Chapter 31

Reba, who had been asleep most of the ride, awoke. According to Vic, they were about half an hour before they would arrive to their destination. She didn't bother getting the book out and Reba started firing off questions to Vic, trying to get some sort of hint as to where they were going. Reba noticed they were getting deep into the Italian country side and Reba couldn't help but admire the beauty of it. She wanted to know where in the hell they were going. What could be so interesting so far on the outside of Rome?

Reba side and turned to Vic. "You're dead set on not letting me know where were going."

Vic chuckled and nodded. "I really wish you would stop asking me. We will be there soon."

Reba nodded and then began to shift uncomfortably. "Honey…" she said cringing as she continued to shift.

"What's wrong?" he asked, noticing her discomfort.

Reba chuckled nervously. "I hope we can get wherever we are going soon because I feel that if I don't get to a bathroom soon I might just convert this rental car seat into one."

"You sure do have to use the bathroom a lot." He said turning off another road to search for a place for her to use.

Reba rolled her eyes. "It's your fault."

Vic was taken aback. "How is it my fault?"

"Because you…" she said pointing to him, "Did this…" she said pointing to her stomach, "To me…" she ended with and pointed to herself. "And it's your child that is doing jumping jacks on my bladder."

Vic smiled. "He's not tap dancing anymore?"

"Oh he still does that. He tap dances, does jumping jacks, and tries out kick boxing once in a while." She said sighing.

Vic patted her knee. "It will be okay. I will find a bathroom as soon as I can."

"You better." Reba said bouncing her foot nervously, "Because he is really having a boxing match with it."

Vic smiled and pulled into a small bed and breakfast just outside of the town they were visiting. Reba immediately got out and ran up to the door. He just shook his head as he walked up to the door, right behind Reba who was already knocking on the door in a hurry.

It opened slowly to reveal a lightly older woman. "Poterl'aiuto?" (Can I help you?) She asked which caused Reba great confusion.

Reba smiled sweetly. "Umm…" Reba turned to Vic for help.

He smiled and stepped up next to Reba. "Siamo spiacenti per disturbarla ma può usiamo la sua stanza da bagno" (We are sorry to disturb you but may we use your bathroom?)

The woman seemed hesitant and then she glanced at Reba who was smiling sweetly and seemed to be holding her stomach protectively. The woman then grinned and pulled the door wide open. "Entrare per favore" (Come in, please.)

"Grazie." Vic said stepping inside. Reba followed inside.

The woman smiled and motioned to a hallway. "Giù l'atrio, la terza porta sulla sua destra"

Reba glanced at Vic for translation. "Down the hall, third door on the right." Reba smiled and practically ran down the hall to the bathroom. Vic had to chuckle.

"Hello, I'm Marie." The woman said holding out her hand.

Vic shook it lightly. "I didn't know you spoke English."

"I didn't know you spoke it either." She said smiling.

Vic smiled back. "Thank you for letting us in. My wife is pregnant and…"

The woman nodded and held up her hand indicating he didn't need to say another word. "I understand. I am a mother myself, granted it has been a while since I've been with child but I remember it well."

The woman excused herself and Vic stood there as he waited for Reba to return so they could get back on the road. He understood her need to stop but they were running late and he knew they couldn't miss what he had planned. He knew she would enjoy where he was about to take her. She would certainly be surprised and hopefully very happy. It was something you couldn't buy in a store or buy anywhere really but he knew she had to see it. He just couldn't wait to see her reaction.

He stood there for a few minutes alone before Reba finally emerged from the dark hallway. "Feel better?" he asked smiling.

Reba sighed and nodded. "Definitely, now can we go?"

"You can't leave yet." The woman said with a smile as she stepped out of the room she had just disappeared into a few moments ago. "I just put some coffee on and I have some biscotti in here. Please, join me."

Reba paused and was about to reject the woman, telling her how much they probably had to leave but she couldn't. The woman was so nice in letting them step into her home or bed and breakfast, to use the bathroom. She couldn't say no. So Reba smiled and nodded. "That would be lovely."

Vic's eyes widened and stopped Reba from stepping into the kitchen. "We are running extremely late." He hissed.

Reba shrugged and smirked, figuring maybe she could work this into her advantage. "Where is it that we need to be so quickly?"

Vic shook his head. "Nope, you're not going to get me to tell you. Let's just go. We talk for a few minutes and then we head back to the road."

Reba nodded and they started toward the door the woman but Reba suddenly stopped. "Did she just speak English?" she asked curiously.

Vic chuckled. "Took you long enough to notice, her name is Marie and yes she did. She didn't know we spoke English either. Now let's hurry up." He said tugging slightly on her arm.

They walked into the room to find a lovely kitchen. Marie was setting down two cups of coffee and one cup filled with juice. "I hope you do not mind. I thought considering your condition you probably don't drink coffee."

