“The food smells so good; thank you for inviting me,” I told Bianci as she fussed in the kitchen, stirring multiple pots. Scents of garlic and tomato filled the air, pots bubbling on the stove.
Vanessa grinned.
“Mamalovescooking, you know this.”
“Don’t thank me like you’re a stranger, Lila,” Bianci chastised, shooting me a frown. “You’re family.”
My cheeks warmed at her words, and I sipped my iced tea. “Still, I appreciate it. Thank you.”
“Things haven’t been easy, but the baby is a sign of positive things coming your way, Lila. Becoming a mother is a great gift to any woman.”
“Except for the nausea,” I quipped.
“Ginger, your mother told you this. I know because we speak!”
Vanessa and I giggled at her tone, like she thought we were still kids.
I wish we were sometimes.
“Are you excited for the scan?” Vanessa asked, jumping up to help her mother dish up.
In the Rossi house, there were multiple plates of food. The table was filled with garlic bread, olives, and mozzarella. There was a big salad only Bianci seemed to touch. First up was pasta, then came the meat, then the heavenly dessert. I could already see the cheesecake resting on the side, and I was here for it.
“I am,” I said, lifting a slice of garlic bread to my mouth. I groaned as the garlic hit my tastebuds. I was ravenous.
“Victor is going too, isn’t he?” Bianci placed a big pot of steaming pasta on the table, glancing at me with the same brown eyes as her son.
“Yes,” I replied quietly. I swallowed my garlic bread and reached for my glass.
“How is it now he’s home?” Bianci watched Vanessa place the tomato sauce beside the pasta, nodding her approval.
How is it? How do I answer that? It was heartbreaking.
“Strange,” I commented with a frown as Vanessa bowed her head.
Shit,Bianci always said Grace before we ate, and I’d already nabbed a garlic bread slice.
I bowed my head as Bianci cleared her throat.
“Lord, thank you for bringing us together tonight. Watch over this family, especially the baby, and keep everyone safe and healthy.” Her voice wobbled when she said baby, and Vanessa reached out for her.
“Amen,” Vanessa and I said in unison.
Bianci clapped her hands together and pushed the pasta toward me.
“Guests first.”
I heaped the pasta onto my plate, the three empty chairs at the dining table judging me silently. Even though Bianci lived alone, there were six chairs.
One in particular bugged me, because Victor always sat beside me.
I avoided looking at it and instead focused on the meal, listening to Bianci and Vanessa discussing baby names.
“Luca is a strong boy's name,” Bianci remarked, twirling her pasta around her fork.
“But it’s a girl,” Vanessa argued. “Valentina.”
“Stupid girl, you do not know the sex!” Bianci rolled her eyes
