Stella nodded. 

"Fair enough. I'd be willing to talk with your doctor friend if she's willing, but all that can wait for another day. You two are exhausted and need rest. Everyone is so excited to meet you, especially Papa Marco. He often asks about you and how you're doing. Anyway, Paul should already have your things at the Villa, and you can relax and sleep as late as you like. But you'll be terribly sad if you miss brunch. I know what's on the menu, and it's going to be fantastic."

With that, Stella rose from her seat and picked up her cup to carry it to the sink. 

Bella walked into the room a heartbeat later smiling.  "Aurora is fine.  Your sister, on the other hand, may be very glad she's a bachelorette after a month of parenting."

Bella chuckled lightly.

"Apparently she lost that tooth after jumping off a swing and giving Tara the scare of her life."

She comes over behind Gavin's chair and wraps her arms around him, kisses the top of his head and then rests her cheek there.  She yawns.  "I'm dying to see this place we're staying.  Especially the bed.  I'm sore and tired beyond words at this point and the wine ... oh god so much wine!"

She stood up.  "I never thought I'd say this, but I may have had too much."

Smirking, Stella shakes her head. 

"I don't believe there is such a thing as too much wine. We'll get your tolerance up while you're here. But for now, let's get you two settled in. The villa is just down the hill."

The three set off into the slightly cool air of the pre-dawn hours. The villa was within sight of the main house, and only a short walk. Stella opened the door and gave them a quick tour. 

​​​​​​"You have a full kitchen, but there is always food at the house, so no need to cook unless you want to. The bedroom is through there, as well as the bathroom. It has a shower and soaking tub. Right in here is the sitting room, which has beautiful natural light in the daytime, and then off the kitchen is a lovely little porch that overlooks the vineyards."

Smiling and yawning herself, Stella handed the keys to Gavin, then hugged them both. 

​​​​​​"I'm so happy you two are here at last. Sleep well, and I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, she slipped out and started back up the hill toward the main house.

Bella's eyes fluttered open as the warm sun streamed in the window onto her body.  Gavin was snoring softly beside her.  She looked at him and thought about kissing him awake, spending some unrushed time in his arms, but then realized how sore she still felt.  He had to be sore as well.

And so, Bella slowly slipped out of their bed and quietly tip-toed to her trunk and pulled out her bathrobe.  Wrapping herself in it she went into the kitchen searching for a bite to eat.  Through the window, she could see how lovely the world had become in the bright light of a new day.  She could also see Stella, seated in her own robe enjoying brunch on the veranda of the main house.

Remembering her mention of a delicious brunch, Bella closed her robe tightly around herself and began to walk up the path to where Stella was seated.  She called out before reaching her, "It's going to be a beautiful day... mind if I join you?  Gavin's still asleep and I thought maybe we could catch up a bit while he rests some more."

Stella had been up fairly early, having given Julia a chance to sleep in and taking care of the baby, Emmi. It was just before eleven when Bella appeared coming up the hill. Stella, sitting in a high-backed wood and wicker wheelchair, waved to her. 

"Yes! Come join us!" 

She grinned and gently bounced the six month old baby girl in her lap, who giggled and cooed softly. The table on the veranda was virtually loaded down with food. There was a shallow basket with that held a variety of rolls, danishes, and muffins. A platter of fruit was nearby, as well as a platter of cheeses and olives. Another longer dish held rolled slices of salami, capicola, prosciutto, and smoked ham. A bowl of savory meatballs sat beside a steaming plate of pasta and gravy. 

Stella had a plate in front of her that hadn't yet been touched, and a glass of champagne that certainly looked like it had been touched. She lifted the little girl up and waved her little hand at Bella. 

"Good morning! This is little Emmaline, but we all call her Emmi. Have a seat. Roberto will get you anything you like to drink. How did you sleep? Comfortably, I hope."

Bella melted at the sight of the little girl.  "God, I remember when Aurora was that tiny and so sweet..." 

She gave a light laugh.  

