“Not recently, but I bet they would if you asked them to.”
Erica came to stand beside me. Her expression said, “See.”
I did. She was right; there was no way that day would end without me dropping by her house to show off my ring.
I expected the Romano family home to be ostentatious, a sprawling estate with stone walls and a gate like the home Sebastian and I had made into our romantic getaway spot. Yet though it was a beautiful home set in the middle of a well-maintained acre or so of a yard, it could have belonged to any middle-class family.
We were the only car in the driveway when we pulled in. Clutched in my hands was the bottle of Italian wine I’d brought for his parents.
Sebastian put a hand on my arm. “There’s nothing to worry about. They are going to love you because I do.”
Ava chimed in between the seats. “You love my mom, Sebastian?”
He chuckled. “I do, peanut.”
“I love her too,” Ava said cheerfully.
“She’s pretty great,” Sebastian said, then opened his car door. “Ava, you might not want to bring your stuffed animals in. My mother told me they have something in the house that might chew them up.”
“Like a lion?” Ava asked.
He walked around to open my door and Ava’s. “Smaller. I told my mother I missed Digger, and she took that to mean it was time for our family to get another dog. I believe they got a golden retriever.”
“For themselves?” I asked as we walked up the driveway to the steps.
Sebastian held out his hands as if at a loss. “Hard to say. I told them we don’t have room for a puppy right now.”
“It’s a puppy?” Ava squealed. “A real puppy? For me?”
“Oh, hon, I don’t think it’s for us. But I’m sure they’ll let you play with it,” I said.
The door opened, and a tall woman with dark hair waved us in. Sebastian’s father smiled at us over her shoulder. His hair was brown rather than black, and I had expected him to also have Sebastian’s dark-gray eyes, but he didn’t. He looked a good ten years older than his wife but still healthy and active.
“Mom. Dad. This is Heather and her daughter, Ava. Heather, this is my mother, Camilla, and my father, Basil.”
My heart warmed when Sebastian ducked down for his mother to give him a kiss on the forehead. His father hugged him as well. It was the kind of welcome I’d always imagined other families had.
I was taken by surprise by the hug his mother pulled me in for. It wasn’t unpleasant, just unexpected. She released me before I had time to regain my balance. Sebastian took the bottle of wine from me, which was a good thing because I’d forgotten I was holding it.
His father took my hand between both of his and simply held it for a moment. “We are so happy to meet you, Heather.”
Did they know why I was there? It seemed that way.
Sebastian’s mother turned to Ava. “I heard you like puppies, and I just happen to have one. Would you like to meet her?” She held out her hand. Ava took it and happily followed her into the house.
We stepped into the house, and it was easy to find Ava. She sat on the floor of the kitchen in a round playpen with a blonde puppy licking her face. “Isn’t she beautiful, Mommy? Camilla said I could name her.”
“That’s a big responsibility,” I said lightly. Especially if they think she’s leaving with us.
Sebastian bent to whisper in my ear. “Dad says the puppy is theirs. They wanted Ava to have a friend when she comes to visit.”
Emotion choked my throat, making it impossible to speak at first. “I don’t know what to say.”
He kissed my cheek. “I’m hoping for a yes.”
I laid my head on his arm. “Is this the big question?”
“I’d like to hold off until my brothers are here, but you tell me. Now. Later. I don’t care as long as the answer means you become a Romano.”
I couldn’t resist. I asked, “What is the ring like?”
In my ear he growled, “Oh, so big.”
I pushed him away playfully. I couldn’t go there with him, not with his parents a few feet away. “Behave.”
He chuckled.
His mother called my name. “Heather, Sunday is a seven-course meal. Would you like to learn some of our family recipes?”
“Sure,” I said, reluctantly leaving Sebastian’s side.
The next twenty minutes turned into a sad mockery of a cooking lesson. She rattled off ingredients, half of which I had never heard of. She looked concerned as she watched me cut the vegetables, as if I were a child wielding a knife for the first time.
When she asked me to stir the gravy, I stood there at a loss. There was pasta sauce on the stove, but gravy? I didn’t see any.
I was about to admit defeat when Ava joined us. After washing her hands, she climbed up on a stool Camilla set beside the table for her.
“Mommy doesn’t know how to cook,” Ava announced.
Camilla looked at me with a small smile. “I guessed that.”
“She didn’t have a mom to teach her. If you teach me, I’ll teach her.” Ava rolled up her sleeves as if ready to do just that.
I hugged my daughter from behind. “I would love that.”
“Me too,” Camilla said. She explained to Ava that gravy is what her family calls pasta sauce. I relaxed as they chatted. I might not be a good cook, but my little Ava was turning into a pretty wonderful person anyway.
“Mommy”—Ava pointed at a pot of green beans—“look, it’s like at Erica’s house. They cook their vegetables too.”
I smiled awkwardly at Sebastian’s mother.
Her answering smile was kind. “You eat raw vegetables, Ava? They’re so good for you. Your mom is one smart woman.”
Ava tipped her head back and smiled at me. “She is. She’s my second mom. I’m adopted.”
