There Are No Words (The Morelli Sisters #3)

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Allegra

Dad’s house was packed. Like, no room for the guests of honor to park. Seriously, Brady dropped me off out front, parked across the street, and hoofed it over with Tipsy hot on his heels.

“Did your sisters invite all of Long Island to our baby shower?” Brady asked, placing a hand on my back and guiding me into the house.

Laughing, I stepped in and was met with so many sounds—lots of talking, laughing, and loud music—and smells—none of which made me feel sick, thankfully. And the sight of so many people we knew.

Jack and Quinn were here.

My sisters, of course.

Isabella.

My dad.

Dom.

Knox.

Frankie and Angelica.

Martin, Dad’s driver and an old family friend.

Dozens of people from the office.

My cousins. Not all of them, but Vittoria, Patrizia, Emilia, and Valaria.

Even Veronica was here.

Finally, I turned to Brady and nodded to answer his earlier question. “Yes, yes, they did. This is practically all of Long Island. Maybe even a good portion of New York City,” I joked.

Just then, my sisters rushed over like a swarm of bees and dragged Brady and I further into the house. “Happy baby shower,” Bianca said, bouncing on her heels, her hands on my elbows as if she was helping me walk.

Smiling, I looked at her and the others. “Thank you! This is really nice,” I said, looking at all the neutral colors they used for the decor—beiges and grays.

“Yeah,” Brady put in, turning to my sisters. “This is really nice. We appreciate you doing all of this.”

Perla pointed to the gift table, which was really more like a gift pile , taking up a quarter of the living room. “Don’t thank us just yet.” She laughed and brought her finger to her lips like it was a secret.

If Brady and I weren’t ready for this baby before, then after today we’d certainly be prepared. More than prepared. I doubted there was a single thing we’d need.

Maria hugged Brady—which I’d yet to see her do, by the way. “We just love you both so much and are so happy for you.” She sounded like she was about to get choked up, but I let it slide because I knew she wouldn’t want me to point it out.

“I can’t believe all the people who turned out,” I said, still amazed by how many people were here for Brady and me and our unborn baby.

Perla sighed. “Yeah, we couldn’t believe it, either,” she joked, and looked around. “Even with this turnout, though, there are still some people—”

I put my hand up in the air. I suspected I knew what she was about to say—Mom and Jade were missing. “Mom’s with me,” I said, tapping my heart.

She nodded. “I know, but I can’t help but feel bad we didn’t invite Jade. She should be here.”

“I’m so glad you said it, because heaven help me, but I’ve been thinking the same thing,” Bianca said, and rolled her lips.

I didn’t want to make today about that, so I tried to let it go, but I couldn’t not say what was on my mind—“Really? So does that mean. . .”

Perla nodded. “It’s too late for today, but I think we should invite her to the Bellissima anniversary party.”

“Mom would want that,” Bianca said, nodding and nudging Maria. “Right, Maria?”

Looking unsure, Maria shrugged. “Yeah, right.” Then she looked around, and her gaze fell back on me. “I guess Mom would want that.”

“I’m going to let you sisters talk for a few minutes and go find the guys. You don’t mind, right?” Brady asked, rubbing my back.

He could obviously read Maria like a book. Not that it was hard or anything. She’d been pretty obvious about where she stood on the Jade front.

I shook my head, and he kissed my cheek before turning to leave.

With Brady gone, Perla turned to Maria. “All right, what gives?”

Rolling her eyes, Maria crossed her arms. “I just don’t feel comfortable with all of this. We don’t even know her.”

This was typical Maria. And it wasn’t a bad thing, either. I just wasn’t all that surprised by her reaction. “You don’t know anyone until you get to know them,” I pointed out.

“Plus, she is family,” Bianca interjected. It seemed Bianca was coming around, too, not just Perla.

“She’s a stranger,” Maria countered. Her eyes widened and she licked her lips, her eyes darting around us as though to make sure no one was listening. “I’m sorry, it’s how I feel, okay?”

And there was nothing wrong with that. But I looked at the house full of people, as she’d just done. How could she not have seen what I did? At one point or another many of these people were strangers to us but look at everyone now. They were here for me. Here for Brady, who was also a relative stranger to many of them. “For now,” I said and bit my bottom lip.

