Eleven

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The next morning Vanessa decided to make breakfast for everyone. It was her way of saying, 'Thank you for being so kind,' because the Portalo men were very hospitable and respectable. Reid did a magnificent job raising Cabbrieli.

After her laughing fest, they all moved from the living room to the deck and played a game called What's Yours Like. It was Vanessa's first time playing it and Cabbrieli got her hip to the rules and by the third round, she was guessing like a pro.

"Good morning, beautiful," Reid walked into the kitchen and kissed her.

It was short and sweet, but her heart still pounded as if she ran a marathon. "Good morning," A soft smile etched on her face as she moved around the kitchen.

"I'm going to my meeting for the new property, would you like to come?" Reid asked and poured himself a glass of lemonade. "Have some," He told her and handed her the glass.

Vanessa took a sip and was amazed at how good it tasted. "Wow, is this special lemonade? It's the best stuff I've ever tasted," She didn't mean to sound simple, but in all honesty, it was just some good juice.

"It's called Milo's, I order it specially made from Alabama." Reid interjected politely. He was always polite.

"Oh," She pondered.  "And to answer your question, I think I'll be fine staying here. I'll miss you though." She almost apologized, but then she remembered that Reid wasn't Mason. She could tell him how she felt without getting berated.

Reid hummed and wrapped his arm around her waist. "That's fine, I'll miss you too. Having you close gives me peace, amore mio." He whispered in her ear. "I am glad that you're comfortable enough to stay here with me, I like this," He littered kisses on her face.

"Yeah," Vanessa murmured and stood on her toes to reach his lips.

He pressed a kiss onto her chin and captured her lips smoothly.

Moments later, his phone rang irritatingly loud.

Reid chuckled and kissed her once more before checking his phone. "Nothing important. But right on time, you've got me slipping, cara,"

She laughed lightly at his words. "I need to finish making breakfast," She insisted and washed her hands.

She could feel Reid watching her and she loved it.

"I'd love to stay and watch you cook, kiss you, but I must be heading out now. I will be back before twelve and when I get back I'm taking everyone somewhere special," He walked behind her and kissed her cheek. "Ciao, amore mio."

"Goodbye," She responded absentmindedly.

Reid swiftly pecked her lips and winked. "You are a brilliant woman, Vanessa Grace." He shook his head and admired her from head to toe, and to her surprise, she didn't feel uncomfortable.

"I will see you later, beautiful!" He called while walking to the front door. "I will truly miss you!" He added before leaving and closing the door behind him.

-

"Can I talk to you, Vanessa?" Cabbrieli asked as he walked down the stairs.

Nothing good rarely followed those words. Hearing them put fearful butterflies in Vanessa's stomach.

"It's nothing bad, I promise!" He reassured her quickly, making her butterflies go away. "Let's go by the pool, it's a beautiful day and the weather is nice," His voice was kind and she knew that there was nothing to worry about. But if there was a problem, she would just tell Reid.

She put away her glass and followed him outside. "What do you want to talk about?"

Her eyes widened as she looked at the backyard. She thought that it was gorgeous last night when they were playing on the deck, but nothing compared to how it looked in the morning light.

The pool was reminiscent of the ocean, it had to be water directly from the nearest beach. There were two waterslides, one on each side of the pool. A bar with what looked like a frosty machine and a soda machine as well.

His entire house was decked out to the max and she loved it.

"I actually wanted to talk to you about my father," Cabbrieli's voice brought her back to reality.

She was okay with talking about Reid. In fact, she wanted to know how Cabbrieli saw him. She was learning that sometimes getting another person's perspective was a good thing, and it was especially helpful coming from his son.

They both took a seat near the pool and Cabbrieli instantly started talking.

"I love my dad. He's my role model, my best friend, and just about the greatest father anyone could have," His words made Vanessa smile. Though, even without speaking, she could tell how much Cabbrieli loved Reid. "I've never seen him this way, in love I mean, he's the happiest I've ever seen him. He's never been in a real relationship from what I've seen. Growing up he was focused on raising me and building his business to achieve the American dream." He explained with a stern look on his face, but she knew that he wasn't upset. He was focused.

"My mother handed me over to my dad the day I was born. He could've abandoned me, he was only 21, but instead, he kept me and taught me everything."

It hurt her heart to hear that his mother abandoned him. She couldn't imagine how it must feel for Cabbrieli to grow up and never have a mother. "If you don't mind me asking, what happened to your mother? Have you seen her? Do you talk?" She asked and he shook his head.

"No. She was serious about not wanting me, but I still love her." His voice held pain. It broke her heart.

She placed her hand on his shoulder and smiled sympathetically.

"M-my father," He cleared his throat and exhaled shakily. "My father sacrificed his younger years for the sake of me. I just want to thank you," He smiled genuinely.

