Page 99 of Bound by Love
Sir nodded slowly as if absorbing his words. “I visited here often with my father. I hope you will be equally as charmed by the place.”
Rytsar scanned the town built against the side of the hills surrounding the port and smiled. “I was in too much of a rush to pay attention the last time I was here for your wedding. I do not want to leave here without absorbing this part of your past.”
He put his hand on Rytsar’s shoulder. “Enjoy, old friend.”
Sir held his arm out to Brie. “Let’s leave him to discover the magic of my island.”
Brie eyed Rytsar with suspicion. What if he was using this as an excuse to get things set up for their mysterious scene? If so, why would she ever want to interfere? She smiled shyly. “I hope you find what you are looking for.”
Rytsar chuckled, shaking his head. “Sex on the mind, eh,radost moya?”
“Me?” she protested, blushing at being called out.
“Da,” Rytsar laughed, grinning at Sir. He gave them a curt bow before walking away, whistling a pleasant Russian tune.
A smile played on Sir’s lips as they started up the narrow street that led to his grandparents’ place. Along the way, people pointed at the baby, talking excitedly in hushed tones just like the first time they visited here.
Sir acknowledged them with a nod but did not engage them.
Brie had forgotten how popular Alonzo Davis had been on Isola d’Elba, and how Sir garnered the same adoration, being the son of the great violinist. Now that he had a child, it made him even more venerated here.
She kept glancing at Sir as they walked up the steep hill, the significance of this meeting hitting her fully. Brie felt that he should be the one holding the baby for this momentous occasion and stopped, holding Hope out to him.
“No, you are the mother,” Sir said.
Brie looked at him tenderly. “This is an important moment for your father’s family. Your grandparents lost their only son twenty years ago, and they almost lost you… I can’t imagine what they’ve been through emotionally.”
Sir nodded. “Yes, they have suffered greatly.”
“Now, not only are you returning, but you are bringing your father’s grandchild. His legacy—their legacy.” Brie handed her over to Sir and stroked Hope’s soft cheek. “You’re bringing a miracle they can hold.”
Sir closed his eyes. Brie knew he was missing his father. Truly, it seemed cruel that the man who had loved and shaped Sir into the caring father he was today could not be a part of this.
When Sir opened his eyes, he looked up at the sky, cradling Hope in his arms. He then turned to Brie and said, “Youare the miracle.”
Brie shook her head, wrapping her arm around him, as they continued up the hill in silence. When they reached the vivid red door, Brie knocked on it loudly. There was excited chatter from inside, but no one came to answer the door.
Brie looked at Sir questioningly.
“My grandparents must be making their way down the stairs,” he told her.
Normally, Aunt Fortuna was the first person to greet them at the door, but it was only right that his grandparents were the first to lay eyes on the baby.
Brie and Sir stood patiently waiting as a small crowd gathered behind them.
It seemed no one wanted to miss this moment.
The door finally opened and his tiny grandmother appeared, breaking out into a huge smile. “Thebambina!”
Sir’s grandfather stood proudly beside her. “Welcome,Nipotino.”
“Nonno,” Sir replied, his voice full of love for the man.
Sir carefully placed their child into the tiny woman’s withered but strong arms. “I present to you your great-grandchild, Hope Antonia Davis.”
Nonna had a look of pure wonder on her face. “Bellissima…”
“Yes, she is beautiful,” Sir agreed, smiling down at them both.
