The Complete Legacy Series: Books 1 - 6 Read online

  The house smelled of strong Italian coffee and fresh bread. God, this house always smells so wonderful. Thanks to Lia. Arianna still marveled at how amazing her cooking was, and also at the fact that she had so obviously not inherited that skill from her mother’s gene pool. Arianna laughed again. Thank goodness she could afford to have people cooking for her, or she’d probably starve.

  She found Lia in the big kitchen, music playing in the background. Arianna stood back in the doorway for a moment, quietly watching her. She seemed to glide across the floor, in her full-length apron, skilled fingers working some type of dough that Arianna guessed would become one of her favorite pasta dishes tonight for dinner.

  Lia turned and then jerked slightly. “Oh. You startled me.” She laughed and came to give her a kiss on the cheek. “How are you feeling this morning? It’s a lovely day, isn’t it?”

  “I’m well, thanks. Really well, actually. And yes, it’s the most beautiful day that we’ve had yet, I think. Although we certainly have lucked out with the weather, haven’t we?” Arianna moved to the counter to pour herself a coffee from the coffee press, not able to stand any more of the delicious aroma without taking some in.

  She asked, “Can I help you with anything?”

  “Do you want to help me?” Lia laughed, knowing that cooking was not Arianna’s most favorite thing in the world to do.

  “Uh, not really. But I will.” Arianna grinned.

  “Nope, just sit here and talk to me, will you? That’s perfect for me.”

  Lia continued to knead the dough while Arianna watched in silence for a few minutes. “I like to watch you cook,” Arianna said. “There’s something about it that feels so relaxing to me. You know, I’ve sat in the kitchen with Gigi hundreds of times but it never seemed to have that effect on me. Probably because, like me, she’s a bit frantic in the kitchen.” Arianna laughed. “Let’s not ever tell her I said that.”

  Lia laughed too as she flattened the dough into careful little squares. “Your secret is safe with me, bella.”

  “You’re just so—so calm and lovely in the kitchen. It’s like your love for that dough is vibrating off the walls or something.” Arianna surprisingly felt her face getting a bit warm.

  “Well, I don’t know about my love for the dough, but I do love cooking very much for the people I care for and you,”—she crossed the distance quickly between them, planting a quick kiss on Ari’s forehead—“daughter, dear—I adore.” Their eyes met and Arianna’s filled with tears. She looked down to compose herself and then back up at Lia, who was now filling the little pockets with some type of meat.

  “I adore you too.” Arianna said quietly and then wiped away the stray tear that had managed to escape.

  A few hours later the house was filled with wonderful smells of cooking; Arianna had woken up from a nap feeling rested and anxious to greet everyone who she knew had arrived at the airport by this time. They’d flown to Milan, and she had a car and driver waiting to pick them up at the airport to make the drive to the villa. Soon she heard Jemma’s happy squeals outside the door, followed by a knock with the old-fashioned door knocker.

  Arianna opened the door wide, just in time for Jemma to jump into her arms, causing her to almost lose her balance. Blu grabbed Jemma, scolding her to be gentle. Arianna laughed.

  “It’s okay. Hi, J-bean. I’ve missed you so much,” Arianna said, with big smiles directed towards Blu and a tired but happy-looking Gigi.

  “Ari, I went on a big airplane.” Jemma had her little hands on either side of Arianna’s cheeks, forcing her to look right at her, as if Arianna’s adoring gaze would be directed anywhere else.

  “You did? Could you see the clouds?”

  “Yes.” Jemma’s eyes grew huge. “And I even got my own movie screen with a lot of movies that I never watched before.”

  “Oh, I’m so happy bean, that sounds wonderful. Let me put you down a minute so I can give Mommy and Gigi big hugs too.”

  Blu and Gigi looked happy, but tired. “How are you two? How was the flight? Did you get any rest?”

  “Not so much, I’m afraid.” Blu said.

  “But this one”—Gigi gestured towards Jemma—“she should be well-rested. She slept from Paris to Florence and then again in the car on the way here.”

