Taylor's POV
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We closed in on the farmhouse having spent an hour on the phone to Jays dad, Andrew on speakerphone. He advised us, just as Jay had said he would, to go bigger. Jay rolled his eyes smiling listening to him going on about places with double the amount of hectares.
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“So is it still the bugaboo fox that you want” he smiles at me in the pram shop. We’ve travelled to Perugia, a city in Italy for our shopping trip. Something about the cobble stone buildings and the bustling atmosphere steals my heart. Perugia, Jay informed me has immensely nice chocolate and so of course we had to pick some up too.
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Having already moved into the farmhouse, we’re kitting out the nursery. We haven’t needed to decorate as the condition of the home is impeccable. We are setting the nursery up and then flying back to the USA to see my parents whilst I still can fly, safely. And then the plan is to return here and have the baby.
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“The fox is nice, can we have it in the white, ecru colour” I say smiling at him and he smirks pulling me into him and rubbing my back.
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“Desert taupe, or misty white” he asks eyes flicking between the two prams.
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“Desert taupe” I smile and he laughs.
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“Mmm I agree” he smirks kissing me.
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“I suggest” he begins turning me around to face the cribs.
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“We get a snoo for downstairs, and a bedside crib for our bedroom” he smiles rubbing my bump.
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“And a cot for the nursery” he says turning me to face a large wooden cot, with a drape canopy over the top.
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“Some baby clothes” he whispers in my ear and I smile loving him this close to me.
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“Sheets and blankets and towels” he adds holding onto bump.
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“Bibs too” he says and I turn to face him intent on kissing him forever.
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“You really do have this all planned” I smile at him and he kisses me back.
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We order the furniture and pram to be delivered, Jay pays for same day delivery. And our afternoon is shaping up to be a flat pack extravaganza.
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I carefully select all of the linens and sheets for the cots and cribs. I pick up lots of blankets and sleep sacks. Baby grows and a few little outfits and vests. After all we’re pretty sure we’re having a boy, so I opt for a light blue and white colour scheme whilst Jay finalises the delivery and payment of the furniture.
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I stumble upon baby bonnets and socks and select a few traditional knitted bonnets, they’re very cute. Some knee high knitted socks in a light grey colour that I’m sure will be totally impractical but will look sweet.
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“Delivery will be here after 5pm” he says softly approaching me from behind. He kisses my ear softly.
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“These are adorable” he smirks looking at the bonnets.
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“I thought so too” I smirk.
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“We’re gonna have a beautiful baby” he whispers and I smile up at him.
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“I couldn’t agree more” I say to him and he rubs my cheek taking the basket from me and adding a few more clothes and blankets in, burb cloths and bibs.
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He drives us back to the farmhouse, we’re still using the Maserati for now. The backseat full of bags of baby items.
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“We do need a car” he comments looking over at me.
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“To take us too and from the hospital, and to fit a car seat in” he explains and I smile at him.
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“A family car” I say looking at him and he laughs.
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“A lambo” he says and I full on laugh looking over at him and his smile lines which I’ve grown to absolutely adore.
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“What? I’ll show you when we get in they don’t just do sports cars” he defends himself.
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“Are you mansplaining cars to me again Jay?” I smile at him and he laughs.
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“No darlin” he smirks and I rub his thigh and with my hand.
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“Ohhh” I say holding onto bump with my other hand.
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He looks over at me hyper alert. He’s not left my side, not once. He’s cooked me pasta, lasagne, even chicken parmigiana in our new kitchen. He’s sampled the wine cellar and we’ve picked grapes together for me to eat and him to ferment. They’re exquisite, I’ve baked two lemon cakes using the lemons from our harvest. And Jay has remained by my side the entire time.
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“Baby is moving about a lot” I tell him slightly uncomfortably.
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“Maybe he’s getting ready” he laughs slightly.
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“We still have several weeks” I tell him and he places his hands on bump, other hand on the wheel.
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“Baby you need to hold off a little” he laughs stroking my waist.
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“Mummy wants to fly back first and then fly again; so hold off until you’re due” he laughs.
