnny said they would help with the cost, but my husband wouldn’t hear of it. He said it was our way of thanking them for standing by us through so much.
By Sunday evening, we have around ten suitcases by the elevator doors, all of them belonging to Aiden and myself. The rest of the family still hasn’t brought theirs down. When they finally do, you can’t see the floor in the foyer. Brandy has hired a company who will pick up our bags early in the morning and take them to the airport. Johnny and Shannon spend the night here so we can all leave for the airport together. Aiden doesn’t want to leave any room for error. We have a late morning flight, and Brandy will be here first thing in the morning.
After dinner, when just about everyone has retired for the night, Aiden and I go into the kitchen to speak with Mrs. Miller. The three of us have decided she will stay here for the next week to close everything up since we’re going to be gone for quite some time, from December through the middle of March. The wedding will be on February fourteenth. We’ll be on our honeymoon for a month. A whole thirty days alone, just me and my husband. Well, as alone as we can be traveling through Ireland, then Scotland.
Even though it was Thanksgiving just a few days ago, there’s hardly any food in the fridge. We’ve made sure to donate whatever food we had left over to one of the homeless shelters in the city. After making sure that the penthouse is locked up, Mrs. Miller will be going to visit family in California. She’ll join us at the beginning of February for the wedding.
Anthony, who will also be staying here for another week to make sure that everything goes smoothly, is also visiting family afterward. He is scheduled to fly to Tuscany right after New Year’s Eve. Both his and Mrs. Miller’s trips are courtesy of my husband. One thing about Aiden, he makes sure to take care of the people he cares about. He is always saying, above all else, family comes first.
We say goodnight and head up to our room. In bed, Aiden smiles and caresses my face, moving a few strands of hair behind my ear. I take his hand in mine, bringing it up to my lips. I kiss each finger, one at a time, then the palm before I place his hand on my heart. “Do you feel that? It beats for you and because of you.”
He takes my hand and does the same. “My heart beats for you too. I may have been alive, but I never really lived until you came along.”
“Aiden, this may not make sense to you, but I need you to really hear me. I never want you to forget how you feel right now. What you feel in your heart for me, don’t ever forget that feeling. Always remember me.”
“Amore, I could never forget you. I will never let you go. Alexis, you are my light, my sun, my moon, my everything. I will always follow you into the light and out of the dark.” He pulls me to his chest, and we make love into the early morning hours.
***
On Monday morning we shower, dress, and head downstairs to join the rest of the family. Normally, I would be tired after staying up most of the night. But for me, this is not just any normal day. Today I go to Italy and start the preparations for what Aiden says will be the biggest wedding that Italy or New York has ever seen. I am so excited that I think the butterflies in my stomach have butterflies in them. Maybe that doesn’t make sense, but who cares? Not me.
Shannon, true to her form, is the last one down. As always, she took forever getting ready. Johnny jokes about how long she spends in the bathroom to get dressed.
“Get used to it, brother-in-law. As long as I have known her, it’s always taken this much time.”
“I keep telling her that she is beautiful just waking up, that she doesn’t need all the things you women put on your face.”
She hugs him from behind. “It makes me feel good, and we don’t all wake up looking as perfect as you in the morning, babe.”
He turns and takes her face in his hands. “You are the most perfect woman I have ever seen in my life.”
I pat her on the shoulder. “He is definitely a keeper.”
Pulling her to him, he lovingly kisses her. I’m reminded again of Aiden telling me that Italians are very romantic. They aren’t embarrassed to show their emotions in front of anybody.
Walking into the kitchen, I give Mrs. Miller a hug and wish her a safe trip to visit her family. We look forward to seeing her in February. Then we make our way to the garage. Brandy hired a limousine service to pick us all up. Because there are so many of us, they send what’s called a party bus. Once we are all on board and seated, we are off to the airport.