  Arianna laughed as she noticed Jemma hopping around in the kitchen with Lia, who seemed to be making an effort to keep her occupied for a few minutes, allowing Arianna to greet her guests.

  “Jemma’s going to help me in the kitchen, if that’s okay with Blu? And welcome!” Lia called out, sounding happy.

  “That is perfect.” Blu said. “Thank you so much.”

  “Let me show you two to your rooms—and maybe you’d like to have a little rest before dinner? Lia is cooking up something amazing, and I can’t wait to share the local wine and the view here with you.”

  Blu and Gigi both sighed at the same time, then laughed.

  “That sounds amazing, bella.” Gigi pulled Arianna to her to give her a big hug. “I’ve missed you a lot. How are you doing? Is everything okay? Are you feeling okay?”

  “Yes, yes. I’m fine.” Arianna smiled. “We’ve been having such a good time, and now I can’t believe that I get to share it all with you. I can’t wait to show you around. So, Douglas is arriving tomorrow? Is that right?”

  “Yes, he’ll get in on this same flight tomorrow,” Gigi said.

  “Great. I can’t wait until we’re all together. And have you been seeing him at all since I’ve been gone?” Arianna winked as she asked the question that had been on her mind.

  “Oh, stop.” Gigi blushed a little. “Yes, we’ve been out a few times, actually. To talk about the trip and logistics, you know.”

  Arianna laughed. “I’m sure. Well, you know how I feel. He’d be a lucky man if you considered spending any time with him. You’d both be lucky.” She smiled.

  While Blu and Gigi rested, Lia and Arianna took the energetic Jemma for a walk outside to explore the vineyard and land around the villa.

  “I love it here!” Jemma was full of excitement, and to Arianna’s delight had changed into one of her favorite pink tutus. Arianna stood back as Jemma did her sweet six-year-old version of pirouettes as they walked the length of the vineyard.

  “How’s your dance class, bean?” Arianna had given Jemma, with Blu’s approval, a year of ballet classes at one of the best schools for little kids in the city. And to her delight, Jemma had seemed to take to it like a fish to water. She seemed way more graceful than Arianna had been at her age when her own mother had enrolled her in ballet. Arianna had been shy as a little girl and hung back, not wanting any attention at all, which wasn’t going to fly in the competitive world of dance; so her mother soon seemed to give up on the idea. But Jemma—she was different. Arianna smiled as Jemma ended her little dance with a flourish.

  “I looooove it so much. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.” She hurled her little tutu-ed body at Arianna for another one of her big bear hugs.

  Arianna squeezed her tight. “And I love you, you little bug.”

  Jemma laughed and complained that she couldn’t breathe. “I like it here, Ari,” she said as they walked along the vineyard hand-in-hand.

  “I like it here too.” And she did. It was beautiful. If only things could be different. She lost herself in her own head for a few minutes while Jemma was unusually quiet beside her.

  “What are we going to do today?” Jemma was ready with more questions, always the inquisitive child.

  “Are you tired at all, bean? Do you think you should have a little nap before tonight?”

  “No, I’m not tired at all.”

  “Well then, how do you feel about seeing what Lia is making in the kitchen? I bet she has an extra apron if you’d like being a little Italian sous chef today.”

  Jemma looked thoughtful. “Ari, her name is not Sue.”

  Arianna laughed and reached over to tickle Jemma. “You’re funny, bean. A sou
s chef is a helper chef. So you’d be a helper to Chef Lia.”

  “Ohhhh. Okay. Sure. Let’s see if Lia will let me be a Sue’s chef.”

  Arianna laughed and they headed back to the villa.

  Lia was delighted to have Jemma’s help in the kitchen and did, in fact, find a lovely little pink apron to match the little girl’s tutu. Arianna sat at the small table watching the two of them prepare more pasta together. There was an Italian opera track playing in the background and Arianna felt totally at peace. This was the right decision. Coming here. She felt content and was lost in her own thoughts for a moment. Her attention turned back to the two working in the kitchen.

  “Do you have any kids, Lia?” Jemma asked innocently as they were kneading out the dough.

  “Remember? Ari is my daughter,” Lia said carefully.

