Page 10 of Vows of Conviction
Outrage covered Stefan's face.“You fucking assholes.You're telling me that you interrupted our honeymoon.”He pointed upstairs.“Because your women were—worried?”
Nick stepped in.“Giselle’s in a delicate state.”He leveled his gaze at Stefan and set his hand on Stefan's shoulder.“You can clearly see that.It's not good to have her agitated.So, yes, we decided to bring them to you.So they could see for themselves.”
I mean, I could understand how mad Stefan was right now.Totally.
But—I also found it pretty sweet that Nick and Carlo had devised a plan to give Giselle and Eve what they wanted.“That's all kinds of fucked up,” Stefan shot back at them.
I turned to Stefan and bit my lip.“It is.”I looked up into his very angry eyes.“But they had good intentions.You have to admit.And if going to their house now will make Giselle more comfortable—then that's what we should do.”I hoped I could convince him, but I really didn't hold much hope for that.Stefan was—mad.
Really, really mad.
“We're not moving out of our house to move into Carlo's.That's insane!”
I shrugged and said, “So what?Who cares what it is?As long as it helps Giselle—and the kids.That's what's important right now.”In a calm voice, I said, “We should go there to help Giselle.”Then I walked around him and hurried up the stairs to pack.
5
Francesca
Carlo and Giselle's place was beautiful.And while it wasn't as big as Stefan's castle—it was still huge.
It took us all a while to unpack the kids and get everyone sort of settled.
Carlo announced that he'd called the nanny service.Giselle fought him tooth and nail on it, but Nick stepped in and calmly said, “We were up all night, Giselle.Might I remind you that includes Francesca, too.Francesca, who's supposed to be on her honeymoon.Helping out is one thing—but twenty-four-seven care is something completely different.We're getting some nannies in here to help.Not to take over.”He emphasized that part.“Just to help and be the extra sets of hands we need right now.”
Then Giselle burst into tears and apologized profusely to me for ruining my honeymoon.
Poor Giselle.
This baby needed to come.
And soon.
Anyway, the nannies eventually arrived.All three of them.Eve and Giselle spent hours with them, discussing the kids and giving instructions on each one of them.
They also showed them to the guest house next door.It was considerably smaller, but the kids all had rooms there, too.Apparently, sometimes the kids had stayed there in the past with other nannies.
It seemed a little odd to me.But I hadn't exactly grown up rich.I'd never even seen a nanny before.Especially not professional, high-brow ones like these.They even wore uniforms.
But what really surprised me the most was that these parents would give up control over their kids.They all seemed very hands-on.
But, on the other hand, they did have the money to pay for excellent services to help them out.
And Nick had been right—we were all exhausted.
So, why not get some assistance when you needed it?
Giselle wouldn't look at Stefan, let alone speak to him.I felt bad for both of them.
Carlo and Giselle had yet another fight.This one was at the supper table.Over something stupid.Then Giselle ended up using the term “baby mama” again.Of course, that just ticked Carlo off even more.
Ugh.
Giselle stormed off, and I didn't see her for the rest of the evening.Which was probably a good thing.Maybe she was getting some rest.Nick started helping me clean the kitchen while Eve went up to check on Giselle.But I asked him to take Stefan out somewhere.I could tell he was still on edge after what happened with Dani.And Giselle not speaking to him probably wasn't helping.
“You're a good woman, Francesca,” Nick said.He gave me a hug, squeezing me tight.Before he let me go—he kissed my lips.
“Are you kissing my wife again, Nick?”Stefan's voice trailed into the kitchen, making me jump and try to push Nick away.But he wouldn't budge.
