Love's Precious Surprise (The women of Landry's Landing and the Fabrizio men) (6 page)

Daniele had been so lost in thought that he’d almost forgot what he’d asked her but he recovered quickly. “Great, well if you’ll excuse me I have a lot to do before tonight. I’ll see you back at the guest house around seven-thirty.” He said kissing her gently on the forehead before stepping around her to walk out of the office.

Chapter Four

Toni was thinking about her date with Daniele and the thought made her both nervous and excited all at the same time. This would be her first date with not just him but anyone. In her heart she was happy and relieved that it was Daniele that she’d be going out with for the first time.

On the other hand she was also nervous because she wanted things to go well she just didn’t know what to expect for a first date or any date for that matter. She also didn’t know what was expected of her, how was she supposed to act what was she supposed to wear.

Heaven knows if she’d ever needed the help of her Landry sisters then now would definitely be the time. Toni had no clue as to what it took to prepare for a date, and she certainly didn’t know what to do well she was on the date. She really hated to have to bother them again after asking for their help the night before but she didn’t have anywhere else to turn.

Before Toni had a chance to call any of her sisters the door bell rang and when she opened the door all four of them were standing on the other side.

“
I was just about to call you guys I really need your help again.” Toni said as she let them in.

“
We know Daniele told us that the two of you are having dinner tonight.” London said with a smile.

“
Yeah, so we figured that you’d need a little help getting ready.” Asia said.

“
A little help guys I think I need a lot of help, this is my first date ever and I have no clue about anything. I don’t know what to wear, I don’t know how I should act and I don’t know what I should or shouldn’t say. Just look at me I’m a nervous wreck with my luck I’ll probably end up falling flat on my face in front of Daniele.” Toni said rambling on excessively.

“
The first thing you need to do is stop talking so damn much.” Indy said to calm her down a bit.

“
Indy, she can’t help it she’s nervous.” Gigi said as she walked over and slipped an arm around Toni’s shoulder. “Poor thing she’s shaking like leaf.”

“
Girl, I don’t know why you’re so nervous it’s just Daniele and it’s not like the two of you don’t know each other.” Indy said.

“
I think this has more to do with the fact that she really likes Daniele and she’s never felt this way about a guy before.” London said.

“
Well that’s a good thing isn’t it?” Asia asked in confusion.

“
I’m not sure yet.” Toni responded.

“
Now I understand what’s going on, sit down for a minute.” Indy said as she motioned for her to sit beside her.

Toni sat next to Indy and the others took seats around them. Indy took one of her hands in both of hers. She smiled at Toni before taking a deep breath.

“
I know that I can be a little tough on all of you sometimes, the three of them are use to it but it’s new for you. Even though I’m tough on you guys all of you should know that I love you and I’d do anything to protect you and keep all of you safe. But I also want all of you be happy these three have already found happiness, and now it’s your turn. Don’t be afraid to take a chance and go after what you want.” Indy said in a motherly tone.

“
But I am afraid to be honest I’m terrified. I don’t think I can survive being hurt again.” Toni said as tears began to roll down her pretty face.

“
First of all this is Daniele Fabrizio we’re talking about we already told you that we’d bet everything we own that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt you. Second if you really want that man then you might want to let him know that.” Indy added softly as she wiped the tears from Toni’s face.

“
How am I supposed to do that exactly?” Toni asked.

“
The only way to do that is to follow your heart, your mind might lead you astray but your heart will always know what’s right.” Gigi replied in a quiet voice.

“
Your mind may say one thing while the heart says another. The only way you can tell the difference is when you follow your heart you feel it in your heart.” London said.

“
Believe me each one of us had our doubts for different reasons, but the minute we stopped listening to our heads and followed our hearts we found the happiness we’d been wanting all along.” Asia added.

“
I know what you guys are saying I’m just not sure if I can trust my heart.” Toni said sadly.

“
So you’re going to let your stepfather continue to ruin your life by taking away any chance at happiness that you may find with Daniele because he’s still in your head?” Indy asked as she looked at Toni through narrowed eyes.

“
If he’d done to you what he did to me he’d still be in your head too.” Toni yelled.

“
Little girl, if you yell at me again I’ll slap the taste out of your mouth. And honestly no he wouldn’t still be in my head because there is no way I’d give a scum ball like that, that much power he’d never have the satisfaction of making me suffer for the rest of my life.” Indy said.

“
Indy is right you know, he did things to you that no one should ever do to another living soul and because of that you suffered terribly. But don’t let him stop you from finding the happiness that you deserve, Toni.” Gigi said.

“
Yeah sweetie the best way to get back at a low-life like that is to be as happy as you possibly can.” Asia said.

“
You guys really think that’s the best way to get back at a scum like that?” Toni asked with a bit of hope in her voice.

“
Let’s just say that’s one of the ways, it shows him that you may bend and sway but he will never be powerful enough to break you. We know it’s not easy, but you have to try.” London said with a slight smile.

“
That makes more sense than anything else I’ve ever been told.” Toni said with a smile. “You said that was one of the best ways to get back at him, what’s the other one?”

The women exchanged glances before Indy replied. “The other way is to kick his good-for-nothing ass within an inch of his sorry-life.” Which is exactly what we’re going to do when we find him Indy thought but didn’t say out loud for Toni to hear, but her sisters knew what she was thinking because they were thinking the same thing.

Toni laughed. “You guys are the most wonderful family anyone could ask for, I love ya’ll.”

