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Epilogue
“Are you ready to introduce Mia to the family?” Luca asked as he unbuckled our three-month-old from her car seat.
“No, but I figure it’ll be more fun than last year’s Christmas dinner.”
Luca laughed, cradling Mia to his chest. “Not too hard to accomplish.”
I grabbed my purse, the diaper bag, and a cooler full of breast milk. “We might’ve over-packed.”
“It’s her first night away from us.” Luca shrugged, closing the door on the family SUV.
Frankie walked out the front door with his arms extended. “Mia!”
“Hello to you too,” I grumbled, hefting the heavy bags over my shoulder.
Frankie didn’t spare me a glance as he carefully took our daughter from Luca. “Merry Christmas, beautiful girl.” He kissed her forehead, tucking her blanket tightly around her, and started toward the house.
“You think she’s here?” I asked Luca as Frankie disappeared inside.
Luca shook his head. “She just had the baby, and I get the feeling she’s not really sold on the family.”
“Fair.” I handed him the cooler, and we walked toward the house. “Aunt Gia’s going to try and get her to come to book club next month. She told me not to tell Frankie.”
Luca laughed, holding the door open for me. “I’m sure Frankie will just love that.”
“If he’s serious about her, she’ll have to spend time with the family eventually.”
“You’re right.” Luca lifted the cooler and nodded toward the back of the house. “I’m going to take this to the kitchen.”
“Okay. I’m going to drop this stuff in your room.”
When I made my way down to the party, I found Rosa showing Mia off to her sisters.
“Oh, Sasha. She’s beautiful,” Michael’s mother, Teresa, gushed as she gently caressed Mia’s hair.
“Thank you.”
“It’s the eyes,” Aunt Gia said with a nod. “They’re mesmerizing.“
“Just like my little Connor.” Aunt Teresa looked over to where Sarah and Michael sat on the floor by the window with their one-year-old, playing with some blocks. “I’m excited for the slumber party tonight.”
Rosa grinned, the grandmothers clearly in their element.
Mia’s green eyes met mine, and she gummed her fist.
“Are you okay holding her?” I asked Rosa.
She playfully glared at me, holding her granddaughter out of reach. “We’re doing just fine. Why don’t you go get a drink?”
“Don’t mind if I do!”
It would be my first baby-free night since Mia was born, and I planned to take full advantage of it.
Gin and tonic in hand, I mingled with the Morettis. The wives were warm and welcoming, and the husbands smiled politely, giving their congratulations on Mia’s birth. The shift in the family’s attitude was refreshing, even if it came at the expense of murdering the old guard.
After putting Mia down for a nap, Luca escorted me to the dining room, and we claimed our seats at the head of the table.
The rest of the family filed in, and once they were seated, Luca stood. “Thank you all for being here to celebrate what has been an amazing year. From record-breaking profits to family additions, the Morettis have been blessed beyond measure.
