Contessa (101 page)

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Authors: Lori L. Otto

Tags: #Fiction, #Coming of Age

BOOK: Contessa
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Alright,

he playfully concedes.

But will you wear this?

He reaches over to his
nightstand
and hands me a medium-sized navy Swarovski box.


Dad...

I sigh, opening it up. Inside is a beautiful crystal headband.

It

s so pretty.


I

m glad you like it. Mom helped pick it out.


It

s perfect.

He takes it out of the box and carefully places it on my head. I watch in the mirror, helping to put it in the right place.


You look like a princess,

he says, admiring my reflection. He swallows hard.

My little Contessa.


Oh, Daddy,

I tell him, my eyes starting to water.

I love you so much.


I love you, too, Livvy.

He hugs me tightly, and when he releases me, he hands me a handkerchief from his coat pocket.

You grew up too fast,

he says,

but you

ll never stop being my little girl.


I know,

I laugh over a soft cry, blotting the wetness from my eyes.

I

m the luckiest girl in the world. I mean it.


I feel pretty lucky myself,

he responds, embracing me once more.

I think I heard your date come in. Shall we make a grand entrance?

he says, offering me his elbow.


Sure.

My arm linked in his as he opens the door, I realize this is what it will feel like when he walks me down the aisle someday. I

m not ready for that, and have to release him before I start crying. I think he was thinking the same thing, because I can hear his sigh of relief. He lets me walk down the stairs first.

At the base of the staircase stands Jon, looking handsome, somehow older, and very nervous. He

s wringing his hands together, and looks in my direction as soon as he hears me walking toward him. I can see his sudden intake of air, and it makes me smile.


You didn

t hold back, did you?

he asks when I finally reach the foyer. His fingertips brush my forearm, bringing out quick
goose bumps
. His hair is pushed back neatly and he smells of nice cologne.


Is it too much?

I touch the necklace tentatively.


Absolutely,

he says.

Too much for me to take in,

he corrects himself, glancing to acknowledge my dad.

Hi, Jack.

He extends his hand to shake my father

s.


Jon, how are you this evening?


Great.

He turns his attention back to me, shaking his head slightly.

I have never seen a more beautiful woman.

He swallows, his cheeks turning a soft pink color.


Oh,

I hear Mom sigh softly behind me.

Dad clears his throat.

I hope you don

t mind,

my dad says,

but Anna tends to go overboard.

He holds something out and hands it to Jon. It

s a set of cufflinks, in the deep red color of my dress. I know that the stone in the center of each is a real diamond. I know my aunt.


Wow,

Jon says.

They

re very nice. I

ve never owned any cufflinks.

My mom steps in to help him put them on.

Thank you.


You

re welcome.


And they

re neutral enough that you should be able to get a lot of wear out of them,

Mom says,

for interviews or whatever.

She smiles as he looks at his wrists.


You look perfect,

I tell him, holding one of his hands in mine.


Thank you.

He leans in to kiss me.


Careful with the lipstick,

Clara says, and Jon pulls back quickly. It

s probably a good thing she interrupted us, because that could have turned into a very passionate, telling kiss. When I look into his eyes, it seems like they

re confirming what he

d told me last week: that he wants to
be
with me. My breath catches in my throat, my stomach tightening.


Okay, Aunt Emi, here

s your camera,

Lexi says.


Do we have to?

I ask, embarrassed.


Please, do,

Jon says.

I want to remember this moment years from now.

I want to roll my eyes, but I know he

s being sincere, and it

s so sweet that I start to feel weak on my legs again.

My cousin hands Jon my corsage, and I take the boutonniere from my mom. Anna made both of them to match my dress, using deep red roses and camellias, my favorites. She

s adorned them with black and white ribbons decorated with crystals.


How do I do this?

Jon asks, holding the flower up to my strapless dress. I hold my wrist out to him, and he realizes there

s a band attached to it.

That makes more sense,

he mumbles to himself, slipping it on as my mother snaps pictures. He squeezes my hand and gives me another amorous glance. I can

t wait to be alone with him.


Here,

I tell him as I pin the boutonniere onto his lapel. My hand lingers on his chest.


Just a few more pictures,

my mom says, leading us into the living room by the fireplace. She takes multiple pictures of me and Jon before my dad steps in, telling Mom to take a couple of me and him. Jon stands across the room, admiring me, as my dad and I stand closely to one another. It

s safe to say I

ve never felt closer
to Dad than I have the past week
.


Okay, then,

Dad says when we

re finished posing for the photos.

Livvy said you were taking her car?

he asks Jon.


If that

s okay, yes. I swear, I

m a very safe driver.


It

s fine,

he says, opening the front door. I quickly hug Clara and Lexi as Dad ushers my Mom and Jon outside.


I put a bag in the trunk,

Clara whispers to me.

Just a few things I thought you might want.

I smile and blush, embracing her once more.

I get outside just in time to hear my dad start to lecture Jon.

I just want your word–both of you–that if you have any alcohol tonight–


And you can

t, by the way–

Mom interjects, turning around quickly.


We won

t,

I stop her as I put my hand on her arm.


If you do, though,

Dad continues,

I just want your word that you will not get behind the wheel. Even if it

s just one drink.

Jon stands squarely in front of him, looking at him directly.

I promise, Jack. We won

t do either of those things.


Thank you.

He hands Jon the keys to my car and puts his hand on Jon

s shoulder.

Just remember that you

ve got my only daughter with you.
My
Contessa. No matter what she may become to you in the
distant
future.

He pauses and shoots a playful warning glance to each of us,

She

ll always be my princess first. And there is no one in the world quite like her.


I have to agree,

Jon says.


She

s my
sixteen
-
year
-
old
princess. Got it?


Yes, sir,

Jon smiles back.


It

s Jack. We

ve been over this.

He simply nods and answers respectfully,

Yes, sir. Good night, Jack.

They shake hands once more as Jon opens the door for me.

I look up at my father.

Night, Daddy,

I tell him, stepping into the car. Jon walks around to the driver

s side, and Dad leans over and kisses my cheek. His tie slips out of his coat jacket, hanging loosely in front of him. All of a sudden, I feel like that three-year-old girl he met in a hospital hallway so many years ago. I tug on his necktie gently. He smiles warmly, and I have no doubt he

s remembering back to that night, too.


Good night, Contessa.

He looks away quickly, but I

m sure I saw his eyes begin to water. When he shuts the door, I have to take a few deep breaths to keep myself from crying.


Are you ready?

Jon asks after starting the car. My dad puts his arm around Mom

s shoulder and leads her back into the house. They turn around
to wave once more
just before going
inside
. Mom blows me a kiss, and I return the gesture.


I think so,

I tell him. At the same time, we lean into one another to kiss. It

s a careful one, though.


Alright,

he says with a sigh, pulling away from the curb.

Promise me something tonight.


What?

I twirl the ring around my finger nervously.


Please don

t dance with any other guys tonight.


Well, that

s an easy promise. Of course I won

t!


Because they

re going to ask, and I couldn

t bear to see anyone else

s hands on you.

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