HAVEN
The past few days I got to spend with Kristen have been so good. We unpacked all my clothes, had lunch with Mom, and went sightseeing all over the town.
Unfortunately, jet lag is still kicking Kristen’s butt, so she didn’t want to come out with us for lunch today.
It’s fine. While she’s sleeping, I get to spend time with Leo, and when we get back, Kristen and I can hang out again.
When Leo steers the Porsche up a road and I don’t see anything but grass fields, I ask, “Where is this restaurant you’re taking me to?”
He gives me a mischievous smile that has me sitting up straighter. “We’re stopping at a few places before going to lunch.”
What’s he up to?
Fenced enclosures come into view, and when I see horses, my jaw goes slack and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. “Leo!”
He brings the car to a stop, and I throw the door open, jumping out and hurrying toward the nearest enclosure.
“Please tell me we’re here to bid on some of them,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement.
“No.”
My head swings around, my eyebrows drawing together. “Then why are we here?”
The corner of Leo’s mouth lifts. “I already bought all of them.”
“What?” I look back at the enclosures. There are so many horses.
Leo bought them all for me.
I’m hit with an intense wave of gratitude because he saved them, and my chin begins to quiver. I run to my husband and throw myself into his arms, hugging the everloving shit out of him.
My voice is hoarse as I say, “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
“It’s a little late, but it’s my wedding gift to you.”
I pull back so I can see his face. “This is the best gift ever. There’s nothing in the world I want more.”
I can see he means it when he says, “I’m glad you’re happy, stellina mia.”
Pulling away from Leo, I walk closer to the nearest horse and carefully reach my hand out. Noticing the horse is male, I say, “Hey, boy.”
I wait for the stallion to sniff my hand before I carefully brush my palm over his neck.
As a tear escapes and rolls over my cheek, the stallion nickers, bumping his head against my hand.
“Yeah, I’m here to take you to a safe place where you can be happy.”
He nickers again, and it feels as if his big black eyes look right into my soul.
I hear engines, and when I glance toward the road, it’s to see vehicles with trailers hooked to them.
Leo comes to stand by my side and places his hand on my lower back. “I’ve arranged for the horses to be transported to stables. Want to see the property?”
I give my husband an incredulous look. “You’re just all kinds of amazing. Yes, I want to see it.”
He takes my hand and leads me back to the Porsche.
The first vehicle comes to a stop, and when I see Massimo climbing out, I wave at him. “Thank you so much for helping out today.”
“You’re welcome.”
While I climb into the passenger seat, Leo stops to exchange words with Massimo. I watch as his right-hand man grins at him while patting him on the shoulder.
I need to invite Massimo and his family over for dinner.
I pull my phone out and make a note in my diary so I don’t forget, then grin at Leo when he slides in behind the steering wheel.
“Thank you so much,” I say as I lift my hand to trail my fingers over the back of his neck.
“Anything for you, principessa.”
He starts the engine, and as we drive to the other property, there’s so much excitement and happiness in my heart, I can’t stop smiling.
When Leo pulls up to a beautiful piece of land, I’m hit with more happiness than I can handle. Tears sneak from my eyes, and I use my fingers to brush them away.
“You okay?” Leo asks.
“It’s so heartwarming and overwhelming to know the horses will be able to live in peace on this property.”
Leo brings the car to a stop near the stables and leans over the console to press a kiss to my temple. “Cazzo, I love your beautiful heart so much.”
We climb out of the Porsche, and a man comes out of the stables to greet us.
“This is Gianni. He’s the caretaker, but he doesn’t speak English,” Leo says before he shakes Gianni’s hand. He introduces us and acts as translator while we greet each other.
They talk for a little bit before Leo leads me into the stables. “I just told him Massimo and the others are coming soon, so he can get things ready.”
As I glance into one stall after the other, I say, “You know I’m going to spend a lot of time here, right?”
“Of course. I’ll have to teach you Italian so you can communicate with Gianni.”
“That would be great.” When we walk out the other side of the stables, there’s a piece of land stretching as far as the eye can see.
“I’m going to erect more enclosures and stables on this area,” Leo says as we walk into the field.
“You’re doing so much for me,” I whisper, struck with awe. When we stop walking, I glance up at Leo, “What do you want as a wedding gift?”
“Just you.” He stares at me for a moment, then I’m in for a surprise as Leo goes down on one knee. His eyes fill with love as he says, “Haven, when I laid eyes on you, I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the world. I was wrong.”
Wait. What?
“Because you’re not just the most beautiful, but the most selfless and caring person I’ve ever met. The way you love those around you humbles me. The passion you live with shows me how dull my life was before you. For seventeen years, I was lost, then you came back into my life to revive me with your love.” He pats the spot where his tattoo is. “Stellina mia.”
My heart.
Leo pulls a ring out of his pocket, a black diamond set in a bed of tiny sparkling ones.
“Without you, I’ll continue to wander, lost in the darkness. Will you shine your starlight on me for the rest of our lives?”
When he climbs back to his feet, I stare deep into his eyes as tears run down my face. “Yes, Leo.”
He pushes the wedding ring onto my finger, and this time it fits perfectly, then he whispers, “Please don’t ever remove it.”
My voice is a trembling mess from all the happy emotions I’m experiencing, and I struggle but manage to say, “I won’t.”
Leo frames my cheeks with his hands and presses a loving kiss to my mouth.
When he pulls back, a sob escapes from me, but I fight back the tears so I can say, “Our journey together started with a lot of bumps and craziness, but after being loved by you with such intensity, I know no one else will ever be able to compare to you. Out of over eight billion people, I choose you to spend my life with. I will love you through all the good and bad times ahead.”
Emotion ripples over his face. “What did you just say?”
“I love you, Leo. With all my heart.”
He moves fast, and his mouth slams into mine, as if he’s desperate to taste the words on my tongue. Between kisses, I manage to whisper, “You are the most important person in my life.”
Leo’s arms wrap around me, and when he lifts his head, he looks at me with so much happiness.
I commit this incredible day to my memory, hoping that out of all the memories I’ll make in my lifetime, this is the one I’ll never forget.
The End.
