“Roman?”
“Hmm?”
“What will you do if he is a she?”
Roman’s soft smile became a full blown grin. “I’ll do a better job than the chief did keeping his girl away from guys like me.”
She poked his ribs. “I don’t think guys like you are so bad.”
“Which is why I’ll be in charge of her love life and not you.”
There was laughter and then their foreheads touched. Imani’s hands rested over Roman’s against her tummy while they thought about the life they had created. The expectant parents swayed in place to a rhythm only they could hear and they were content to remain that way.
Rapid knocking interrupted the special moment.
“Roman? Sorry to bother you guys.”
“Miranda,” Roman said to Imani and went to open the door to his secretary.
“Sorry about this,” Miranda Mays pretty freckled face was a picture of uncertainty when she sent a bashful smile to her boss and his wife. “Mr. Liam’s called an emergency meeting of the board and all the executive staff. He’s giving everyone on the premises ten minutes to get to the main conference room.”
Roman nodded. “Thanks Miranda,” he looked to Imani when the secretary left the doorway. “Come with me,” he said.
Imani held back. “It’s business.”
Roman returned to hold her close and rubbed his hand across her abdomen. “I want to tell everybody our news if it’s alright with you?”
She cupped his cheek and nodded. “The family could use some happy news,” she said.
“Thank you for that,” he looked into her eyes lingeringly. “And thank you so much for this,” he smoothed his hand over her stomach once more to clarify his meaning.
They kissed sweetly and then stole a few more minutes to revel in their joy.
~~~
The main conference room was in need of happy news. Liam Tesano’s face was an uncharacteristically chilled mask. Athena, at her husband’s side, didn’t look any more cheerful. Everyone who entered the room wore the same drawn expression within moments of walking past the door.
Liam didn’t waste time giving the news. “Rubius and Delia Campagnone just learned their daughter, their only child, is dead.”
Several shocked cries, male and female, surrounded the spacious cherry wood panelled room.
“They’re both understandably wrecked,” Liam continued. “Rubius is taking his wife away. He’s resigned his board post to care for her. I ask you all to remember them in your prayers. That is all.”
~~~
“Pop? What happened?” Roman asked once the conference room had slowly and quietly cleared. He and Imani had stayed behind along with Humphrey, Aaron and Athena. Roman frowned, when his mother began to answer the question.
“Rosella Campagnone was in training to be one of my fabric assistants. I’d hoped she could be placed on her mother’s team of buyers. She was supposed to be attending a conference up in Canada-it’s where her remains were found.”
“Remains?” Humphrey asked.
Athena’s petite frame seemed to stiffen beneath her dark suit. “It seems she’s been dead around two years.”
Same as Stone.
No one spoke the words, yet the unspoken reality hovered like a storm cloud.
“The body was found with her purse and wallet still inside,” Athena added.
“They don’t know the cause of death yet,” Liam shared, and turned away from his family in clear distress. He settled to the corner of the long table.
Roman went to his father, clutching the man’s shoulder in a show of support. Aaron followed.
“So many children gone,” Liam moaned, his head bowed in defeat. “My Stone, Rubius and Delia’s girl. Rosella was just a child-a baby.”
“Do they need anything, Pop? The Campagnone’s?” Aaron asked.
“I offered,” Liam fixed his son with a sad smile. “Rubius said they want no interference from us.”
Roman’s chest heaved, emotion weighing on him as well. He looked to Imani and offered her his hand, drawing her close to him and Liam.
“Thank you, bella,” Liam said when Imani put a kiss to his cheek, another to his temple.
“Speaking of babies,” she angled her head close to her father-in-law’s, “you’re about to become a grandfather.”
Liam looked up, the despair in his dark eyes making room for reluctant hope. “Truly?” The word was barely audible on his voice. He looked to his son for confirmation. Aaron was already moving to hug Imani.
“Truly,” Roman said, grinning.