“I’m the second mom for my youngest son,” Camilla said. “He’s my favorite.” She ducked down and said in a conspiratorial voice, “Don’t tell any of them I said that. They all like to think they’re my favorite.”
“Am I your favorite, Mommy?” Ava asked.
I kissed the top of her head. “Absolutely.”
She climbed down from the stool. “Can I go play with the puppy again?”
Camilla nodded, so I did as well.
Once Ava’s attention was back on the puppy, I said, “Thank you, Camilla, for being so kind to her.”
Camilla wiped her hands on a towel. “Heather, my son loves you. I know meeting all of us today must be a little scary, but you brought joy back to Sebastian’s life—we love you for that already. I don’t care if you can cook. Just take care of my son. He’s a good man.”
“He is.” It wasn’t just the diced onions that were making my eyes water. “And he’s so good with Ava.”
“She’s a lovely child. If you’re here for the reason I think you are, I’d love it if you let her call me Nonna one day.”
That was it. I started crying happy tears and walked right into the arms Camilla held out for me. I couldn’t remember what it was like to be hugged by my own mother, but that thought didn’t make me sad anymore. When I stepped back, I wiped my eyes and said, “I’m sorry. I’m not usually a crier. I’ve always wanted Ava to have more family than just me.” I sniffed.
“If I say I hope you call me Mom, will you start crying again?” Her tone was gentle.
Tears welled in my eyes again, and I nodded.
Sebastian appeared at my side. “Heather? Everything okay?”
“I love your mother,” I proclaimed through my tears, and he relaxed.
He put an arm around my waist. “That’s good. I love her too. Mom, everyone is here. Do you need help in here?”
“No,” she said. “Introduce Heather to your brothers. Ava can stay with me and . . . Ava, what is the puppy’s name?”
Ava called back, “Sara.”
“Sara it is,” Camilla said.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
* * *
SEBASTIAN
I never thought I’d feel anything this deeply again. Yet all it took was a look from Heather to tangle me up on the inside—in the most amazing way.
I loved seeing her with my family. My parents’ thoughts were an easy read—I knew they approved of how she’d taken Ava in. I wasn’t sure how a career woman would get on with my mother, but they already seemed comfortable around each other. My father hadn’t stopped smiling since we’d walked in.
My brothers overwhelmed Heather when she was first introduced to all of them at once, but as soon as they started giving me shit, she relaxed. For an only child, she didn’t seem to mind my loud, chaotic family. Nothing my family could have said would have swayed my decision to ask Heather to marry me, but their acceptance of her was important to me.
During dinner, Heather and I sat closest to my parents. They asked Heather enough questions to write a book, but she didn’t seem to mind. On my other side, Ava sat quietly with big eyes while my brothers bantered back and forth. I was considering moving her closer to Heather when I saw Gian motion toward Ava.
Conversation on that side of the table quieted. “Ava,” Gian asked, “did you bring Wolfie with you?”
“You know Wolfie?” Her little jaw dropped open.
“We all do,” he said. “We met him the day Sebastian saved him from the side of the road. How is he?”
She leaned forward. “He’s in the car because of Sara. Wolfie has his own puppies now. Eight. And a wife—Wolfina.”
“That’s great,” Gian said.
Mauricio asked Ava what grade she was in, and her shyness fell away. She told them about her teacher, her friends at school, the boy who pooped himself and tried to hide his underwear in his cubby. My brothers didn’t have to prompt her to hear about Charlotte and her brothers. No one would ever have to worry that Ava would run out of things to say.
After dinner but before dessert, my brothers and I cleared the table. In the shuffle, I pulled Ava aside. “Ava, I’m about to ask your mother to marry me. Do you know what that means?”
“Maybe,” she said with confidence.
“It means that I’m going to ask her if she wants to be my family. If she says yes, we’ll have a wedding, and then you both will live with me. Would you like that?”
“You’d be my daddy?”
I swallowed hard. “If you want me to be.”
She pulled on my arm until I bent down, and she gave me one of her tight-around-the-neck hugs. “I want a daddy.”
“My parents would be your grandparents. Your Nonna and Papa.”
“Really?”
“If you want more grandparents.”
“Wow.”
“And my brothers would be your uncles.”
“A big family.” Ava’s expression turned serious. “I hope Mommy says yes.”
“She will,” I assured my little peanut. “But there’s something I need you to do. Could you hold on to the ring until I ask for it?” I handed her the box that held a flawless two-carat diamond.
She opened it and said, “It’s so pretty.”
“You think she’ll like it?”
Ava nodded, closed the box, and looked down at her dress. “I have a pocket.” She stuffed the small box inside.
“Good thinking,” I said. “Now let’s go back in, and you take good care of that ring for me until I ask for it, okay?”
She gave me a confident thumbs-up and followed me back into the dining room.
When we returned to the table, cannoli were waiting on dessert plates. Ava rushed to take her seat.
Heather gave me a curious look.
I tried to appear innocent.
Once everyone was seated again, I tapped my fork against the side of my glass of water. All eyes turned to me, and conversation died away.
