Accept My Baby

*****

When Amanda finally made it out of customs at the Turin airport, she was exhausted. She was sure it had to do with the eight hour layover. She was normally one who enjoyed layovers. Anything to experience a new place even for a little bit. But this time, she would have done with a direct flight taking into account that she had not had much sleep over the last twenty four hours. But she needed to leave as soon as possible and unfortunately for her, the only direct flight was Delta which would have demanded her to stay in New York till one in the afternoon, the following day. British Airways had a flight leaving at six in the morning and that was all she cared about. Leaving Brett behind. Leaving Sienna behind. Leaving…her house behind.

“Mandy!” she heard Emilia’s unmistakable excited voice. She noticed her friend among the crowd and pushed her luggage trolley towards her. “You look terrible,” Emilia said as she hugged Amanda who forced out a laugh.

“Well, fu*k you very much,” Amanda said when she pulled away.

“Well you have to understand that this is coming from someone who is used to seeing you all polished up and now even your hair looks a little messed up.” Emilia took the bag she was carrying. “But that doesn’t mean that I am not happy to see you.”

“You should be happy to see me. I’m delightful,” Amanda said matter of factly.

“Oh, you would never let me forget it, now would you?” Emilia said. “Come on. I’m sure you must be tired.”

“Exhausted,” Amanda said as she followed Emilia out.

“But with the time difference, are you going to be able to get some sleep?” Emilia asked when they got to her car. Amanda took a long deep breath.

“Well I haven’t really been sleeping lately. So, if I have any trouble sleeping, I have my good old friend Ambien.”

Emilia smiled and then laughed.

“Get in, missy.”

*****

The Ambien was way more efficient than Amanda thought it to be because it was almost four in the evening when she woke up. There was a note on her nightstand when she finally woke up.

Didn’t want to wake you. I’ll be home a little late but there is some lasagna and pizza in the fridge for when you get hungry, I also left some money and takeout menus on the kitchen counter if you want something different. XOXO.

She put the note down and put on a bathrobe before she made her way to the kitchen. She poured herself a bowl of cereal and then walked to the living room.

“I could work with this,” she thought as she looked around Emilia’s spacious living room. Emilia’s new place was a big step up from the studio apartment she had first been living in when she moved to Italy. This place was simply amazing. Lots and lots of space, not forgetting the natural lighting from the huge floor to ceiling window that overlooked the city below. She was almost sure that this building was one of the ones Emilia’s company had been working on lately.

She could not help but walk around the apartment. The master bedroom was huge, as if the guest room wasn’t big enough. Even back in the States, getting an apartment this big was almost impossible.

When she finally made her way out to the living room, she reached for her phone and sat down. She sent a quick email to Kayla letting her know that she was in Italy before she deleted a number of Brett and Sienna’s voicemails.

After she was done with her cereal, she walked back to the guest room and stripped down before she went to the bathroom. As soon as she had the water turned on, she didn’t know why but she was suddenly crying. She could feel the saltiness of her tears on her lips and that was when she finally broke down. She sunk to the floor as she cried, letting out every pain she had kept locked in for so long. She had always considered herself lucky.

Lucky to have a career that she actually enjoyed.

Lucky to find a man she loved.

Lucky that the man she loved actually made her happy more than she could ever know.

But suddenly, everything she knew was no longer a reality. And to think she had been looking forward to starting a family with Brett. That was the whole idea of buying the house together. But now, everything was gone. Everything was lost. Life as she knew it was over.

*****

“Honey, I’m home,” Emilia yelled loudly when she came back home later.

“In here,” Amanda called out from the kitchen.

“Something smells amazing,” Emilia said as she walked into the kitchen.

“My mother’s good old pot roast,” Amanda said as she wiped her hands on a dishcloth.

“You really shouldn’t have. I was going to make you something when I got home.”

“Well, I woke up at four so I guess I thought I should just put my time to good use since clearly, I won’t be sleeping for a few more hours,” Amanda said smiling. “I hope you don’t mind, I went through your place till I found the makeshift wine cellar down the hall.”

“Please, mi casa es su casa,” Emilia said.

“Shouldn’t you be speaking Italian by now?” Amanda asked and Emilia shrugged.

“Fine. La mia casaè la tua casa,” she said in a soft voice. “Pour me a glass.”

“You know, maybe we should take advantage of this dining table that you have clearly never used,” Amanda said smiling. “I was thinking we should eat here tonight.”

“You already set the table, I see,” Emilia said with a smile. “Not that I mind. A girl could get used to this.”

Amanda carried her glass and a bottle of wine to the dining table where Emilia was seated. She sat down and Emilia looked at the spread on the table.

“Mandy, this is…too much,” she said as she looked at the food. Apart from the pot roast, there was also a side of mashed potatoes and peas.

“I’ve got nothing but time,” Amanda said smiling.

“This is non-alcoholic,” Emilia said when Amanda poured her a glass.

“I was beginning to wonder why I was not getting a buzz on,” Amanda lied. “That’s solved.”

“I think someone is still tired,” Emilia said and Amanda shrugged.

“Guess I am. I could get you another bottle,” Amanda pointed out and Emilia shook her head.

“No, you’ve done enough already. You need to take a break.”

Amanda smiled at her as she helped herself to some food before she looked at Emilia.

“I’m beginning to think that this is not just a simple visit.”

Amanda shrugged.

“Maybe you’re right.” She dished up and took a bite.

“Are you really going to make me work for it?” Emilia asked as she looked at Amanda, whose curly hair was framing her face. Amanda looked at her and sighed. “I know you still don’t want to talk about it, whatever it is but, sweetie, it’s going to eat you alive if you don’t handle it.”