Reba smiled. "Thank you so much."

"Have a seat." Marie said excitedly. She set a plate of biscotti in front of them and sat down across from them. "So…what brings you to Italy?"

Vic smiled and held onto Reba's hand. "We're on our honeymoon."

"Meraviglioso!" (Wonderful!) Marie explained.

Reba grinned at the sweet old lady as she started going off about her family. She explained that she and her husband started this small bed and breakfast when they were younger. Reba's eyes widened when she told them she had eight children and fifteen grandchildren, her youngest daughter, the only one without children, was attending school in America in Texas. Marie sadly went into the story of her husband passing just last year and how lonely she was because her other seven children, despite living in Italy, had busy lives to lead and she didn't see them much. Reba was happy they didn't leave so soon.

Before they knew it they had been there an hour and Vic just sat there as Marie and Reba chatted over mother things and Reba asked Marie for advice even though she was already a mother of three she still could use any advice. "Honey…" Vic said interrupting them with a smile. "I'm sorry but we have to get going ma'am, we had a lovely time but we have an appointment to attend to."

"Oh." Marie said, not even realizing how much she took of their time. "I'm really sorry I've kept you."

Reba smiled. "It was no trouble. I enjoyed talking with you and I will definitely try this recipe." Reba said waving the small card. She then glanced at it with a smile. "Of course I will have to learn Italian."

Marie glanced at the card and blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry. Let me write that in English for you."

Reba shook her head. "It's okay. I will just have my husband translate it for me." Marie smiled and Reba gave her a small hug before Marie escorted them to the door. "Thank you so much again. For the use of your bathroom and for the juice."

"Your welcome and be sure to call me." Marie said, earlier she had given Reba her number here in Italy and she gave Reba her daughter's number in America since they lived so close to one another. Marie nor her daughter couldn't call that often as they would like due to the money it cost and Reba promised to call her and make sure she was doing okay.

Reba sighed in content when they were finally back onto the road. Reba enjoyed her conversation and believed she had made a great new friend. She was so happy she came to Italy. Now if only she could get Vic to tell her what her surprise was. "Are you mad that we stayed so long?" Reba asked as she watched him checking the time over and over again.

Vic shook his head. "I am just worried about being late, that's all."

"Late where?" she asked, hoping to trick him into saying it.

Vic chuckled. "Nice try, we will be there in about fifteen minutes. Now just relax and enjoy the rest of the ride."

Reba sighed and sat back against the seat. She supposed she could handle waiting. She waited all week; another fifteen minutes wouldn't kill her. She turned her head to the countryside. It was certainly beautiful. She rolled down her window and leaned into it. She was quite warm and let the breeze cool off her face. She couldn't wait to get wherever they were going.

Reba felt herself being shaken and she lifted her head up, tiredly. "Did I fall asleep?" she asked yawning.

Vic chuckled and nodded. "Only for a few minutes but…we're here." He said with a smile.

Reba was suddenly very much awake and glanced at her surroundings. She was on a small country road and they were parked behind a bunch of cars aligned on the road. She leaned her head out the window and a little ways away was a beautiful Italian Villa, smiling and happy people, young and old were walking up to the door and being greeted by a sweet looking old woman.

Reba was quite confused. She turned to Vic. "Where are we?"

"Well…" Vic said smiling, "We are in Sulmona. This is my grandmother's home and most of these are friends but that sweet old lady that is greeting everyone is my grandmother's sister. My Great Aunt Angela. I know it's not much of surprise you might have been hoping for but…"

Reba cut him off with a quick passionate kiss. "Thank you for bringing me here. It's a wonderful surprise. I can't wait to meet some of your family. Let's go." She said excitedly. Vic chuckled and hurried out of the car to the other side to help Reba out.

As they were walking it suddenly became clear to Reba that she would be meeting some of his family. Would they like her? Would they treat her well? What would she say to them? Did any of them speak English? Was she dressed right? She looked down at herself and stopped Vic from walking. "Do I look okay?" she asked nervously.

Vic smiled at her nervousness. It was quite cute. "Don't worry you will be fine and you look so fine." He said smirking while checking her over.

Reba blushed. "Do they speak English? Maybe you should teach me Italian before we get to the door." She said jokingly.

Vic chuckled. "I could probably teach you a few phrases but most of everyone here speaks English, you have nothing to worry about."

Reba sighed and they started walking again. "I hope so."

"You really want to learn Italian?" he asked. Reba nodded. "Amo la sua pelle lattea bianca." Vic said smirking.

Reba looked at him confused as they approached the gate. "What does that mean?"

Vic was about to answer when he saw his enthusiastic 95 year old Great Aunt approaching them with a huge smile. "I'll tell you later." He mumbled.