"She's 120% Gavin's girl now though... all scuffed knees, fist fights, and cussing."  She shakes her head.  "Well, maybe there's a touch of me in that too I suppose." 

She gave a wink that was similar to the way Gavin sometimes did, then sat down.  She began making a plate for herself, her eyes continuing to go back to the baby as if drawn to the child instinctively, before deciding to let Stella in on the secret.

"Part of why we're here on this vacation is,"  She began, a smile growing on her face.  "I've recently gone through a medical procedure.  Prior to it, due to some injuries I took in a war between the families, we didn't think it would ever be possible.  Now the doctors tell us there's hope of having a child of our own.  Needless to say, I'm suffering a little baby fever at the moment.  I know I shouldn't get my hopes up but every time I see a little one now... well, I can't help it."

"Oh, Bella that's wonderful! I'm absolutely hoping for the best for you!"

Reaching up to her own plate, she took a bite of a cheese danish while Emmi fiddled with a bottle in her hands. 

"I've thoroughly enjoyed having Emmi and Sienna around. They both make life so much fun. Sienna should be down soon.  She is nearly twelve years old, and like a little mommy herself. She loves Emmi to pieces.  Both girls are adopted by Marco and Juila from an orphanage in Palermo."

With a chuckle and another sip of her champagne, Stella raised an eyebrow.

"And I bet Gavin is pretty excited, too, hm?"

"He's ..."  

Bella paused, her mind seems to work a moment before she decided on the truth.

"Eager to give me what he knows I've always wanted."  She stabbed some ham and put it onto her plate, no longer looking at Stella as she spoke. 

"He just the best with Aurora.  She worships everything he says and does... always trying to be like him.  She's had him wrapped around her finger since before she could speak.  I just know he'll be a terrific father to our second child too."

She looked up at Stella and gave a small smile.

"I'm excited to meet everyone here... the young and old alike.  So... tell me how it is you're connected to everyone here.  Are they family of yours?  I can't say that Gavin's ever broke that down for me.  In truth, what I know about you has always been... well, very general.  I know that you and Gavin have a history and some of the highlights.  Of course, I know that Gavin feels very protective of you still - you're family to him and Tara.  And I know that your lives sort of got in the way for a while, so you drifted apart.  That's something Gavin really seems to lament."

Bella ate a bite of her ham.

"I think he wishes you'd come back to Philly.  I can't say that I disagree with that idea, but who would ever leave a place like this?  I can't imagine you've got a lot of motivation to run away from paradise."

Stella's thoughts drifted back to the conversation she'd had with Gavin after they arrived. She tilted her head one way, as if shrugging slightly.

"Gavin is far too hard on himself for what happened to me. I've told him over and over that he couldn't have done anything to stop it, but he just can't seem to lay down that burden of guilt- which he need not carry at all. I do regret that he and I didn't keep in touch better over the years, but I... I didn't want to get in the way.  When he left Sicily, I knew his heart was still looking for the right one, and I knew it wasn't me. Especially with the way my life had changed, physically.  I knew he felt responsible and I didn't want to be a constant reminder of everything. So, I blame myself for a lot of that.  I kept myself away more than I should have."

She looked down at Emmi, who looked to be contentedly milk-drunk and drifting off to sleep. Stella picked her up and shifted her to laying over her shoulder.

"The Estate is beautiful for sure, and life is certainly different than it is in the city. But, if I'm honest, the trip to Philly got me thinking. I love it here, but in a way I feel like I'm hiding. I could do a lot for the brand by moving the business headquarters to the states.  It's been on my mind a lot, actually."

From around the corner, a pretty young girl appeared. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a braid down the back of her head, and she wore a simple, light purple sundress.

"Ah, there is the lovely Sienna.  Bambina, this is Signora Byrne that I was telling you about. Bella, this is Sienna."

The girl nodded with a sweet smile and greeted her with careful, somewhat still rough English.

"Benvenuto, Signora. It is very nice to meet you. Would you like me to take the baby so you may eat your breakfast?"

