275

275
Emilia’s POV
I needed a break.
Desperately.
Between Alaric’s mood swings, the tension in the house, and the unshakable feeling that something was being kept from me, I was losing my mind. And I knew Rosa could sense it too because she was the one who suggested this trip.
“Two days,” she had said, grinning as she packed a bag in my room while I sat on the bed, watching her like she had lost it. “No men. No stress. Just me, you, and Francesca.”
I had hesitated at first. Leaving Alaric like this felt… wrong. But what was I even staying for? To keep watching him glare at his phone and snap at Allesio without telling me why?
So here we were, driving up the coast, Francesca singing along to whatever pop song was playing on the radio while Rosa handled the wheel with her usual confidence.
I sighed, leaning my head against the window as the salty breeze from the ocean drifted into the car.
“Okay, spill,” Rosa said, shooting me a glance.
I frowned. “Spill what?”
“Whatever it is that’s been making you look like a kicked puppy for the past week.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t look like a kicked puppy.”
Rosa snorted. “Right. And I’m a nun.”
Francesca giggled from the backseat. “You’re not a nun, Auntie Rosa.”
“Exactly, sweetheart.” Rosa smirked before turning her attention back to me. “Now, talk.”
I hesitated. I hadn’t told her much, but I knew Rosa. She didn’t miss a thing.
“It’s Alaric,” I admitted finally.
Rosa hummed knowingly. “What did he do now?”
“That’s the thing. I don’t know,” I said, frustrated. “He won’t talk to me. He’s mad at Allesio, but he won’t tell me why. And he’s just… tense. More than usual.”
Rosa nodded slowly. “Sounds like Alaric.”
“Right?” I exhaled. “And I don’t want to push, but it’s like he’s shutting me out.”
“Have you tried forcing him to talk?”
I gave her a dry look. “You mean like cornering him and demanding answers?”
“Yes.”
I groaned. “Rosa, that never works with him.”
She smirked. “Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. He needs a kick in the ass sometimes.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “I just wish he’d trust me.”
Rosa reached over and squeezed my knee. “He does. But Alaric’s an idiot. A stubborn, broody idiot.”
“That’s what I keep telling him,” I muttered.
Francesca, who had been quietly watching the ocean, suddenly piped up. “Daddy is sad.”
Rosa and I both turned to look at her.
“What do you mean, sweetheart?” I asked gently.
She played with the hem of her dress. “He looks sad. But he doesn’t say it.”
My heart squeezed. Francesca was only three, but she was sharp-too sharp.
I reached back and ran my fingers through her soft curls. “Don’t worry, baby. Daddy will be okay.”
Francesca nodded, but I could see the worry in her little face.
Rosa sighed. “Well, if this isn’t depressing.”
I snorted. “You’re the one who asked.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Rosa waved me off. “Okay, enough brooding. We are on a trip to relax, which means no more talking about your grumpy fiance.”
I smiled. “Deal.”
“Good.” Rosa smirked. “Now, let’s get to the fun part.”
The beach house Rosa rented was breathtaking.
It was secluded, sitting right by the ocean, with massive windows that let the sunlight pour in. Francesca was already bouncing on the couch, excitedly pointing at everything.
“I want to swim!” she announced.
Rosa grinned. “Then let’s get you in a swimsuit, princess.”
Francesca gasped. “Really?”
“Really.”
She squealed, running straight to me. “Mommy, can I?”
I smiled, brushing a curl out of her face. “Of course, baby.”
Rosa winked. “You too, Emilia. No sulking allowed.”
I rolled my eyes but grabbed my bag, heading toward the bedroom to change.
The water was perfect.
Francesca was splashing around in her little floaties, giggling as Rosa made ridiculous faces at her. I sat in the shallow end, letting the waves wash over my legs, enjoying the feeling of the sun on my skin.
It had been so long since I had let myself relax.
“See?” Rosa flopped down beside me. “This is what you needed.”
I sighed contentedly. “Yeah. You were right.”
She grinned. “I always am.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t argue.
Francesca waddled over, plopping herself between us. “I like the beach.”
I smiled. “Me too, baby.”
She giggled and clapped her hands. “Daddy should come next time!”
