Page 60 of Cayden

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The night was pleasant enough and very soon, Blair’s apprehension at leaving the babies, was just a figment and even that disappeared as soon as they entered the small intimate restaurant.

The owner, a friend of the Caruso’s from Italy, ushered them into a private booth and gave her a boisterous hug, his dark handsome face beaming, black eyes dancing.

“When are you going to leave this handsome devil and come live with me?”

“I am afraid it’s too late now.” She returned his hug, her eyes dancing. “We are officially stuck. Four babies.”

“And look at you.” Holding her at arms’ length. Lucio admired her slender curves outlined in the fire engine red dress. “Like you never gave birth.”

“You’re very good for my ego.”

“Now, if you’re done ogling my wife, we really would like to be seated.”

Ignoring Cayden, Lucio placed her hand through his arm and led the way to the back of the room that led out to a small balcony. “The view from here is stunning and you will not be disturbed. I will have the server sent out in a few minutes.”

He pulled the chair out for her. “I would suggest the Caruso Flamboyant…”“We would love that.” She responded swiftly before her husband could object. “We’re celebrating after all.”

Lucio beamed at them. “The menu cards are here, but I made some Primavera and a delicious Italian loaf to go with it.”

“That sounds lovely.” She looked at Cayden and he nodded. “We’ll take that.”

“Coming right up.” He clapped his large hands together. “But first, some minestrone soup.” He bustled away to take care of the order.

Leaning back in the chair, she tilted her head up and inhaled the clean air. The restaurant was located near the harbor and the scent of water mingled with the strong aroma of garlic and other spices made for a very pleasant setting.

“Feeling better?”

Turning her head towards him, she smiled and reached for his hand. “I am, yes. I never knew how much I wanted this until you suggested it.”

“You mean after I forcibly took you into the shower and would not take no for an answer?” he teased.

“Something like that.” Turning her hand over, she linked their fingers and stared at the diamonds on hers. “I had to stop wearing these and I felt naked.”

“I never held it against you. Your fingers were swollen, and they were becoming uncomfortable.” Using his free hand, he traced the stones thoughtfully, staring at them before lifting his head to look at her. “Lucio was right. You do not look like you just had four babies.”

“I still have the scar to show that I did. One of the reasons I was getting so depressed was the worry that you would no longer find me attractive.”

His eyes flared with impatience, and she shook her head, holding up a finger to stop him from commenting.

“It’s not that I don’t know how much you love me, but you have to understand that the body and mind have been through hormonal changes.”

The first course of their meal came just then and Cayden waited until they were alone. Stars glittered overhead, making the candles that had been lit for ambiance, superfluous. A sliver of moon was peeking from the velvety sky and the end of spring breeze stirred the skin.

For a minute, they just sat there, enjoying the atmosphere and excellent soup. He was still holding her hand and forcing them to eat one handed. Blair liked this intimacy between them. For a month, now and even before this, she had been plagued with doubts and fear. Part of wondering if she was going to lose her babies.

Another part was wondering if she had done the right thing. She knew they were far from out of the woods yet.

The doctors had warned them that because of the premature birth, the quadruplets would be plagued with certain illnesses until hopefully they grew out of them. A pediatrician had already been assigned to them and made a house visit just a few days ago.

But sitting here and enjoying a meal with her husband, she knew she was able to face whatever was thrown at them.

As if sensing her thoughts, he lifted their joined hands and kissed the knuckles. “I adore you.” He told her quietly, green eyes holding hers. “I look at my children and I get emotional. You are the only woman who would have ever made that kind of sacrifice and even if it was that alone, I would love you for it.”

His eyes smoldered as he took in the soft lips made moist by the soup. He had watched her grow huge with his babies and barely able to move around. He knew firsthand the discomfort she suffered for the seven and a half months and he was humbled by her.

“But there’s more.” His smile was indulgent. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. The best part of me. I feel fulfilled when I am with you. There is no way I could ever settlefor anything less than what I get from you. Even on our worse day, I would still choose you.”

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