Tuesday, July 23rd, 2019

Kina's POV

Dario stepped out of the limo first, then helped me out. Some of his family had an unreadable expression on their faces. His grandparents were smirking though. Dario did say they are the only ones of importance.

Dario started talking in Italian to his grandparents. He did tell me how to greet them in Italian. He also said they can speak some English, but it is limited.

"È così bello conoscerti, Nonna Rosita e Nonno Giovanni." (It is so great to meet you, Nonna Rosita and Nonno Giovanni.)

I hope I said it correctly. I looked to Dario for reassurance. He nodded. Whew.

His Nonna came over to me and drew me into a bear hug. Then, she patted my hips and told Dario something in Italian, "È bellissima, Dario. E, pronto per il piccolo Dario." (She's beautiful, Dario. And, ready for little Dario's.")

I have a feeling of why she patted my hips because Dario was blushing. My grandma and mother say the same thing - that I have child-bearing hips.

"Let's go inside so I can introduce Kina to everyone." We followed Nonna Rosita and Nonno Giovanni inside the house. Dario put down our luggage. Then, we went to a backyard full of his family and homemade Italian food. Yummy. I am going to definitely gain weight while we are here.

"Uh, Dario, is there a weight room or gym nearby? I'm going to need it for our stay here in Italy."

"There's one in the villa you have here on the coast."

"You mean the villa we have. Everything I have is also yours. Always remember that."

"Of course, love. Tonight, we are staying here with the family. Tonight will also be the first party of many. My family likes to party."

"That will not be a problem. My family is the same way. They will be coming in a week."

Dario started whistling. "Okay, Mr. Ginnetti what are you up to?"

He ignored it and started introducing me to his family.

"Uncle Sansone, Aunt Camellia, Aunt Emiliana, Uncle Carmine, Uncle Maricano, and Aunt Marzia this is my bella sposa di essere (beautiful bride to be), Kina. Kina, these are my aunts and uncles on Pop's side."

He wasn't kidding about a big family. Wow. "È così bello incontrare tutti." (It is so great to meet everyone.)

"We do speak English too, nephew. It's nice to meet you, Kina," Aunt Camellia says in her Italian/American accent. I love it. His aunts did the same thing as Dario's Nonna, but they also pinched my cheeks. His uncles had that same, mischievous smirk on the faces and started talking in Italian to Dario as we went to have a seat at the head table with his grandparents.

"We are just waiting for Nonna Ilenia and Nonno Donatello." Dario continued introducing me to his family. They are all so nice and friendly, well at least the ones here. Two of them, Brigitta and Paola, have also exchanged phone numbers so we can all hang out together. I am going to have a great time in Italy.

After a short while, we heard Pops and my, "Mom, dad, brothers, and sisters?!"

"Surprise! We flew in yesterday while you and Dario cruised on your yacht," my dad says. I ran over and gave all of them a big hug.

"Thank you all so much for coming early. How long are you staying?"

"Until we find you the perfect wedding dress. I have a list of bridal boutiques that we can go to," my mom replies.

"Thanks, mom." I walked back over to Dario. "I love my surprise. Grazie e ti amo." (Thank you and I love you.)

"Prego amore mio e anche io ti amo." (You're welcome my love and I love you too.)

Nonna Donatello and Nonna Giovanni are about to speak.

Donatello's POV

"Stasera è un'occasione speciale. Stasera siamo riuniti per accogliere la bellissima sposa di Dario a far parte della famiglia. Benvenuto famiglia Padmore." (Tonight, is a special occasion. We are gathered tonight to welcome Dario's beautiful bride to be into the family. Welcome Padmore family.)

Giovanni's POV

"In accordo con Donni, benvenuti nelle famiglie Ginnetti e Bianchi. Per la sposa di Dario di essere Kina, siamo così felici di averti come nostra nipote nuova. Donni e io non vediamo l'ora di avere anche altri pronipoti, tutti a tempo debito. Congratulazioni a Dario e Kina." (In agreement with Donni, welcome to the Ginnetti and Bianchi families. To Dario's bride to be Kina, we are so happy to have you as our new granddaughter. Donni and I are looking forward to some more great grandchildren as well, all in due time. Congratulations to Dario and Kina.)

Kina's POV

Dario translated what they said, and I instantly started blushing. I walked over to where Nonno Donatello and Giovanni was standing. I gave each of them a kiss on their cheeks.

"Thank you so much for the welcome. I love you both." (Grazie mille per l'accoglienza. Vi amo entrambi.) They both started smiling and blushing.

Pops then says, "Iniziamo la festa." (Let's get the party started.)

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Jayce's POV

Thankfully, I was able to get a new agent, as well as a PR team. That was something I didn't have in the past.

After what happened, I came to realize that I need to change my image. That situation can never happen again.

My new agent is a woman. Yes, you heard it right. My mother suggested her because she is one of the best in the business at turning around a client's image. I'm having a party tonight to announce to the media my new agent and to work on improving my image.

I heard a knock on my office door. "Come in."

"Your guests have all arrived sir. Mr. Reese and your agent are here as well."

"Thanks, Nathan."

After leaving my office, I made my way to find my agent first so I can address the media. Nicole, along with Reese were out in the foyer with the media.

"Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, of the media for coming tonight. What I am about to say is long overdue. I want to apologize for my behavior toward women. No matter what career choice or position a woman has I must respect it. I have no right to think that I am above anyone - man or woman. Beginning today, you will see a new and improved Jayce Sterling."