I tensed slightly but forced a smile. “Maybe.”
Rosa shot me a look but didn’t comment. Instead, she flopped onto her back and stretched. “Alright, after this, we are getting drinks.”
I laughed. “Francesca can’t drink.”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously, I meant us.”
Francesca giggled. “Auntie Rosa is silly.”
“That’s why we love her,” I said, flicking water at Rosa.
She gasped dramatically. “Betrayal!”
Francesca laughed as Rosa tackled me into the water, and for the first time in weeks, I felt… happy.
At night, after Francesca was asleep, Rosa and I sat on the patio, sipping wine and watching the waves.
“So,” Rosa said, tilting her glass, “are you going to ask Alaric what’s going on when you get back?”
I sighed, swirling my wine. “I don’t know. I want to. But I also don’t want to start a fight.”
“Then don’t start a fight. Just ask.”
I gave her a look. “It’s not that simple with him.”
Rosa smirked. “Then make it simple.”
I groaned. “You make it sound easy.”
She shrugged. “Because it is. You just have to be stubborn.”
I chuckled. “Like you?”
“Exactly.”
I shook my head but smiled. “I’ll talk to him. Eventually.”
Rosa grinned. “Good. And if he doesn’t talk, I’ll beat it out of him.”
I laughed. “Please don’t.”
“No promises.”
I sighed, leaning back. “Thanks, Rosa. For dragging me out here.”
She winked. “Anytime, babe.”
The next morning, I woke up to Francesca bouncing on the bed, her curls wild and her eyes shining with excitement.
“Mommy! Wake up! Auntie Rosa says we’re going to eat pancakes!”
I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head. “Five more minutes, baby.”
“Nooo,” she whined, giggling as she tugged at the blanket. “Come on, Mommy!”
Before I could protest, Rosa’s voice rang from the doorway. “Get up, lazy ass! I found a cute little breakfast spot by the beach, and we are going.”
I peeked out from under the pillow. “Can’t we just eat here?”
Rosa scoffed. “Nope. I need real coffee, and you need to stop sulking over your broody fiance.”
I sighed. “I’m not sulking.”
“You totally are,” Rosa said, grinning. “Now, up. Or I’m dumping ice water on you.”
Francesca gasped, eyes wide. “Auntie Rosa, that’s mean!”
“Exactly!” I agreed, sitting up and pulling Francesca into my lap. “She’s a menace.”
Rosa smirked. “And proud of it. Now move.”
The cafe was perfect-a cozy little place with a view of the ocean, the scent of fresh coffee and cinnamon filling the air. Francesca was happily munching on pancakes, her cheeks covered in syrup, while Rosa and I sipped our lattes.
“This,” Rosa said, stretching, “is heaven.”
I smiled, stirring my coffee. “It really is.”
She shot me a look. “You sound surprised.”
“I just… I don’t remember the last time I felt this relaxed.”
Rosa nodded knowingly. “That’s because you’re always in survival mode with Alaric.”
I frowned. “That’s not true.”
Rosa raised an eyebrow. “Really? When was the last time you did something just for you? No worrying about Alaric, no dealing with Francesca, just you?”
I opened my mouth-then closed it.
Rosa smirked. “Exactly.”
I sighed, taking a sip of coffee. “Okay, maybe you have a point.”
“Of course I do,” she said smugly. “That’s why you have me-to remind you that you’re still a person outside of being Alaric’s fiancee and Francesca’s mom.”
I smiled, feeling warmth spread in my chest. “Thanks, Rosa.”
She winked. “Now, let’s talk about something fun. Like shopping.”
Francesca perked up. “I want a new dress!”
Rosa gasped dramatically. “Then we shall find you the prettiest dress in the whole world, princess!”
Francesca clapped her hands. “Yay!”
I laughed, shaking my head. “You’re spoiling her.”
Rosa grinned. “That’s my job.”
The rest of the day was spent shopping, eating ice cream, and chasing Francesca along the shore, and then more shopping.
After shopping, we stopped by a beachside boutique that sold handmade jewelry and souvenirs. Francesca was immediately drawn to a display of seashell bracelets, her tiny fingers tracing over the colorful beads.
