“Mama? May I get yours as well? I asked, holding my breath. “Please?”
After a long silence, she just stared at us, frustration written across her face, but my father said something under his breath that I couldn’t hear. She trained her expression and spoke with a little less hostile tone.
“I don’t agree with this, Renata. I won’t lie to you. I think this is a mistake. But your father is right. You do look different, content. Happy.” She sat taller, her head held high as she continued. “I’ve raised you to be independent, and I can’t tell you what to do. You’re a grown woman. Just make sure you are smart concerning melding your lives together, including your future business,” she said, still not softening to our plans but not fighting us either.
“Please understand that I want nothing from Ren. Once her business is up and running, I am happy to sign anything that would make her comfortable. I want to provide for her while letting her spread her wings and fly. We are equals in every way. Her independence will only be enhanced by my commitment to see her make all her dreams come true,” Mike said with confidence, making my heart soar.
Mama scoffed again. “Men make allkindsof promises until that ring is on their finger.”
Once again, her words hit like a physical blow, this time to my father, who closed his eyes.
“I am not all men, Mrs. Valenti,” Mike said softly, pausing to find the right words. “I may not be perfect, but I was raised to be honorable, and I will honor Ren in every way. I don’t want totake from her. I want to give her a home where I will always be waiting for her. I want to make her laugh, wipe her tears, cheer her on through it all. I’m sure Mr. Valenti knows exactly what I mean.”
Mama turned her head as Papa nodded his silent thanks to Mike. If Mike hadn’t won him over before, he had in that moment. Papa was a wonderful man. Whatever happened between him and my mother didn’t change that.
I took a breath before speaking. “There is one other thing we need you to know. We’re getting married soon. Mike’s grandmother is ill, and we would both like her to be present. And of course, you as well.”
Mama faced the phone again, her eyebrows lifted, nearly disappearing into her hairline. I braced myself for the next blow.
“How soon are you talking about, Renata?” she asked, twisting on the sofa, as if positioning herself for another fight. Papa listened intently.
I looked at Mike, and he answered, “My grandmother has to stay at the hospital for a few more days. She suffered a heart attack, and that’s when I found out how advanced her condition had become. Ren has graciously agreed to have a simple ceremony as soon as she is home and settled. We’re thinking about having it in the next couple of weeks. And yes, we would love for you to be here with us to celebrate.”
“Wow, that’s short notice, and we don’t have many options to keep our business running while we’re gone,” Papa said, cutting Mama off as she looked poised to object to the speed of our plans. “But you’re our only daughter. No one will give you away but me. We will be there. I’ll start looking at flights tonight, but let us know the exact date as soon as you know it. Right, Lucia?”
He looked at her expectantly, and I saw her jaw tighten as a muscle flexed. She did not like it when my father took over things like this, as she loved being in control.
She finally nodded and said, “Yes, of course. It’s late and we have a lot of preparations to make in such a short time. Ciao.” She stood as Mike and I sat staring at my father, who was quiet.
“I’m happy for you, amore. For both of you. Michael, you understand that you’re asking me to entrust and transfer my role in her life to you. I pray you haven’t taken that lightly.”
Mike leaned forward. “No, sir, I haven’t and never will take that responsibility lightly. Again, as much as Ren is her own woman, I want to offer her a safe place in me. I don’t want to control her. I want us to offer each other our strengths and support each other in our weaknesses.”
Papa smiled weakly and said, “I pray you are more successful than I’ve been.” He stood up, taking the phone with him. “It’s getting late here, as your mother said. We have so much to do. I’ll talk to you both soon. Ren, I love you very much. Michael, take care of my girl.”
“You have my word, sir.”
“Good night, Papa, I love you too,” I said softly, my heart aching from his words about my mother. Seeing them created some doubt about being able to love Mike once again, and I prayed I was wrong.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Mike
Exiting the hospital elevator,Ren and I turned the corner that led to the ICU. She hadn’t said much after the call with her parents, but we’d left for the hospital right after. Assuring me she was fine, I didn’t ask any more, but watching her hands open and close into fists as I drove told another story.
“Grammy has probably been holding court from her bed, if I had to guess,” I said, trying to make her engage.
She laughed and shook her head. “So her mafia reign isn’t limited to her facility, then.”
“She has far-reaching influence.”
I stepped closer to her to make room for an orderly pushing a man in a wheelchair, and my hand brushed hers. She looked down but said nothing, so I didn’t move back over, causing the backs of our hands to touch as we walked. It was ridiculous how I’d morphed back into a twelve-year-old, excited at the thought of holding a girl’s hand.
“They’ll probably only let one of us go in at a time,” I said when we reached the ICU doors.
“You go first, and if she’s too tired for me to come in afterward, just give her my love,” Ren said, looking up at me with those doe eyes.
“If she’s stronger today, I think we should tell her. You know, about the wedding,” I said, watching her reaction closely. She wore a dark wash jean paired with a bright yellow shirt that wrapped around her middle and tied in the front. I couldn’t help thinking how it matched her perfectly. Every time I’d seen Ren, she’d been dressed fashionably, even if it were just a pair of jeans.