"Victor, dear!" she shouted, bringing him into a tight hug. Reba stood off to the sidelines and watched with amusement as Vic was mauled by his Aunt with kisses. She chuckled just a bit and this seemed to get Angela's attention. She turned to Reba with a wide smile. "Is this her?" she asked, not taking her eyes off Reba.

Vic shook his head. "No, this is my other wife Becky." He joked. Reba and Angela both hit him across each arm. "Ouch." He said rubbing them both while smiling.

Angela chuckled. "I like her already. Hello sweetie." She said bringing Reba into a hug. "I am Victor's Aunt Angela. You can call Angela."

Reba smiled when the hug broke. "It's wonderful to meet you Angela."

She smiled big. "Such a beautiful voice and very sweet. Let's go inside, shall we?" she said taking Reba by the arm. Vic followed with amusement as he watched Reba look back at him, making sure he was there and he didn't wonder off too far. Sure, they were technically her family, by marriage, too but she didn't know these people.

Angela brought her into the beautiful home and she immediately saw Sophia approaching her with a smile. "Sophia." Reba said with a smile.

Reba accepted a warm hug from the woman and then she held Reba out at arms length. "You look beautiful and you're showing." Sophia said, lightly touching Reba's stomach. Reba smiled warmly. "Have you felt the baby kick?"

Reba shook her head. "Not yet, I am only a little over four months."

"Well it shouldn't be long now." She said giving Reba the biggest grin. "I am just so happy you could make it. Let's go into the kitchen to get something to eat. I am sure you are hungry." Reba smiled. She could eat. Her hunger has escalated lately.

Reba was ushered by Sophia into the kitchen. She smiled when she stepped into the kitchen and she saw a bunch of woman rushing about, preparing food and setting already prepared food onto the long dining room table in the adjoined room. Some glanced up when they saw Sophia enter. They smiled even bigger when they saw Reba. They immediately set whatever they were holding down and rushed over to meet her.

The first woman to reach her was a woman who seemed a little older than Reba but much younger than Sophia. She smiled as she took Reba's hand into hers. "You must be the Reba that Sophia has been bragging about. My name is Angelina. I am a friend of the family. I knew Victor when he was just a little boy. He would come to the villa and just have a gay old time. I have some embarrassing stories I could tell you to torture with him later." She laughed and Reba laughed right along with her.

Reba was quickly ushered into the kitchen and was made to sit down at the kitchen table with Sophia while Angelina made her a plate of sausage balls with mozzarella cheese in the middle along with a tomato-basil sauce and many other assortments of wonderful delicious yet sinful tasting foods.

Reba had no idea where Vic was. She had lost sight of him when she was ushered away by Sophia. To be perfectly honest she didn't care where Vic was at the moment. The women in the kitchen were so nice and talkative with her, except one woman. She had been introduced to Reba as Angelina's daughter Marisa. She seemed to be around her age but she also didn't seem to take a liking to Reba. She gave her a strained smile and when Marisa thought Reba and no one else was looking she sneered at Reba. What did Reba do to deserve such treatment?

Reba was soon to find out why Marisa hated her so much when she left the kitchen in search of Vic. She walked out into the living room to find it empty. She glanced around the living room with a smile as she looked at all the loving pictures. One particular picture caught her eye. It was of Vic but it was old, it looked too old to be of Vic.

"That is my late husband." Sophia said stepping up from behind her.

Reba turned to her and smiled. "Really?"

Sophia smiled and caressed the photo lovingly. "Victor looks exactly like him doesn't he?"

Reba nodded. "For a moment I thought I was looking at a picture of Vic."

Sophia sighed and dropped her hand from the photo. "That's why I like seeing Victor around. I see so much of my husband in him and it makes me happy to see him. It helps me remember the good times, seeing him. I am getting older everyday and I can only imagine how much longer I will have on this earth."

Reba smiled and wrapped an arm around Sophia who had a small tear in her eye. "No need to cry. I am sure you still have a long life ahead of you."

Sophia chuckled. "That is very sweet of you but I am 100 years old honey. I am just happy the Mariano family continues to grow." She said patting Reba's stomach again.

Reba smiled and rubbed her stomach gently. "I am happy too." Reba sighed and glanced around at the empty living room. "Where is Vic?"

Sophia smiled and gently pushed her towards the door that led to the backyard. "The rest of them are all outside. You can join them if you like."

Reba stepped toward the door and glanced back to see Sophia walk back into the kitchen. Reba opened the door and stepped outside to be greeted by the setting sun. She squinted and stepped onto the cobble stone walkway. Her heels clicked on the walkway as it led her down the length of the house and around the corner of it. Reba smiled when she saw a few women sitting around at the small table in the yard.

They smiled toward her and quickly approached her to introduce themselves. Reba soon learned that Vic only had his Aunt Angela and a few second cousins at the party. The rest were friends. Reba talked and laughed with them for a few moments before she noticed Vic standing off into the distance, surrounded by a few males.