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Pulling into the lane that leads up the cliff side to our home, I notice the olive trees and the various bushes each side. How the sun beats down on the golden coloured gravel. It takes around fifteen minutes to reach the double wooden gate by car. Our home is set right back away from the road. And even then the road itself is barely used, rarely do you see an oncoming vehicle.
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“What can I help with” I ask once we get out of the car. The sun beating down on me, I hold bump.
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“Not a chance” he says practically marching me into the house.
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“Jay, I can carry bags” I tell him and he laughs.
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“No, please” he smiles kissing me and stroking my back once we’re in the cool reception room. The scent of lemons wafting through from the kitchen.
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“If you must do anything please cut me some of that delicious lemon cake, you know to get me through the assembly of all of the furniture.” He smirks and I nod, kissing him slowly.
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“And Taylor” he says as I turn to leave.
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“I am the luckiest man alive” he smiles.
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“No I am the luckiest woman alive” I tell him seeing the delivery truck pull up outside by the grapevine.
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Walking through to the kitchen, I dump my handbag on the oak table and look out at the vineyard through the arched windows. I smile unbelieving that this is just one of my homes. It may just be my favourite, I think smiling to myself.
Pulling my phone out I connect it to the speaker and play some of my playlist, set on making Jay some pasta for lunch with authentic Italian ingredients that we purchased from a local market.
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Having placed the large pan on my oven and finely chopped basil and tomatoes on my wooden chopping board. I pour the passata and olive oil into the pot and add in my ingredients watching it bubble. I try the sauce on the wooden spoon and add in more pepper and chilli. Baby loves spicy food at the moment. I stir the large pot and smile looking down at my huge gas oven. I empty the cooked roast chicken that we had the previous night into the pot and allow that to marinate with my tomatoes, garlic, onions and pepper sauce.
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Meanwhile carving up a large piece of the homemade lemon cake for Jay and setting it down on a bowl. We opted for traditional Italian cutlery to match our kitchen. The bowls are fancy with designs on them.
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I hear the men carrying up furniture boxes over the grand staircase and head back to my pasta. Stirring it and then letting it simmer.
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Being here with Jay has reminded me of so many things, why I married him, how I fall madly in love with him all the more by the minute. And I will never lose hold of that again. I look at my phone for the first time in weeks, seeing a message pop up from Matthew. And a few from
Rachel. I open up the message from Matthew nevertheless and read.
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Taylor, I know that you’re definitely having a wonderful time in Italy, but I miss you still. I hope bump is okay and more importantly that you are too. I love you, M xxx
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I sigh, placing the phone down I remove the pan from boil and spoon up the pasta into bowls. retrieving some black pepper and Parmesan I sprinkle them on generously and place them on the oak table. Alongside some san pellegrino for me and a coffee for Jay.
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“You know” he says entering the kitchen through the large oak door which he pretty much fills with his large muscular frame.
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“I didn’t expect you to cook” he says discarding his shirt. And slam dunking it into the washing basket.
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“Eat please” I tell him and he smiles sitting down at the head of the table.
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I decide that whilst he’s eating I must tell him about Matthew and the message. I keep my tone calm and measured.
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“Matthew messaged me; I haven’t responded. But I need you to know” I tell him and he nods, waiting for me to finish.
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“Here” I tell him a showing him the message, his expression darkens just ever so slightly.
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“Thank you for being honest with me” he says softly.
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“He does love you” he says simply. A slight chuckle afterwards, a smirk that says but I love you more.
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“I will not be responding to his message” I say simply and he looks up.
I lock my phone and leave it on the side, I don’t want to lead Matthew on further, and I must make it clear to Jay, that this is it for me.
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“I love you” I say to him simply and clearly. He strokes my hair back and looks at me seriously putting his fork down into the empty bowl.
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“I love you, Jay and I will happily stay here for the rest of my life” I tell him looking into his eyes, my face cupped in my hands as I look at him over the table.
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“I love you too, Taylor” he says seriously.
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He stands up slowly, not breaking my eye contact.
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“I would love to keep you here forever” he whispers reaching for my hand and helping me to stand.
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He strokes bump with his palm and I smile up at him.
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“Just us and our babies” I say to him and he smiles.
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“Just us” he agrees and I hold onto him; content and sure of my choices.
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