Josephine
I'm singing under the shower as I shampoo my hair. I've had very little to zero sleep last night but I've never felt better. I'm overjoyed with my decision to marry Oliver and this morning when we made love while the sunrise was filling my bedroom in the most gorgeous colours, I was more sure than ever. It felt like an obligation, like taking the much required next step when I got engaged to Edward, but this... this feels like we are meant to be. This doesn't even feel right, it feels destined.
Oliver and I are meant to be.
And now, I can finally, finally, bring him and his - our - family home. I've never felt happier in my entire life. This is better than any drug I tried. Better than any sex I've had. Better than any view I ever saw... this feels indescribably right, good... destined.
I wash the shampoo out of my hair and put conditioner on the lengths and ends of my honey blonde hair. The sun has lightened my hair from the chestnut brown to a honey blonde and I must say I really like it. I also like the length now more than I did when I cut it over a year ago. My hair now just covers my nipples.
I twist my hair and wrap it into a bun before securing it on top of my head. My infinite twist wedding ring with sapphires is sparkling even in the shower. I look at it for a moment and can't help but grin from the deepest part of my heart.
Best. Decision. Ever.
I wince as I suddenly feel Oliver's arms wrapping around my waist from behind. He rests his head on my right shoulder, "I hope you're not regretting what we did yesterday."
Never in a million years. "No, actually I was never happier."
"Is that so?"
I tilt my head to the side and stare at his sea foam coloured eyes. "Yes. You make me the happiest."
His eyes soften at my words, "You make me the happiest as well." He promises me before kissing me. "But never ever leave the bed without me again."
I chuckle because I think he's joking and turn around in his embrace. "You looked so peaceful while you slept. I didn't want to wake you."
"Waking up in an empty bed is my own personal hell and I've been living in this hell for the last 14 months. I woke up without you next to me every morning and I felt a kind of pain like never before."
My heart clenches in my chest. I didn't realise he was suffering as much as me when we were apart. "I've almost lost you because of me. I'm sorry that I wasn't the woman you deserved. I know you still love me and you're giving me a second chance although you're scared. Scared that I hurt you again like the first time.. I never wanted to close the door and it was by far the biggest mistake I've ever made. I'm really trying to overcoming my fear for you because I feel so much more than love for you. So, the next time you wake up in an empty bed then you can just look at your left hand. I won't leave you ever again. I'm bond to you for the rest of my life - and I am perfectly fine with it. I'm with you wherever you go and you're with me wherever I go."
"Josephine..."
I rest my forehead against his. "I don't take this marriage lightly. It means the world to me. I don't care that we just signed a piece of paper in our loungewear yesterday. I don't need a fancy dress and all that jazz but I'm aware it's one of your dreams and I promise you... I promise you, I will make sure every single dream of yours will come true."
And I'm staring with bringing my husband and our family home.
Oliver
The beauty of my hometown Rio de Janeiro's endless coastline leads to one thing: endless beaches. Really, endless. Most tourists think they've hit the jackpot when they see the stunning beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana, but that's just the start of it. But today, I will show my wife the loved-by-locals paradises that put the popular spots to shame. Rio de Janeiro is full of beautiful beaches that most tourists never find. We've come to Praia de Joatinga that is located between São Conrado and the beginning of Barra is Joatinga. It's the image of a tropical paradise. However, it's hard to access as you need to climb down rocks, and it disappears by late afternoon when the tide rises - that's when we will move on to another special place that I want to show my wife. Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach is a more popular spot as it doesn't have waves, which makes it kid friendly. It's also beautiful as the rainforest wraps around it. But it's no spot to surf which is why we went to Praia de Joatinga first.
We've rented four surfboards from the hotel, packed our beach bags and made sure to bring big sun umbrellas and towels - and also lots of fruit to snack on. Josephine's security team, including Ralph, seems to enjoy the day at this people-free beach.
We've waxed the surfboards and while Caio and Johna are already in the water with my Mama, Josephine and I are still doing some preliminary exercises. We've practised how to get up and paddle, she also learned how to stand on the board.
I can't believe she doesn't know how to surf! I learned that as soon as I could walk, because swimming in Rio is second nature here. I feel very proud to be able to teach her a skill.
"Okay, I think we can get into the water now." I say to Josephine.
"Really?" She asks me with a grin on her lips. My wife is wearing a black bathing suit that would be considered way too modest here in Brazil. The women here wear bikinis that can't be called bikinis, because it barely covers anything but Josephine... she even looks hot as hell in that b lack bathing suit that has no deep neckline whatsoever. They say clothes make people, but my wife proves otherwise.
"Yes. Grab your board and lets go." I tell her before walking through the white sand. It's a crystal clear turquoise coloured ocean in front of us that crashes into waves. Caio and Johna are having a lot of fun. My Mama is watching them along with the security team under the sun umbrellas.
My wife and I get into the water and start paddling out. Johna and Caio are surfing quite far away from us.
"This is quite tiring!" Josephine says as we stop quite far away from the coast.
"Not more tiring than what we did last night, I hope."
"No." She says with a smirk.
It's quite shaky here as the waves are rather big. "I'll tell you when to start paddling." I tell her before looking over my shoulder. I want her first time on the surf board to be a success so I should look for a medium big wave.
"I won't wait forever."
I laugh, "I forgot how inpatient you are."
"Can I start paddling now or what?"
"Okay, start paddling until you reach the speed of the wave, then get up. Understood?"
She nods. "Now?"
I watch how the most perfect wave comes. "Yes. Go!"
She starts paddling like a pro until she reaches the speed of the wave.
"Get up!" I yell at her.
She rises and plants her foot on the surf board safely. My wife spreads her arms for balance. She's standing!
"Wohooo!"
I can hear her yelling back and it's a sound full of excitement.
My wife's riding her first wave!
I start paddling with the next wave and get up as soon as I reach the speed of the wave. I make a bottom turn make after the take-off, at the bottom of the wave. Once I have the impulse and I am down the wave, I head to the part of the wave that has not broken yet. This turn allows me to join and follow the wall of the wave. I ride the wave with ease and enjoy the feeling on the water. I love surfing but I love making my wife happy far more. It's my life task.
As I reach the beach, I jump off the board. Josephine is dancing on the beach with Johna and Caio. Ralph smiles at her and I notice the camera hanging around his neck. I have a feeling he captured this very special moment.
"I was totally riding that wave! Did you see that?!" Josephine's overexcited.
I want her to feel like this for the rest of her life.
I push the surfboard into the sand next to Josephine's. "Yes, I did! You're a pro!"
"Nah, I think I was just lucky but man - I love it! Thank you for being so patient with me."
"You were a great student and you didn't fell off the first time, which Johna and Caio didn't manage."
She wraps her arms around my neck and lifts herself onto her toes before kissing me quickly. "Let's do it again!"
I'll do this for the rest of my life.
Josephine
I sit down next to Maria underneath the sun umbrella as we watch the men swimming in the ocean. After all the surfing we went to a local restaurant and had a filling lunch before coming here to the Recreio dos Bandeirantes beach. It is a more popular spot as it doesn't have waves, which also makes it kid friendly. It's also beautiful as the rainforest wraps around it. Lots of locals are here with their kids but also a few couples. Surprisingly, no one here has a mobile out to take photos of this picturesque location.
"It's very beautiful here." I say to her.
"Carlos and I used to go here far before we had Oliver." She says with a smile on her lips. It's the first time she talks about her dead husband and Oliver's father.
"Are your sons like him?"
She nods, "Oliver the most. He's a hopeless romantic just like Carlos was. Johna has inherited his excitement and Caio his loyalty."
