"Thank you for inviting me to dinner Mrs. Maestri," Mitch said as he sat down to join them at the table.
"You're welcome," she answered.
"You can relax Mitch, I have told my wife the truth about everything. She knows you are her bodyguard and will also be driving her whenever I can't."
"That will make my job easier."
"You will need to drive her into town a couple of times a week as I will be busy with the new hotel."
After eating she excused herself, saying she was going upstairs, leaving the men to talk. She was standing by the window looking out when Gabriel walked in and went over, putting his arms around her waist from behind.
"What are you thinking about?" he asked, kissing her neck.
"Just that it is starting to get colder out and was wondering what the weather is like around Christmas time. Does it snow here?"
"In this part of Italy, we don't get much snow, sometimes never."
"That's too bad, I was hoping for snow when Christmas was here." She turned to face him, putting her arms around his neck.
"I just can't wait for Christmas, it must be so beautiful with all the lights and decorations?" She felt him tensing and he moved away from her embrace.
"I don't celebrate Christmas or any other holidays."
She let out a nervous giggle. "How can you not?"
"Growing up my father didn't believe in it, the tree or presents so we were never allowed to have Christmas. I see no reason to start now."
"That is so sad, you were never given gifts as a child, that's so cruel. That was then Gabriel, you are a grown man now and can do as you please. I love Christmas and want our child to experience all the holidays."
He turned to her sharply. "I said no Paige, no holidays. I will not discuss this with you any further."
Her cheeks a rosy red, her eyes pricked with tears stared at him, her hands going up in exasperation.
"Fine, if that is what you want." she lowered her head and went to walk past him but he grabbed her arm.
"Paige," he said, regret sounding in his voice. He hated disappointing her and seeing tears in her eyes.
She stopped, looked up at him.
"I understand the way you feel. A child having no Christmas, the pain can stay with you forever. I never had the best Christmas's growing up either, moving from home to home. I was lucky to get one gift, whether it was a new dress or a doll. But to me it wasn't about presents, it was sitting around the table, enjoying turkey, cranberries and all the other trimmings. Just to be around people, laughing, playing in the snow. It's Christmas for God's sake, you can't run from it."
Walking away she left him there and went downstairs, needing to be alone.
She curled up on the sofa, her heart went out to Gabriel. How sad he must have been as a child to wake up on Christmas to find no tree or presents. Never having known the joy of the season. Well, she was going to give him the holiday he never got. A plan began to form in her head, he was going to be in for one hell of a surprise.
He was in bed when she came up and he searched her face for signs that she was still upset. She seemed to be in a better mood when she got in next to him.
"You OK?" he asked, pulling her close.
"Yes," she said and snuggled up to him.
He thought this was too easy. She didn't appear to be mad and he couldn't help but wonder if she had something up her sleeves.
"Are you sure everything is alright? are you not still upset with me?"
She looked up at him. "Your parents were cruel. I know in time, once you hold our baby in your arms for the first time I trust you'll change your mind about Christmas. Do not let what happened to you happen to our baby."
"You are trying to guilt me into it," he said, looking back at her.
"I am so tired Gabriel, I need to sleep. Night, I love you."
"I love you too," he said, kissing her goodnight."
****************************************
✨✨SEVERAL DAYS LATER ✨✨
Gabriel was in the gym working out when Paige found him.
"I'm off to go to my lesson. Mitch says he'll be taking me."
He stopped working out, covered in sweat.
"Yes, I asked him to. I would take you but I have to meet some business associates. I'll be at meetings till really late so go ahead and eat supper without me."
"Oh, OK. I'd like to do some shopping if that's ok?"
"For what?" he asked, wiping his face with a towel.
"Oh, just some odds and ends I need."
"My wallet is in my pocket, bring it to me, angel."
Going over she takes the wallet and hands it to him. "When will you be home?"
"Around nine," he said, handing her one of his credit cards.
"I got this for you, keep it. I see no reason for you to ask me for money when you need some, so now you have your own card and don't overwork yourself today."
He gave her a kiss, pulling her close to his sweaty body but unlike some women she didn't pull away, crying he was getting her dirty. The opposite, she hugged him back, kissing with the passion of a woman deeply in love.
Mitch drove her to her appointment, waiting right outside the door till she was done.
"Ready to go home, Mrs. Maestri?"
"Not yet. I have some shopping to do and I'll need help carrying the bags. I need to get some decorations. Do you know where I can get a fresh Christmas tree?"
"Christmas tree, why do you want one of those?"
"To put the decorations on silly. Have you forgotten it's going to be Christmas in three weeks?"