"Sure, Sienna. Make sure you get some food yourself."

The girl nodded and expertly took the sleeping baby without bothering her at all. As she walked back to the house, Stella continued.

"My connection to the Viacelli family is somewhat non-traditional, and somewhat very traditional. Let's see- the elders are Marco and Carmela- they are brother and sister, and had two other sisters- Roselia, and Regina, who is the one responsible for making the Viacelli wines famous. Regina died many many years ago. She had two sons, but they were killed in Chicago in their late 20s.  Roselia had a daughter named Sofia Viacelli, and it is Sofia who was my godmother. Regina left the winery to Sofia, and when Sofia died, she left Marco as caretaker, but left the Estate and the business to me. Marco and Carmela are just too old to have to manage everything. After I ended up staying here, I learned the business fairly easily, and legally took the Viacelli name."

"Buongiorno, Sienna.  I'm happy to meet you."  Bella said to the newcomer, but her mind was on the words she'd just heard uttered by Stella.  Now with words from both she and Gavin, a fuller picture was coming together about the relationship that was and might have been. In many ways, it was a sad tale - tragic really.  Gavin's guilt over not saving Stella, Stella's guilt over Gavin's sense of responsibility, both of these things lead two people who might have been happy together - to walk away.  Feelings unresolved and both playing the part of martyr or maybe just hiding away from facing the horror of that day and its aftermath.

In any other situation, Bella would hit the ground running to bring the star-crossed lovers back together and to the happiness that they were denied.  She loved a good love story and this had all the beats of the best.  A handsome gunman with a tormented past, a strong and beautiful woman who could clearly give her lover a run for his money... shot down in her prime.  What might have been appeared lost for many years and now, here in the beautiful Italian countryside their suffering began in, they had a hope of burying the ghosts of their shared past and finding each other again.

Like the back of a dime store novel...

Except, unfortunately, here the two lovers in question reuniting, sorting out their guilt, and feelings for each other would mean the end to her own happiness.  It would destroy her family and the life they had together ... or at least change it so much that she couldn't recognize it anymore.  Bella's blood ran cold with the thought of how the events of the boat might have effected Gavin's outlook his relationship with Stella.  What would she have done, back so long ago, if Gavin had been willing to bring men to their bed and William was an option?

Bella choked down a bit of water, coughed a bit and forced a smile that she didn't feel.

No.  This was a price for Stella and Gavin's happiness that Bella simply would not pay.  And still, the idea of Gavin carrying guilt he did not need... and Stella feeling as though Gavin tormented himself endlessly, wasn't a pleasant thought either.  And so, she rolled the woman's words over in her head again and again; like a record with a small scratch, her brain was unable to go forward and unable to stop hitting upon the dilemma.

"It's a joy and comfort to have family around us."  She replied to Stella's brief explanation of who was who and how they were related.

"At the risk of poking my nose somewhere it's unwanted, and please... tell me if it is.  I promise I won't take offense.  Obviously we, you and I, have a connection that's ... well, unusual.  And I know maybe me commenting to you about your past with Gavin isn't the most comfortable thing.  For many women it would be seen as rude as hell, but... I've never been as well mannered as I probably should be."

She gave a small chortle.

"Look, I keep ... things.  I have a house back home in the States that is full of... memories.  Objects that tell stories about who I've been and what I've done.  Some are good ones and I love them like... this matchbook I have from a bar that Gavin took me to on the night we met.  And others, aren't so good - like a hat I had fished out of the bay near Race Street pier."

She pushed the thought of Will's dead body, rotting somewhere, from her mind.

"Every item is just as important as the last - even the ones that hurt.  Gavin doesn't keep things.  He travels light.  He keeps his scars though, the ones on his skin and in his memories.  He revisits them to inform the person he is.  Gavin has... rules he follows, rules he hopes will keep him and our family safe.  He lives by them and those rules come from the times he didn't save the day.  The list is pretty short I think, but he'll never let go of the memories that built the list because to do that would mean not bettering himself and that's the thing my husband has no clue how to do."

