War for Love: A New Battle Rages

CH 12: Back to New York

**Gia's POV**

Two weeks can go by too quickly when you spend half that time having earth-shattering, life-altering s*x with a man that embodies sinful pleasure. The things he did to my body, the things I learned to do to his. It was a very eventful last few days of our vacation. Even though I was excited about starting a life with Jeremiah, I was disappointed to be leaving Barcelona. There were still some worries I had about my new husband being able to leave the only lifestyle he knew behind for me.

Ever since Jeremiah and I had s*x for the first time, he has been unusually affectionate towards me. I'm not complaining, I love it. But will it continue when we are in front of his family? In front of his brothers and his soldiers? Will he still feel this attachment to me when there will be other women trying to entice him? I couldn't stop the worries that plague my mind, but I couldn't find the courage to bring it to his attention either. I didn't want to create a problem when there was no reason for me to think he would do anything to hurt me.

The flight back to New York was both long and frustrating. The flight attendant was the same woman from before, and she looked very displeased with the new closeness Jeremiah and I displayed compared to the first time. He was very busy on his computer answering emails that piled up, and trying to look at new contracts, and new investment opportunities. Two weeks on our honeymoon put him far behind on work, and even though his brothers tried to pick up the slack, they were not as great as Jeremiah at charming new clients and investors.

"Everything okay?" I asked my husband when he slammed the computer shut and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Isaiah isn't very good with people. He is either too nervous, or too uptight. A few of the newer investors have emailed me asking when I will return. It looks unprofessional that I hadn't replied to any of them in a while, and people who hand over their money are not very patient for responses." I watched Jeremiah grow more and more aggravated. The sad thing about being newly married to a man you still hardly know, is that I have no idea how to help him. I don't know what he needs. "I am going to be extremely busy for the rest of the week." He looked up and smiled sadly. "I don't want you to feel like I am already neglecting you."

I got up from my seat, moved his computer off his lap and crawled into his embrace. "You forget I am not just a regular woman you married. I was born into this life, I have seen my father and cousins all struggle with the work load." I rubbed his shoulders, and glided my hands into his hair, scratching his scalp just how he likes. I felt some of the tension melt away. "You don't need to worry about me. I can keep myself busy. Besides, I am pretty sure your sisters will be more than happy to keep me company."

"My family can be a bit much, but they mean well," he tried to warn me.

"Stop worrying, I am sure I am going to love them." I smiled as I stared into his beautiful brown eyes. I hadn't noticed how soft they had gotten. More warm and... loving.

"Just don't love them more than me." A flash of realization crossed his eyes, and he looked away, embarrassed. Had I seen some vulnerability seep out of this impenetrable man? "I should, um, let my family know we will be arriving soon so they can send a car."

Jeremiah's shoulders were tense again, and his eyes changed. Was he angry at me? At himself? I want to fix it. I held his face in my hands, and leaned down to kiss him softly. He answered by deepening our kiss, his hands wrapping around my body tightly. "I won't love them more than you." I whispered against his lips. When I finally looked in his eyes, he looked so scared. So unsure. "I won't love anyone more than you," then I smiled. "Except our kids."

"When do you want kids?" He kissed my collarbone. "Because if you keep saying stuff like that to me, I am going to make sure you're pregnant before we get off this plane."

Jeremiah was in a much better mood. For the rest of the flight, I stayed on his lap, and we talked about a future I had thought was impossible. Everyone that thought I was unlucky to marry someone like my husband was completely wrong. He seems to be very loving and open. Maybe he is just careful who he lets close to him, and that isn't a bad thing. I just hope nothing changes. I can see us having a very happy marriage together.

There was a car waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, and a surprise party at the house. Jeremiah was a little agitated, he hates surprises, but I was over the moon. I've never had a surprise party before and I had always wanted one. There was a huge banner hanging in the foyer that read 'Welcome Home Newlyweds!' A buffet was waiting in the formal dining room, and there was music playing with balloons and flowers everywhere.

"This is all Genevieve, I just know it." Jeremiah looked around. "Where is everyone?"

"They're here!" A voice shouted, and everyone rushed towards us yelling, "SURPRISE!"

I laughed and smiled at everyone. All of Jeremiah's siblings were there, with some of the staff, and soldiers. Everything here was very different from back home. It felt like a home, like a family. Even the staff and soldiers seemed right at home, and looked very genuinely happy to be here. I don't think I even knew any of the staff's names back home in Italy because father changed them so often.

"Oh, my gosh. Thank you! I absolutely love it!" I felt myself blushing. I don't care for being the center of attention, but this wasn't that bad.

"I told you she would love it!" Genevieve stuck her tongue out at Joel. "What woman doesn't love to be surprised?"

"Yeah, but look at your brother's face." Joel laughed, pointing at Jeremiah next to me. "He hates surprises."

"He'll get over it." She countered, shrugging her shoulders. "It isn't about him anymore, it's about our new sister." She rushed over to give me a hug, and Alessandra was right behind her. I felt so at home, and already so close to them both. "Come on, let's get this party started!"

Jeremiah disappeared to put away our bags. The staff offered to do it, but I think he wanted some space from all the festivities. His sisters asked about the honeymoon, and I told them about the house and how perfect everything was. His brothers teased him about going soft, but Alessandra quickly put a stop to that. She even called out her own husband, Ezra, for going soft after they fell in love. Isaiah didn't say much, but his partner, Marco, was a talker. I loved them all immensely already.

"So," Genevieve turned towards me. "When am I getting another niece or nephew?"

"Vevy!" Joel scolded. "Remember what we talked about with you being too blunt at times?"

"Remember you telling me to stop being so scared to be myself? I'm nosey." She laughed.

I didn't mind the question, I just wasn't sure how to answer it. "I don't think we are in a rush to start a family, but honestly, I can't wait either." Then Ezra came into the room with a newly awake grumpy baby boy. "Oh, I forgot how absolutely adorable he is." I touched his little hand with my finger. To my surprise, he leaned towards me, opening his hands and reaching for me. Ezra didn't hesitate to put him in my arms, even though they didn't know me that well. "Hi, Nathanael."

Jeremiah came into the dining area with the rest of us and stopped frozen when he saw his nephew in my arms. I had first thought he was angry, or maybe I frightened him with the vision of me having a child, his child. But then his eyes softened and he smiled. "Hey, get your own wife, buddy. This one is mine." He came over and gave me a soft kiss, and his family all looked amazed. "What?" He asked.

"I never thought I would see the day my baby brother was in love." Joel chuckled.

"This is a huge switcharoo from your wedding day." Ezra joked and Jeremiah punched him in the arm. "Ow!"

"Oh, I can't wait to hear that story." I laughed.

"Oh, please let me tell her! Please!" Ezra raised his hand.