I smile. Oliver's by far the most romantic man I ever met. And Johna gets excited about everything but I haven't had a chance to see the real Caio. He has been a little quiet over the last days but I figured he just needs to get used to the new family dynamics. "You must miss him like crazy."
"Yeah, but Carlos lives on in our boys." She's still wearing her wedding ring, though.
"How old were you when you had Oliver?"
"20. I had just started working in a four star hotel in Copacabana but then I went on maternity leave and got fired."
I gulp, and ever since then she probably worked as a cleaning staff in Ipanema. Oliver's 27 now, so that means she's 47 right now. Almost ten years younger than my Mum and Dad.
"How did your parents react to the news?"
"I decided to tell them when we're back home." Otherwise they might jump into a plane, fly here and do something I certainly don't want. They will freak out when I tell them but I will face them when the time comes. I mean, a marriage is not something I can hide.
That sapphire wedding band is pretty obvious.
"I see."
"What was your job?"
"I worked at a little hotel in Ipanema. I was a cleaning lady and helped out in the kitchen whenever necessary."
"So, that's where Oliver got his cooking skills."
"He cooked for you?"
"We cooked together. Almost daily. Whoever was home first would cook for the other person."
"I assume Oliver was home first most of the time."
"Not all the time. Sometimes it was me."
"And what would you guys cook?"
"Most of the time it was Brazilian but we also cooked a lot of Italian and British food. I learned how to cook from my father."
"Not your Mum?"
"No, she's more of a baker. She's a really good baker. She always bakes our birthday cakes."
"Yeah, Oliver mentioned you come from quite a big family."
"I have seven siblings."
"Seven?"
I nod. People are always so surprised to hear about how many siblings I have. "Adaline's the oldest, then comes Anastasia and my triplet brother Nathanial, he was born eight weeks before my twin sister Lorelai and me. I'm older than Rory but only be a minute. After her comes Elias and the twins Calloway and Gideon."
"Wow, it must be really full on Christmas."
I smile, "Very. Especially since Della, Ana, Rory and Nate all have kids of their own now. Della has twin girls named Caroline and Isabella. Ana has a boy named Valentin. Rory has triplet girls named Alexandria, Eleanor and Grace. And Nate has twin girls named Evangelina and Eliana."
"Wow, lots of feet running around."
"Definitely." I say with a smile on my lips. I can't wait to see them all again!
"Oli also said something about the Royal Family?"
I lick my lips, "Ana is the Princess of Romanov as she's married to the Prince of Romanov. Their son also has the title of a prince. Rory is married to the future King of England, George. Their titles are The Duke and Duchess of Oxford, among others. Their girls are the Princesses of Oxford. Nate is married to Charlotte, George's sister and my best friend. They're the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their girls therefore the Princesses of Windsor."
"That means you know the King of Great Britain?"
I nod, "Yes."
"Wow... Royalty, that's... that's impressive."
I shrug, "It just happened. Nate, Rory and I met George and Charlotte at school on our first day and ever since then we've been inseparable. We even went to university and lived together. We went to Oxford University before I went to Harvard Business School."
"You're very tight then."
I nod, "Definitely. Before I moved to Rio we saw each other almost daily. Family's very important to me."
"How did you and Oliver met?"
"He didn't tell you?"
"He did but I want to hear your version of it."
"It won't be as romantic as Oliver's version." I know Oliver. He embellished our story with fairy dust, unicorns and rainbows.
"I don't care. I'd like to hear your version."
"Alright, well we met a few weeks after I moved from Boston back to my hometown London. I had just graduated from Harvard Business School and started working at my family's firm. I went jogging along the Thames in Battersea one day and randomly decided to have a coffee. So, I walked into the café near Battersea Park. I stood in line and waited for my turn. The man before we ordered a cappuccino but seemed to have forgotten his wallet, so I helped him out and ordered myself a double espresso as well as a blueberry cupcake." I smile as I remember the first time I saw Oliver. He still has that lumberjack shirt. "Turns out this man was Oliver. He was wearing a green lumberjack shirt, ripped jeans and dirty sneakers. His hair was about as long as it is now, maybe a few inches longer. There was no lightning strike or anything when we saw each other. I didn't see unicorns or rainbows. I just paid for his cappuccino and told him to see it as a gift. He wanted to pay me back but I declined. I told him not to bother."
"Oliver definitely saw unicorns and rainbows." Maria says with a smirk on her lips. "He told me he went to that café every Sunday for a month but you didn't show up again."
Of course he did. "As I said, I didn't do it to get anything in return. We met again in a soup kitchen. I have been volunteering there for as long as I can remember and Oliver was a new volunteer. After our shift, I walked home and got attacked by two idiots who wanted to rob me. Oliver appeared and scared them off. He probably said he saved me."
Maria shakes her head, "No, he said you were like superwoman. You were totally fine by yourself but he still felt that need to protect you."
"I was quite mean after that incident. I am a very independent woman so I don't like to take help at any time. But I've gotten better with that." I promise her. "The next time we saw each other was at the soup kitchen when I brought my Mum's pastries over. My Mum bakes sugar free and diary free because of my oldest sister Della. Della can't have sugar and we all try to limit our diary consumption. My Mum made Sohnos that day, my favourite pastry. When I arrived, there was salsa music going on and Oliver was dancing. He's a really, really good dancer and I guess it's in his blood. Everyone in Brazil is such a good dancer!"
"Oliver mentioned the first time you guys danced."
"He called it magical, didn't he?"
Maria smiles, "Yes."
"It wasn't magical. It was... I don't know what it was. Up until this day I can't describe the feelings I get when we dance together. It's... it's a very special situation." I say with a smile on my lips. "We met next in Greenwich, where I was working on the social project of my family's firm. It was another coincidence that Oliver probably calls fate."
"He does. Especially the time in the church."
"Oh, yeah I helped a kindergarten out there. I'm not usually there." I almost add that it was a coincidence but I'm starting to believe that not everything can be a coincidence. Sometimes a row of coincidences are fate. And Oliver and me have definitely brought together by fate more times than I can count.
"Oliver also said he saw you exiting a deaf school once. He said you talk the sign language."
I didn't know he saw that. "I do. It was something I learned as a kid. I wanted to communicate with everyone on the earth. It's why I speak eight languages fluently: Russian, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Turkish, Greek and German."
"Wow, that's... that's impressive."
I shrug, "Languages come easy to all of my siblings. We all speak at least four languages fluently. Our Dad always says respect the culture whenever we travel to a different country. And to respect the culture we learned the language."
"Have you travelled a lot in your life?"
"Yes but I still have some places I want to check off my bucket list."
"Carlos and I made travel plans as well but we never left Rio."
"Perhaps we can visit some places together." I suggest. Oliver promised to travel through Europe with me and now we can see the whole world together. I'm sure Maria would enjoy to come along at some trips.
"That would be nice."
I look out of the window of the Range Rover. We're in the south zone of Rio, but I have no idea where. I've never been to this part of Rio, but it's beautiful. Full of greenery and far away from the busy skyscrapers. "Where are we?"
"It's one of my favourite spots here." Oliver answers. He wanted to plan our evening together and although I hate giving away the reins, I make an exception for him. Because he's my husband.
The car stops at a picturesque lake and we get out.
"That's Lagoa. My parents used to go here when they just started dating. I thought we could spend the evening here and have a picnic in the tranquil natural surroundings. I asked Ralph to get us some of the baked and sweet goods from a bakery nearby and I made us some sandwiches."
"I'm sure the sunset will be epic." I breathe out. It's the perfect spot. We're the only ones here. There's a cycle-path, tall trees and fluffy bushes with a backdrop of the Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers) mountains, it's breathtakingly beautiful!
"It's why I also packed your camera." Oliver says with a smirk on his lips.
