*Bianca*
The mirror shone with my reflection and I tilted back and forth to see myself from every angle. The dress Leo had laid out for was gorgeous.
A deep blue with an open lace collar that led down to the sleeves resting around my elbows. The silver ribbon glead brightly as it tied under my bust, accentuating it while hiding my baby bump.
The fabric was comfortable, loose, and flowy, perfect for in such a late stage of pregnancy while the ribbon on the right was broken to reveal a long slit in the dress. Shiny silver silk fabric cut through the deep eclipse blue of the rest of the dress, matching the ribbon and bow under my bust.
Matched with a beautiful diamond necklace that Leo insisted I wear and my ring on my finger, I truly felt like a magical princess about to make her debut. I was very satisfied with my appearance, especially as the dress was made with enough supportive material that I didn’t feel quite so heavy in it. I didn’t feel like a whale anymore which was a miracle considering how huge my belly was.
I was only three weeks from giving birth and I absolutely looked like I was about to give birth at any mont.
I laid a hand over my belly, smiling as I felt the flutters of the baby moving around. They were an active one, relentless whether it was night or day and I’m sure they were just as anxious to co out as I was.
“A little longer until we et, little one,” I whispered to the baby, wondering if they could hear .
“You look beautiful, baby,” Warm arms wrapped around my waist, his hands laying flat over my belly as they covered my own. I bead in response as his lips playfully pressed against my neck. Leo’s eyes looked at through the mirror, filled with adoration and love.
I’d never been worried that Leo would think of differently after gaining so much weight during the pregnancy, though I knew a lot of won had that fear. Leo’s affection for hadn’t waned at all but even increased. His patience and love had been utterly perfect these past few months.
“I still look like a whale,” I said with a grin.
“A beautiful whale, majestic and gorgeous singing the song of the ocean,” Leo cried out dramatically, swaying back and forth. I laughed, not taking offense at all. “You are the goddess of the sea in my eyes, the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen and nothing will change that.”
“You flirt,” I rolled my eyes but still felt delighted as he laid kisses on my neck, nibbling on my skin like it was a delicious candy. He was still intimate with , his rose-colored eyes seeing nothing but how much he loved . That was much more powerful than any lust or sexual attraction.
“Shall we, my love?” He finally let go, offering out his arm like the perfect gentleman. His suit matched my dress. The sa gorgeous deep blue with a silver silk undershirt and bowtie. We matched harmoniously and I had no doubt he did it on purpose. His hair was slicked back, finally combed for once and I grinned as I imdiately dug my fingers into his coiffed locks.
“I spent ti on that,” He grinned, amusedly as I ruffled up his hair to my liking.
“Well, I like the ruggish look more,” I told him playfully then leaned forward to kiss him on the lips. He kissed back, much more lax and gentle than normal as he let take the lead.
I pulled back, taking his arm with a huge smile as my stomach fluttered with excited butterflies. “So, are you finally going to tell where we’re going?”
“That is a secret, my lady,” Leo just grinned, looking all smug as he led out of the house. He escorted down the staircase extra slowly, one step at a ti and when I showed signs of my breath increasing, he swept up into his arms and carried the rest of the way.
“I can walk!” I protested half-heartedly but grinned anyway as I leaned my head on his shoulder.
“Of course,” He kissed the top of my head, “But I don’t want you to be too tired just yet. I have a whole evening planned for you.”
“Oh, how charming,” I pretended to swoon in his arms, giggling as he kissed in punishnt by nibbling on my lower lip. His bites didn’t do anything but turn on and ruin my lipstick but I didn’t care at all.
Tonight was about and him. He finally let down so we could leave the house together and as we stepped outside into the night air, I took a deep breath. It felt like forever since I’d left the house, gone anywhere other than appointnts at the hospital or the rare case of picking my drunken fiance up from a bar.
The night sky was clear, absolutely beautiful as I could actually see so stars through the light pollution. It was rare, the few visible above twinkling brightly and I wondered if any of them were wishing stars.
Leo led down the driveway and my breath caught in my throat as we turned the corner, and I saw our ride waiting for us.
“I can’t believe you,” I turned to him with an accusing but playful look. “You rented us a limo?”
“Rented?” Leo snorted with a raised eyebrow like I was being ridiculous. “Nope. Only the best for my beloved future wife. I bought you a limo. Furnished completely to the nines for your comfort. Plus room for a baby seat if we want in the future.”
“Of course you did,” I laughed shaking my head at his audacity. “We are not taking our baby in a limo but of course, you use any chance you get to show off your wealth.”
