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Some days it hurt too much to be a good sister, and Marcello tried to understand. The siblings were working to define their relationship on their own terms now that they didn’t have the weight of familial obligation weighing them down.
Marcello and Jenny broke up shortly after leaving the city. It was no love lost for Alessandra after her friend’s betrayal. And Marcello was dating someone new. Alessandra had yet to meet her in person but had gotten to video chat with her a few times.
“Hey, sis. What’s good?” Marcello asked.
Marcello’s hair was pulled up in a man bun, and he was growing a beard. He looked more like a lumberjack than a mafia prince sitting on a faded sofa in a white V-neck. He was finally comfortable in his own skin.
“Nothing new to report.”
He picked up a pipe and a lighter and lit it up, taking a long drag.
“Marcello!” Alessandra exclaimed.
“Don’t look so scandalized. Shit’s legal here, and it’s my day off.” He laughed.
They chatted a while longer.
“How’s my niece?” he asked.
“She’s kicking up a storm on my bladder. I wake up at least twice a night to pee. I swear she’s going to be a soccer player or tap dancer.”
“And where’s the baby daddy?”
“You know I don’t want to talk about that, Marce.”
“That prick better start giving you more than a once-a-month phone call. He fucking owes you.”
“Please, stop!” Tears sprang to her eyes.
She’d already been emotional, and pregnancy hormones exacerbated her feelings. She didn’t need Marcello to go into his overprotective big brother tirade again.
“Shit. I’m sorry, sis. You know I just want you to be happy. My offer still stands. There are nice homes in the area up for sale. You can stay with me if you want to build something. You can get a piece of land and have a big backyard for her to run around. Schools here have really good ratings. Amy said she’d be happy to help with the baby. You don’t have to do it alone. Fresh air and a change of scenery will be good for you.”
His offer made her heart swell. He hadn’t forgiven Drake for everything that happened. As much as she would love to join him in Wisconsin, that wouldn’t be possible. Not when the man she loved and the father of her child lived in the city.
“I know, Marce. I appreciate it. If things change, you’ll be the first person I call,” she promised.
“Do you have plans for the weekend?” he asked. “I could come to visit. Or if you want to take the Metra, I can pick you up in Waukegan. We can stop in Gurnee for dinner before heading back to my place.”
Alessandra gazed at the clock. If she said goodbye, she’d still be able to nap for about an hour before needing to get ready.
“I’m meeting up with Beth and Noah this afternoon for coffee. Don’t worry about us,” she said, touching her belly. “We’ll be all right.”
“Okay. I love you. Be good.”
“Love you, too.”
* * *
After a quick nap, Alessandra pulled on a colorful patterned romper, which had quickly become her favorite maternity wear because it didn’t restrict her belly or have a band that continued slipping down as most of the pants did. Though she was almost in her third trimester, her belly seemed smaller than the other pregnant mothers at her doctor’s office or Lamaze class.
The moment she stepped into the cafe, her ex-sister-in-law, Beth, pulled her into a big hug before bombarding her with questions.
“Can we order first, Beth?”
“I’ve just missed you!” She put her hands on Alessandra’s bump. “I can’t believe how big you’re getting.”
Alessandra rolled her eyes but smiled. “I just saw you last week.”