He knows me so well. "Thank you."
Ralph opens the trunk of the car and Oliver gets out an old-school looking picnic basket. It's still light but the sun will start to set in half an hour.
"Text me when you're ready to drive back." Ralph says me.
I almost do a double turn. "You're actually giving us privacy?"
"I'll be in the café over there." He points at a café about 500 meters behind us. "I'll check on the flight and order the new IDs for Oliver and his family."
I nod, "And get him an Amex."
"Of course."
"Thank you for giving us some privacy."
"It's not like I'm very far away. I'll still have an eye on you two." Ralph smiles at me before turning on his heel. I watch him entering the café before turning around. Oliver has put the navy blanket on the grass. There are even swan boats for rent.
"Sit down." He demands.
I have one last look around before sitting next to my husband. "It's so gorgeous here... so peaceful."
Oliver opens the basket and hands me a sandwich with cheese and veggies, "With hot sauce and hummus. They didn't have Sriracha sauce but I hope this one will do."
"You remember that?" I ask him shocked.
He grabs the second sandwich and looks at me. "Yeah..."
"And yours is a classic peanut butter sandwich with strawberry jam?"
He shows me a small smile, "I decided to take the risk and use almond butter this time."
"You won't regret it."
"I have faith in your advice. I trust you."
"I trust you, too." I promise him before looking at the swan boats again. They're huge and I'm sure a five headed family would fit into one.
"We can rent one after we've eaten."
"That would be nice." I say with a smile on my lips. The lake is near to the Atlantic forest so Lagoa attracts various types of freshwater birds, herons and storks that make the lake their feeding and nesting grounds. It's also a great spot to do a bit of bird watching. I can even spot the capybaras with their adorable babies.
When I look back at Oliver, I can see he was staring at me. "You should eat your sandwich." I remind him.
He tears his sea foam green eyes off of me before biting into his sandwich.
"Is it good?"
He nods. "Better than peanut butter actually."
I smile before biting into my own sandwich. The perfect mixture of savoury and spicy. "You've done pretty well on my sandwich as well. It's delicious."
"Were you the woman who nearly killed Miguel at the Rio Carnival this year?"
Miguel? That's the stranger's name? I gulp down my food before answering. "He wasn't even worse than the guys in London but something inside of me snapped and I exploded. Ralph held me back. I didn't kill him. I just scared him off hopefully."
"He had been doing it for years. He seduced women and robbed them."
"Oh, well then I guess karma hit him."
Oliver smiles at me. "I should've known it was you when Pedro told me about it."
"Is Pedro your friend?"
Oliver shrugs. "He is working at the banana plantage. We hung out after work at an abandoned hotel where lots of homeless people have found a place to stay."
That sounds horrible. "I want to help him."
"Money won't solve the issue. It will only focus the attention on you. Drug dealers would kill Pedro and his family."
"Then maybe we should send them furniture or clothes. Materialistic things they could need."
"We can't show up there with a van full of free stuff. Word would travel fast and they'd get robbed."
"So whatever I do, I'm screwed?"
"Pretty much, yeah. Getting out of poverty is hard. The only way is education, going to uni and getting a well paid job."
I am once again reminded of Oliver's dream. He wants to be a doctor. It's the next dream I want to make true but I know that the new term at uni has started earlier this month so there's no way I could get him into a good med school. But next year... next year, I'll make this dream come true. "I see... but it's hard to turn my back on them."
"You can always come back one day and build social buildings here or something like that. That could do a change."
"Speaking of change, your Mum's been nicer to me."
Oliver gulps, "I will never stop defending you and the heart of gold that you have. You can hide it pretty well so my Mama can't wrap her head around you and everything that has happened."
I sigh, "I know, I'm not easy-"
"Never change who you are. I don't want you to turn into Gatsby. You are perfect the way you are and my Mama will see that, too. You've already convinced Johna and Caio of your good heart and she's next. Just because you're wealthy, doesn't mean you're a bad person and vice versa. Your parents raised you and your siblings with values. You are all philanthropists. And that's what we bonded on; on our philanthropic work. Not because of your wealth or last name. For me it's not something that makes you, you. It's your background just like Rocinha is mine."
I gulp as my throat tightens, "Oliver,"
"I don't care what obstacles will come in our way and I'm sure there will be a lot. I will conquer them all as long as we're together. Okay?"
I nod, "Okay." I whisper in a broken voice. No man has ever given me this promise.
Not even Edward.
I notice the light changes on Oliver's face and look at the lake in front of us. The sunset has started. The horizon of the lake is outlined by the Dois Irmãos mountains that create a dramatic skyline for the sun to set. The sun has about reached the mountains peaks, it throws its colourful rays across the water and fills up the sky with hues of orange, red and yellow, making it look like a giant peach. "Wow!" I am totally stunned by nature's magic in front of me. It reminds me of the night sky in Finland, maybe these are Rio's Northern Lights. It's so beautiful! I've never seen anything like this.
"Here."
I can feel how Oliver hands me my camera but I am too stunned to thank him. I thought this place was beautiful before but this... this is out of this world beautiful! I remove the protection cap from the lens and start taking photos without a word. I can't capture this beauty in words but I can capture it in my photos.
But after a few photos I put the camera down. I'd rather be in the moment with my husband. I grab Oliver's right hand and rest my head against his right shoulder. We sit there in silence and just enjoy the sunset.
Oliver and I never needed words to communicate. We always understood each other.
Oliver
I hold on tightly on my wife's hand as we hike through the Amazon. We've spent half the day on the medical military boat that the Bolton Foundation donated. The boat drives to the smallest villages that are around the Brazilian side of the Amazon and provides the inhabitants with medical care. They usually see a doctor every two to three years and sometimes never at all. The charity organisation always wanted to make sure that the villages get visited every year and with the new boat the villages can be visited two times a year. It's still less than necessary but it's a start. Some people in Brazil have never seen a doctor and suffer on their own, hoping to get healed by old traditions and magic cures. The medical staff consists of specialists and med school students who volunteer in their free time. Josephine brought all sorts of things with us on a separate boat like furniture, clothes, tools, writing materials, books, toys, toiletries - literally, anything she could get a hold of. She played with the kids, listened to the people's problems and helped out wherever she could. She carved, she cleaned, she built roofs of houses... she even walked over hot coals barefoot! She did everything she could is as little time as possible.
It makes me love my wife even more.
It was so fascinating to see their work and help out wherever I could. I learned so much that it reminded me of my dream that I buried over a year ago: I want to be a doctor. Helping people this way feels so natural and destined. My wife brought her camera and took photos which she will publish to raise awareness of the issue. The photos she showed me were stunning and perfect for the occasion. Josephine is getting more confident about her work and maybe one day... maybe one day she's going to have a vernissage with her best work. I'd like to see the smile on her lips when she sees how proud her parents are of their daughter. It's a dream I know she has - she just doesn't know it yet.
Suddenly the sound of monkeys fill my ears and my wife stops. Josephine looks up into the trees and spots the brown animals. She picks up the camera and starts taking photos with a smile on her lips. The ranger, who is our guide today, patiently waits for us. I guess money also buys you patience.
The monkeys go as fast as they have come and Josephine grabs my hand again before we continue with our hike. We saw lots of animals already on our way back to the military boat but thankfully no snakes or scorpions. Getting bitten here would be life threatening because the boat is still half an hour away.
"Do you think those were the same breed as the monkeys on Bali?" I ask her with a smile on my lips.
Josephine laughs as she gets me immediately. "No, no I don't think they were. Otherwise my ring would have probably been gone already." She has worn her wedding ring with the sapphires not facing the eye. She said she didn't want to offend anyone with her sparkling ring but also didn't want to take it off.
