There are at least six of them, all talking at once, carrying dishes wrapped in foil, wearing their best jewelry, and looking around my penthouse like they're conducting a home inspection.
"Vittorio!" Nonna—Christian's actual grandmother—makes a beeline for me, kissing both my cheeks. "So tall! So handsome! Why you no come to visit?"
"I—we were just there last week?—"
"Last week is long time! You bring wife, yes?" She spots Harper and gasps. "Bellissima! Come here, cara!"
Harper looks at me with wide eyes, and I can only shrug helplessly as Nonna pulls her into a hug.
The other grandmothers descend immediately, cooing over Harper, rearranging the table settings, unpacking their food contributions without being asked.
"We bring the cannoli," one announces.
"And sfogliatelle," another adds.
"Grazie mille for inviting us to such beautiful home!" Nonna says, though I definitely didn't invite them.
Christian leans over to me. "I'm sorry. I mentioned that you and Harper had a shoot to do, that Thanksgiving was cancelled. I didn't think she'd?—"
"Bring the entire book club?"
"In my defense, they go everywhere together."
Roman is grinning like this is the best entertainment he's had in months. "This is amazing."
"This is insane.”
"Same thing."
The grandmothers take over, wielding their power with a slew of wooden spoons, and within minutes, they've expanded the table settings, added their dishes to our spread, and are settled into seats, still talking over each other in a mix of Italian and English.
"You make the turkey?" one asks Harper.
"I—yes?—"
"Is good! Very moist! You use butter under skin?"
"Butter and herbs, yes?—"
"Brava! This one knows cooking!" She turns to me. "You keep her!"
"I'm planning to," I say dryly.
Babushka and Nonna eye each other across the table with the wariness of rival generals.
"You are Christian's grandmother?" Babushka asks.
"Si. And you are Victor's?"
"Da."
They stare at each other. Then, slowly, they smile.
"Your grandson is good boy," Nonna says.
"Your grandson also good boy," Babushka agrees.
"They both could use more meat on bones."
