“Yeah. I guess they’d starve if they didn’t.”
“Right. So no need to start your lessons yet. We can do that any time.”
“Sandra?” Gabriella called out. “Can you set the table, please?”
“See? I told you she’s not shy about asking for help.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll see if I can help Sandra then.”
Luca nodded and went to take a seat at the table with most of the others. When Dawn asked Sandra if she could help, she glanced up from the silverware drawer and said, “Sure. You can place those glasses in front of everyone. Antonio will probably pass a bottle of red wine around. If someone asks for something different, maybe you can get that too.”
“Great!” Dawn liked feeling useful, and she was happy not to be treated as a guest. Of course, she and her grandmother were practically living there now, so maybe they’d been absorbed into the family at some point without realizing it.
When everyone was seated, Gabriella brought out a large spiral-cut ham, surrounded by baked sweet potatoes. Misty came along behind her with a basket of rolls and a large salad. Sandra set another side dish on the table. It looked like broiled vegetables.
The wine was passed, and the only two who had juice were Misty, who was pregnant, and little Tony. Gabe had a sippy cup for him at the ready.
Antonio said grace, and everyone dove in. A general happy chatter sprang up amid the family-style dining.
It was as if Antonio was waiting for everyone to finish the meal before any kind of subject was addressed. When everyone but Tony had cleaned their plates, he said, “The boys and I will clear the table, but don’t anybody go anywhere. Gabriella made a wonderful dessert, and then we have an announcement.”
Miguel, Jayce, and Gabe joined Luca in gathering the plates. Dante and Noah were already filling the sink and speculating over what the meeting might be about.
“Maybe it’s someone’s birthday,” Noah said.
“Dude, it’s always someone’s birthday.”
“Yeah, they wouldn’t call a family meeting for that,” Gabe said.
“Where are Ryan and Chloe?” Jayce asked.
“We’re right here,” Chloe said as they entered through the back door.
Dawn hadn’t met Ryan yet. Luca had explained that because his eldest brother had “died” in a back draft and a very public funeral had been held for him, he and Chloe had moved to her home in Ireland soon after he had reincarnated. Now they had to wait until everyone in Boston who might recognize him passed away before they could be seen in public here.
It caused her to raise an eyebrow but only one. She had thought she was shock-proof before, but now that she’d been let in on the paranormal population, nothing much surprised her anymore. Apparently, other brothers had met with different types of disasters and found their way back to life without the whole city noticing.
Eventually, they were all sitting down again, and a scoop of gelato plus a piece of cake with whipped cream sat in front of everyone.
“Eat up,” Gabriella said. “Before it melts.”
She didn’t have to ask twice. Everyone gobbled up dessert with enthusiasm, as if they hadn’t just filled their stomachs with a big dinner.
When everyone was full and groaning, Antonio said, “Everyone satisfied?”
“And then some,” Dante said, followed by a burp.
When the laughter died down, Antonio rose. “Good. Because your mother and I have an announcement. We’re moving.”
A beat of silence was followed by numerous voices all asking questions at once. Antonio held up his hands. “Quiet down. I’ll explain.” He took a deep breath. “Most of you know I’ve been trying to get your mother to move to the Caribbean with me after I retired from the fire department. Well, she didn’t want to go until she knew all her sons were going to be all right. And by all right, she meant happily married or in a committed relationship.”
“And I’m not ashamed of that,” Gabriella said. “I’d have been miserable if I had to worry about any one of you.”
“And apparently, we need a good woman looking after us in order for her not to worry,” Jayce said, smirking.
Dawn wondered at that. Did Gabriella assume she and Luca were committed enough for her worries to be over? He was the youngest and the only son still unmarried.
As if reading her mind, Gabe said, “What about Luca? I thought you and Mom were twice as worried about him, because he decided to become a cop instead of a firefighter—and Dawn’s great, but they aren’t married yet.”