“Mommy, look!” she squealed, holding up a bracelet with tiny pearls and a silver starfish charm. “Can I have this one?”
I smiled, taking it from her hands. “It’s beautiful, baby.”
Rosa leaned over, inspecting the bracelet. “It’s perfect for our little princess. Get it for her.”
The store clerk, an older woman with kind eyes, smiled at us. “It’s made from real ocean pearls. Good luck charms, too.”
Francesca gasped. “Really?”
The woman nodded. “Legend says they protect those who wear them.”
Francesca turned to me, her eyes pleading. “Mommy, please?”
I chuckled, ruffling her curls. “Of course, sweetheart.”
As I paid, Rosa wandered off, examining the rings on display. “Hey, Em, look at this.”
I turned and saw her holding up a delicate gold ring with a tiny sapphire in the center.
“It’s pretty,” I said, admiring the way it shimmered under the light.
“You should get it,” Rosa said. “A little gift for yourself.”
I hesitated. It felt silly, buying jewelry for myself when I was already wearing an engagement ring.
Rosa must have sensed my doubt because she rolled her eyes. “Before you start overthinking, just do it. You never buy yourself anything.”
“She’s right,” the store clerk chimed in. “A woman deserves to spoil herself sometimes.”
I glanced at the ring again, then smiled. “Okay, fine.”
Rosa cheered as I slid it onto my finger. It was small and subtle, nothing extravagant, but it felt nice to wear something that was just for me.
After shopping, we grabbed smoothies and walked along the pier. The ocean breeze was warm, and Francesca ran ahead, stopping every few seconds to point at seagulls or collect tiny seashells, while Rosa and I strolled behind her.
Rosa suddenly gasped and grabbed my arm. “Oh my God, Emilia, look!”
I tensed, immediately on high alert. “What? What is it?”
She pointed dramatically toward a small wooden stand. “They’re doing henna tattoos!”
I sighed in relief. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
She ignored me, already dragging me toward the stand. “We have to get matching ones.”
Francesca ran back to us. “What’s a henna tattoo?”
“It’s like a temporary drawing on your skin,” I explained. “It goes away after a few weeks.”
Her eyes lit up. “Can I get one too?”
Rosa ruffled her hair. “Of course, princess.”
We picked our designs-Rosa chose an intricate floral pattern for her wrist, while I opted for a delicate crescent moon on my ankle. Francesca, of course, insisted on butterflies on both hands.
As the artist worked, Rosa smirked at me. “We should get real tattoos next time.”
I scoffed. “I don’t think Alaric would be thrilled if I came home with a full sleeve.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. He’d survive.”
When we were done, we admired each other’s tattoos and then continued walking. The pier was lively with street performers and small carnival games.
Rosa nudged me. “Let’s win Francesca a prize.”
We stopped at a ring toss booth, and I immediately regretted it. Rosa was fiercely competitive, and within seconds, she was arguing with the game attendant about “unfairly weighted rings.”
Francesca giggled. “Auntie Rosa, you’re funny.”
Rosa huffed. “This game is a scam, but I’m not leaving until I win you that giant teddy bear.”
I shook my head, laughing. “You know, we could just buy one at a store.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Rosa grinned, determined.
After several failed attempts-and a very amused game attendant-Rosa finally landed a perfect toss. The moment she won, she dramatically raised her arms like she had conquered the world.
“Behold, my victory!” she declared, handing Francesca the oversized bear.
Francesca hugged it tightly. “I love it! Thank you, Auntie Rosa!”
Rosa winked. “Anything for my favorite little troublemaker.”
In the evening, we had dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking the ocean. The sky was painted in shades of pink and gold, and fairy lights twinkled around us.
Francesca sat between us, happily munching on fries while Rosa and I sipped on wine.
“This was a good idea,” I admitted, glancing at Rosa. “Getting away for a bit.”
She smirked. “Told you.”
I chuckled, then turned to Francesca. “Did you have fun today, baby?”
She nodded enthusiastically. “Yes! Can we do this again?”
Rosa grinned. “Absolutely.”
I smiled, brushing a stray curl from Francesca’s forehead. “We’ll make it a tradition.”
Francesca clapped her hands. “Yay!”
As I watched her, a warm feeling spread in my chest.