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Bronte’s heart was touched, but she frowned. “Why?”
“Because without you, Luca was in darkness, and now you are his light. For that I will be eternally grateful.”
Bronte’s eyes were sparkling with tears. The happy kind; those that came from laughing until your sides could split. The whole night had been an exercise in perfection. Sitting under a long table with fairy lights strung overhead, delicious food, wine, music an
d company, her soul was ripe to burst.
“Gabe will be here in time, won’t he?” She heard Fiero’s wife Elodie ask Nico’s wife Maddie.
Maddie looked around, lowering her voice but encompassing Bronte in the confidence. “He was making noises about not coming home for Christmas at all,” Maddie murmured. “I know Nico was furious about that.”
“So was Fiero,” Elodie nodded. “With Yaya’s health as it is…”
They all looked towards the older woman, sitting at the head of the table, a contented expression of her face.
Bronte unconsciously lifted her fingers to the necklace, toying with it.
“She’s doing very well,” Alessia, Massimo’s wife smiled. As a doctor, she’d taken to overseeing Yaya’s health concerns. “Though of course, age is no one’s friend.”
“Which is why it would be great if Gabe could guarantee he’d be here,” Lauren joined in, pulling her long blonde hair over one shoulder and wrapping the ends around her fingertips. Lauren and Yaya had a deep bond, and her insights were particularly helpful. “I feel as though he’s becoming even more distant lately.”
“He is,” Alessia murmured thoughtfully. “I know Massimo is worried about him.”
Despite being ‘new’ to the family, everyone had been so welcoming of Bronte, she had no hesitations in speaking her mind. She had been shown such welcome and acceptance that she already felt strong bonds of friendship forming with the women who would become her sisters in law.
“There’s something else to consider,” Bronte said thoughtfully. Each woman turned to face her. “Samir.”
Elodie’s eyes flared wide. “Yes, of course.”
“I know Yaya would like to see him again,” Lauren agreed with a nod.
“Do you know if anyone’s contacted him?”
Blank faces met Bronte’s question.
“I don’t think so,” Alessia responded.
“Not since Gianfelice’s funeral,” Elodie added.
“I wonder if there’s something we can do about that?” Bronte posed, her eyes sweeping the women.
Lauren’s nod was enthusiastic. “You’re a genius, Bronte.”
Alessia’s smile was broad. “Definitely one of us.”
Elodie leaned closer. “We’re so happy Luca found you.”
The tears in Bronte’s eyes later that night were not from laughing so hard her sides could burst, but they were still happy tears. Three nights before Christmas and she felt aglow with warmth and pleasure. “Your family is pretty incredible.”
Luca wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. “Right back at you.”
“We’re very lucky.”
“I’m very lucky,” he corrected, brushing his lips over hers. “As everyone in my whole family keeps pointing out to me.”
Her cheeks glowed warm. “They’ve all been so kind.”
“They’ve been exactly what you deserve.”
