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“Looking around this room, I’m filled with pride.” He looked down at me with a smile. “I’m not much of a public speaker—” Light-hearted laughter filled the room. “So, I’ll keep this brief. I want to thank you all for your dedication and loyalty as we navigated through the changes of the last year. Now, let’s pray and eat this amazing meal Loretta has made for us.”
Loretta beamed from the doorway, and Marco gave her a disinterested look.
“Don’t be an asshole,” Tootsie muttered, just loud enough for those of us at the head of the table to hear.
Zoe and I shared an amused look as the cousins bickered quietly.
Dinner was delicious, and we had a good time. The only thing that could’ve improved the night was if Adriana and Dante had made it. Unfortunately, they were snowed in at O’Hare. Plans were being made for them to spend Christmas Day with us, and Adriana planned on bringing Dr. Wilson.
Say what you want, but that man had balls.
After the extended family left, Rosa and Marco walked us to the door. I held Mia to my chest, starting to regret that I agreed to let her sleep over at Rosa’s. Kissing her chubby cheeks, tears filled my eyes. With a laugh, I passed her to Luca. “I didn’t think I’d be weepy about leaving her.” I wiped under my eyes, careful not to smear my makeup.
“It’s totally normal.” Rosa smiled.
Luca cleared his throat, and we all turned to him and caught him whispering to Mia, his eyes glassy.
“Not you too.” I laughed, rubbing his arm.
“She’s so little,” he said, hugging her to his chest.
“You’ve got nothing to worry about.” Rosa reached for Mia, and Luca reluctantly handed her over.
“I want pictures,” Luca demanded as he straightened his cuffs.
“Every hour.” Rosa’s smile grew as she looked down at her granddaughter. “Tell Mom and Dad we’re going to have a good time.”
“If she’s too much, just call us, and we can come get her,” I offered, worried that the two a.m. feeding might make Rosa regret offering to babysit.
“We’ll be fine. Now get out of here before you’re late.”
I checked my phone. “We better go. Malcolm’s texted me five times.”
We said our goodbyes, giving Mia one more kiss, and rushed to Moretti’s.
“You’re late,” Malcolm said as he wrestled with a bouquet of roses.
“Sorry! Is everything ready?” I tossed my coat into the office and followed him to the swinging door.
“Yes. Her parents snuck in and are at the bar. Jazz, Imani, Sarah, Miranda, Scott, and Axel are waiting out front. My parents are sitting in the corner. We were just waiting for you.”
I shot a text to our friends to come in and smiled. “Well then, let’s do this!”
Malcolm cleared his throat, moving the bouquet into his other hand. “Okay. Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it.” I patted his back and followed him into the dining room, hanging back so Ashley wouldn’t notice me.
“Malcolm?” Ashley eyed the roses with a confused smile on her face.
“Ashley Brooks—” He fell to one knee, and the whole restaurant froze. “For years, I’ve loved you. As my best friend, as my girlfriend, and now, I hope you’ll do me the honor of allowing me to love you as my wife.” He popped open a ring box. “Will you marry me?”
Tears rolled down Ashley’s face as she nodded. “Yes, Malcolm. Absolutely.”
The room erupted in cheers, and Malcolm let out a breath, dropping the bouquet of roses to the floor and scooping her up into his arms. Her feet dangled in the air as he kissed the ever-loving hell out of her.
The kiss went on so long that Mr. Brooks said, “Save some for the wedding.” And everyone laughed.
Malcolm set her down, wiping the tears from under her eyes with his thumbs as she held his wrists and smiled up at him, her dimples on full display.
