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"Itiswonderful. I'm feeling so happy and giddy right now that I'm even going to ask you a favor."
"Oh really?" he teased. "You're finally going to ask instead of wheedling or manipulating to get your way? I should get you in a good mood more often."
"First of all, I don't manipulate, I convince. Second, pot, kettle. And third, I'm too happy to let you pull me down." She didn't even respond with suggestions for how he could get her in a good mood. She mentally added points for her restraint to her win column.
"What's this favor?"
"I want you to pull a crew together and send them to Fi and Adrian's new place. If they haul ass, we can get that house done before they head home from the hospital."
"That's going to impact your schedule and budget here at the vineyard."
"Yeah, yeah, I'll make it up."
"You're a real softie, Frankie Valenti."
Just another thing she and her father had in common, she mused. "Can we swing it?"
"Sure. I'm going to film it, maybe use it as digital-first extra content… But yeah, consider it done."
"I owe you one."
"Believe me, that's a big factor in my yes."
"Smart-ass."
"Takes one to know one."
Frankie hung up and rubbed her hands together with glee. They were going to be so surprised. And if anyone could pull this off, it was Jake Ryland.
She walked back into the waiting room and saw her parents sitting side by side, her mom leaning her head on her dad's shoulder. She couldn't remember the last time she'd witnessed physical affection between them, and smiled. If it took a baby to bring them back together, she was damn glad they had three arriving in quick succession.
"Our baby is having a baby," Jo murmured, joy and concern fighting for top billing in her voice.
Dom put his hand on Jo's thigh, and Jo put hers on top of his. He turned it over and gripped hers tightly. Frankie didn't want to interrupt this tender moment, but she'd been spotted.
"And what are you grinning about, young lady?" Jo smiled and sat up, breaking contact with Dom's shoulder, but he didn't let go of his grip on her hand.
"Just got off the phone with Jake. Plotting a little surprise for the new parents."
"That sounds interesting." Jo paused and stared at Frankie, before she turned back to Dom. "Do me a favor, honey. Can you go see if the hospital has a coffee shop? I'd love a skinny latte. It's going to be a long night."
"Sure thing, Jojo." Dom strode from the waiting room, and Jo patted the open seat next to her.
"Come sit with me, Francesca." Frankie cringed but obeyed. "Your father does better with waiting when he has a job to do."
"Then why do you want him to retire so badly? He'll be bored out of his mind without something to do."
"Oh, I have plans for what we'll do." Jo wiggled her eyebrows and laughed at Frankie's reaction.
"Ew! Ma, seriously. I don't want to hear about any sexy plans you might have for Dad. Just… Gah! My mind's eye is burning."
Jo chuckled. "There are other things I like to do with your father, like traveling."
"Sure, that's what you meant." Frankie enjoyed this teasing with her mom. For too long, Jo had been buried by the grief of losing Gabe.
"Speaking of plans, what's this you're cooking up with Jake?"
"I asked him to send the crew over to knock out the last of the list at the new house, so it'll be done by the time they're ready to go home."