She put her fork down and looked at Stella.

"It's not that he can't let go of failing you Stella, it's that if he let's go of it, he's afraid of what else could happen.  You... what he feels about what happened to you; it matters to him because it fuels him to be better.  And for Gavin, that's what life is all about, a constant strings of challenges to be overcome:  Hunt the deer.  Escape your father.  Keep Tara safe.  Win the game.  Make the woman want you.  Become a Made Man.  Kill the target."

She shrugs. 

"He's defined by the struggles... the successes and the failures."  Her eyes went down as she realized then that any hope of them ever dying old in their beds surrounded by their family was never going to occur.  There would be no pirate Gavin and wenchy Bella sailing the seas until they passed away peaceful in their sleep.  The moment caught her off guard utterly and for an instant she felt the need to grieve for a dream that wouldn't ever come to pass, but instead a smile slowly grew on her face.  A funny thing considering how sad her eyes had been for a moment, but it was entirely full of mirth within mere heartbeats.

"If would be the most miserable old man in the world if he lived long enough for father time to catch him.  He'd be impossible to tolerate if I'm being honest."  She chuckled.  "Without the strength to hunt men, energy to seduce women, constitution to drink, or wits to play games of chance... shit."

Her laughter grew as the image of the old man Gavin would be came to life in her mind and she realized then she'd have to shoot the old bastard - it would be a mercy killing.

She shook her head containing her laughter.  "My point is... you have to accept that Gavin's choice to not let go of your injuries... it's not really about you.  It's about being better than he was that day, for you and everyone he loves.  He's pulled head out of his ass and he's here seeing you... if it hurt too much, do you really think Gavin would have been so happy to see you in Philly or chose to come here when we could have gone anywhere in the world to vacation?"

She smiled at Stella.

"Gavin loves you.  You're a person of great importance in his life.  And, if you love him too, then accept that he's marked by your experiences just as you are.  You will always be a part of one another.  I could hide him on the other side of the planet from you, but I couldn't get you out of his head or his heart if I wanted to.  What happened to you while you were together - both good and bad - helped make him the man he is... the man who was capable of falling in love with me and becoming a good father to our children."

She picked up her fork.

"And, if I were to go out on a limb... and this is a stretch really, I think the day that I realized I loved him had a lot to do with you."  She forced a smile and met Stella's eyes.  "Gavin did something for me that day that nearly killed him and in that moment, I knew.  I knew what I wanted and needed in life was right before me.  If Gavin hadn't been so scared of seeing another woman he cared about shot in a deadly situation, maybe he wouldn't have volunteered for the job that inevitably resulted in our being together."

She stabbed another bit of ham.

"What's that they say about butterfly's wings?  If one flaps it's wings across the planet, a wild storm might kick up over here as a result?  Well, maybe in a strange way, all the stories our lives are connected.  Maybe Gavin has the right of it.  Maybe hanging on to things and letting them make us better isn't so bad after all?  So long as you don't let them destroy you in the process and believe me, I don't think that's where Gavin's head is at.  If it is, he's hidden it very well from me."

Listening to Bella, Stella found herself mesmerized by what she had to say. All of it was so long ago- seemingly a lifetime; but Stella had processed things in such a different way. She felt a grin growing on her face.

"What a wise, wonderful woman you are, Isabella Byrne. I never thought of it that way.  Last night, I told Gavin that I regarded everything that happened like a lesson for my younger self that my older self should never forget. I really never thought of it as something like that for him- I always thought Gavin, in his own crazy way, had everything figured out. It's that trademark confidence of his, you know?"

The somber looks that crossed Bella's eyes hadn't gone unnoticed, and though Stella could only guess at the source of those passing glances, she cold at least offer something in return.

"If something about my time with Gavin helped him find you, I am more than grateful for that. I see the contentment in his eyes when he looks at you, and speaks of you, that I had never seen before. I'd say he's a new man, but you and I both know that's not the case.  He's just...a much happier man. I care about him, and Tara, and seeing them living with peace and happiness is what I've always hoped for. Especially given the tragedy lately."

