AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Don’t worry,” Luca replied with a smile. “He’s got it covered. He wanted to do this for you, so…”
“He’s a great kid.” I took a sip of my water and started in with the garlic bread sticks, unable to stave off my hunger a second longer. “I can’t wait to see the kind of big brother he’ll be.”
Luca reached over and stole my last bite of bread, popping it into his mouth with a mischievous grin. “He’s going to be amazing. You’ll see.”
A lazy melody started up outside, and for a moment I thought it was coming from one of the neighbors. But on second thought, I realized that Luca’s mansion was so blocked off from the public that any sound on the premises had to be coming from somewhere close by.
Just as I turned in my chair, Klaus Windgarten, the world renowned violinist, stepped onto the balcony. He smiled at us without stopping what he was playing and took up a spot in the far corner of the balcony.
I stared at Luca in shock. “Do you know who that is?”
“Of course,” he answered me like I was crazy for even implying differently. “Me and Klaus go way back.”
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Yeah, of course, you do. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you? “
“You know me.” Luca shrugged. “I like to make an impression, that’s all. And what’s better on a night you’ll remember forever than Klaus Windgarten playing the soundtrack?”
“I’m not saying it’s anything bad,” I clarified. “I think it’s amazing; thank you.”
“Good,” he cut in before I could carry on making my point. Luca then reached across the table and took my hands in his. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make you and our growing family happy.”
I shook my head slowly, admiring his smooth-talking prowess. “I love you,” I said with watery eyes and a completely melted heart.
“AndI love you,my heart is yours.” He smirked, totally pleased with himself.
Chapter 29
Luca
Fourmonthslater
I stood in the doorway of my living room, watching Scarlett navigate her way through the chaos of our families in the same room for the first time. My sisters, Nonna, Scarlett’s best friend and Julia, Maria… each of them frantically demanding that their opinion about our wedding was the most important one. In the midst of it all sat my fiancée, her pregnant belly fully showing, giving everyone the same pleasant treatment. Where that level of activity would drive me mad, it looked as though Scarlett was loving every minute of it.
“Are you hiding from hard work?”
I smiled at my mother who’d come up beside me. Like me, she wasn’t one for the buzz in the living room. She’d removed herself early on and gone to help Leo bake some cookies.
“You seriously think they need me in there?” I asked with a laugh.
“You’re right,” she said. “They’ll eat you alive.”
A comfortable silence fell over us then, and without a word, my mother hooked her arm into mine. It was an awkward thing to do so soon after we’d made peace, but I let it happen. She was trying, and it was more than enough for me. With the twins on the way, I was more determined than ever to play my part in healing this family. I should’ve done it years ago, but back then I didn’t have someone like Scarlett pushing me to do right.
“She’s good for you,” my mother said, as if reading my mind. “I can see it now, and I told her so.”
“Yes, she mentioned to me you guys had a good talk when you arrived yesterday,” I replied. “She also said you were up to your old tricks with the baby names.”
My mother avoided eye contact and gave me a nonchalant shrug. “There’s nothing wrong with a grandmother wanting to see her last wishes fulfilled before she leaves this world.”
I scoffed loudly. “Mamma, please, you’re nowhere close to leaving this world. I should be so lucky.”
She fixed me with a scowl and slapped my arm playfully. “Let me have my things, Luca. It’s not much.”
“Oh, sure, not much,” I said. “Only something my kids will have to live with for the rest of their lives.”
“And remember their grandmother when she’s no longer here,” she cut in, a wry smile forming. “They’re not bad names, so I don’t know why you’re making a fuss.”
“Okay, well let’s hear what Nonna has to say about it.” I started into the living room, but my mother held me back.
