Ciao Bellezza,

Here's the twenty-nineth installation of Italian Coffee House.

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Ang

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Niccolò's Chocolate House

Chapter 29

*Dari*

I was given a magnificent view of Niccolo's derriere as I paused to gather my breath. It's not what you think. Dr. Henrique had advised that it was best for the baby and me if I engage in exercise, nothing too extreme or tedious, just enough for circulation, fresh air, to keep me fit and the baby active. The first few weeks after our appointment it became evident how right she was at least in my case. To call me unfit would be understating a bit. Initially, I couldn't go farther that ten minutes without catch my breath. However, Niccolò being a good Samaritan and the father of my unborn child, took it upon himself to help me gradually overcome it.

How could he look so appealing and we were only doing the most basic of actions known to our species? Running. Yet he did it effortlessly and with the grace of a swan while I was hacking, in an attempt to retain my breath, like the last person a coach would allow to play a game. Gosh why was it easier to have a seat on the couch rather than do something proactive to a healthy lifestyle. Striking out had been on my mind the first five minutes of our fitness journey together but the thought of Papa helped me to stay in my lane to keep me in check as well as assurances from Niccolò.

Papa's speedy recovery was such an inspiration that if I was uncertain before there was no doubt in my mind that anything was possible. He had improved so much that Josie allowed him to walk around with the aid of a cane and all in the space of two meager months. If he could achieve that, and in such an impressive time frame, then I was more than capable of going ten minutes without the need to take a break. Wasn't I?

"Come on Bella," Niccolò called from in front of me as I bowed my head heavingy pressing my hands against my knees to give myself an anchor. "I know you can do better."

"Just gimme ... one second," I pleaded holding up my forefinger as my laboring breath return to its normal range. That was easy for him to say, even before I came along I was fairly certain that he did this sort of thing every other day. His endurance was astounding and now it wasn't such a surprise that he wasn't as spent as I was when we were making love. Gosh just how pathetic could I be? Even sexually, I was unfit. Well that wasn't necessarily my fault as it was Nicky's.

I found the strength to look up again noting that my babysitter, Luciano, or bodyguard as Niccolò so formally referred to him stood only a few feet away. Though he scanned the surroundings every thirty seconds, I was certain by the look on his face that he tried his best to stifle a laugh. Finally standing erected, I jogged over to my husband, closing the distance between us to see his icy blue eyes alight with humor at my expense. At the moment, he jogged on the spot and I was ready to walk passed him when he caught my hand.

"Baby, I'm sorry," He cooed, trying to break down my defenses only his charms seemed to build them up again.

"What's that saying? He who laughs last ..." I allowed my words to hang in the air as my meaning dawned on him, wiping that sexy smile completely off his face.

Believe me I was laughing on the inside, almost hysterically, at the thought that I could affect him just as easily as he could affect me. His laughter seemed to fuel my resolve, enabling me to accomplish what I'd set out to do when I woke up this morning. I was able to go ten minutes, pacing myself so that there was no immediate need to pause. Once Niccolò and I were finished with our morning run, Luciano escorted us to the black Jaguar that had on standby as a security measure for the duration of our exercise. Niccolo held the door open for me helping me inside before he sat beside me.

"What if our son becomes an athlete?" Niccolò began, prompting me to cast a questioning look up at him. One of his hands caressed my belly again, rubbing gentle circles over the area therapeutically, while the other circled my waist holding me close.

"Just as long as it's nothing dangerous, I don't want to have to be rushing to the hospital every other day." My response may have been intended as sarcasm but in all honesty, the baby wasn't even born yet and I knew that I would worry after him.

"What if it is?" He inquired, kissing my forehead before gazing into my eyes.

"Then someone's going to get hurt," He chuckled at my meaning though I knew he might consider the same, God forbid our baby suffers some kind of ghastly injury in his late teens.

"Is that so?" He challenged cocking an eyebrow even as a sexy grin played on his tantalizing lips.

"Is it wrong to think that. Gosh, it is and yet I feel like I'll turn into a full fledged spartan warrior for our baby." The thought alone was enough to coaxed a chorused fit of laughter from us both.

"Nice picture you drew there," He chuckled, caressing my cheek with his fingertips before pulling me in for a kiss. Slow, sultry and sweet came to mind at the torture he was doing to me. His hand tenderly grazed over my skin to the back of my neck, pulling me closer as his lips kneaded into mine. It didn't matter that we were sweaty or that I was still trying to catch my breath from our run. All that matter in this moment was that I wanted to be closer to him. The car rolled to a stop sticking a pin in our moment much to my dismay. "We're here."