***
Arriving at the private section of the airport, we are escorted onto the plane. The flight duration is a little over ten hours, so we make ourselves comfortable. The seats are all big, comfy, and actually turn into beds if needed. An hour into the flight, Aiden whispers to me, “Baby, how would you like to become part of the Mile High Club?”
“Lead the way.” Thankfully, first class has its own restroom. Since the Steffan family makes up most of the first-class section, it’s safe to say that we won’t be getting interrupted.
Upon locking the door, he turns me to face away from him. “Hold on to the sink.”
I do as I’m told, no questions asked. He runs his hands under my dress and slides my panties down, lifting each foot up to slip them over my ankles. He places my underwear in his pants pocket. I hear his zipper and feel his cock between my thighs.
“Baby, we do not have a lot of time, so this is going to be quick.”
When he thrusts himself into me, I have to bite my lip to stop myself from moaning too loudly. His hands on each side of my hips squeeze me. The thrill of risking being caught like high school sweethearts is beyond erotic. I am so turned on that a huge part of me wants to scream in ecstasy.
I throw my head back, then turn it to the side so that Aiden takes my mouth into his. The kiss is forceful, and he moans into me as I bite his lip. He slams into me, harder and harder each time. Letting my hips go, he wraps one arm around my waist. The other hand slides down to my thigh. Releasing my mouth, he watches us in the mirror as I do too.
A couple more thrusts and we are both like volcanos erupting into each other. I’m just glad I’m still holding on to the sink. I’m shaking from the orgasm that takes over my body. My lids are heavy with the sensation consuming me.
I open my eyes to look back at Aiden. There are beads of sweat on his forehead from the intoxicating dance we just had. He stares into my eyes, still reeling. His smile tells me that we are far from finished.
Suddenly there is a knock on the door, startling us both. Quickly and quietly we dress. I open the door only to see Shannon with a huge grin. “Get a room, you two.”
Walking back to our seats, there is a draft under my dress. I completely forgot to get my underwear back from Aiden. I feel like everyone’s watching us and they know what we’ve done.
Once we’re buckled in, the attendant comes over and asks what we would like to drink. We both ask for water. A few minutes later they bring out our food. It’s either fish or chicken. Since we weren’t here to place our order, Shannon went ahead and ordered for us. We’re each satisfied with the chicken.
By the time we’re done with the meal, I’m exhausted. From the night before and our sexual interlude earlier. Thankfully the seats are extremely comfortable, especially since they recline into beds. Aiden yawns and stretches. We both pull out the blankets and pillows and fall fast asleep.
We are awakened by Mama. She tells us that the captain had come over the speaker to announce that we will be landing in twenty minutes. I am surprised that we literally slept the whole way. Although I know I will still be jet lagged with the time difference. Our flight left from New York at eleven a.m. Arriving in Italy, it is three in the morning.
***
The landing is smooth and without complications. As we’re exiting the plane and walking into the terminal, there flashes go off from all directions. Taken by surprise, I stumble and almost trip. Aiden is able to catch me before I fall. In anger, he turns around and yells at the paparazzi. Most of them back away, except one man who just smirks at us.
Unfortunately, since he is so close we both hear his next words. “You people think that you are so special, that you’re better than us. Be glad we still want to photograph you, even after finding out everything about you.”
As soon as I hear the last part of his comment, I reach for Aiden, but it’s too late.
He flies at the man in a rage. The veins in his neck pop out. Worried that he could get in trouble, I shout for Johnny to help. Between him and Gianni, they still cannot pull him off the man. People begin pushing and shoving. Mama yells for everyone to leave us all alone, that her son had suffered enough as a child. She starts speaking in Italian; I have no idea of what she’s saying. In all the scuffle, I plead for Aiden to release the man. “Please, for the love of God, let go of him. Aiden, let’s go home. I love you, mi amore.”
In that moment, he looks up and sees me and Mama crying. Releasing the hold he has on the man, he stands up and rushes over to me. He pulls me into his arms and hushes me, stroking my hair. “It’s okay, baby. I’m sorry. Are you hurt?”
