Love's Precious Surprise (The women of Landry's Landing and the Fabrizio men) (3 page)

“After everything I’ve been through I’m too afraid to even consider what I would like to do about him. I’m terrified of being hurt the way my stepfather use to hurt me. I really don’t think I can survive that again.” Toni said in a shaky voice as tears welled in her green eyes.

“You my dear Toni are much stronger than you’ll ever know, but I promise that no one will ever hurt you like that ever again.” Indy said in a determined tone.

“We all promise, that you are safe from now until eternity.” London said to reassure her.

“Thanks you guys but there is no way you can make a promise like that.” Toni said quietly.

“What girl please we are the Landry sisters, you should know by now that we knock heads, kick ass and protect our family.” Indy said with a grin.

“Not to mention that we’re married to the Fabrizio’s just in case you don’t know people come up missing when they mess with their loved ones. So no worries kiddo it’s all good.” Gigi said with a knowing smile remembering what had happened to her ex-boyfriend when he’d tried to hurt her.

“I guess you guys are right, but that still doesn’t help me with this whole Daniele situation. I mean I know he’s a nice guy and all I just don’t know if I’m the ready to be intimate with anyone, especially with him.” She said sadly.

The others exchanged glances as they listened to the sadness in her voice as well as the longing that she tried to hide. They watched as she tilted her head back and closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling. She sighed helplessly before running both her hands over her face.

“Why not with Daniele, what’s wrong with him?” Gigi asked.

“Well nothing really.” Toni said softly.

“You dang right there’s nothing with him. He’s a very handsome man, He has a nice body, and he’s smart and sweet.” London said.

“He’s also a gentleman who’s very kind, considerate and caring.” Indy said.

“And girl, don’t forget the best part, He is a Fabrizio and they know how to treat their woman with the respect they deserve.”Asia added happily.

“Not to mention that they know how to love you unconditionally with flaws and all.” Gigi said.

“Look Toni, we said all of this just to say that when you’re ready to take that step towards being intimate with a man, you couldn’t choose a better man than Daniele Fabrizio. But you have to be sure that you’re ready to take that step forward.” Indy said giving her approval as the big sister she always is.

“Indy’s right sweetie, take your time be certain that you’re ready for that kind of intimacy because it can be overwhelming, in a good way but overwhelming just the same.” London said caringly.

“Just take it one day at a time and see how it goes, if it’s meant to be than things will work out just the way they are supposed to.” Asia said with a smile.

“Thanks guys, I feel much better now that I’ve talked to ya’ll about all this.” Toni said smiling with ease.

“Good now can we get this girls night in gear because ya’ll know that our husbands will be calling soon because they can’t handle their own bad ass kids.” Indy said teasingly.

“Girl, I know that’s right, remember what happened last time?” Gigi said laughing.

“You mean when the guys let the kids almost destroy my house. Oh yeah I remember it took us two days to clean up the mess they made.” Asia said with a frown.

“Excuse me did you say us, as I recall it was Daniele and I that got stuck with the clean up.” Toni said.

“That’s true but I did have to supervisor the two of you especially since you were yelling at the poor man the entire time. The two of you were almost as bad as the kids.” Asia said.

“Hey why is it that when you and Daniele watch the kids the two of you don’t have one bit of trouble out of them. When we come to pick them up they’re always worn-out and exhausted.” Gigi commented curiously.

“Yeah, the minute we get them home they fall asleep dead tired.” London added.

“True, but at least they’re fed and bathed when you get them back.” Toni said.

“I don’t know your secret but I do know that we really appreciate you and Daniele for taking such good care of them for us.” Indy said with a smile.

“No problem, Daniele and I don’t mind at all.” Toni said happily.

“What is it that you and I don’t mind at all?” Daniele asked as he came through the door.

“We don’t mind watching the kids.” Toni answered.

“Oh yeah we enjoy watching the kids for you guys they’re a lot of fun to play with.” He replied as he opened the closet next to the front door.

“I thought you were giving the guys a hand with the kids?” Indy asked.

“I am I can back home to get my bag of tricks because the kids were starting to get restless and you know how they get when they get restless.” Daniele said as he searched the closet.

“Yeah they start destroying things.” Asia said with a frown.

“Bingo. Toni do you know where we put the bag after the last time we watched the kids?” He asked.

“I think it’s in the hall closet you know the one with the linens in it I’ll go check.” Toni said as she stood to go check.

“That’s okay, you don’t have to get up I’ll go check.” Daniele said motioning for her to sit back down as he went to check the other closet.

Toni didn’t return to her seat instead she picked up her wine glass and walked over to close the closet door. As she was about to return to her seat on the couch he came around the corner and almost knocked Toni down when he bumped into her.

Daniele dropped the bag to reach out and grab for her. “Hey sorry about that are you okay?” He asked.

“I’m fine thanks for not letting me fall on my ass and luckily I didn’t spill my wine.” She said as she gazed up at him with a slight smile.

“I promise that I’ll never let you fall
il mio amore prezioso
.” He said still holding onto her.

“When are you going to tell me what that means?” She asked staring into his light brown eyes.

“I’ll tell you when I think you’re ready to know what it means.” He whispered so that only she could hear what he was saying as he released his hold on her.

“
Oh, I see you found the bag did you check it to make sure we put everything back in it?” She asked adjusting her stance to accommodate her own weight.

