Six Months Later

Aiden and I have moved into Castillo di Guardi. Floriana lives with us too, and she loves having her meals prepared by the cook and her bed made by the maids. All she does is watch Aiden whenever I’m at work and Gianfranco is in the tower, painting.

Tonight, Gianfranco and I, along with Nolan and Abby, are in a private airplane on our way to Paris to see Fixation. It sold at the auction for forty million dollars. Now it’s in a world-famous museum under constant guard. We were there when Abby gave birth a month and a half ago, and now she and Nolan have finally flown to Bari to join us for the public viewing of Fixation.

They chose to leave my new nephew, Merry William Patrick, at home because they felt he was just too young for such a long flight. When we were last in Minneapolis, Abby had already charmed Gianfranco into letting her guest curate a gallery for him in Minneapolis. She convinced them that people from all over the world would descend on little old Minnesota just to get a look at his work. Gianfranco was so fascinated by the new life that had just entered the world that his gift to Abby was to have her curate his exhibition in Minneapolis first and then New York second.

Abby was over the moon.

Now that she’s here in Italy, Nolan and I have had to put a temporary ban on them talking shop—except for tonight. Gianfranco is very excited to talk about Fixation. Even Nolan is excited about tonight, which is strange because he’s never been a lover of art. But there is a lot of history in Gianfranco’s piece. Not many of today’s artists can say that they have collaborated with a master who happens to be their uncle. Some critics are even saying that Gianfranco’s portion is more inspiring, more brilliant—he is the true master.

Up in the air, we’re in high spirits and enjoying a nice amount of red wine and conversation about Castillo di Guardi. Last night was the first time Nolan and Abby had ever slept in a real castle. Abby swears she heard a ghost scratching at the wall while they were in bed. Gianfranco assures her that was only a big rat.

“Yikes!” Abby says.

We laugh our heads off.

The pilot tells us that we should prepare for landing, and we buckle up.

“I’m happy Liza’s with you now,” Nolan says to Gianfranco.

Gianfranco smiles. “Me too.”

Abby shakes her head. “John was awful. I’m glad they gave him two life sentences.”

“He won’t be eligible for parole for at least fifty years,” Nolan says.

We fall silent, and the heaviness of justice hangs in the air.

“Let’s keep the moment happier, no?” Gianfranco says.

“Yes.” Nolan raises his glass of wine. “To happiness.”

We drink to that, then the flight attendant collects our glasses. Finally having a partner who doesn’t flirt back with flight attendants, waitresses, or even ticket takers is refreshing.

After the airplane lands, a limousine whips us over to the museum. Since we’re special guests, we walk right past the long line of other invited guests. People call out to Gianfranco, but he pretends he doesn’t hear them.

He kept his promise to Liza and Giovanni. Before Fixation went to auction, he let them videotape the painting, then answered a few questions. Apparently that made other media outlets jealous and voracious for their own exclusive with Gianfranco Guardi, but he’s not willing to give them special attention.

So we don’t stop for even one interview, though the reporters and photographers can’t stop calling his name. Once we’re inside, there’s no media, just high-profile guests. I recognize Juanita Smith and Penelope Hughes. I want to go say hi and introduce Nolan and Abby to them, but Gianfranco insists we go see Fixation.

“Is it time for the ceremony?” I ask.

“Not yet,” he says. “But I want to spend time with Fixation with you first.”

I cup his chin and kiss him. “Okay.”

I turn to tell Nolan and Abby we’re stepping away, but they aren’t there. Abby must’ve taken Nolan to see another famous piece of artwork. She’ll probably be like a kid in a candy store tonight.

Gianfranco takes my hand and leads me to Fixation. It’s strange feeling as if the guests are parting to let us through. This will actually be the first time I’ve seen the finished painting. Gianfranco has never let me back into his studio since he painted my body that night, and Elsa wouldn’t let me see the footage from their interview.

I’m so captivated by the painting’s bold pinks and tans and browns and blacks. It takes me a while to put together the body parts—shoulders, calves, waists, knees, and…

I step closer to get a better look.

“Do you see?” Gianfranco asks.

“The center portion—is that me?”

Oh my God, I love his bright smile and beautiful green eyes. “Yes. You are my fixation, my love.”

My heart is so full of love for him. I turn to study the painting again. That’s me in the center. My body is the dominant scene.

“And above you is Gabriella Notte, my uncle’s only true love.”

“But he wasn’t married.”

“She died of consumption.”

I skip a breath and gaze at the curves of Gabriella Notte’s body.

“Liza?” Gianfranco says.

“Huh?” I’m still captivated by this woman who met a tragic end while experiencing a great love.

“You are alive, and I am alive.”

I feel Gianfranco’s position shift, so I turn to face him. He’s dropped to one knee, and he’s holding a ring box. I slap my chest as my eyes widen. I want to ask what is he doing, but I see what he’s doing. I’m so shocked that I can’t speak and can hardly breathe.

“We only have one life to live, my love. Let’s live in the moment and spend it together. Aiden, you, and I. We will be a family, and your firstborn son will be my firstborn son.”

My mouth is still caught open. Tears rush to my eyes. I look up and see Nolan and Abby grinning from ear to ear, embracing. Seeing them so in love brings back my voice.

“Yes!” I cry. “I’ll marry you!”

The museum explodes in cheers as Gianfranco slides the ring onto my finger. He leaps to his feet and embraces me, lifting me off the ground.

As we kiss, my head is spinning. Fading into the distant memory is my bad marriage with John and horrible relationship with Salvatore. From this moment on, I decide to leave the past in the past and hope for a brighter future.

Once Gianfranco and I let go of each other, I show my ring to the excited crowd and sing, as if it’s the greatest song in the word, “And she lived happily ever after!”

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