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“I’m going to have a little boy,” Kieran said.
“A little ragazzino,” Papa said. “Oh joy, I love, I love it!” He crossed over to me and pulled my face tight as he kissed my cheeks and then went to Kieran, taking him into a big bear hug. For such a tiny man, Papa was surprisingly strong, and Kieran laughed as he picked him up briefly and sat him back down. “Now, this is a cause for celebration! I will be right back.”
When he returned, he was carrying several bottles of champagne and glasses to hand around to the other guests. The restaurant was just beginning to open, but one of my sisters closed the door to the private room, leaving only its own special entrance to the kitchen open. We all had a glass of special drink, with mine being sparkling grape juice, and celebrated for a bit as food began to stream in.
Helen and Finn had offered to throw us a catered party themselves, but Papa had been insistent. He said Italian women needed Italian food and was pumping me full of everything he could to pamper me and stuff me like a Christmas pig. Eventually, he brought out a giant pizza, one that took up the entire table, and placed it in front of us all.
“This looks amazing,” Helen said.
“Try it first, my dearest,” Papa said. “Go on. I am’a very proud of it.”
Shrugging, I peeled off a slice and put it to my lips. As soon as I bit down, an explosion of flavor, and heat, hit my tongue. I was so surprised, I nearly spat it out. But I held strong, chewing and swallowing with wide eyes as Papa’s hands clasped together and he shook them in victory.
“You like?” he asked.
“It’s so hot!” I said. “Papa, you made a spicy pizza?”
“I did. Just for my little baby. I heard spice induces labor, you know. So, eat. Eat!”
“Papa, what is on this?”
Beaming, he put his hands on his hips, puffing his chest out.
“Ghost pepper.”
“You put ghost pepper on pizza?” Tony asked.
“I did,” he said. “I learned something from my little Sofia. You used this in a sauce one time, and one of our guests came back and said it was the best he ever had. I was so mad at you. But it worked. I have been asked about that sauce once a month for years. So, I decided to make it myself. As a pizza marinara.”
“It’s delicious,” I said. “But it’s so hot.”
“I can’t wait,” Kieran said. “May I?”
“Everyone, eat,” I said. “If you dare.”
It only took a few seconds before Tony and Kieran were chomping away, their foreheads glistening with sweat and smiles on their faces.
My sisters joined us a little while later, each in their own time while on break. They had been trying to pamper me as well and driving me around when Kieran couldn’t and I didn’t feel comfortable behind the wheel anymore. Luna was the last to join us and curled up on my arm for a while as we put our heads together. I had never felt closer to them than I had in the last few months, not since we were tiny children. It was amazing what bringing a new life into the world could do.
Finally, when the pizza had been polished off and everyone else headed home, Kieran and I made our way to the truck and got on the road. We were almost there when I had the worst indigestion of my life. I was moaning and holding a gurgling stomach when something else happened that made my eyes open wide, and I grabbed Kieran’s arm.
“What is it?” he asked.
“My water just broke!” I shouted. “It’s time!”
Kieran yanked the truckout of the lane we were in and into the turning lane, heading for the highway. Five Corners hospital was twenty minutes away, and he planned on making it there faster than that. A quick call from him to the police department meant we were joined by a cop car moments later, its lights and sirens on as it led us through town at high speed.
I texted my family and told them what was happening, and by the time I was in the hospital room, I knew they were there.
Dr. Romina Davis was there, and it was nice to see a friendly face as I was rushed into delivery. She helped guide me as our beautiful baby boy wasted no time coming out, and after only three hours of hard labor, I was holding him to my chest, Kieran beside me, and feeling like the next phase of my life had just begun.
EPILOGUE
KIERAN - THREE MONTHS LATER
“You ready, boss?” Tony asked.
“I’ve been ready since about ten minutes after meeting her,” I laughed.
“Good, because this is your last chance if you want to back out,” he said. “Of course, as your best man, I have to inform you, you would be a massive moron if you did so.”