“
Yeah I checked and everything is here although I won’t be able to do many of the tricks anyway without you but it should be fine.” He said as he reached for her glass and took a sip of her wine before handing it back to her.

“
I’m sorry I can’t be there to help out.” She said quietly.

“
That’s okay but I better get back before the guys send out the search party for me. I’ll let you ladies get back to your girl night, I’ll see you later,
prezioso
.” He said lifting her hand to his lips before quickly releasing it to walk out the door.

The Landry sisters exchanged knowing glances as they watched a blushing Toni stare at the back of her hand wide eyed. A slow smile touched her lips as a dreamy look appeared on her face. When she looked at the others she noticed that they were staring at her.

“
Why are ya‘ll looking at me like that?” Toni asked as she glanced at each of them.

“
Girl, you have got it bad and so does he you really need to think about giving that man a chance who knows it could turn out to be the best thing you’ve ever done.” London said.

“It certainly was for us, and we have never been happier.” Asia said smiling brightly.

“She’s right even a strong, independent woman sometimes needs the love of a good man by her side.” Gigi said.

Thanks again you guys it really helps talking to all of you.” Toni said happily.

Daniele made it back to Pierce’s house wearing a smug smile. The guys noticed immediately and exchanged questioning glances.

“Boy why are you smiling like that, what have you done?” Pierce asked as he grabbed his four year old son Dante just before he was about to push the lamp off the table next to the couch. While his two year old daughter was running in circles around the couch spilling juice.

“Yeah, we all know that smile and more times than not it usually has something to do with a Landry woman.” Luc said trying to keep his two year old son Luca from running rampant while holding his three month old son Sansone.

“Please tell me you didn’t do anything to piss our wives off.” Gio said holding his fifteen month old daughter Guiseppina (
Pina for short)
while keeping a sharp eye on his almost three year old son Gianni.

“Just tell us you didn’t do something stupid that we’re going to have to kill you for.” Gabe said as he tried unsuccessfully to pry his cell phone from the hands of his two year old son Raphael.

“Of course I didn’t, it’s just I think Toni is starting to become less hostile towards me and I’m pretty sure I have your wives to thank for that.” Daniele said with a bright smile.

“That’s great just remember that Toni’s been through a lot.” Pierce said as he continued to wrestle with Dante who was trying to get away.

“Yeah also remember that you should take things slow so that you don’t frighten her into not giving you a chance.” Gio said as he tried to hold onto his wiggling daughter.

“You should also make sure that you always treat her with the care and respect that she deserves and let her know what an amazing woman she is.” Luc said grabbing his son by the shirt as he dashed by.

“And last but certainly not least if you do anything to hurt her we will beat you like you stole something.” Gabe added just as he was finally able to get his cell phone away from his son.

“Believe me you guys I know all of that and I don’t plan to do anything to screw this up because she means too much to me already. I want her to know what an incredible woman she is.” Daniele said with determination in his voice.

“Well we are so happy to hear that now would please do something to calm these kids down?” Pierce pleaded.

“No problem, come on kids it’s show time.” He yelled causing the children to stop what they were doing and squeal as they came running to him.

Toni didn’t see Daniele until the next morning when she arrived at the office. He was already seated behind his desk hard at work.

“I didn’t hear you come in last night what time did you get in?” She asked as she rounded her desk to take her seat.

“Oh, I didn’t want to wake you so after I helped the guys get the kids to sleep I went to stay with Uncle Seppe and Aunt Sera, when I woke up this morning I came straight to the office.” He said glances at her briefly before turning back to his work.

“You didn’t have to do that you could’ve come home when you were done.” She said in a matter of fact tone.

“That’s okay, I know how irritated you get when I come in late and wake you.” He said as he continued to work.

Toni frowned. “I’m not that bad am I?” She asked.

“Let’s just say that when you’re angry you could make a lion tamer nervous.” He teased glancing at her for a moment.

“Wow that makes me feel like a real witch.” She said with a frown.

“Well it shouldn’t that’s just your way of letting me and anyone else know that you are a strong fearless woman and you aren’t about to take any crap. Who wouldn’t respect that in a woman?” He said with a smile.

“If you say so then I’ll take your word for it. What are you working on?” She asked noticing how his attention seemed too focused in what he was working.

“I’m working on the spring promotional package.” He replied sounding a bit frustrated.

“Aren’t we supposed to be working on that together, why are you trying to do it alone?” She asked in confusion.

“Well we are supposed to be working on it together but since you have to help Gabe with the spring budget, I thought I’d get started on the promo package so that you wouldn’t have so much to do.” Daniele said with a frown.

“Really and how is that working out for you?” Toni asked noticing that he seemed to be having a difficult time.

“Not so great I can’t get this ad page to lay-out just right it’s looking cluttered and a bit too busy.” He replied.

“Here let me see what you have.” Toni said as she walked over his desk to take a look at his computer screen.

“See what I mean for a one page ad, it looks like there is too much going on.” He said as he pointed to the computer screen.

She leaned over his desk a bit as she evaluated the lay-out. “Well first of all this should be a two page ad that runs together. Secondly instead of all these individual captions there should be one main caption that introduces each brand as a whole. Here I’ll show you.” She said as she took control of his wireless mouse.

Daniele watched as Toni began using the mouse to move things around on the screen then changed the caption to read:

Hop into spring with Fabrizio Industries as we proudly present to you our local brands.

Come play in our gardens at Landry’s Landing as you enjoy lively and colorful plants and flowers from around the world.