Holding on to his shirt and crying into his chest, I say, “I’m fine. Please don’t let people like that get to you. It scares me to death that you could get hurt.”
The photographer is yelling in Italian at us. Shannon finds her way to me and we hug each other. Looking past her, I see Gianni comforting Ysabel. Papa embraces Mama. Johnny is working hard to keep the other paparazzi at a distance.
The whole family is tired from the flight. They have been through such a heartbreaking interview where their oldest son had to talk about what happened to him as a child. Something no child should ever have to go through. It’s a wonder that they haven’t all broken down in tears before this.
My blood boils at seeing us all upset. Out of frustration and anger, I spin around and scream at the top of my lungs, fighting to get the words out through the tears. “Can’t you see that just like you, we’re regular people too? That we get hurt and go through heartbreaks just as you do? What my husband endured as a child should never have happened. How would you feel if this happened to your son or daughter? Or if this was done to you as a little boy or girl? Could you stand to be judged as you all seem to be doing to my husband? He’s a man who I am very proud of. A man that faced his fears head on, one that is brave and always thinks of others. You people who judge him should be ashamed. I am the luckiest woman in the world to be his wife.”
Being so angry, I hadn’t realized when everyone had stopped pushing and shouting. Now they stand silent with their heads down in shame. Aiden turns me to face him. He isn’t angry anymore. Instead he has a look that tells me he is unashamed. “God, woman, I am so in love with you. Let’s go home, Alexis.”
The crowd, which just a little while ago was loud and angry, now moves aside so we can pass by. We walk to the waiting cars without saying a word. Before we have a chance to drive off, airport security comes to see if we’re okay.
Papa is the only one to speak. “Now you come after it is all over. My family was in danger and where were you all? I will be speaking to your chief about this incident.”
With that, we’re off.
***
Brandy tried to get a party bus so we could all fit into one vehicle, but there were none available, so we’re in two different limousines. Riding in our car with us are Papa, Mama, and Brandy. At first, I rest my head on Aiden’s shoulder. Then I catch a glimpse of the city we’re driving through. The buildings are old, yet the architecture is stunning. Each one seems to tell a story. The roads are narrow and filled with people, so the drivers have to keep hitting the horns for them to move aside.
Suddenly, we enter the countryside. Everything is so green. Huge trees grow along each side of the paved road, and beyond them are rows and rows of vineyards and fields of green, green grass with cattle grazing. Every little while we pass a person walking on the road or someone working in the vineyards waves as we pass by. I ask Aiden if they’re friends of the family. “No baby, most people here are just friendly.”
I keep turning my head from side to side, trying to take all the beauty in. Every so often I take a breath in and say, “Wow.”
Excitement hits me; it’s a whole new world. I’m just like a kid who has been taken to Disneyland. Turning to Papa and Mama, I say, “God, everything is so beautiful.”
I hit the button to open the window. The air is crisp and clean, no smog or pollution, just fresh air. The car slows down as it takes a curve. We stop at a huge iron gate. Slowly, it opens and we drive through it. More trees line both sides of the avenue. To the right I see the vineyard, and to the left is a field with horses. I count seven of them.
In the distance, I see a big barn. After passing a few more yards, we arrive. My eyes widen at the size of the house, or should I say at the size of the castle.
Leaning in toward my husband without thinking, I whisper, “Just how rich is your family?”
I thought I said it low enough not to be heard, which apparently I didn’t. Papa and Mama start laughing. My face turns red. “It’s just that…Well, I’ve never stayed in a castle before. I’m just overwhelmed.”
Aiden pulls me close and laughs. “This is your home now, Alexis. Remember, you are a Steffan now.”
When our limos come to a complete stop, a man approaches to open the car doors. “Welcome home, Mr. and Mrs. Steffan.” As we get out, he turns to Aiden. “Welcome home, sir.”
They embrace. “Antonio, this is my wife Alexis.”
Antonio hugs me as if he has known me forever. “Welcome home, Mrs. Steffan.”