Chapter 121
Massimo
“Honey I’m home” “I’m in the lounge” Bella called out. I entered the lounge and was stunned by the huge Christmas tree, Christmas stockings and nut crackers. “What do you think?” Bella asked excited. “It’s big” “You don’t like it.” Bella excitement disappeared “Come here sweetheart.” She walked over to me right into my arms. I gave her a kiss on the head. “It’s just something to get used to, I’ve never had a Christmas tree in my apartment. How did you set it up, it looks heavy and the nut crackers.” “Marco helped.” “Good, how are you feeling?” “Better, I only got sick once today and I could keep down Starbucks, Hazelnut Ice Latte and Bianca went to the chemist and got me suckers that helps her, so far so good. Your mom was here she brought you lasagne and chicken soup for me.” “Ah that’s sweet of mom.” “Yes, it is.” “And I’m glad you getting along with Bianca.” “I was to soon to judge, one of my many flaws.” “You don’t have flaws Bella.” “Yes, I do. Come I want to show you something.” She took me to the kitchen and there was another Christmas tree, a small one but still, isn’t one enough. I sound like a Grinch. “This tree has meaning, let me show you, this is an espresso cup, for all the espresso’s you came to drink at the coffee shop, the tequila bottle was the night I went out with Carl and his friends but came home with you. A pancake for the first breakfast you made me, pizza slice because we both like pizza, Starbucks cup, because I love Starbucks and you love coffee, Pasta for your heritage, a croissant and macaroon that symbolise our trip to Paris, a champagne glass because you like celebrating with champagne, the cupcake don’t have any meaning but who doesn’t like a cupcake, a strawberry for that night.” I interrupted her “what night Bella?” I asked her with a sly smile on my face and she went bright red. “I hope there is a Rudolph the red nose reindeer on the other tree, to go with your red face.” “There is not, but I’ll go and buy one.” She said irritated. “I’m only teasing Bella. You have a temper when you not feeling well, I’ll need to remember that.” “I do not.” “Whatever you say Bella. Go on.” “Here’s a pickle, because apparently any food tree needs a pickle, then we have a Gingerbread man on top to symbolise Christmas and some candy cane.” “It’s beautiful Bella and you put so much thought into it, I love it.” “Really?” “Yes, really sweetheart. Now let’s eat I’m hungry the meeting was a nightmare but a good thing to, I want to hear your thoughts over dinner, if that’s okay with you?” “Off course Massimo.”
I warmed our food and felt lucky and made Bella a slice of bread to go with the soup, hopefully she could keep it down. I could see she was still not herself but she looked so excited about all the decorations. Bella was sitting in front of the fire place looking at the tree when I entered with our food. “You still in your suit Massimo, let’s go sit at the table.” “This is fine Bella; I’ll just pull the table closer to us. And I like the view, the Christmas tree is growing on me especially with that backdrop.” “That’s why I chose that spot Massimo I thought about how beautiful it will look when it snows.” “It will look spectacular, but where is the top?” “I waited for you to the honour.” “Ah Thank you Bella, now eat before it get’s cold, I made you a slice of bread as well, hopefully you’ll be able to keep it down.” “Thank you, Massimo.”
Rachel
I couldn’t believe I got so irritated with Massimo so quickly. Yes, it’s his first Christmas tree, but couldn’t he pretend he liked it and the comment about the strawberry, he knew exactly which night it was referring to. I’ll need to get my temper under control. Maybe he was right and it was just because I felt like crap. I’m sure it was. I took a sip of my soup, it was delicious. That’s when I realised how hungry I was. I dip a piece of bread into the soup and it tasted like heaven on earth. I really hope I can keep this down; it would be a shame to let this go to waste. “You like the soup, Bella?” “It’s delicious, I think I should ask your mom to make me more.” “That delicious.” “Yes Massimo.” “Mom made it for me when I was sick, she still does when I get a cold.” “That’s very sweet of her.” “She tells me she’ll always be my mom no matter how old I get.” “That’s very sweet of her, my mom couldn’t wait for us to get out of the house and make our own lives.” “No, my mom wanted me with them for as long as possible, it’s probable an Italian thing. I think that’s one of the reasons I have a office at the restaurant. To be able to see them every day.” “That’s very sweet of you Massimo. I’ve got a question?” “I’m listening” What do you do on Christmas day as a family?” “My mom normally cooks for us and I go to their place for lunch.” “And the 24th?” “We don’t do anything on the 24th, why?” “I thought we could have dinner here on the 24th even if it’s just snacks. It’s something we normally did in South Africa with family, we come together to braai.” “Braai?” He struggling to say it.” “Sorry Massimo in America you call it barbecue in Australia it’s called a barbie.” “I get the idea Bella. Then why do you want to do snacks, let’s have a braai. It would be something new for my family and I’m sure my parents would love to experience something different.” “But you don’t have a something to do a barbecue on?” “Will a gas barbecue work?” “Yes, off course. It wouldn’t be a traditional braai, but it will work.” “Good then I’ll go and buy one.” “Thank you, Massimo, we can even invite your men, they are like family are they not.” “Yes, off course they are.” “But don’t you give them off to celebrate with their families.” “Most of my men don’t have family in New York and if you do the work they do, there’s no off days.” “Understandable. You made me very happy Massimo. I thought I might get home sick over the holidays but I don’t think I will.” “I’m very proud of you Bella.” “Why?” “You finished your soup.” I looked down and yes I finished my soup. “Let’s hope I can keep it down.” “If you keep it down its definitely a start in the right direction.” “I agree.” Massimo finished his lasagne, then took our plates to the kitchen. When he got back, I asked him, “Will you put the finishing touch on the Christmas tree Massimo.” “Off course Bella.” “I spend more money on the angel, I thought it could be the angel we put every year on our tree, with our children one day. Then we can tell them it was our first Christmas decoration for our first Christmas together.” “You put a lot of thought into the decoration’s sweetheart, thank you. I’m sorry I was so socked.” “No need, now put the Angel on.” He put the Angel on the tree and it was perfect.
“It’s perfect sweetheart.” “Yes, it is.”
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