I squeeze her left hand tightly, "I will make sure it won't get stolen."
"I'll return the promise." She promises me with a smile on her perfect lips. Her blue eyes are glowing in a cobalt blue colour.
My whole body stars covering itself in goosebumps in the middle of the humid Amazon.
For a moment the world stands still.
"We should head to the boat." It's Ralph's voice that's breaking the moment. He and Leo have been our shadow wherever we went to today.
Josephine and I nod before continuing with our hike through the Amazon. I didn't expect Josephine to want to see the Amazon and do the work, but as always she surprises me. She's a true humanitarian and philanthropist - and she is finally acknowledging it as well. It's just like she said, she found herself in Rio.
And she found my family and me.
Josephine
I bite into my tenth pastel de queijo. They're so good! A crisp, deep-fried pastry, this portable snack that is found mainly in the southeast of the country (particularly in São Paulo but also in Rio) and makes for the perfect street food. Served hot as an accompaniment to drinks, the pastéis can be stuffed with any number of savoury fillings, from chicken or ground beef to heart of palm or melting cheeses. Sweet versions can also be found, usually flavoured with tropical fruits, chocolate or caramel.
I've become addicted to these over the last six months. No wonder I've gained so much weight over just six months. I've lost my defined abs but this food is worth it. I've never eaten anything like this so I can't help myself. London's a melting pot but these foods can't be found there which is an absolute shame. Londoners would love them.
We've come to a local café in the Almirante Alexandrino Street which is famous for its restaurants. We're in Santa Teresa, another part of Rio I've never been in. Santa Teresa is located on top of the Santa Teresa hill and presents a magnificent view of the city. It is one of the few neighbourhoods to resist development in order to retain its colonial charm. It is famous for its winding, narrow streets and for being an artistic hotspot. The construction of the Santa Teresa in the 18th century convent marked the beginning of the development of this neighbourhood. Its natural scenery, the pleasant atmosphere and easy access to downtown Rio make this an attractive neighbourhood. It's full of locals, no tourist can be found here. I love how heartwarming everyone is. They're all like a big family.
"You really like the food, huh?" My husband says with a grin on his lips as the melting cheese from the inside of my pastel de queijo runs down my fingers.
I lick my fingers clean, "I do. I like it a lot actually." I admit. "We'll have to recreate them when we're at home."
"We will." Oliver promises me.
"I've made them plenty of times in the hotel." Maria tells me with a smile on her lips. "So I know a few tricks."
"Maybe they turn out even better than these." Johna says with a full mouth.
I smirk, "We'll do our best but we'll need your guys' help in the kitchen as well."
"We'll help." Caio promises me.
"I was thinking of a day trip to São Paulo tomorrow." I say them. "There's a Formula One race tomorrow morning that we could watch."
Cairo's mouth falls open, "You can get us tickets?"
I smirk, "I can even arrange a meeting with a driver if you want."
"Mama, can we go?" Johna asks Maria.
"You don't have to go with us if you don't want. You can explore the city with Oliver or have a spa day." I suggest as I know not everyone loves fast cars, the noise and smell of gasoline that comes with Formula One Races - but I absolutely love it.
Maybe because us Bolton women have gasoline in our blood.
Oliver
After my shower, I towel dry my body before wrapping it around my hips. I walk into the bedroom that I've shared with my wife for the last two weeks and I catch her going through her clothes. There's a pile of her clothes laying on the tidily made bed.
"What are you doing?"
"I know you said I can't help your friend with money or materialistic things but I decided to gift them the clothes I know I rarely wear." She says while throwing T-shirts and jeans on to the pile.
My heart nearly explodes with the love I feel for her. "Josephine,"
"I have enough clothes left at home. If I don't love the item, I'll give it to them." She says before looking at me thoroughly.
My whole body comes alive from this look.
She licks her full lips, "I thought about buying them a flat or house somewhere in Rio."
"You don't have to do that."
"I know but as you now know I have the money. I can truly afford it without having to think twice. I could also open a trust fond for their kids or something like that. So they can afford sending them to uni and stuff..."
My wife has a heart of gold. "You can't save the world."
"I'm aware but I can make it a better place for a few people."
"Josephine, even if you bought them a house or a flat, they could never afford the incidental costs. Water, electricity... all that stuff, it would be too expensive."
"Then what can I do? How can I help?"
I lick my lips and walk over to her. "The clothes will be more than enough."
But she shakes her head. "No, this is not how you fight poverty. This is not how you bring people out of poverty. This is not how you change lives."
"You've built a school, a kindergarten, a hospital and a women's shelter here. You've done so much for the people here."
"It's not enough!"
"It is for now. You can't wipe criminality out of this city. Guns, drugs, human trafficking is as part of this town as the Cristo."
"But I want to do more. I have to do more. I have to make a change-"
"Josephine," I inhale deeply, "how about you pack the clothes up and I bring them to Pedro and his wife?"
"No, I want to come with you."
"Josephine, that place is dangerous. Very dangerous. You will stay here but I promise to give the clothes to them."
"We can go with Ralph and his whole team."
"No. You will stay here."
"But-"
"No." My house compared to Pedro's place is luxurious. I don't want her to see that. It's going to traumatise her. She feels bad enough for doing so little in her eyes, when she's really doing so much.
"Then at least take Ralph with you."
I nod, "Okay. That sounds like a good deal."
"And you won't leave your wedding band here. You can take it off but put it in your trouser's pocket. It has a GPS tracker. It's important."
"I won't take it off." I promise her.
"Good because it's meant to stay there." She says before running her hands through my damp hair. She tilts her head to the side slightly and I watch how her sky blue eyes transition into a sapphire blue. She can't say she loves me yet, but boy can she show me. "Can you get dressed so you can bring them my clothes a little faster?"
I chuckle at her question. "I think someone's getting extra gifts from Santa this year."
"We don't do gifts in my family. I mean, we now do small gifts for my nieces Eva and Lina as it's their birthday, but before that we didn't do gifts."
There's nothing money won't buy but the Boltons have so much of it that they decided to not spend any at all. It makes me adore my wife, her values and character even more. "Then what do you do on Christmas Eve?"
"You'll find out."
"You don't want to tell me now?"
She rubs her nose against mine, "No because I want you to get dressed and bring away my stuff."
Josephine
São Paulo is very different from Rio. Compared to my husband's hometown, São Paulo is much busier, more hectic... it's a lot more like London. There's no beach, very little greenery with almost more people living here as in Rio. It's the largest city in Brazil and the largest in all of the Americas. São Paulo is an enormous multicultural, fast paced city, with modern and gothic architecture, museums, and incredible displays of street art to be explored. The city is a melting pot of ethnicities with the largest populations of Japanese, Italian and Arabic people living outside their home countries. Many more European, African and Asian nationalities call the city home, too. There are lots of skyscrapers in which companies sit in. And of course there's a formula one race going through the city every year. I'm excited to find one whose going to win the Grand Prix of Brazil this year.
I had Ralph book us a hotel room with a balcony that's facing the race. The prize was quite high but that's always the case whenever a Formula One race is going through a city because you have to book hotel rooms or Air B'n'Bs which are sometimes three times the usual price. But that's the price I gladly pay to see Johna and Caio grin like that. They love the noise, the fast cars and they don't even mind the smell and humid temperatures. Even Ralph and part of the team are enjoying this day trip. Men and cars usually go hand in hand.
But not so my husband. He went sightseeing with Leo and his mother. I gave him my camera so he could take some photos. They want to explore the city as they have never been out of Rio. Rio is their home... now, London will have to become their home. I told them to buy a few cheesy souvenirs for us like fridge magnets or snow globes, stuff you don't need but collect anyways. I never saw the use in them but now I do. They hold memories, they aren't just dust magnets.
