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My jaw drops open at the scene before me.
Stefano went out of his way. He went above and beyond anything I could have expected.
Our picnic is set up half under the shade of a tree and half in the afternoon sunshine.
Elle's foods are spread out in colorful bowls over two blankets. The most random assortment of sweets, nuggets, chips, donuts, cakes, sushi, macaroni - a kid's dream. There is no chance she'll be able to finish all of it - but Stefano made sure that every item on her list is here.
Around the blanket is a gorgeous array of ceramic mushroom fairy houses and little fairy dolls. In each house, there is a little light flickering, but you have to lean close to see it.
He's turned this entire section of the garden into a fairy wonderland - just for Elle.
I bite back the tears that are glittering in my eyes.
Elle is smiling so broadly. I haven't seen her smile like that in months.
I find a spot on the blanket and sit down next to her. She is dishing up food for her teddy bears and looks up at me with bright eyes. "Here you go." She says cheerfully handing me a bright yellow plate.
We sit and laugh and talk for about half an hour before I notice that Elle hasn't been eating much.
"Baby, why aren't you eating?"
"I'm waiting for Stefano." She shrugs.
"Stefano isn't coming today."
"Why not?"
"He's busy," I say cautiously.
"That's not true. He's sitting at the desk right by that window." She points towards his office.
"He's working, baby."
"I want him here."
I sigh, not wanting anything to spoil her day. "Alright, I'll invite him, but sweetie don't be upset if he says no, ok?"
I walk inside, worried that he will say no, and realizing that Elle will be really upset if he does. As much as I don't want him there because of how tense things are between us - today is about Elle, not me.
I knock on his office door and step inside.
"Elle has asked that you join us for the picnic. I told her you were busy but - "
"I'd love to." He stands up immediately and my heart sinks. "On one condition."
"Oh," I mumble. "What condition?"
Stefano stands towering over me. "You have to kiss me."
My heart drops to the pit of my stomach. Really? That's his condition.
He is looking down at me, waiting.
I can see he's not going to let this go.
I will just have to get it over with as quickly as I can.
With a heavy sigh, I close my eyes, wrap my hand around his neck, and stand on my tiptoes, pressing my lips against his.