She lifted her glass of champagne and gestured toward Bella.

"And, as a bonus, I met you. We've known each other so little yet, but I already know that I care about you dearly, too. I have greatly been looking forward to this chance to get to know you better, Bella. I am really, really glad you both are here. It feels like family has come to visit. No, it is family that has come to visit."

She raised her glass, "To family then."  She said.  "Though oceans may sometimes separate us, let's never let our regrets of the past or fears of the future separate us and stand together instead, stronger for it."

She drank of her glass deeply, set it to the side and leaned back in her chair, lacing her fingers over her midsection as she looked out towards the distant vineyard.

"It is really something to see..."  She said softly.  "You've got a lovely place.  You're going to make a fortune letting people come here. I've been thinking about shopping for a real home in Philadelphia, nothing as grand as this I suppose, but a place where the children could get outside and play in the fresh air.  Something that Gavin and I could leave to Aurora - a place she might bring her own kids one day, God willing she should marry and have some."

She glanced to Stella, "Do you have game hunting here?  I mean... what do people hunt if anything on an island like this?  I've never hunted anything but men before ... I just realized maybe it would be a fun thing for Gavin to teach me a little about.  He can get a good laugh at my expense as I go stomping around in the woods scaring off every chipmunk and hare for miles."

Stella nodded, going back to her Danish.

"There is excellent deer hunting further inland. Most people along the coast are fishing still. If you are planning to go into Palermo, there are a few hunting clubs I know of. And, if you decide that hunting isn't your thing, Palermo has some wonderful couture shopping."

A soft voice came from behind Stella. This one belonged to an elderly woman; short and tiny, but clearly strong for her age. She was fully dressed for the day, in a blue cotton dress and apron, with her gray hair hidden under a kerchief tied over her head. Stella immediately pushed herself up to stand in the woman's presence and greeted her with a hug. 

"Mama Carmella, ciao!" 

As the older woman spoke no English at all, Stella introduced Bella in Italian. 

The old woman had a warm, happy smile, and hugged Bella just like she were family. 

"Ah, you are a beauty, and perfectly named. But I believe I see Italian in your face, no?" 

Bella stood out of respect for the older woman and smiled warmly at her compliment.  When she spoke she did so in practiced Italian but her American background would not be hidden to the ears of a native.

"Yes.  My father's family still lives here, not far away.  The Lucanio family.  Many of them were fishermen over the years, but as I'm sure you know, we've grown from our simple roots and have done well for ourselves in America.  My mother's side, they're not so well known here, but my father's second wife has a father of some note in Messina.  Through them, I am also cousin to the DiCaprio family who owns I understand own a vineyard not far from here?"

She watched the old woman's eyes light up at the mention of names and people who she knew.  Together they all sat for a short time and chatted about names she knew from Lucy's journals and from her father and Marie's stories of the old country.  Most of the stories were related to happy memories and good times, and those that weren't Bella allowed the woman to gloss over without pressing her for more information.  There was no need to make a kind old lady speak at length about dark memories best left in the past when she would find some young folks willing to fill in the holes she needed answers to.

Bella's eyes looked occasionally towards the small villa and wondered if Gavin had awoken yet, but she happily continued chatting in Italian as she finished her brunch - laughing with Stella at Carmella's tales of the people whose blood ran in the stones of this island.  At some point into her second cup of coffee, Bella managed to disclose her hopes of becoming with child on this trip and the elderly woman immediately took off the necklace she was wearing to put it around Bella's neck.

It was a simple chain and upon it was a red talisman, a slender twisted looking item that made it appear like a spicy pepper.  Bella arched an eyebrow, "What is this?"  She asked the old woman who was now standing beside her.

"Cornicello."  Bella knew it translated to little horn, but she'd never seen something like it before, nor did she understand what it meant.  Carmella explained, "It is to protect you against evil.  Your husband should wear it when you are with him, this will help you conceive the child.  Then you should wear it to protect you and the baby.  My gift to you and your family."