"Why are you thanking me? I haven't done anything special." She was dumbfounded.

Cabbrieli laughed softly and ran his fingers through his hair. "You've done something magnificent and you can't even tell. My father has had run-ins with gold diggers, young and old. They only wanted to be with him for what he could give them, instead of a true connection." He explained. "You're with him because you have something special. I can promise that you will never have to worry about anything. My father always takes care of those he loves." He winked at her and lay back in his chair.

"My father always told me, God allows everything to happen for a reason and that His reason always comes to light when sought out properly." His wise words struck her heart. "I'm a little hungry now, I'll have a taste of that good-looking breakfast you made," Cabbrieli got up from his chair and stretched. "Ciao for now," He said kindly and walked into the house leaving Vanessa alone with her thoughts.

She looked back at the house and watched Cabbrieli walk in and disappear. Her heart went out to Cabbrieli, but she could see that he was a truly happy man and what he missed growing up didn't affect who he is today.

And Reid. By looking at him and even spending time with him now, she would've never imagined that he experienced the harsh realities of life. His outlook and his kindness were a product of the trials he faced and that made her realize something.

There was so much that she didn't know about him. He wasn't at fault in the matter, she was. And she was going to do something about it.

For now, she was going to spend time with her daughter.

-

"Are you happy, amore mio?" Reid walked behind Vanessa as she watched the waves flow.

Thankfully his meeting went well and he was now in the process of building a new resort. And just as he promised, he took the whole family for a ride on his yacht.

Vanessa looked serenely beautiful. Her hair flowed with the wind and her yellow dress complimented her body. She was more than beautiful, she was heavenly.

"Sei tutto per me, Vanessa Grace."(You are everything to me, Vanessa Grace.) He admired her peacefully. It amused him when he spoke in his language and Vanessa never questioned what he said. He took it as a sign that she trusted him not to say anything hurtful, and it was true. He loved her too much for that.

Vanessa seemed to have snapped out of a trance and she nodded and leaned into his embrace. "Yes. I'm happier than I've ever been," The softness of her voice always lingered in his ears.

"Mommy! Watch me play!" Lailah screamed and held her dolls up for everyone to see.

She was seated in the middle of the deck, dressed in a pretty blue dress and a life jacket. Though the yacht was extremely safe for young kids, they weren't going to take any chances with Lailah's life.

"You're playing so well, sweetie. And I can see that you've shown Cabbrieli how to play as well," Vanessa noted with a playful tone.

Cabbrieli had certainly taken to Lailah and she did the same with him. It was nice to see his grown son get along with a two-year-old. Some adults were flaky and rude to children, but his Cabbrieli was a gem. If things panned out the way he planned, soon enough they would be step-siblings.

"Come with me," Reid insisted and led Vanessa to the inside of the yacht. He wanted to have a little private time with her, they would still be able to see Cabbrieli and Lailah, but they wouldn't hear them.

He sat down on his L-shaped couch and pulled Vanessa onto his lap. "Cabbrieli told me about your talk," He said while caressing her cheek. He loved touching Vanessa. She was soft.

"It was nice," She murmured and pecked his lips.

She smelled like vanilla and fresh linens. He was never a scent man, but for some reason, he was now. "I suppose that I should explain a few things to you, amore mio." He kissed her cheek and rested his head in the crook of her neck.

"Only if you'd like," She said passively and leaned back into his chest.

He wrapped his arm across her stomach and sighed. "Cabbrieli probably mentioned his mother. She was a one-night stand and she ended up getting pregnant. She never planned on having a kid so young, we never tried having a relationship because neither of us was into the other." He didn't see a point in not being candid. Vanessa was his forever.

"She wanted to put the child up for adoption after birth, but I wanted the child, so she told me that she would give him to me but she wouldn't be in his life. I agreed and the day after she gave birth to Cabbrieli, she was gone. I didn't mind one bit, my sole focus was my son and working on achieving my American dream," God blessed him immensely with his American dream.

Vanessa took his hand and held it to her face. "I saw the pain in Cabbrieli's eyes as he briefly told me about his mother. It broke my heart," She said and truly sounded hurt. That's what he loved about her. She was genuine to the T.

"I know, my sweet. Growing up he would ask about his mother, and I told him that she wasn't with us. That was the hardest conversation I've had with him, he cried for hours, and still to this day he gets teary when he speaks about her, or the lack of having her." He hated that his son had to grow up without a mother, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"I tried having relationships. I wanted to give him a mother, I knew that he longed to have a mother, but I wasn't going to marry someone knowing that they weren't with me because they loved me or my son. Women wanted me and my money, but not my son." He shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Was it upsetting?" Vanessa asked softly.

Was it?