  Jemma wrinkled up her nose. “But did Ari have two moms?” Arianna knew that this was probably confusing for Jemma, who had spent a great deal of time at the Sinclairs’ home and had known Arianna’s mom.

  “That’s right, Jemma. Arianna came out of my tummy when she was born, and then Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair adopted her.” Arianna could see that Lia seemed slightly uncomfortable about the conversation.

  “What’s dopted?” Jemma said innocently.

  Just then Blu appeared, and Arianna guessed that she had caught the tail end of the conversation. “What’s going on in here?” She winked at Lia as she scooped Jemma up in her arms.

  “Mommy. I’m a Sue’s chef for Lia. Look at our raviolis.” Jemma beamed with obvious pride at her little pockets of pasta.

  “That’s great, lovey. You are such a good cook. Are you having fun?”

  “Yes. It’s so pretty here. We have to go for a walk in the vines. Ari took me there. Can we, Mommy?” Jemma started dragging Blu by the hand towards the door.”

  “Okay, okay. And we’re off exploring, I guess.” Blu laughed and called out a goodbye to the two women in the kitchen.

  After they left, Lia came over to sit with Arianna at the table. “That child is full of questions, isn’t she?”

  Arianna laughed. “Oh yes. If you’re ever lonely and need someone to talk to—er—more like listen to, Jemma’s your girl.” She laughed. “Sorry if that was getting uncomfortable. I thought you were handling it well.”

  “I really didn’t know what I was going to say next.” Lia laughed. “She’s a delight.” Lia seemed pensive about continuing her thought.

  “What is it?” Arianna asked. “What are you thinking?”

  “I can’t help but think about all those days in the kitchen that I’ve missed with you. As a little girl. It’s one of those regrets, I guess. That I need to put out of my mind now.”

  “And just enjoy me watching from a close distance?” Arianna laughed. “Or if you really want me to help you cook—”

  “Say no more. I’ve heard the stories.” Lia laughed. “Seriously, Ari. I just like having you near. It’s fun. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a very long time.” Lia reached over to give Arianna a hug. “And I have you to thank for that.”

  Arianna hugged her back and smiled. “I think it’s safe to say that I have you to thank for this lovely dinner that’s being prepared here. Are you sure you want to spend your time cooking this week? I certainly can hire someone local to come and prepare the meals too. If you’d rather enjoy someone else’s cooking. I just don’t want you to feel like you are working here at all.”

  “Oh no, are you kidding? I love this.” Lia swept her arms to the kitchen. “And the fact that I’m cooking all of my favorite meals in Italia—Tuscany at that—it’s amazing to me. I feel like it’s truly a dream come true,” Lia said, and Arianna could tell how much she meant it. This woman was born to cook. That was for sure.

  “Well, alright then. I’ll leave you to it while I go have a short nap before dinner.”

  Chapter 34

  Arianna awoke early to find Gigi bustling about in the kitchen. “What’s the matter? Too excited about Douglas coming to sleep?” Arianna teased as she brushed her cheek with a quick kiss.

  “You’re silly. And yes, for your information, I am looking forward to his arrival.” Gigi smiled as she poured Arianna a cup of coffee and offered her one of her homemade scones, a recipe that she was happy to make and had perfected over the years.

  “You know I’m just teasing you. And I think it’s absolutely the best thing ever that you two have been spending some time together. Nothing makes me happier.” Arianna grinned.

  Gigi hugged her tight. “I know, bella, I know.”

  Before long Arianna heard the sound of little footsteps above them and, soon after, a shout from the stairs. “Ariiiiiii.”

  “J-bean, is that you?” Arianna called from the kitchen.

  “Yes, can I come down?”

  “Of course you can. Come in the kitchen and we’ll make you a cup of yummy hot chocolate.”

  The pitter-patter of feet got closer real fast. “Morning.” Jemma made her grand entrance with a big smile and then headed straight for Arianna’s outstretched arms.

  “Good morning, munchkin. How’d you sleep?”

  “Very good. I love my big bed here.”

  “Do you want one of Gigi’s delicious scones?”