Niccolò reluctantly pulled away, pecking my lips briefly before pressing a kiss on my nose. He met my gaze as I marveled at the potency of our bond. It grew with every second. Sure, we weren't like those couples that finished each others sentences but I couldn't deny that there was something there. Something that couldn't be counterfeited. It was genuine and raw at times but I wouldn't have it any other way. It took a while for his words and their meaning to register. What could I say? That smoldering look combined with his signature sexy grin was enough to make any woman positively lightheaded, even weak in the knees, and I was no exception.

There was a quaint little cafe, near the park, we liked to visit after working up a good sweat. Where food was weighed against the body mass of its customers to promote a proactive and healthy lifestyle in an almost toxic era. Niccolò had suggested we swing by there one morning and I teased him that he'd been holding out on me. Very quickly, I'd developed a liking to the way they prepared the food and more importantly the cafe's owner, Shannon Feathers. She was adamant that her customers enjoy eating right and in all honesty I did. The atmosphere was always pleasant, the staff was courteous and the food was better than I'd imagined. Best of all, I couldn't deny that I liked coming here with Niccolò. Just the two of us, and well the babysitter.

Speaking of, Luciano held the door open for us while Niccolò helped me out of the vehicle. He placed an arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer as my arm circled his waist, hugging him close. What can I say? Couples that sweat together ... stay together. Niccolò was thrilled that I took the initiative to eat better for the baby and for my overall health. When we'd met, I wasn't exactly thriving so this might seem simple but it was a big deal.

The smell of healthy goodness caused my stomach to react in a frenzy upon entering the cafe. Thank God its rumbling wasn't audible enough to draw attention from the other customers because that would've been beyond embarrassing. The dining area was almost void of people, except there was a couple who ate quietly at a table near the window and a girl, probably in her late teens, who looked through the newspapers. It didn't surprise me in the least. Two months ago, I'd been in my bed, cozying up to my pillow, rather than be out here this hour. Niccolò's hand moved over my back and to my waist as we approached the attending clerk.

"Right on schedule," Shannon chimed, appearing from the back where the kitchen was situated.

"Good morning, Shannon. Man am I happy to see you." Niccolò squeezed my side in understanding of my hidden meaning.

"Good morning. Is this guy giving you any trouble?" She chuckled, tilting her head in his direction.

"I say there's no better way to keep her interested." Niccolò leaned in, placing a kiss on my forehead as I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"I'll take your word for it." She indicated to the clerk that she would take care of us before he disappeared in the back. "So what will it be today?"

"A punch for me-" I began.

"-And me," He added.

Shannon added half a cup of cubed mango, an eighth cup of cubed pineapple, an eighth cup of cranberries, quarter cup of apple juice and a dash of nutmeg together with ice in the blender and turned on the machine as I stood by in awe watching the components come together. After about three minutes, She turned off the blender before pouring my punch into glass and followed the same procedure for Niccolò only she added strawberries instead. I found it cute that he liked strawberries and even teased him about it the very first time he'd brought me here. Niccolò paid for our drinks and I thanked her before we found a table for two at the window.

I took a sip of my mango mayhem through the umbrella straw, moaning at how good it tasted. Niccolò observed me with hooded eyes while taking a bite out of one of the two whole grain banana muffins he'd bought for us. My feet found his under the table as I was feeling especially naughty at the moment. One of his eyebrows arched in question as if he was challenging my actions. Gosh it had crossed my mind to ask Shannon if she made deliveries but then I thought what did I have a husband for.

"I think our little Casimiro is going to love mango." He chuckled as I set my glass on the table. "Would you like to try some?"

"Ok but I'm not sharing," He replied, bringing a smile to my lips as I narrowed my eyes at him.

"Funny," I added sarcastically. Niccolò took a sip of my drink and his cringed but I thought he might have been faking it. "What human being on the face of the earth doesn't like mango?"

"I sure don't!" He quickly drank some of his strawberry to distort the taste and I rolled my eyes at his antics.

"Oh please, no offense but you might just be an alien babe." I giggled, snatching his muffin and taking a bite before returning it to him. He narrowed his eyes at me but it didn't have much of an effect on me considering I'd become familiar with his tricks.

"Am I interrupting?" I never could understand why someone would ask such a question if it wasn't obvious enough that they were.

