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Mama Marino’s eyes got all misty. “Honey, it is. That’s the most important part.” She sighed, swallowing down the last dregs of her tea. “I’m not the best at letting Luca go. You two hiding a relationship was a wake-up call I needed. I’ll do better. I can’t claim perfection is in the cards, but Lulu deserves a mother he’s not afraid to talk to, and I’m so embarrassed I ever became that person.”
“It’s just because he loves you so much and he didn’t wanna hurt you,” I insisted.
“That doesn’t make it right. In any case, I’m glad you’ve given me the opportunity to get to know you.”
I was taken aback by the sweetness of the statement. “You’re welcome. Thanks for not immediately writing me off.”
Mama Marino laughed and patted my hand on the table. “I couldn’t do that to Luca. All of my children seem to love throwing me for loops with their relationships. I shouldn’t have been surprised when Luca was the same as his brother and sister. Are you ready to head out?”
Our plates and cups were empty, so I nodded. We picked up two peach sweet teas to go to combat the summer heat as we wandered down by the river in the dappled shade.
“Will you be able to come to family dinners on Sundays?” Mama Marino asked.
“Probably not. That’s my special day with my nieces. We go out every Sunday morning and afternoon and then we go to their mom’s for dinner.”
“What a sweet tradition. They’re always welcome at our place if you feel the inclination to invite them sometime.”
I took a long drink to sort through my thoughts about blending those two portions of my life even further. “I’ll ask Stella about it, for sure.”
“Would your little sister join us?”
“She’s in Thailand with friends for the summer. When she’s back, we can arrange something. She crams her schedule fuller than I do, so I haven’t seen her all year with her going to school out of town.”
“That’s a shame. I hope she has a wonderful trip, though.”
After our walk by the river, Mama Marino took me in and out of a handful of boutique shops and picked out a delicate silver chain and two L charms.
“Don’t you say a word,” she ordered. “It’s not too much, and if you don’t like it, don’t tell me that.” She smiled, pulling me up to the cashier where she made the purchase and clasped the chain and charms around my neck. “Pretty as a picture.”
“It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I toyed with the smooth charms, running my fingertip over the loopy L engravings. I had no mementos from my own mother, and while a few months ago a gesture like this might have sent me into a spiral, today I was trying to appreciate it for what it was.
Nicky and I stared at each other when she arrived for family dinner. She had never invited us over to resolve things, and her face read that she was more embarrassed than upset at seeing me today without having done so. I took a chance and hugged her despite the nerves twisting inside me, and she hugged back fiercely.
Sidney looked between us, probably curious about the two of us being weird around each other when we usually weren’t.
Nicky and her pack spilled around the living room, ushering all of us to sit as well before Nicky handed out neatly wrapped packages to all of us.
I glanced over at my family, wondering if they had any idea what the occasion was, but no one gave me any clue. Mom ripped into the packaging and burst into tears.
“Nicola? Really?”
“Of course, really,” Nicky replied, smiling brightly at Mom. “This isn’t something I would joke about.”
I pried open the box she had given me and stared down at a mug that said World’s Best Uncle on it. My gaze flicked around the room, between the cup and Nicky’s smiling face. Mom was on her feet instantly and sobbing all over Nicky. I joined the throng after my dad, Sidney, and Allie.
“I have an extra surprise,” said Nicky.
Mom sniffled. “I don’t know if my heart can handle another surprise. Tell me anyway.”
“There’s more than one baby.”
“Twins?” Mom gasped.
“In a manner of speaking. Jasper is going to have a baby, too. We’re still waiting on results for Billie, but we could sort of have pack triplets.”
Mom abandoned the family to hug Nicky’s partners. I focused on Jasper, mentally calculating how that would work with the opening of the second location. I prayed I would be ready by the time he was off work. I didn’t want him to have to worry that the bakery wasn’t in good hands while he and the pack were starting their family.
Mom got a squeak out of Billie with how hard she hugged them.