"Next, I want to apologize to my former bodyguard, Ms. Kina Padmore. If you are watching, I sincerely wanted to apologize to you for what I said and the way I treated you. To be honest, I didn't think you could handle being a bodyguard for a man. And, I always thought I was the life of a party and absolutely was an attention seeker. When you received more attention than I did, I was jealous. I knew in an instant I was wrong for what I said at that party. I know how it feels to lose a loved one because I lost my younger sister to a car accident. I hope one day you can forgive me."

"In conclusion, thank you everyone for attending this press conference. And, everyone have a good evening."

Nicole, Reece, and I walked away from the podium.

"That was a start, Jayce. Now, let's see how long it lasts," Reece says as we enter the party.

"There is no going back to my old ways. I'm going forward in becoming a changed man."

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Friday, July 26th, 2019

Kina's POV

Pops already says that when we get back from our honeymoon, Dario and I have been requested for bodyguard duty for several major events. And, I am okay with that. No more 24/7 assignments for us.

We finally decided on a date in October for our ceremony. We settled on Saturday, October 19th.

I did see Mr. Sterling's press conference the other day. Maybe all he did was want to apologize that day I saw him in Miami. I'll worry about that when I get back to Miami. Right now, I want to enjoy Italy with Dario and my family.

Today, we start the hunt for my wedding dress. Ky and Sage couldn't make it so, my mom has their measurements. Dario's cousins, Paola and Brigitta are coming with us. They are really cool. We have hung out together since arriving in Italy.

Mamma Giorgia came dress shopping with us too. Today, we have three appointments at different bridal boutiques. The first one, I didn't see 'it' - the perfect dress for me to wear. My mother and Gigoria both say that I should show off my curves. They both are hoping for grandchildren soon.

The second place we went to I saw one that I liked, but both mamas said no, and it didn't show enough. They both are a trip. We did see dresses for Mamma Giorgia and my mom.

We are on our way to the third boutique now.

"After this one, I am so done for today. I'm tired and hungry. I didn't think wedding dress shopping would be so draining."

"I agree. We'll schedule some more appointments for next week," my mom says. The limo Pops got for us pulled up to our third appointment. We all stepped out and entered the bridal salon.

A bridal consultant introduced herself to us.

"Benvenuti nella boutique Breathless Moments. Sarò il tuo consulente per il giorno. Mi chiamo Apollina. Chi è la sposa fortunata?" (Welcome to Breathless Moments Boutique. I will be your consultant for the day. My name is Apollina. Who is the lucky bride to be?)

Just as I was about to speak, Mama Giorgia cut in. She spoke in Italian this time to the consultant. The one word I understood was 'sexy', then she pointed to me. The consultant walked over to me, looked at me up and down, then she escorted us to a big bridal room.

Once inside the room, we all took a seat and waited for the consultant to come back. Within 20 minutes, the consultant came back with 5 dresses.

The first dress I tried on was okay, but I didn't want just okay. So, I tried on the second dress. Mama Giorgia and my mom didn't like it. They said it wasn't sexy enough. Oh boy, what do they want me to wear?

The third dress no one liked at all. Onto the fourth dress. I showed it to them before trying it on. Mama Giorgia and my mom loved this one. They both started grinning. I went into the fitting room to put on this dress. And, I must say, this may be the one. I love the way it looks on me.

As soon as I stepped, out, Mama Giorgia says in her Italian/American accent, "This is the one that will drive Dario insane." I had to laugh.

"I agree. It is perfect, Kina. What do you think, after all this is your big day," my mom then says.

"I love it. This is 'it' - my wedding dress."

"We love it too, Kina. We can't wait to see Dario's facial expressions when he sees your dress," Paola says that causes everyone to chuckle.

"Oh ladies, Dario says that your boy toys are walking with you at the wedding."

"Yes! Yes! And, yes!" Kalisa yelled out loud.

"Someone is a little excited."

My sisters tried on bridesmaid dresses. For them, I wanted purple dresses. It only took two dresses for them to try on and I saw the one I wanted. Thank goodness we don't have to go to another bridal shop. We are done.

My sisters changed back into their outfits. Then we went to pay. Well, I didn't pay a thing. I was told to give my dad a call, and he gave his card number over the phone.

"Siete a posto. E, su questa scheda, è il giorno in cui il tuo secondo raccordo deve vedere se è necessario apportare modifiche. Grazie mille per aver scelto Breathless Moments per il tuo giorno speciale." (You are all set. And, on this card is the day for your second fitting to see if any adjustments need to be made. Thank you so much for choosing Breathless Moments for your special day.)

"Grazie mille per il vostro aiuto." (Thank you so much for your help.) Apollina handed me the card. After leaving the bridal shop, we piled in the limo and headed back to Mama Giorgia's home.

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Dario was waiting for us as the limo pulled into the driveway. Everyone stepped out of the limo and walked inside the house.

I walked over to where Dario was standing.

"You know our parents are looking for grandchildren, right? The dress I chose is supposed to put that plan in motion, according to both your mom and mine."

"We had a cigar celebration today for future grandchildren. But we don't have to rush it. It will happen when it happens."

"You're right. Listen, since we don't have any assignments until after our honeymoon, I want to stay here in Italy. Why waste time going back to Miami, then turning back around to travel here? I want to spend this time with your family."

"I agree. We don't have to go back to Miami. But, I sure am stealing you away for the rest of the weekend. And, here comes our transportation."

Two motorcycles were pulling up in the driveway near the limo. It was Dario's brothers, Guiberto and Ilario.

"Here you go, bro."

Guiberto handed me a helmet, and Ilario handed Dario one.

"Well ma'am, what do you say?"

"I say let's hit the road. See you later boys." Dario and I put on our helmets. I don't care where we go as long as we are together. We started up the motorcycles, and away we go.

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