I drank up some of the fruity goodness while turning to see who could be bold enough to attempt such a thing and I near choked on its contents when the revelation dawned. Niccolo's mother. Man did this woman have a habit up popping up where she didn't belong and destroying a perfectly good moment. The look on Niccolo's expression said it all even as I coughed to clear my passage as best as I could. He stood from his seat to assist me, tapping me gently on the back while she commandeered his chair. Shannon approached us but not before Luciano looked to Niccolo for a non-verbal confirmation that things were under control.

"Is something wrong with the punch?" Shannon asked concern evident in her voice.

"No but can you please bring her some water?" The agitation in his tone caught my ear but probably because I spent so much time with him.

"Of course," She left quickly at Niccolo's requested.

"Che cosa ci fai qui, mamma?" He wasted no time after Shannon left to fetch the water. I'm almost certain if given a choice, he'd never want to see his mother again but then what did I know? We never actually talked about it after that night we came home from the banquet. (What are you doing here, mother?)

"Cambia tono di voce ragazzo. Sono ancora tua madre!" I didn't have much experience what a mother was like but her voice was like an arrowhead laced with venom, if that even made any sense, though she hid it so well. She tried her best to mask it with a plastic smile. Thankfully Shannon had returned with a glass of water so I drank some at once. (Watch your tone boy. I am still your mother!)

"Cosa ci fai qui?" My Italian hadn't improved much since she'd last appeared in our life but I could tell that Niccolo was questioning her. I supposed it was only fair considering she intruded on a perfectly blissful breakfast with my husband. She hadn't been here long and was already an inconvenience. His mother had better cut the crap and fast. The sooner she was out of here, the better for us. (What are you doing here?)

"Per vedere il mio famoso/celebre figlio. Ho sentito dai miei amici del ristorante, dicono che la lista d'attesa per le prenotazioni è lunga quasi un miglio." His mother replied, sporting another of her rehearsed smiles. His hands sat lightly on my shoulder helping to put me at ease though I was certain it should be me who did that for him. (Why to see my renowned son of course. I've heard about the restaurant from my friends. They say the waiting list for a reservation is almost a mile long.)

"Non c'è niente di cui discutere perché!" (There's nothing to discuss!)

"Intendo chiedere la custodia di tua sorella. ( I intend to get custody of your sister.) She scoffed, glancing at her fingernails in disinterest of what her son had to say. As though bored or somehow unaffected by it. God please help me not to sin in the situation. I was tempted to reach over the table at her. However, something told me though it might feel good for a moment that it might escalate things. No ... I would be a good girl, sip on my punch and let my husband handle this.

Their coded conversation became a blur as I tried to think of positive, more important things in my life. Well, I almost squealed in excitement as one thought in particular came to mind. Thursday, Niccolo and I planned to visit Dr. Henrique's to have her do an ultrasound. As to be expected, I was a bit nervous but she had reassured me that it would be a quick and painless process. That if anything, I would be odd. He was so convinced that we were having a boy that I couldn't bare the thought of the results being anything but.

"Per favore mamma, credimi." (Please mother. Give me some credit.) Niccolo grew irritable, snatching me from the light which the near future presented, as his grip tightened around my collar bone. At once my hand met one of his intertwining fingers and it wasn't long before he loosened his vice-like grip. "Qual'è il vero motivo per cui sei qui? (Why are you really here?)

It was clear just how annoyed he was at the moment. I know there wasn't much that could be done to alter his current mood but an idea struck and I hoped it would work well enough on him as it did on me. As he'd done for me countless times before, I applied pressure in my fingertips gently rubbing into the back of his hand where he held mine. A moment passed before he returned the favor signalling that he was better now. At least, that's what I hoped. The conversation blurred again and this time I thought about what we could do for Papa's birthday which also happened to be Thursday. I didn't tell him about the pregnancy yet. Besides, Tey and Dr. Henrique no one else knew. I planned to tell him I just didn't know how.

"Non è finita qui,," (This isn't over) His mother stood from the chair at our table finally looking at me for the first time since she'd arrived. I might've considered that she was rude before, however by the look she gave me, I'd have been better off if she didn't know I existed. I could hear the church bells ringing in my head as she left the cafe and Niccolo returned to his seat.

"Is everything alright baby?" I reached for his hand in what I could only hope would provide some sort of comfort. His caressed my hand with his thumb as he squeezed it gently and a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes appeared on his face.

"Don't worry about it, Bella," He kissed the back of my hand and I knew it was his attempt to soothe my woes.

*END of Chapter Twenty-nine*