“Why not?” Leo opened the door with a sweeping gesture and delicate bow, gesturing his hand for to climb inside. “It all ans nothing without you.”
“Really laying it on thick,” I teased as I climbed inside. It was gorgeous as I expected as I scooted inward. The seats were leather and I played around with the many buttons and knobs, finding little mysteries. Heated seats, hidden cup holders, charging ports of every kind. Even a whole miniature liquor bar is fully stocked and ready for a night out.
If I could drink that was. I was nosy as I investigated every little spec as Leo slid in next to , the door closing.
“Having fun?” Leo chuckled as he watched blissfully. I nodded enthusiastically as he shook his head. My eyes sparkled as he pressed on one of the sides of the door and it opened up to reveal a big fluffy blanket that Leo pulled out and covered my legs with. Warm and happy, I played with the ends, loving the fluffy texture. I didn’t think it could get any better until he pulled out a whole variety of my favorite snacks and drinks as well.
“This is heaven,” I sighed in contentnt.
“Good. Cause we have a bit of a drive,” Leo laughed.
He wasn’t kidding. It didn’t feel like long due to Leo keeping entertained. I was pleasantly surprised to see the mini TVs that ca down from the roof but I was just happy to lean on Leo’s shoulder as we talked about anything and everything.
It had to have been an hour or two before we finally arrived and Leo helped out of the limo so I could finally see where we were. If I thought the limo was fancy, it was nothing compared to the building in front of us.
At least four stories high, lined with columns and windows that sparkled with the lights of downtown LA, it was a magical sight to behold as we stood in front of the looming building.
“Is this...” I trailed off but Leo wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling close as he grinned confidently.
“The Los Angeles Opera House,” He confird.
My jaw dropped in surprise. I’d never been inside, never even seen an opera before which my Mama always said was a disrespect to my Italian roots. I hadn’t realized until this mont how badly I wanted to see one.
My shock turned to delight as Leo led inside. I felt like a queen being treated as Leo led away from the main crowds all the up to the second floor. I was pleasantly surprised to find the opera house filled with people and crowds and even more so as we were taken to our own private balcony.
The seats were red velvet, just like I always imagined, the intricate gold details matching the entire four-floor room. Even the stage was glamorous as the crowds started filling in. I was even more delighted to find we had actual opera glasses delivered to us along with so refreshing beverages.
I verified they were non-alcoholic before taking a sip.
“I’m surprised you didn’t buy out the whole place,” I whispered teasingly to Leo as we settled ourselves up in our glamorous private box. “Though these seats are amazing.”
“I thought about it,” Leo humd then sent a grin, “But I thought the experience would be better with an actual crowd. I did get us the best seats in the house of course. Private balcony, mid-center point.”
“Of course,” I giggled, absolutely lost through the thrill of the night. Our seats were close enough together and comfortable that I could lean my head on him, our hands intertwined as the lights darkened and the show began.
If I thought the stage was glamorous, it was nothing compared to the actual opera. My eyes twinkled brightly as I was absorbed into the show. One of my mother’s favorites though I’d never actually seen it.
Orfeo ed Euridice, the Greek romantic tragedy was heart wrenching. Their emotions were beautifully conveyed in the acting, in the songs and dances as Orfeo followed his wife to the underworld to reach her again. Every song tugged against my heartstrings, and I was soon sobbing into Leo’s shoulder as he cuddled close.
As Orfeo was forced to beco cold to his wife to get her out, her song of grief resonated so deeply within that I couldn’t take my eyes away. Leo whispered comforting words to as her devastating death and his resolve to follow her wrecked .
“They belong together,” I lanted through my sobs quietly. “But she wanted him to be happy. He could’ve been happy instead of doing this.”
“I know,” Leo chuckled, kissing my forehead. “But she was his happiness, Bianca. Just as you are mine. I’d do the exact sa thing for you.”
“Then you’re an idiot,” I sniffed but my heart was heavy, full of his love as he gazed at like I was his whole world. The only thing that made feel better was Euridice returning to life as she and Orfeo were reunited.
But even then, I could not stop crying as the last song, a declaration of the triumph of love played. My eyes were swollen as the opera ended and I chatted endlessly to Leo about the play as he took down to a nearby restaurant afterward.
“Thank you,” I muttered, leaning on Leo’s shoulder after we retreated back to the limo to go ho. “This night was amazing.”
“For your happiness, I would do anything,” Leo whispered lovingly and I couldn’t resist the sparkle in his eyes, his adoration for on full display. I leaned up to kiss him, all of the emotions of the night bursting out of .
My amazing, handso husband-to-be. My Orfeo.
“My Leo,” I whispered through a passionate kiss.
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