"How about we go inside and watch the last rounds with some ice cream?" I ask Johna and Caio.
"But it's getting very exciting now!" Caio complains.
"You can still see the cars through the windows. I'm sure the race's even more exciting with a scoop of ice cream."
"Can we have salted caramel?" Johna asks me.
I chuckle, "You really like that flavour, don't you?"
"I want cherry." Caio says before opening the door of the balcony and walking back into our hotel room. Ralph follows us inside while the rest of his team stay on the balcony.
"You're not a fan of of racing cars?" I ask Ralph as Caio and Johna are filling their bowls with ice cream from the freezer.
"Not so much."
"Why didn't you say so when Nate and I raced at Silverstone all these years?"
Ralph shrugs, "You wouldn't have listened to me anyway. You would have done it with a grin on your lips."
I chuckle, "True. I would have. But Nate's now a father so I think my racing days in my Aston Martin are long over." Frankly, I've lost the desire to chase adrenaline. I get my high from my husband now.
"I think so as well."
"Oliver and Maria are doing fine?" I ask my bodyguard. I know they're in good hands with Leo but I'm still worried. I couldn't even enjoy the race fully as my mind kept wandering to Oliver and his Mum.
"Leo just texted me. They're downtown, enjoying the city."
I nod, "Keep me updated."
Oliver
Leo holds the door of the hotel room open as my Mama and me come home after a long a of sightseeing, shopping and excellent food. Just as I promised my wife, I bought fridge magnets and I even found a snow globe after a few hours of searching. It's been years since my Mama went shopping for herself last, let alone didn't worry about the prices of the food she ate. She's sacrificed everything for my brothers and me, so it was nice to give something back to her. She deserves a better life. She deserves this happiness.
She deserves a better life.
And now I'm finally able to give it to her.
We get greeted by Ralph, who is sitting on the couch. To my surprise, he's the only one in the living area. The sun has set a few hours ago but I expected to meet at least Caio and my wife. But neither are there.
"They're all already asleep. The race was rather exciting but long."
"They ate?" My Mama asks.
Ralph nods, "Mrs. Bolton made sure of it. They had steaks with potatoes and fairly big salads."
"Good."
"Did you had a good time?"
I hold up the bags in my hands, "Yes."
The brown haired man smiles, "I see. Well, we're leaving tomorrow morning. Mrs. Bolton wanted to go to the soccer match tomorrow with Caio and Johna."
I frown, "You mean the game of the Flamengos against Grêmio?" I ask him shocked. It's the finale of the Copa Liberatores, the Latin American version of the European Football Championship. Tickets are sold out minutes after they go on sale - and some are sold on the black market for six times the price.
"Yes. You're welcomed to join us of course."
"How did you get us tickets?" I ask him shocked. Caio is a huge Flamengos fan but Rio hasn't won the Copa Liberatores in decades.
"Not tickets but a VIP box."
I don't even want to know the price of that. "Those weren't sold out?"
"Not if you have enough persuasiveness." Ralph smirks at me. "Caio told me to get him a tricot with Barbosa and Johna wanted Diego. Do you have a favourite?"
I shake my head.
"Can I get one with Batista's number?" My Mama asks. He's the goal keeper of the Flamengos.
Ralph nods, "I'll get you and Mrs. Bolton a plain one without a name on the back."
"Okay." I still cannot believe we're going to see the finale tomorrow!
"Good." He smiles at us. "We're leaving at eight in the morning. Sweet dreams."
"Sweet dreams." My Mama says but I'm too shocked by my wife's power.
We're really going to see the finale tomorrow!
"I'm going to go to bed as well. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Mama." I leave her bags on the couch before walking into the bedroom I'll share with my wife tonight.
Josephine is sleeping on the bed, dressed in a silk spaghetti top and matching shorts in a light blue. She's rolled up like a cat with a pillow underneath her. She looks so stunning and peaceful. I place the shopping bags on the ottoman at the end of the bed before grabbing a fresh pair of boxer briefs from the drawer and walking into the en-suite bathroom to shower off the humid and sticky day.
After my quick shower, I come back into the bathroom. My wife's still in the same position as before. I climb into the bed carefully because I don't want to wake her up but she growls anyway and stretches out her arm until her hand touches me.
She opens her eyes, revealing a splendid sky blue. "You're back."
"Yes, sorry we're back so late."
She shakes her chestnut curls, "Did you had fun?"
"It was a lot of fun. I'll show you some photos tomorrow. I bought you fridge magnets and even found a snow globe."
Her eyes light up at my words, "Really?"
I nod before pulling the pillow, that's between her legs, away. "It was quite a chase, especially the snow globe, but at least we discovered the city that way a little more."
She slides over to me until she wraps her legs around my waist. "I missed you."
My heart skips a beat whenever we're so close and another one when she's so honest and direct with her emotions. "I missed you, too. How was the race?"
"Hamilton won." She says with a grin on her lips. "It was a very exciting day for us Brits."
"And we're going to the Copa Liberatores tomorrow?"
She nods, "I wanted to stay up and surprise you but as soon as I sat on the bed, my body won and I fell asleep."
"Caio is a very big fan of our football team."
"To be fair, the chances of the Flamengos to win tomorrow are close to zero but I'm sure it's going to be a fun match."
"And the day after tomorrow we'll fly back to London?"
She runs her fingers through my damp blonde hair, "Yes, we'll fly home."
I'm already home because I'm with my wife again.
Josephine
I've rarely watched football matches because I'm not a big fan but this match is was even fun for me to witness. Because the Rio Flamengos won against the Grêmio! With just one point but that point was life changing for most Cariocas, if not all. After the match, the whole city was out on the streets, celebrating with the Flamengos. Thus, the team's bus took almost three hours to get to their hotel, where the team celebrated privately. It was a huge feast and so exciting that even Caio and Johna couldn't go to bed on time, but eventually sleep got the best of them and they collapsed into a deep sleep in the car on our way back to the hotel. Ralph drove us through whole Rio to avoid the masses that were out on the streets, blocking the usual way back to the hotel. With the detour Oliver and Maria showed me all the places they were when Carlos was still alive.
It was the best way to end our last full day in Rio.
Oliver
My family, my wife and I get out of the car and step on to the tarmac. There's a helicopter standing with a pilot. Our last few hours in Rio have started. It's very early in the morning but Josephine insisted on waking us all up before dawn even started. After this helicopter trip, I'm going to leave my hometown behind.
I'm not sad at all. I'm excited for my life ahead.
"Wow, this is so cool!" Caio has a huge grin on his lips.
"We're getting on there?" Johna asks.
"Yes." Josephine tells them with a bright smile. "Wasn't that worth the early wake up call?"
"Are you sure this is necessary?" I ask my wife as my two little brother and our mother climb into the helicopter.
She nods. "I always wanted to go on a helicopter ride in Brazil. Besides Rio in the light play of the sunrise is stunning. It's the perfect way to say goodbye."
It doesn't feel like a goodbye. It feels like a hello to the future.
We climb into the helicopter and a minute later we're in the air. It's a breathtaking view of the sugar loaf mountain, the ocean, the skyscrapers, the jungle and the Corcovado. My hometown... the place I got born... the place I grew up... the place my wife found her purpose.
Rio de Janeiro is a place that's deeply rooted in our hearts.
Josephine
I look up from my book and look around me. We're two hours away from Rio and are now flying past the east coast of America. The security as well as Maria, Caio and Johna are all fast asleep. The only ones awake are Oliver and me.
It's the perfect time window for me to tell him about my family.
"Oliver,"
"Yes?" He asks while still reading a book about Steve Jobs.
