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I huge grin crosses my face as I sit down and tell Emilia everything about several famous Greek sculptures from Ancient Greece. Emilia listens attentively. Trust my sister to make me feel seen. After I’ve exhausted myself with that, I ask her how she and Marco have been.
She rubs her stomach. “I’m a little nervous to become a mom. I hope I do a good job at it.”
“You were practically a second mom to us growing up. You’ll be a natural at it.”
Emilia watches me with a small smile on her face. “You’ve grown a lot, Franny.”
“I don’t think so.”
“No, you have. You’re not quite as shy as before.”
I huff as I look down at the bed. “I think I’m still plenty shy. Franco wants me to get married, and I don’t even know how to go about that. Who am I supposed to meet? Mom hasn’t given me any men to choose from. I’m not ready for this, Emilia. I’m not ready to be married.”
She squeezes my hand. “It’s ok. I’ll help you find someone. If Mom won’t, I will.”
“Emilia?” A deep voice sounds off. “Who are you talking to?” Marco, Emilia’s husband, enters the room and pauses when he sees me. With a deep scar across his face and a huge stature with broad shoulders, he makes for an intimidating sight. There’s also the fact that he’s a powerful mafia boss, which adds to the intimidation factor. I can see him looking at me and trying to remember which Moretti sibling I am. Granted, there’s eight of us, so I don’t blame Marco for needing to think about it.
“Francesca,” Emilia says, “will be staying with us.”
Remembrance dawns in Marco’s eyes. “Right. Francesca. Why will you be staying with us?”
Emilia makes a face. “My mother forgot to tell us she was coming. I’m supposed to help her find a husband.” Emilia rubs my arm. “In fact, I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be fun.”
“Huh. Ok, then.” Marco crosses his arms. “Well, any member of Emilia’s family is a member of mine, so you’re welcome to stay for as long as you want, Francesca. I know it will make Emilia happy.”
“It will.” Emilia wraps her arm around my shoulders. “I’ve missed you, Franny.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Emilia,” Marco says. “Care to talk with me? There’s something we need to discuss.”
“Of course.” Emilia gives me a big smile. “Make yourself at home.” She joins Marco in the hallway, shutting my door behind her.
I’m sure they meant for their conversation to be private, but the walls are thin, and I can still hear them.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to be helping your sister find a husband when you’re pregnant,” Marco says. “You need to focus on the baby.”
“I can do both. My sister needs me, Marco.”
“Why can’t your mom help her?”
I frown as I listen. Marco may have welcomed me into his home, but his private words reveal something else.
“Because my mom tends to forget Franny is even alive. I’m the only one who seems to ever give her attention. She’s shy. She can be a … little weird, but she just needs someone to help her.”
I flinch at my sister’s words.I’m weird?I never knew Emilia thought that about me. Sure, I prefer books to people, but that doesn’t make me weird. I can’t help it—the tears finally come.
Marco sighs deeply. “All right. Just don’t let her get in the way of you focusing on the baby. He’s what’s most important.”
“Or she,” Emilia says in a lighter tone. “We could be having a girl, Marco.”
“True. But I feel like it’s a strong boy.”
“We could just ask the doctor the sex.”
“No,” he says. “We should wait to know after the baby is born.”
I let my tears spill down my cheeks. I’m crying from the exhaustion of travelling, the energy drain of dealing with all those people, my mom forgetting to tell my sister I was coming, and lastly, hearing the sister I’ve always looked up to calling me weird.
