Page 31 of The Doctor's Promise
Noemi wiped her tears. “Come on, before we both disintegrate into puddles.”
As they walkedinto the chapel, it was full of their friends and family. Paul, Jack’s biological father, was leaning over his son’s open casket, weeping inconsolably. Noemi couldn’t help but think—where were you in the last six years? But she knew she was being harsh. Leo and Paul had parted amicably before Jack was even born, and Jack had never known that Paul, who he’d only met on a few occasions, was even his father.
At the back of the church, Noemi saw Rafa and Bepi, quietly taking their seats, and she smiled at them. Bepi was adorable in his little suit, and Rafa smiled back at her, raising his eyebrows, asking her silently if she was okay. Noemi nodded and touched her chest over her heart. Rafa did the same. The simple gesture made her feel stronger.
The funeral went off slowly and beautifully, and as they laid Jack to rest, Leo stayed strong. “Goodbye, beautiful boy. You will always be with me.”
They heldthe wake at their parent’s home. Leo thanked all the guests personally, even Rafa. She stroked Bepi’s chubby little cheek. “He’s adorable, Rafa.”
Rafa gripped her hand. “You need anything—anything—please just ask.”
“Thank you.” Leo nodded at him and moved away, but then turned and came back. “All I want is… look after my sister. Do that and I’ll be happy.”
“I promise with all my heart,” Rafa said, and Leo nodded and half-smiled.
“I believe you mean that. Thank you, Rafael. See you again, Bepi.”
Bepi reached out his little hand and put his fingers on her face. Noemi watched as a million emotions flooded her sister’s face before she nodded and walked away. Noemi slipped her hand into Rafa’s. “Let’s go find somewhere to talk.”
Bepi was commandeered by Marian, who, struggling with her grandson’s loss, wanted to hug the little boy so badly it hurt. Bepi, always sensitive to emotions around him, threw his arms around her neck and snuggled in tight.
“He’s a cute kid.”
Noemi turned to see Paul behind her. “Paul…”
Paul shook his head. “I know. Me too. I just wish… I wish I had been a better man. A father. But it’s too late now.” The depth of sorrow in his eyes was searing.
Noemi had to look away, and she excused herself, pushing her way through the guests and outside with Rafa following her.
They sat down on the porch, and Rafa wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips to her temple. “I love you, Noemi Castor,” he murmured. “I know it’s crazy fast, and I know we’re declaring this at a time of heightened emotion, but I’m in love with you.”
“As I am in love with you, Rafa. So much. I just wish it wasn’t so bathed in loss: yours, mine, ours.”
“We will get through this, I swear. We’ve been tested, sure, but I know we belong together.”
Noemi smiled at him and kissed his mouth. “I believe we do.” She hesitated. The words seemed to want to come out—I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant—but she couldn’t do it. Not today. Not here.
Leo made Noemi go homewith Rafa. “You need some looking after, and Mom and Dad are fussing around me. I need some time alone too. Go, be with him.”
“You approve of him now?”
Leo half smiled. “Let’s just say I’m touched he came to the funeral. And that kid is adorable.”
She even hugged Rafa before they left and gave him a look. “Remember what I said.”
“I promise.”
In the car,Noemi asked him what Leonora had meant. Rafa grinned over at her. “She told me to look after you.”
Noemi chuckled. “Ah, Leo. Feminism passed you by, didn’t it?”
“Hey now, I need looking after too. Isn’t that what feminism is? Equality?” Rafa stuck his tongue in his cheek, and Noemi giggled. It felt so good to laugh. Noemi looked around at Bepi, fast asleep in his child’s seat.
“He looks so adorable in that little suit. Did you get it off the rack or did you have it tailored for him in Italy?” She teased Rafa but when he looked sheepish, she gasped.
“Seriously? Your four-year-old son has his suits tailored in Italy?”
Rafa chuckled. “Now you sound like Tomi. But yeah, he needs a suit so every birthday, he gets measured, and I have one made. It’s kind of like a family tradition. My dad used to do it for Zani and me when we were growing up. My mom still has every one of them in her ‘archive’. Yes, she has an ‘archive’ of my baby clothes.”