"I have to tell you something about my family."
My husband puts his book down. "I was wondering when you would enlighten me."
I pull my legs up and embrace them. This won't be an easy pill for him to digest. Suddenly, I don't know where to start. There's so much to tell, so many secrets... "My father is a former NSA agent." I decide to ease him into this. "My grandpa Franklin was an attorney but also had his fingers in human trafficking. My Dad found out about it on his job. It caused some serious quarrels. Franklin was married to Diana, my grandma, but was secretly in love with my other grandma, Victoria. She is my mother's mother. They had an affair when they were both in college. My grandparents eventually got divorced but Vicky got married to Vance, a New Yorker billionaire. He was her publisher as he published the novels Victoria wrote. My Mum got beaten by her father as a child. Whenever Vicky was in New York for her novels, my Mum stayed in Miami with her father. Victoria saw the bruises but never said a word until she found out that my Mum also got raped by her teacher. One day, when grandpa beat my Mum up again, Victoria saw that and left him in the dead of the night. They moved to Manhattan - to Vance and his two children Sharpay and Ryan." I inhale deeply. "Years forward my Mum is a successful Co-CEO of a record company called Manhattan Records. My Dad and his partner, Tanner, wanted to buy the company off of her and her partner Mark. What my Mum didn't know at that time was that my Dad was working undercover as a NSA agent because Mark was laundering money with Tanner. In the end my parents fell in love but broke up, my Mum sold the company after she found out about the money laundering and sued Tanner and my father for it, using my grandpa as a lawyer."
"Wow that's..."
"I'm not even halfway done." I interrupt him.
"Oh, okay. Go on."
"My Mum fled to London, moved in with my uncle Ryan and opened up a new record company. A few weeks later she found out she was pregnant with Della. My father went after her, they got back together, got married and got Della. After the birth, she suffered from postnatal depression. It was during this time when she had to fly back to Miami to testify against Pastor Fields, the teacher who raped her as a child. My Dad stayed with Della in London but Wlad went with my Mum. He was hired as her security. After the testimony, she went to the ladies bathroom and got kidnapped."
Oliver's mouth falls open, "What?"
"It gets better. She got flown to Rio, where she fought for her life for four days until she was found. She ran up the Corcovado and through the favelas surrounding it. She got heavily beaten up and nearly died. It was horrible."
"I'm so sorry, I had no idea my hometown had such a connection to your family's history."
I shrug, "It's not something I like to share but now that we're married I have to tell you what I know."
He nods, "Okay."
"As the years progressed, Wlad was pulled off from my mother and put exclusively on Della once she started going to Med school at Oxford. They're now happily married with two kids but their journey is not mine to tell. Ana met her husband when she was eighteen. It was in Marrakesh. Sasha - or Jake as he called himself at the time - was an assassin. A Russian orphan who got hired by Roman, a Mexican mafia boss, to get to Daddy via Ana. But they fell in love... Wlad later on found out that Sasha is a direct descendant of the Romanov dynasty, the Russian Royalty. That's why he has the title HRH Prince of Romanov. To save our family and once and for all clear things with Roman, my father, Sasha and grandpa went to Mexico. In the end, Franklin sacrificed himself for our safety. And over eight years later, we are still living pretty safely but that's why I'm always with security. Rory and Nate have Royal security. Della has Wlad and Ana has Sasha. The boys are safe at Le Rosey because their security standards are very high... So that leaves me with Ralph, Leo and the rest of the team. That's also why we're all wearing rings with GPS signals. The married couples have them in their wedding rings, Elias, Gideon and Cal are wearing rings as well. That's also why I've had Ralph install the signals in our jewellery."
My husband rubs his forehead. He probably has a headache after all that I've just told him.
"You don't have to say anything right now. But it's something you have to be aware of before we touch Londonderry ground."
"Will my... Will Caio, Johna and my Mama get security as well?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
I shrug, "I don't know. That's Wladimir's decision."
Oliver nods before staring into emptiness for a while. His mind is probably racing. "Are we in danger?"
"I'm always in danger. My last name doesn't only open doors, it also comes with a target."
"Why did you insist on me taking on your last name then?"
I lick my lips, "Because it also comes with a protection shield that's stronger than any other. It comes with opportunities, with chances you will never have otherwise. The trick is to know when to use the chances and when to let them pass by."
"In other words, it's my security ticket to get a permanent visa in the UK."
"That as well."
He runs his fingers through his blonde hair. "That's the price I have to pay to be with you?"
"In a nutshell, yes."
"Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yeah, it's not what I expected but I'd do anything to be with you."
"But you don't understand, your Mum and brothers are now targets as well. It's a chain reaction that happens whenever a Bolton is dating or married to someone."
He nods, "Just like I said. I'd do anything to be with you."
"It's a high price."
"Is that why you spoke about divorce in the same breath as marriage?"
I shrug, "I'm just trying to protect you." I mumble.
Oliver shakes his head and grabs my hand. Electricity runs through my whole body at the touch. "I will not divorce you."
"You're saying that now. I don't know everything about my family's history because sometimes ignorance is bliss but you... once my father has accepted you, he will let you in on every single secret. He will open the box of pandora and you will wish you never met me." And he will leave me, I add in silence. It's my biggest fear.
"Nothing will change my decision to be with you."
"Not even dead bodies?"
He licks his lips, "I'm sure your father had good reasons."
I don't know a number but if I had to guess we'd be in the hundreds. "You're really willing to accept this?"
"It's your baggage. I left my baggage in Rocinha but your baggage can't be left behind. No one is perfect and if we were life would be very boring. I love you and all your layers, masks and background."
His promise fills my heart with warmth and I squeeze his hand. He accepts me although I just told him world changing news.
I wish I knew if I loved him as well.
Oliver
The doors of the golden lift open with a quiet ping. The flight from Rio to London was long and after Josephine told me about the dark secrets in her family I couldn't sleep. I'm dog tired and hungry, but not for food. I'm hungry for my wife. For spending time with her. For loving her. For showing her that I am okay with whatever secret her family still has in petto. I'm her husband and I will never leave her. No matter how dark the secrets. No matter how much she's going to hurt me. I'm with her.
"Home Sweet Home." Josephine says with a small smile on her plump lips.
Johna and Caio run out of the lift first. They run down the hallway, leaving dirty footprints on the dark wooden floor. I know how much Josephine hates dirty footprints in her home. It's probably why she always preferred having a cat here someday over a dog.
My Mama, Josephine and I all take off our shoes and place them on the mat designated for them.
"Wow, this is huge!" Caio breathes out.
"I can see whole London!" Johna's voice is full of amazement.
"Johna, Caio get back here! Take off your shoes!" My Mama cries out.
"Sorry." I apologise for the dirty footprints to my wife.
But to my surprise my wife only shakes her head, "Don't worry about it. I'll clean that up while you show them around."
I'm still bluffed every time I get a reaction from her that's so atypical for the Josephine I met a year and a half ago.
"Are you guys hungry?" Josephine asks as Johna and Caio come back and take off their shoes.
"Yes!"
"Caio, you just ate on the plane!" My Mum breathes out.
"I'm growing!"
I chuckle, "He's not wrong with that."
"Okay. How about I make my famous pasta bolognese while Oliver shows you guys around?" Josephine suggests.
I miss her bolognese pasta. It's delicious.
"You can choose any room on the first or second floor as your guys' bedrooms." She tells my Mama. We all walk down the narrow hallway with hardwood floors that eventually opens up into a huge living area with floor to ceiling windows that offer a view of whole London at night. It's a gorgeous view but I love the interior even more. Nothing changed since I left. It's the same couch, piano, dining table, kitchen... even the photos on the mantelpiece above the white marbled fireplace are still the same. It feels like going back in time.