Bella didn't know if the little horn would make much of a difference, Gavin would surely think it silly, but she couldn't see where it would hurt and it would be rude to reject a gift. 

"Thank you."  Bella said kissing the little item and putting it into her robe against her skin.

The elderly woman then made her farewell to all, retiring back into the main house.

"Well, I should probably go get dressed and see to Gavin.  He won't want to sleep all day."  She stood up.  "Thank you for the lovely brunch.  I'll see you in just a bit... okay?"  With that Bella headed back down to the villa to see if Gavin was awake yet.

Gavin was sleeping on his stomach, his hand folded and his head resting on the crook of one of his forearms. As always, he slept shirtless, and his tanned, scarred skin made a strong contrast with the bright white sheets. His other arm had seemingly been flung out toward where Bella had slept and remained there. 

At the sight of him laying there, her robe was in a pile on the floor.  Knowing what a light sleeper he was, she decided not to catch him unaware.  Kneeling at the side of the bed where she had been sleeping, she whispered, "The day is getting away from us my sweet, Wolf."

Blue eyes opened instantly, wide and alert, prepared for the worst.  There was always this hint of panic when he woke, even after all these years.  The twitch of his hand for a gun, whether it was near him or not.  She wondered if his father haunted his sleep, or if it was the nature of the work he engaged in.  He was a man who killed for a living... it would seem reasonable that he feared going out of the world as he sent so many others.

Recognition.

"Do you want to keep sleeping?"  She asked.

Once he saw her, knew what was happening and where he was, she watched his body relax.  His gaze softened, and that smirk of his grow on his face as all of his muscles slowly came to life ready for whatever might happen next. 

Bella silently admired Gavin as he yawned and stretched.  He was getting older, whispers of time passing could be seen on his face, but he wore it so well.  His maturity wasn't a decline in his magnificence, it had only enhanced him.  As wine improved with age - so too had her Wolf.  He was powerful, dangerous, and hers. 

She found herself mirroring his smirk right back at him.  Dressed in a thin purple negligee of silk, Bella crawled on all fours into the middle of the bed. Gavin propped himself up slightly, folding his arms behind his head so that he could watch her work. 

"Well," He chuckled.  "If you insist."

"I do."  She said, eyes locked upon him.  It was the last thing she was able to say for several minutes.

Exposed to a gentle breeze coming in through the open window and sunlight spilling warm over his skin, Gavin relished being the subject of his wife's worship.  Only once it became too much to bear, did Bella crawl up his body, removing the necklace she'd been given by Carmella earlier.  Wordlessly she slid it over his head as she settled into position. 

Focused on his wife, the question of the necklace wasn't one that needed to be asked at least until she finally slid off of his midsection, struggling to catch her breath and kissing his chest as she snuggled into the crook of his arm.  Gavin picked up the small horn made of red coral and looked at it before asking, "A gift?"

"For both of us."  she said.  "From Carmella.  Would you put it on me?"

"What is it?"

"A little horn." She chuckled realizing how appropriate a name that was.  "Suppose to help conceive a child if worn by the father during the act. and then protect the baby and mother when worn by her.  Italian superstition, but when a woman like Carmella gives you a gift and tells you what to do with it... well, it would be rude not to.  Besides, I didn't see the harm in hedging our bets a bit."

She kissed Gavin's chest again.

"You missed brunch.  It was every bit what Stella said it would be, but I'm sure we can whip up a little something for you before we head out today.  I was thinking of taking us out to visit the DiCaprio family ... then maybe visit town.  Do some shopping for Aurora's gift?  Maybe tomorrow we could go horseback riding, fishing or... if you're not worried about trudging around the woods with me, maybe you could take me out to the woods and show me a little about hunting since I've never done it before?"

Gavin smirked.

"Well, if you want me to be a little horny, who am I to argue with you? I hope you don't have to believe in it for it to work. Sorry for missing brunch. Didn't sleep much the night before... but I'm feeling rested now. And hunting sounds... interesting.  But fun, like all those things... as long as today starts with me hunting brunch."