Reba excused herself and approached the gentleman with caution. She smiled at Vic's deep laugh and stood off to the sidelines once more until she was noticed. She didn't want to intrude. Vic smiled when he finally noticed her. He approached her and kissed her cheek gently. "There are a few people I want you to meet."

Vic stepped back into the circle with his arm around her waist. "Please tell me you are not Reba." Said a charming gentleman in front of her.

Reba smiled and nodded. "I am."

The man frowned. "At least tell me you are not happy with this idiot and I will be happy to rescue you from him." He said motioning towards Vic with a smile.

Vic gave him a glare. "Reba this is my former best friend Rico."

Reba couldn't help but laugh. Rico took Reba's hand gently into his and kissed the back of it gently. "You are stunning." He said with a smile.

Reba smirked. "You are trouble." She said giving a giggle.

Rico laughed and held onto her hand for one more moment. "With such a beautiful smile and eyes like yours, you may call me anything you want."

Vic gave Rico one last glare. "Where have you been?" Vic asked sweetly.

Reba gave him a smile. "Just in the kitchen with your grandmother. I met your Aunt and a few friends…Marisa." She said smirking. She didn't know why but she had a feeling Marisa was more than just a childhood friend and she was right.

Vic chuckled nervously and started to shift uncomfortably. "Marisa huh…I didn't see her here."

"She's here." Reba said, still smirking.

The guys around them started to chuckle. "Marisa." Rico said smiling. "She was the first girl Vic ever played doctor with." He said chuckling.

Vic glared at him and he tried to pull Reba away. "You played doctor?"

Vic shrugged. Rico continued to chuckle. "If I recall she was your first kiss, first love, first woman you ever made lo…"

Vic cut him off. "We have to go." He said pulling Reba away, causing the guys to laugh.

Reba smiled. "It's okay honey. It was a long time ago." Vic chuckled nervously. Reba raised an eyebrow. "It wasn't a long time ago?"

Vic shrugged. "I might have gotten together with her before I met you."

Reba stopped and put her hands on her hips. "How long before we met?"

Vic looked shyly down on the ground. "About a month but…" he said when he saw the shocked look on Reba's face, "I didn't love her. I love you. She is my past, you and the baby…" he said his hands resting on her stomach. "Are my future. Let's not let this spoil our wonderful day." Reba sighed and nodded.

Later that night Reba walked out of the villa after everyone had left, everyone except Marisa and Angelina who were helping Sophia clean up. They refused to let Reba help at all when she had offered. She smiled when she saw Vic lying on the ground by the wooden fence and looking out into the beautiful night.

She smiled when she looked down at him. "Hey funny bottoms." She said giggling.

Vic groaned and sat up. "You've been talking to Angelina haven't you?" Reba giggled and nodded. "Come sit here." He said patting his lap. Reba eased herself into his lap and Vic wrapped his arms around her, resting on her slightly swollen stomach. "Did you enjoy today?"

Reba smiled in content and nodded as she leaned back against him. "I had a wonderful day. I love your family. I love your friends, especially Rico. He is funny." She giggled.

Vic rolled his eyes. "Well, that makes two people who think he is."

Reba smiled and rested her hands on his. "This has been the greatest day. This trip has been wonderful and I couldn't ask for anything better."

Vic held her tight and kissed her cheek. "I am happy to bring you here, as I have said many times during this trip. I am glad to bring you here but I am happy we are leaving tomorrow afternoon."

Reba giggled. "Me too. I miss my kids, even if I've only been gone a week." Vic nodded. Reba looked down at her hands and sighed. "Marisa hates me." She said smiling at Vic.

"She doesn't hate you."

Reba scoffed. "She has been giving me looks all throughout the day, making comments that don't seem to be anything but I could tell they meant something. She still has a thing for you."

Vic shrugged. "So what if she does. I only have a thing for you." He said nuzzling her neck.

Reba giggled and closed her eyes in content. "Are you ever going to tell me what that phrase means? The one you said outside before you were taken over by your aunt."

Vic laughed and whispered something it into her ear. Reba blushed. "You look adorable when you blush."

"It's dark out. How can you see me?"

Vic smiled and caressed her cheek. "I don't have to. I know you and I love you." He said kissing her sweetly. Reba responded greatly.

Meanwhile the three women that were in the kitchen watched the couple from the living room door. Two of them were smiling sweetly. "They are so adorable." Angelina said.

"She is a sweet woman and I am so happy my grandson found her."

Angelina smiled. "Don't you think they look adorable?" she asked her daughter.

Marisa didn't stray her eyes from the couple. She just nodded. "Yeah, they are." She sneered and she turned away from the door unable to take the sight of the sickening sweet couple anymore.

End of Chapter