But then I touch my left ring finger and am reminded that this is not like last time. This is new. We're equals. She came back to me. She hunted me down for half a year until she found me. She wants me. She chooses me.
She married me.
If that's not love then I don't know what is.
Seeing Josephine move through her penthouse - through our home - is a bit surreal. I stop in the living room, right where we danced for six months in our dreams. Being here, with her... with my family - it's a situation that suddenly crashes down on me and I have to stop the tears from rolling down my face. I wished and hoped for this for so long... for so many years I wanted to have my family in London... but never in a million years would I have thought I'd meet my soulmate along the way.
"Oli?"
I snap out of my thoughts as my little brother's voice reaches my ears. I clear my throat. "Yes, sorry." I apologise as I watch how Josephine - my wife - wets a tissue to wipe off the dirty footprints on the floor. The Josephine from a year and a half ago wouldn't have lifted a finger. I look away and focus on my Mama and brothers. "This is the living, dining area is next to it and the kitchen is in the back. Cups and glasses are in the third hanging cupboard counting from the left. Cutlery and plates are in the kitchen island. The fridge is always full and there's a dishwasher as well." I start as Josephine walks back into the hallway. She's really going to clean that up herself.
I walk past the huge walnut dining table and suddenly notice a square shaped gift wrapped in parchment paper leaning against the crystal vase that's filled with pink peonies. Is that another wedding gift? There's a card next to it but I don't touch it. It's probably for Josephine.
With my brothers and Mama behind me, I walk down the second narrow hallway that has the same pale blue walls as the other one and open every door as I continue with the tour. "This is the pantry... the study... that's the library... a games room... formal dining room... home gym... wine cellar... the spa... the laundry room and the dark room."
"What's a dark room?" Caio asks me.
"Josephine uses it to develop her photos."
"I thought these are on the computer."
"Yeah but some very special ones she likes to develop in this special room."
"Will she show them to us?" Johna asks me.
"I don't know, you have to ask Josephine." I say before closing the door of the dark room again. I can't believe how nothing - not even a picture or the vase - has changed here. It's like time stopped in this penthouse.
We walk back into the living area and I see Josephine cooking in the kitchen. The smell of tomatoes and garlic starts filling my nose. We've eaten on the plane but just seeing her humming a melody and cooking with such passion makes me hungry again.
She looks up from the pot, "Our luggage has been delivered. Your suitcases are on the first floor in the hallway." She tells my Mama and brothers.
"Smells good." It's Mama's first compliment to Josephine.
"Thank you. I promise it will be done when you've finished the tour."
"Ready for the first and second floor?" I ask my brothers with a grin on my lips.
"Yes!" Johna and Caio have run up the staircase before I can blink another time.
My Mama and I follow them but I turn around halfway on the staircase and look at Josephine on more time. She looks so carefree in her kitchen. She's even humming a melody. I listen for it for a moment before suddenly recognising it. She's humming the melody of the song that we danced to. That stunning piano song.
She's at peace. She's happy. She's finally allowing herself to be the person I always saw in her.
No angry words. No arrogance. No ignorance. No bullshit.
Just Josephine.
With a smile on my face I walk up the rest of the staircase.
Josephine
I put the last portion of Spaghetti Bolognese on to the plate as Caio, Johna, Maria and Oliver come down the stairs again. I've already set the table and poured water into every glass. Just six months ago I would have had the same meal in a luxury restaurant with an overpriced wine. Now, I prefer to stay at home, cook myself and eat it with the best company there is: my new family. I don't need an overpriced wine. I don't need a luxury menu. I don't need the ambient of a fancy restaurant.
I need this. I need them. I need Oliver.
"Dinner's ready!" I announce as the newest addition to my life reach me. "Wash your hands in the sink, please."
Johna and Caio nod before walking into the kitchen that's behind the dining table. Maria joins them before eyeing the table. Knowing she worked in a hotel kitchen and therefore probably has high expectations, it makes me slightly nervous.
I turn around and catch Oliver staring at me. For a moment the world seems to stand still. Especially when he looks at me like that. Caio and Johna's chatter with Maria fades in my ears and instead I can hear my humming pulse. My heart starts beating faster and the hairs on my neck start rising.
I can't move. I can't tear my gaze off of his.
I'm under his spell. Under my husband's spell.
And I love every second of it.
"Oliver, wash your hands." Maria's motherly voice slices through the air and catches our attention.
Oliver winces before walking into the kitchen and washing his hands in the sink.
Maria, Johna and Caio all sit down at the walnut square shaped table. I put away the painting that Ana left here as a gift. I haven't unwrapped it yet but I will do it later with Oliver. I have a feeling he's supposed to see it as well.
"What kind of flower is that?" Johna asks me, looking at the crystal vase with the pink peonies.
"It's a rose, isn't it?" Caio asks me.
I nod, "They're called peonies and are my favourite."
"They're very pretty." Maria smiles at me. I don't think she has fully accepted me but she is trying and that alone means a lot to me.
Oliver sits down next to me at the table. Whenever we all sat together at the table to eat in the last two weeks, we prayed. Prayed! I come from a Protestant family, but we don't pray before we eat. We're grateful for what we have, but we don't really pay the church a visit, not even on Christmas Eve. Rory and Nate go to the church on Eastern and Christmas because it's a Royal tradition. But I am not religious. I am grateful for everything I have. I am grateful for being able to give back and I do give back as much as I can.
But I don't pray.
Yet, in the last two weeks, I prayed. Just like right now, I grabbed Oliver and Johna's hand, closed my eyes and prayed in silence. I thank the universe and God for making sure I found them. I thank God for this new addition to my family. I thank God for making sure we're together.
I thank God.
And then I open my eyes and start eating with a sense of peace I never felt before. I don't know if that's because I thanked God or because of the ritual of taking a moment to find myself, my intention and my gratitude before starting to eat.
Either way, I like this.
I like this dynamic. I like the smiles, the conversations and even the silent times during our dinners. It reminds me of my own family and we haven't come together in so long. I miss them. I miss being around my family.
"Do you like your new rooms?" I ask them.
Johna and Caio nod. "They're so big and they have bathrooms with a shower and a bathtub! And everything is so clean and tidy!" Caio says with a smile on his face.
I wasn't inside their old home but I expected it to not be as clean as their new home. "I'm glad you like it."
"And the view is spectacular. From every room. It was very hard to choose." Maria tells me.
"The spaghetti are really good." Oliver changes the subject.
"Better than the ones from the hotel." Maria agrees with her son.
"Thank you. It's a recipe from my Dad. He got it taught by a Nona in Naples."
"He was in Italy?"
"Yes. He spent a summer there once and traveled through the country. He used the time to optimise his cooking skills. He's a brilliant cook."
"You obviously inherited that talent." Maria says with a smile.
I chuckle, "I'm a rather decent cook but I'm a better baker. My Mum taught me how to bake. We could bake a cake tomorrow."
"Oh yes! With chocolate!" Johna agrees with me.
In moments like these I remember when Oliver told me that they only ate a bar of chocolate on Christmas Eve. The whole family shared one.
This Christmas... This Christmas will be better. I can't wait to put up a Christmas tree in our home for the first time ever and spend Christmas Eve with everyone in my childhood home.
But first I have to tell my parents the news.
"Oliver said you play the piano. Can you play something for us after dinner?" Caio asks me.
I smile, "Of course. Any wish?"
"Anything you want."
Oliver
I embrace my wife from behind as she stares out of the window front in the living room. My brothers and Mama have gone to bed, so it's now just us. She leans back and trusts me to take on her weight. I missed this. I missed having her in my arms with this breathtaking view in front of us. The sun has set hours ago and now London is glittering beneath us. The London Eye is glowing in a bright red and Big Ben is filling our ears with its famous glockenspiel.