"Yes and no." He answered. "Yes, because I got lonely. I longed for companionship and someone to love other than my son. But no because I wanted to have a relationship the right way, and I decided that no matter how long it took I would do things right and be with someone who just wanted me and vice versa." He explained and kissed her cheek. He finally had that someone.

"When I first saw you, I was gone. You were having a meltdown and all I wanted to do was help you because I knew that you were genuine. When you told me that you didn't know who I was you made me very happy, good things truly come to those who wait." He said while looking her in the eyes. He wanted her to know how much of a gift she was to him.

Her eyes sparkled with joy and she hugged him. "Thank you for being so understanding that day. Every time we're together, there's no place I'd rather be. And you've done a superb job raising Cabbrieli, he's so much like you. Kind and welcoming," She jabbed his side softly and kissed him.

"That means everything coming from you, Vanessa."

She beamed at him and rested her head on his chest. "Ti amo, amore mio." He kissed her forehead and just sat back and enjoyed having her near.

He loved her.

-

"If you ever just so happen to be in Miami, please don't be a stranger." Cabbrieli said and hugged Vanessa tightly.

She rubbed his back and kissed his cheek. "I won't. You've been wonderful, Cabbrieli." She knew that he was upset that they were all leaving, but she hoped to see him again soon.

Cabbrieli pressed his lips together and nodded. "I'm going to miss you and your sweet little girl. Take good care of my father," He murmured and pulled away.

"I will." She told him and walked to the plane to give him and Reid some privacy. Lailah had already said goodbye and now she was resting in the plane. That little girl loved getting sleep, which Vanessa was grateful for.

Her heart warmed at the sight of Reid hugging his son. It was sweet.

"Di' che verrai a trovarmi presto." (Say that you'll come and see me soon.) Cabbrieli said to Reid.

"Lo farò. Non lascerò passare il mese prossimo senza venire. Lo prometto." (I will. I won't let the next month go by without coming. I promise.) Reid pulled away from Cabbrieli and placed his hand on his shoulder.

"I shouldn't be out here," She whispered and started walking up the stairs of the plane.

"Vanessa. Stay, please." Reid called out to her, his voice a little heavy with emotion.

She didn't want to invade their private moment, but since Reid wanted her to stay, she would.

She could hear their hearts being broken as they spoke. It was one of the strangest, yet most beautiful things she'd ever seen. Strange, because no men that she knew related in this way. But beautiful, because they loved each other so dearly.

Cabbrieli took a deep breath and blinked rapidly. He was definitely getting ready to cry. "Questo tempo con te mi ha fatto sentire come se avessi perso la vita finora." (This time with you has made me feel like I've been missing out by living so far.)

Reid's eyebrows furrowed and he shook his head. "Non sarei arrabbiato se lasciassi tutto e ti trasferisse con me. Potrei trovarti con un nuovo lavoro in secondi. Ma solo se è quello che vuoi, figlio mio." (I wouldn't be upset if you left everything and moved in with me. I could get you situated with a new job in seconds. But only if that's what you want, my son.)

Cabbrieli's eyes lit up, but he looked torn. "Mi piacerebbe, ma non vorrei prendere una decisione così veloce." (I'd love that, but I wouldn't want to make that decision so quickly.)

She felt for Cabbrieli. He must be so lonely. He had no one family in Miami and from what Reid told her, no one to keep him company.

"Capisco. So solo che ti amo e che ci vediamo presto." (I understand. Just know that I love you and I will see you soon.) Reid hugged his son and kissed his cheek.

She saw Cabbrieli wipe at his eyes and her heart crumbled. It was so sad to see such a sweet man cry. She wanted to comfort him and give him cookies, anything to make him feel better.

Her eyes filled with tears as Cabbrieli cried in Reid's arms. He was a strong man to be able to cry in the arms of his father.

"Ti voglio bene anch'io, papà." (I love you too, dad.) Cabbrieli pulled away from Reid and walked to his car.

Reid walked over to Vanessa and sighed. She wrapped her arm around his waist and led him into the plane. "Will you be okay?" She asked as they sat down on the couch.

He nodded and leaned his head on her shoulder. "Yes. But I will miss him."

She smiled wistfully and gently rubbed the back of his hand. "I know."

-

Authors Note

Y'all don't understand how badly I wanted to put this chapter out! I wanted to put it out on Friday, but I waited!

🥲 this entire chapter makes me so happy!

Moving on....how about that talk with Vanessa and Cabbrieli?

Cabbrieli's mother stuck with what she said and it hurt our poor Cabbrieli, but he made it out positive and genuine.

How about Reid's struggle to find someone to be with? It sucks when people are after your money and looks, instead of being with you out of love!

I think we're all glad that Vanessa and Reid found each other.

What else.... oh! Cabbrieli and Lailah? Wasn't that the cutest thing?

Let me know how you liked the chapter!

Bye bye 👋🏽


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