Jay's POV
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The Amalfi coast, I think to myself, looking out at the sea before us briefly wondering in my head about all kinds of things. We're dining again at a different spot, more casual less traditional, but the food is incredible.
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Taylor looks up at me from her gnocchi and I smile at her. Her hair waving down her side and blue eyes looking into mine. Seeing our baby, today has been a turning point for me. Knowing she’s carrying my entire world, and seeing it before my very eyes are two entirely different things. Seeing him moving and wriggling and sucking his thumb has been monumental. I'm able to put aside everything for that.
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I gaze out at the ocean, noticing the waves, a few surfers seizing the tide. Thinking about how the water is endless, just like the opportunities and future before us. I decide I like it here, perhaps it’s the Italian blood in my veins. I’ve never really explored that part of my heritage, it’s something I’ve always scoffed at. Prioritising America over everything else. My American house, my chevy truck, my Harley Davidson and of course my American wife. The American girl before me who always eats Italian food when we’re out, who picks Italian cuisine over everything else when she’s cooking. I imagine her in our wine cellar, perusing through red wines that we picked up from a vineyard. And baking her favourite lemon cake with real Italian lemons.
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"What are you thinking, my love" she says softly and a smile spreads across my lips.
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"Just you and the baby, and how that is my entire world" I reply and she swoons.
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The Amalfi coast and the surrounding areas, I'm brainstorming them in my mind. What is property like here? What opportunities are there for business ? I'm trying to collect all that I currently know about the area and work out some kind of move that is suitable for both family life and business.
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Really, I have a maximum of 8 weeks to sort this; and that's if everything goes to plan. Babies are unpredictable, he could come earlier than expected. He has already surprised us with being further along than we had initially thought.
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I imagine us in the winding Umbrian countryside, near Tuscany and I let my mind wander. Views over the natural landscape, a pool, hectares of land to explore. Sunshine and Italian wine on hand whenever we need it. Taylor heavily pregnant, reading books as I make her pasta, bruschetta and Lasagne. I smile, this idea is taking form in my mind and now there is little stopping me from searching up properties.
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"Taylor" I say as she finishes her food.
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I sip my peroni, and she looks at me both enthralled by my mysticism and intrigued, just waiting to rein me in. Taylor has never lived like this, her background is and I hasten to say it, like Matthew’s. Middle class, standard house and schooling although she is brilliant and more skilled than I ever could be.
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Prior to even dating I told Taylor I could give her the world. And I meant it, in ways she never could have imagined. I meant it in ways that shocked me, and because of this I fought it for so long. But I did mean it like an oath, and that was the difference between her and other girls that came along before her.
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The wealth that I have accrued which I continue to add into is unfathomable, and I just consider why leave it there? Why not invest it into our futures, into bricks and mortar or whatever Italian farmhouses are made out of.
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"Jay" she replies slowly, a wry smile on her lips as she sips her sanpellegrino.
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"I'm going to sort us out here, we need to stay somewhere that is our own. Somewhere for us and the baby" I explain, she looks at me with an expression of worry mixed in with excitement.
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"We can always fly back" she says confused. Dream with me, Taylor.
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"You don't want to just have a look at some Italian farmhouses" I say softly, selling her the dream. She looks at me smiling unable to resist my cheeky grin.
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“You don’t want to today, come with me and see a house that has acres of land, a pool, vines of grapes and a traditional wine cellar?” I ask her stroking her hands, I love her hands especially now that they have my ring on them.
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“Here’s the thing, you know I’ve not visited Italy much. Even as a child, I just never came here. And you picking Italy as a place to go just randomly has made me think about a few things” I tell her sounding like an idealistic fool.
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“My heritage isn’t something I’ve even thought about. And actually, Amore mio, you are the most Italian like American I’ve ever met. I say we just dip our toes in the culture of Italy for a bit, just have a little look at the houses, the food and maybe not the wine just yet” I laugh and she chuckles.
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“But certainly the pasta and the beautiful rustic farmhouse that could be ours” I say slowly making eye contact with hers.
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“I would never ever begrudge you a farmhouse” she laughs and I clasp her hands in mine.
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“Where was your family from ?” She asks me and I hold onto her intent on never letting her go.
I whip out my phone, pulling up a search result of farmhouses in Tuscany and show her the results.
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“Tuscany I believe” I tell her and she smiles taking my phone from me as she keeps my eye contact.
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“This is…” she says overwhelmed slightly.
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“Jay, this is Jesus this is” she begins eyeing the million price tag.
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“That’s the asking price” I say and she eyes me, her eyes flicking back to the pictures. Sunlight greenery, and terracotta buildings. It’s a dream. Exposed rock walls, and two dirt roads up to the wooden gates. Secluded and peaceful.
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“Would Andrew approve this?” She asks me seriously.
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“Because Jay, I do not want to go and see this, fall in love with your smile as you walk through the wine cellar, the many balconies overlooking the vineyards for us to not do this together” she chuckles and I pull her into me. Both standing and leaning over the table as we kiss, and I can feel her elation.
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I briefly think about Matthew, and his last minute attempt to get her to run away with him. His artsy drawings and his stupid brunette mop. I smirk a little as I sit down again composing myself.
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“He will suggest we go bigger” I laugh, my dad has never ever been reined in.
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“Shall I request a viewing” I ask her, teeny bit of pressure in my tone.
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“Yes” she says breathlessly.
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I watch her growing smile, glance at my boy in her tummy and get on with my plan.
