Page 46 of Finding Love in the Clouds

“We did. I think I have an idea of what I want,” Sophie admitted with a measure of confidence she hadn’t felt moments before.

“Great! Let’s get started.” Karrisa clapped her hands together as if she were a noblewoman summoning her servants. Sure enough, the other ladies scurried in and pulled back a curtain hiding a carpeted platform. Each had a measuring tape hanging around her neck and a pin cushion wrapped around her wrist.

Sophie’s excitement grew as she discussed her vision with the designer. The idea of having a dress made with such personal significancetouched her deeply. They spent the next couple of hours working on the details, from the silhouette to the intricate lace patterns.

As they left the fashion house, Sophie turned to Fernando with a radiant smile. “This has been the best surprise. Thank you.”

Fernando kissed her forehead. “Anything for you. I can’t wait to see you in that dress.”

They spent the remaining time wandering the charming streets of Milan, savoring gelato and taking in the city’s vibrant atmosphere. The blend of historical architecture and modern fashion made Milan a captivating destination.

When it was time to return to the bus, Sophie and Fernando were filled with contentment. The group reunited outside La Scala, sharing stories of their adventures. Alicia gathered everyone and led them back to the bus for their journey to Stresa and the lake region.

As the bus rumbled towards their final stop of the day, the group reflected on the day’s experiences, the history and charm of Verona, and the elegance and sophistication of Milan. Sophie and Fernando held each other tucked up in the back of the bus, their hearts brimming with love and anticipation for the future. Milan had given them a day to remember, filled with beauty, surprises, and the promise of a bright tomorrow. The clock had started… six months and counting.

Chapter Forty-Five

As the bus left the bustling city of Milan, the golden hues of the late afternoon sun cast a gentle golden glow over the landscape. The sky transitioned from a bright azure to a warm palette of oranges and pinks as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. Alicia’s voice, always filled with enthusiasm and knowledge, added a last bit of information on the region as they slowly left it behind.

“Look to your left,” she said, pointing out the window, “you’ll see the vast expanse of the Lombardy region. This area is known for its fertile plains and agriculture, primarily producing rice, corn, and wine. The Alps are to our north, and on clear days, you can see the snow-capped peaks in the distance. This region is also famous for its silk production. For centuries, Lombardy has been a major center for the silk industry, which has significantly contributed to the region’s economy. We have about two hours to your final destination. Don’t eat too many snacks as we have a large farewell dinner planned. Enjoy the ride.”

The bus meandered through charming villages with cobblestone streets and terracotta rooftops. Fields of sunflowers and vineyards stretched as far as the eye could see, painting the landscape in vibrant hues as Fernando and Sophie held each other in their own little cocoon in the back of the bus.

“Sophie, I can feel you thinking. What’s on your mind, my love?” Fernando asked, placing his cheek beside her head so she wouldn’t have to speak loudly for him to hear her.

“So much. I mean… a month ago, I was just your personal assistant mooning over her boss. Yesterday, I was your girlfriend, and today, we designed our wedding clothes and practically planned the entire event. Does that seem a little fast to you?” She was obviously concerned about this, but he felt none whatsoever.

“No, not in the least,” he said confidently. “Sophie, I’m sorry it took me so long to see you for the loving woman that you are on a romantic level, but once my eyes were open, there was no hesitation. Think of it this way. If a blind man is given the opportunity to have corrective surgery and have full sight, is he going to go around with his eyes closed, worrying about what he will see, or is he going to open them and enjoy the view? That was a rhetorical question, but that is how I feel. We already know each other. We already care for each other deeply; this is just another more wonderful layer, so why wait any longer to enjoy the bounty of what life is offering us, true love.” He kissed the side of her head and allowed her time to process all that he had said.

“I get it, but… what will people think when they hear you married your personal assistant six months after going on vacation with her?” Worry continued to color her words as she stared out the window.

“Love, I know that a good name is better to be chosen than great riches, and I try very hard not to contradict the Bible, but in this area,I honestly don’t care what people think. They will wag their tongues no matter what I do. We aren’t going to have a big splashy wedding, so I imagine it will take a hot minute for folks to even realize we are married. It would be fun not to tell them and see how long the office folks take to figure it out. No matter what, though, I will never be ashamed of you. As for marrying my assistant, what can I say? I’m a really good judge of character and hiring high-quality staff. Have I put your mind at ease on that topic? I have a question for you.”

“Yes, if you don’t mind getting slammed in the tabloids, then I guess I will try not to care when everyone calls me a ladder-climbing gold digger.”

The deep breath he felt leaving her lungs told him she wasn’t convinced, but only time would address this problem in the long run. “Sweetheart, if anyone on my payroll says anything of the kind to you, I want you to promise to give me their name within twenty-four hours of the offense. Do you promise?” Fernando tried to be calm, but he knew that came out more like a command.

Sophie turned in his arms to glare up at him. “Andy, I’m not a snitch.”

“Promise.” His voice was steel. This had triggered something deep inside him. “I will not have anyone displaying that type of behavior on my staff. That would be unacceptable on so many levels. If they dare utter that kind of slight to you, imagine what they would be doing to less powerfully placed people. No, I’m not budging on this. If you hear any such thing or feel disrespected in any way, you will tell me, and I will investigate their overall behavior before making a move. But a move will be made, that I promise you.”

Sophie rubbed down his arms where he held her, trying to soothe him; this had hit a cord. “When you put it that way, I promise. Now, what was your question?”

Fernando took a moment to compose himself and took a few deep breaths to slow his heart rate. The thought of someone bullying Sophie made him crazy. The dark feelings from his childhood that momentarily clouded the edges of his vision started to recede, and he held her a little closer once more, resting his cheek next to her head so they were as close as possible, given their seating arrangement.

“I was wondering, if you could do anything with your life, what would it be? What was your dream job in high school?”

“Oh, that’s an easy one. I always wanted to be a lawyer.”

“What about now?”

“I mean, yeah, it would be cool to go to law school, but I love being your assistant. We’re getting married, and I have a child. It’s not like I can just drop all of that and go back to school. What would I do with it anyway?”

“What did you want to do with it before?” he asked, not wanting to drop the subject until he fully grasped her dream.

“I wanted to be a family lawyer, to help women and children who had no one to fight for them,” she whispered.

“That sounds just like the woman I know and love. And you know what, that sounds like something my wife would do. We’ve made a lot of decisions today, and I don’t want to overwhelm you, but I want you to think carefully about going to law school. Just because you are marrying a man with money and don’t need to work doesn’t mean you can’t have your own goals and dreams. A career if you want it. I would support you one hundred percent. And you said that part of your culture was the older generation taking care of the up-and-coming generation. Your parents will be living close by; we could hire a nanny, and Javier will be in school. We will find a way for you to go to school and still feel good about being a mother and wife if that is what you want to do.”

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