"No madam. I've known the Maestri for many years and have never known them to celebrate the holidays. Is your husband aware of what you're doing?"
"No, and you're not going to tell him. I want to surprise him so can you get someone to deliver a tree to our home?"
"Yes, I will make the call now."
Dialing the number he chuckled to himself, wondering how Gabriel was going to react when he came home to find his home all made up in decorations and a big old tree in his living room.
Stopping at the mall he followed her as she went from store to store, she bought enough to decorate the whole mansion. When she was done and they arrived home he carried all the packages inside, setting them down where she instructed. The tree was there, ready to be decorated.
With Mitch's help and the help from the staff the tree and room were done, she told them the rest of the house could be done later. She wanted this room finished by the time Gabriel got home to surprise him.
After having a hearty meal she was tired from all the shopping so went into the living room and laid on the sofa, staring at the tree. It was so beautiful and she knew once Gabriel saw it his heart would soften and he would love it.
The ringing of her phone woke her up, reaching for it smiled when she saw it was Gabriel.
"Hi," she answered sleepily.
"Did I wake you, my angel?"
The sound of his sexy, sultry voice sent tingles throughout her body.
"I was asleep on the sofa, waiting for you to come home. I miss you, when will you be here?"
"I'm almost home, ten minutes tops. I hope you didn't over do it today, you really need to take things easy."
"I am taking it easy. I can't wait till you get home."
"My you are anxious. Tell you what angel, go upstairs, strip down naked and wait for me. I will give you what you want, what we both want. I'm hard just thinking about you laying naked for me."
"Gabriel you're so naughty. I'll see you when you get here," she said and hung up.
He had a way of getting her hot for him with the way he talked, in that low, sexy growl of his. She checked her watch and knowing he should be pulling into the driveway she went to the front door to greet him. He took her breath away when he walked in. His suit dark, white shirt and red tie, all that and his scent spiked her desire to have him, but first things first.
He grabbed her, putting her up against the wall, his mouth came down on her, his kiss passionate.
"You should have waited upstairs for me, now I might just have to take you here," he said, his hand groping her breasts.
"Gabriel stop, not now. I have a surprise for you so close your eyes and no peeking," she said, taking his hand led him towards the living room.
"Is this surprise something kinky? cause let me tell you I'm all for it," he said, a smirk on his face. He could feel her excitement as she held his hand, dragging him what he sensed was the main living room.
Paige was jumping up and down, she couldn't wait for him to see what all she had done and just knew he'd love it.
"OK, open your eyes," she said excitedly.
Her happy smile disappeared when she saw the fury in his eyes.
His hands were clenched by his side as he took in all the decorations, finally settling on the tree that was all lit up.
"What the hell did you do?" he yelled when he looked at her.
"I told you we weren't having Christmas and you go ahead anyway and do this," he waved his hands around the room.
Her breath hitched in her throat, she felt the tears welling up behind her lids.
"I thought once you saw it you would like it and change your mind. Look at it Gabriel, it's so beautiful. We can sit curled up on the sofa together and watch the lights."
"Have it all taken down," he hissed.
"What?" she cried out, her heart was breaking at the cruelness in his tone.
"You heard me, have it taken down or I'll do it myself.
Lifting her hands she wiped the tears that streaked her face, away.
"Alright. I'll have the help take it down in the morning."
When she went to walk out he grabbed her arm.
"Paige, I did tell you no Christmas."
Yanking her arm from his grip walked past him and out the door, heading to her bedroom. There she flung herself across the bed and sobbed.
*******************************
Pouring himself a drink he flopped down into the nearest chair. His eyes swept through the room, he had to admit it did look nice. She had done a good job.
Running his hand through his hair he takes a long swallow of his scotch. His conscience got to him, that forlorn look in her eyes had him regretting his outburst.
The way she looked at him, her eyes filled with tears, her bubbly smile gone, replaced with lips that quivered.
He poured another drink and stood to look at the tree. Something caught his eye.
One of the ornaments was that of a tiny angel with Paige's name engraved on it. Next to it was a bigger one, his name was engraved on it. He touched it, turning it around and engraved on it were the words, Paige's angel.
He smiled. Oh, I'm no angel, my love, I'm the devil.
Sitting back down he finished his drink, wondering what he should do. Was there a way for him to accept Christmas and forget about the past?
After the third drink, he stood, undoing his tie headed upstairs. She was in bed, on the far side with her back facing him.
He knew she was still awake by the way she was breathing. Removing his clothes he climbed into bed. Laying on his side he stared at the back of her, reached out his hand and touched her.