I stood and took Heather by the hand. She rose to stand beside me. “Heather, I don’t know if it was chance or something greater that brought us together, but I’m grateful for whatever it was. You’ll probably never know how much meeting you has brought me back to my life. I love you and Ava.” I dropped down to one knee. “Marry me and let’s be a family.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes,” Heather said, holding out her hand.
I gave my coat pocket a pat. “Hmm, I had it with me earlier.” I felt around the breast pocket of my jacket. “No, just dice in there.”
Heather blushed.
I continued, “Where could I have put that ring?”
Mauricio joked, “Small things are easy to misplace. I’m sure you’ll find it.”
Ava jumped up. “I have it. I have your ring.”
Heather teared up when her daughter came to stand with us and handed me the ring box. Ava’s eyes rounded as I slid the ring onto Heather’s finger.
“Can I have the box?” Ava asked.
“You sure can,” Heather said, “because I’m never taking this ring off.”
I kissed her then. It wasn’t the kiss I would have given her had we been alone, but it held a promise of a future together.
“I’m so glad she said yes,” Ava said to the table in general, and there was a round of laughter.
When I rose to my feet, Heather simply hugged me, then put out her arm for Ava to join in. It was a sappy scene, but not one my brothers mocked. They knew the depths of where I’d been and how much this meant to me.
My parents stood and each hugged Heather, welcoming her and Ava to the family. My brothers followed suit. When we took our seats again, Ava asked, “Mommy, can I go get Wolfie? I want him to meet my new family.”
“I’ll get him,” I said.
“I’ll go with you,” Heather said.
As soon as the front door closed behind us, she was in my arms. Our kiss tasted of forever. I raised my head and said, “I’m not a perfect man.”
“Great, now you tell me.” She cupped my cheek with one hand.
I laid my hand over hers. “But I’m going to do my damnedest to be the husband you deserve and the father Ava wants.”
She went up on her tiptoes and whispered. “News flash, we’re not perfect either. On my best day I’m only sixty-five percent certain I know what I’m doing as a parent.”
I smiled. “I bet we can get that to at least seventy percent if we put our heads together.”
She laughed. “I love you, Sebastian.”
“I love you, too, Heather. Now why did we come out here?”
EPILOGUE
* * *
SEBASTIAN
May 20—one year later
As I laid a bouquet of flowers at the base of Therese’s headstone, I didn’t know if she could hear me, but I needed to believe she could.
Look at me, Therese. It’s the anniversary of the day you left, and I’m sober.
My eyes misted.
Six years and I can still remember the way you liked your coffee, and I regret every time I complained that your feet were too cold to tuck beneath me as we slept.
I laid my hand on the top of her stone.
I’m not angry anymore. I couldn’t stay in that place—it was killing me.
The platinum and gold ring shone on my left hand.
Heather and I are married now. You should see the house we live in. You would have hated it, because you would have insisted on cleaning it yourself. Heather doesn’t worry about things like that.
You’d like her—she’s not afraid of speaking her mind.
She could have come to work for Romano Superstores, but she likes her independence.
And I don’t mind that.
I can’t keep flogging myself for what I did wrong with you. All I can do is try not to repeat those mistakes.
Oh, and I know you sent her to me, because when I get out of line, she kicks my ass.
I smiled.
Not saying I don’t deserve it.
Mauricio is enjoying the show a little too much. So if I can put in a request, could you please send him someone who will knock a little of that cockiness out of him? Someone ni
ce that my parents will love, but you know Mauricio. His ego could use a trim.
I glanced back at my car. Heather was waiting patiently beside it.
I love her, Therese. I love the life we’re making together. Ava is in kindergarten now and growing up too fast. Heather worries that we’re spoiling her. But Mom and Dad dote on my little peanut. For her birthday, Gian bought her a puppy, Christof got her a kitten, and Mauricio sent her over the moon by getting her a pony.
Our house is chaotic, but I love it.
I’m happy again, Therese. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss you. It will never mean I’ll forget you. What I’m leaving behind is the guilt.
I can’t be a man who hates himself and still be a good husband and father. Did I tell you Heather is pregnant? We don’t know the sex of the baby yet, but we will as soon as it’s possible to. And I’ll be right there with her at every appointment, as I should have been with you.
Remember the bear Mom bought us when she found out you were pregnant? I intend to keep it in the baby’s room. Watch over our baby, Therese. In my mind, we’re all family.
Heather. Every time she gets in a car, a part of me wants to forbid her to. I’m getting better, though. I couldn’t Bubble Wrap her and keep her safe even if I tried. She’s an independent woman with strong opinions of her own.
It’s good for me.
I called to Heather to join me. She came over and slid beneath my arm. When I told her where I was going that morning, she’d asked me only how she could best support me.
Another woman might have resented Therese.
Some might have jealously asked me to choose.
That wasn’t Heather.
She’d once told me she understood loss, and she did.
“Tell me a favorite memory you have together,” Heather requested.
I didn’t. As kind as she was, I didn’t want to do that to her.
She looked up at me with such love in her eyes there was no way I could deny her anything. “If our places were reversed, I would want the best of who I’d been to be remembered. That’s what I’d want to live on. I’ll come here every year with you, but I think we should leave Therese laughing. So share something she would have told me if she were here. How did you meet?”
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