I rest my chin on her head and inhale deeply. I'm home... I'm finally home.
My wife wraps her arms around mine. "I missed this."
She will never know how much I missed this. "Me, too." I say simply because no words can make her understand how much I craved this right here. "How do you want this evening to end?"
"Well, there are two things I really want to do." She starts and I can see our reflection in the window front. "I'd like unwrap Ana's gift and have a bath with you just like old times."
The old Josephine would have asked for a night filled with sex. But this woman in my arms asks for quality time with me - and sex. I can read between her lines. "That sounds perfect." I agree with her. "Where did you put the gift?"
"It's in our bedroom."
I move to walk into the bedroom but she tightens her grip around me.
"I need a moment." She whispers. "The last two weeks have been truly life changing and I guess it hasn't really sunk in until... until this moment right here." She admits and I can feel how my heart skips a beat in my chest. "I've been dreaming of you and me dancing here and now we're standing here, married with your brothers and mother sleeping upstairs... it feels surreal, like a dream I don't want to wake up from. I can't believe this is reality."
I squeeze her softly, "I feel the same way."
"You do?"
"Yes. It feels so good to be home again."
She flourishes at my words and I watch a giant smile stretch her lips, "This wasn't a home without you in it." She turns around in my embrace, shifts her weight to her top toes and kiss me softly. "They say home is where the heart is and mine's with you."
My heart starts going haywire at her words but my lips remain shut. For a moment I think I misheard her or dreamed of her saying these words. But I didn't, right? "You own my heart as well."
She smiles at me as she runs her long fingers through my blonde hair, "Good because this marriage is a two-way street."
She says the word marriage like the duck takes to water.
"Was he ever here?" The question has left my mouth before my brain could catch up.
"No. I mean, yes when I had to get ready for a special event, I changed here. But I stayed at his place most of the time. He never slept here. We never ate here. We never bathed here. He never lived here."
Weirdly, that makes me feel better.
"I didn't want to taint this place with his presence, I guess. This has always been your home and I couldn't allow anyone to take that away from you. I know you were gone but... I felt bound to you anyway. If that makes sense..."
"It does. It makes a lot of sense actually."
"Good. Then let's run us a bath while we unwrap Ana's gift." She smiles at me before letting go of me. Josephine grabs my hand while we walk down the hallway that leads to our bedroom.
"Do you know what it is?"
"It's a painting. She gifted it to my 25th birthday but I wasn't allowed to open it until today."
"It's over a year old?"
"Yeah... I told you that Ana's special and I have a feeling I should open it with you." Josephine says as we reach the bedroom. Everything still looks the same here as well. The painting is laying on the bed.
A bed she never shared with Edward.
Josephine walks into the en-suite bathroom and fills the bath with hot water before returning back to me.
"And Ana didn't say what she painted?" I ask her as she starts unwrapping the painting.
"No. She just said I'd unwrap it when the time has come. Which I guess is today." She answers while pulling the parchment paper off of it. She puts it into the rubbish bin, "Ready?"
"I guess." I say with a shrug.
Josephine turns the painting around and we both gasp at what we see. The painting shows Josephine and me standing next to the Cristo Redentor statue in Rio. I'm wearing a white Oxford shirt with beige trousers and leather shoes and my wife is wearing a white ruffled dress with heels. Josephine's hair is braided into that fishtail braid. Our foreheads are resting against each other and our left hands are touching each other's cheeks - with our wedding bands on our left ring fingers. The exact wedding bands we're wearing right now. We're dressed exactly like we were dressed that day.
This is not an imaginary painting. It shows the past. It shows what happened.
But when Ana painted it - over a year ago - it was the future. A future while we were broken up, I was in Rio and she was engaged to Edward.
Still, Ana saw that. She painted it. She knew this would happen. She knew we would get married. She knew...
"Is Ana some kind of psychic?" I ask my wife.
"Yeah, she sees things when she meets people for the first time. But before you ask, no she doesn't tell you what she sees."
I touch the oil painting. I can't believe this is real! "It's so beautiful!"
"Not only that. It's a replica of a photo that Ralph took of us on our wedding day."
"Really?"
"Yes. He photographed us while we were talking before the rest of the family joined us." She grabs my hand and squeezes it softly.
The memory is still fresh in my mind. I can't believe we've already been married for two weeks. "I like your hair like that."
Josephine smiles, "I used to braid Rory's hair for her tennis matches all the time. Even at uni. But then time has changed me. I haven't worn a braid for years prior to that one day but I will wear them more often in the future."
I remember all the photos of the tennis shooting star that the press released. Rory's hair was always in braids, whether she was on court, in press conferences or randomly photographed on the streets with her then-boyfriend and now husband George. I had no idea Josephine was behind them.
"Where do you want to hang it?"
"You let me decide?"
"Of course. This is your home now as well."
I suppress a smile. "How about we hang up here?"
"Here? But it's so beautiful. It should be seen by more people than us. How about the hallway?"
The hallway? She wants it so publicly? This way people would see it whenever they come out of the lift. "Okay."
"Good. We'll hang it up tomorrow. Because right now there's a bath that's waiting for us."
"You won't call Ana and thank her?"
My wife shakes her head. "No, thanking her over the phone won't do this gift justice."
True, a simple thank you is not enough.
But it's also the start.
Josephine
I lean against the bathtub and watch how my husband's climbs into the tub before sitting across me. It feels like going back in time, yet everything's different.
"Everything alright?"
I grab his left hand and kiss his platinum wedding band. "Yes."
He intertwines his fingers with mine and squeezes my left hand softly without saying a word.
I'm free. I'm bound. I'm happy. I'm married... I'm married to this wonderful man across me.
And I wouldn't change anything.
"I'm surprised you're not drinking wine."
"I told you, I'm not drinking anymore."
"At all?"
I nod.
"You're even saying no to champagne?"
I shrug, "I don't ever want to feel the way I did when I broke us up. I promised myself I wouldn't repeat my mistakes and you know me, I'm keeping my promises."
"And you don't need any alcohol to speak freely about your feelings anymore."
"No, I guess I don't." I agree with him. Maybe I wasn't randomly babbling whenever I was drunk. Maybe I was talking from my heart. Suddenly, I view our times in this bathtub in a whole different light. "I missed you in this bathtub with me." I haven't used it without him.
"I missed this as well." He agrees with me.
"He was never in this bathtub."
"I know..."
"He's my past. You are my present and future." I promise him. "You are my best friend and lover. You are the only one that can make hard fucking feel like love making. You are the only one that makes arguments beautiful. We are two sides of the same coin. You see things from the different perspective than me. You make me see the full picture."
His sea foam coloured eyes soften, "Come here."
I move through the water until I'm sitting on his lap. I wrap my legs around his waist and arms around his neck. "I wouldn't change a thing about our past. Because it led to this right here. Us in this bathroom, married. I'd do it all again. All the mistakes, I'd go through the pain again if that meant we end up right here. Together."
"Josephine..." he breathes my name into my face.
"You gave me space and time. And now I'm ready. For you and me. For this... us." I promise him.
He seals his lips over mine before I can elaborate any further. I return his kiss and feel how the desire explodes within me. It's the same desire I've always only felt with Oliver but ever since we got married it's been on a whole new level.
I don't know if that's love, but I know I never want to live without this feeling again.
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it!
The next chapter may come out a little later as I want to update A Million Times More as well as My Shadow, but it's worth the wait. Lots of exciting things will happen, including the first meeting of Jo's parents and Oliver.
Please review!
In gratitude,
Nicole