  Jemma’s eyes widened as she saw the plate on the table. “Yes,” and then added, “please, Ari.”

  “Oh, what good manners you have,” Gigi called out from where she was making Jemma a cup of hot chocolate. “Here you go. Careful now. It might need to cool a little bit before you drink it.”

  “Thank you.”

  Arianna kissed the top of the child’s head and nuzzled her neck.

  Jemma laughed. “Ari, that tickles.”

  “Oh, sorry, sorry. I just can’t help it. You taste so delicious.” Arianna laughed as Jemma wiggled out of her arms to sit next to her in a chair of her own.

  Arianna asked, “Is Mommy still sleeping?”

  Jemma shrugged her shoulders. “Dunno.”

  “Well then, if you didn’t go in to wake her before you made your way down here, I suspect that she is. Good job, J-bean.”

  “Mommy likes to sleep sometimes,” Jemma said.

  Arianna and Gigi laughed at the same time. “I bet she does,” Gigi said.

  “So, what do you want to do today?” Arianna asked the little girl.

  Jemma looked like she was deep in thought for the next ten seconds. “Go on an adventure,” she said with a mischievous expression on her face.

  “Oh, that sounds great. I’m always up for an adventure. How about you, Gigi?” Arianna winked at Gigi.

  “I might leave the adventuring to you all today. I want to pop in to town to visit the market before Douglas gets here.”

  “Okay, then. Leave the adventuring to us. And we’ll ask Mommy if she wants to join,” Arianna said to Jemma.

  “Of course,” Jemma said, causing Arianna to laugh out loud again.

  “Munchkin, you sure do make me laugh.”

  “You make me laugh, too Ari.” Jemma looked very serious all of a sudden. “I love you.”

  Arianna’s eyes instantly filled with tears before she could turn away from the little girl. She grabbed her again and pulled her close. “I love you too, J-bean.” She pulled away to put her hands on either side of Jemma’s face as she looked her in the eyes. “Don’t you ever forget that, okay?”

  “I won’t. And you either, okay, Ari?”

  “That’s a deal,” Arianna said.

  Arianna, Blu, and Jemma spent the day close by the villa, playing in the pool and taking some long walks in the nearby olive grove. Gigi and Lia were busy in the kitchen preparing a nice lunch for everyone as well as the evening meal which would welcome Douglas to the villa. Gigi and Lia had become quite close, which made Arianna very happy. She smiled to herself as she thought that she’d never seen Gigi spend so much time in the kitchen. She seemed to have taken an interest in watching and helping Lia cook, which Arianna thought was both funny and en
dearing. She wondered if the new interest had anything to do with Douglas and his fondness for Italian food.

  They enjoyed a nice lunch out on the terrace, and when it was time for Jemma to take a nap, Arianna opted for a rest too. She found herself growing tired faster, and she had a headache nearly every day now. The pills seemed to be helping less and less, and she was growing worried that she’d need to start thinking about going home soon. She knew that that was where she needed to be as the time drew near. At home, in her bed, with the view that she loved so much.

  She’d have to start having some conversations, because it would affect the travel of Gigi; Arianna didn’t think Gigi would be able to stay until her sisters were due to arrive. She felt bad about that. She wanted Gigi to be able to visit her family down south, but Arianna needed her at home and she knew that it was where Gigi would want to be. She’ll be able to come back soon.

  Arianna woke up feeling a bit better. She glanced at the clock by her bed, noticing that it was time for Douglas to be arriving any minute. She went downstairs, where she found everyone in the kitchen. Gigi and Lia were still bustling about preparing food, while Blu and Jemma seemed engrossed in an art project at the breakfast table.

  “Ari, I’m making a sign for Douglas,” Jemma said as she held up her picture.

  “Oh, that’s so nice, bean,” Arianna said, smiling as she made out the landscape of the olive grove, the villa, and Jemma’s version of the little family that lived inside. “You’re quite the artist.”

  Jemma smiled broadly. “Mommy says I can be whatever I want when I grow up.” She looked up at Blu. “Right, Mommy?”

  “That’s right. Is that what you want to be? An artist?” Blu asked the little girl.