A few minutes later, after a brief shower, Gavin was dressed in pants, boots, and a dress shirt more open than usual. Putting on his shoulder holster, he sighed as he looked at his jacket and slipped it on. 

"So what have you been up to this morning? Been awake long?"

"I've been up a few hours now.  When you didn't wake up this morning, I decided to go have breakfast with Stella and some of the family.  We chatted a bit about life back home and the families of Sicily... and Stella and I spoke about her worries for you."

Bella had dressed in another tea-style summer dress, this time of a soft yellow.  She was putting her hair up as she continued to speak, "Apparently she didn't reach out to you sooner because, well, she felt intense guilt about you feeling guilt over what happened to her."

She shook her head, "I normally wouldn't speak for you, but I told her that maybe she was barking up the wrong tree hoping to relieve you of your feelings of responsibility.  I explained that more than likely your feelings on the matter weren't going to be changed, that they served a purpose to you, and they weren't affecting you as horribly as she feared." 

Bella looked in the mirror, satisfied she looked her best.

"In fact, and I didn't spell this out to her, but I think I should count myself fortunate that you two didn't find the good sense to talk out your fears about how your presence affected one another... otherwise it might be Stella who you were here trying to conceive a child with."

She turned and smiled at Gavin.

"She's a lovely woman, smart, kind-hearted, tough as hell... I'm glad I didn't have to compete with her for your attention the way you had to best William."  

She smirked and walked towards Gavin.

"I would have won, of course, but not without a blow or two to my ego I'm sure."  

She kissed him, a gentle peck.

"Anyway, she seems to understand better now and I think she feels less uncomfortable.  At least, I think by her response that she seems to feel better and I'm glad for it."

Gavin frowned about the guilt over feeling guilt business, but stayed quiet for a while as he listened to Bella. Eventually, he spoke.

"I'm glad you talked to her.  And as strange as it is, I always thought the two of you would get along. Just weird before. Now... well, I'm glad it's happening. And I'm glad she's feeling better- thanks for talking to her."

He smirked slightly.

"But yea, if you'd met in a manner similar to Will and I... well, who knows what would have happened?"

He shrugged.

"Maybe you and I would have wound up together. Or maybe not if-"

He caught her glare in the mirror as he continued as planned.

"- you and Stella decided to run off together. Did you mention something about food?"

There was a knock at the door.  Bella, made for it talking as she walked,  "I like you Gavin Byrne... don't make me think about how best to hide your body.  I may be Catholic and not like divorces but there are a LOT of swamps back home that no cop will ever go draining." 

Before opening the door she gave Gavin a wink, obviously joking.  Then, she startled at Gavin's apparent precognition.  "Unbelievable... it seems brunch has come to you."  She said allowing a few ladies from the main house to bring in a small sampling of the giant spread.

Bella looked at the ladies and in Italian told them, "Thank you so much!"

She looked to Gavin, "Stop in to chat with Stella about our plans for the day before we run off, I assume?"

Gavin, mouth full, nodded.

Bella smiled at the women and added, "Would you please tell Stella that once Gavin is done eating we'll head up to the main house and chat with her about our plans for the day."

The women agreed to deliver her message and left Gavin and her alone again.

"It's not weird that you feel that way, not to me at least."  She sat down across from Gavin. 

"It's how I felt about you and William."  She said gently.  "One thing set in a different way and my whole life might have been different.  For as strong as we are together, I realize how fragile this thing we've built really has been all these years... and how utterly priceless it is to me.  I'm going to spend the rest of my life protecting it."

"Which I now understand is different than just being jealous of every pretty girl who knows what it's like to be with you."  She smiled.  "Stella... I'm happy to talk to and I'll be there for her, come what may.  Like Will, she's our family.  No matter what happens to you... please know that.  I will keep Stella close.  We'll look out for each other."

Bella chuckled.  "We're strange birds, you and me.  But I like our kind of strange."