“
Girl, after all the aggravation you’ve put us through you better love us.” Indy teased.

“
What she means to say is that we love you too, kiddo.” London said with a smile.

“
I know why else would ya’ll put up with me and my craziness.” Toni said with a bright grin.

“
If you don’t get a move on it there’s no way you’ll be ready for your date with Daniele by seven-thirty.” Asia said as she got up from the couch.

“
Yeah girl, we need to do something about those puffy, swollen eyes of yours.” Gigi said as she also stood from the couch.

“
See, that’s what happens when you do all that damn crying, it’s going to take a miracle to get rid of that puffiness in three and half hours.” Indy said as she joined the others.

“
Don’t worry I got this, I just need some icy water, a cucumber and a little vinegar.” Asia said.

“
What in the hell are planning to do make pickles, the girl needs help with her puffy eyes not a snack.” Indy said.

“
That’s what the hell I’m trying to do it may not sound like it but it’ll work trust me.” Asia said as she went into the kitchen.

“
That girl isn’t too bright sometimes.” Gigi said.

“
I think she needs witch hazel not vinegar.” London said.

“
Well don’t just sit there stupid, go in the kitchen and help that dumb ass girl.” Indy said to London.

“
My puffy eyes aren’t going to matter if I can’t find something nice to wear.” Toni said in a panic.

“
Did you hit your damn head or did the,
I’m stupid bug
jump from Asia to you when no one was looking?” Indy asked.

“
In other words have you forgotten who you’re related to?” Gigi asked nicely.

“
Oh yeah duh, I’m a complete air-head tonight.” Toni said tapping herself gently on the forehead.

“
You certainly are sweetie now come on let’s do something with that hair of yours, while tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum figure out how to get rid of your puffy eyes. Come on Gigi you can give me a hand.” Indy said.

“
You want my help?” Gigi asked.

“
I know you didn’t think that I was going to tackle all that hair of hers by myself.” Indy said to Gigi.

“
I don’t see why not you try to tackle everything else by yourself.” Gigi said sarcastically.

“
Heifer, if you don’t bring your little, short ass over here and help me I swear I’ll strangle you.” Indy said as she gazed at her through narrowed eyes.

“
Well how can I refuse when you ask so nicely?” Gigi said as she went with them to master bath room.

more beautiful then she normally did. Her usually curly sandy brown hair had been straightened and hung down her bare back. She wore a light amount of make-up on her naturally pretty face. She was wearing a lovely green dress that London had designed especially for her.

It ended just above the knee in front and gradually got longer in the back, the neckline was a bit high coming up to her at her collarbone while the back dipped low stopping at her waistline.

Her strappy gold heels matched her accessories and complimented the green color of the dress she was wearing.

Toni turned from one side to the other as she gazed at her image in the full-length mirror. She couldn’t stop smiling because although she’d been dressed up on several occasions, she’d never looked quite like this. For the first time in her life she looked like a sexy, desirable confident woman instead of the poor pathetic abused girl that he stepfather had turned her into.

Tonight she felt strong and powerful as if anything was possible and maybe it was. She was the one in control of her destiny she was the one who would decide how her past would affect her future. No longer would she let what her stepfather had done to her control her life.

From this moment on Toni was choosing to be happy. Oh she was so ready for her date with Daniele but she still had almost an hour before he’d be by to pick her up.

“
Girl, you are going to knock his socks off.” Asia said with a wide smile.

“
You look beautiful, kiddo.” London said proudly.

“
Honey, as sexy as you look tonight, Daniele might have a hard time remembering to be a gentleman. I should probably loan you my can of pepper spray.” Gigi teased.

“
I thought Pierce got rid of all your pepper spray after you almost blinded him with a can.” London said.

“
You know good and dang well that was an accident. How was I supposed to know that can was leaking?” Gigi said defensively.

“
Well the moisture on your hands after handling the can should have been a little indication that the can might have been leaking.” Asia said.

“
Shut up Asia at least I didn’t almost hit my husband with his own car.” Gigi replied.

“
That wasn’t my fault he knew damn well that I couldn’t drive a stick shift, so you’d think that common sense would’ve told him to get the hell out of the way. Besides he should’ve moved his own damn car, I’m not a freaking valet.” Asia said.

“Anyway back to the subject of Daniele being a gentleman, I’m sure he’ll behave just fine but you young lady need to remember to act like the strong, confident and classy woman that we’ve taught you to be. And don’t forget to listen to your heart not your head.” Indy said hoping that her words would help encourage her to do what makes her happy.

“
Thanks to you guys I think this is going to be one of the best nights of my life. I can’t believe I’m really going on my first date I’m so excited.” Toni said happily.

“
And all of us are happy for you.” London said with a smile.

Daniele came downstairs after getting dressed for his date with Toni he’d decided to get dressed at his Aunt and Uncle’s house. The minute his feet touched the bottom step he was quickly surrounded by Pierce, Gio, Gabe and Luc. He’d had a feeling that they’d be here to give him a lecture before his date.

“
What’s up guys did you need something?” Daniele asked as he straightened his collar.

“
Boy don’t play dumb with us you know why we’re here.” Pierce said.

“
I hope you guys are here to wish me luck on my date with Toni.” Daniele said.

“
We’re here to remind you that if you do anything to hurt Toni then family or not it’ll take more than luck to keep us from skinning you alive.” Gabe said in a serious tone

“
We also wanted to make sure that you remember your manners. Toni is a special woman not one of those gold-digging bimbo’s you’re use to dating.” Luc said.