“How do we know she doesn’t want something from us?” Maria asked. Just then Dom walked up to us. “Good. I’m glad you’re here,” Maria directed to him, arching a brow. “Can you help me out?” She gestured between us. “Please.”

Dom furrowed his brows. “With what?”

“We’re talking about Jade,” Perla explained.

Blinking, he looked at me. “Now? I was wondering what you four were doing over here. Everyone’s ready to start the party. Can’t you talk about her another time?”

This wasn’t exactly the conversation I wanted to be having at my baby shower, but if they were ready to talk about it here, then that was what we’d do. “We went to find her ,” I said, addressing Maria and ignoring Dom so this conversation could get back on track.

“Yeah, what’s with the cynical attitude?” Perla asked, reaching for a drink from the table behind us.

“I may not be the oldest sister anymore, technically speaking, but I will always look out for you guys. And I feel that we don’t know much about her.” Maria was really digging her heels in on this one, wasn’t she?

Sucking in a deep breath, Bianca pointed at Maria. “There we go. That explains it.” She gestured to Dom. “Can you just start some games, we’ll be over in a minute, okay?”

Then she ushered us out of the main room and behind the door of the storage closet under the stairs.

Inside, I tugged on the light from the bulb hanging overhead.

“Maria, listen, you’ll always be the older sister,” Bianca said, wrapping her arm around her shoulder. “Just because Jade exists, and she came first doesn’t change anything.”

“Exactly. You’ve always been the big sister. Nothing’s going to change that, Maria,” Perla said, throwing her arm over them.

I was starting to feel claustrophobic, so I backed up and rubbed my belly, thinking about Baby. Then I inhaled deeply and said what had been on my mind all along. “Jade should’ve always been in the picture. We’re just welcoming her in a little late. That’s all.”

“It’s different. It’ll be different,” Maria insisted, and I had to wonder what this was really about because it definitely wasn’t as simple as Bianca seemed to think, but, again, I bit my tongue.

Bianca laughed and fluffed Maria’s ponytail. “No, it won’t. I’ll still consider you an old fart.” And at that, we all laughed with her.

“It’ll be okay,” I said, trying to assure her.

Maria sighed. “Fine. Let’s invite Jade. But keep your guard up, okay?”

“Got it. I’ll get the armor out from the back of my closet when I get home, but, for now, can we please go out to my baby shower and reveal my baby’s gender?”

Bianca pulled me into their group hug. “Ohmigod, yes, please! I’m dying to know what you’re having.”

“My money’s on a girl,” Perla said, acting like she was so sure of it. “You’re carrying just like Maria did. It’s a girl.”

I reached for the doorknob behind my back, opened it, and walked out backward. “You’ll have to wait and see!” I called in a sing-song voice before turning on my heel and practically bumping into Patrizia.

“Allie!” she screamed and pulled me into a hug. “What are you four doing in there?”

I laughed as my sisters came out one by one. “Oh, nothing. Thanks for coming.”

Patrizia bent down and took my belly in her hands, looking at it. “We’ve started a pool. I’m betting it’s a girl.” She rubbed her hands over it once more. “Yeah, definitely a girl.”

Removing her hands, I angled my head and looked at my cousin. “All right. I’m pretty sure betting wasn’t on the agenda for today, but you can all bet at your own risk.” Then I shouted, “Now who’s ready to get this party started?” My eyes met Brady’s across the room and everyone cheered.

Frankie turned down the music and Perla appeared by his side, waving a bucket of pacifiers around. “Let’s bob for pacifiers!”

“That’ll give everyone time to get their bets in because if some of you are betting, then all of you are betting, and I’m dying to know who will win,” I called out. Brady walked up beside me, then. “Did you know they’re taking bets?” I asked, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Hey, they have a fifty-fifty chance,” he said, and we laughed, enjoying how much fun everyone seemed to be having already.

As Perla and Frankie did their thing to set up the game, Isabella rushed over, and Brady bent down to talk to her since I would not be bending over again until this baby was out of me. “I hear everyone calls you Peanut, but can I call you Isabella?” he asked.

My niece looked up at me, eyes wide.

I only shrugged, though. “He doesn’t like to call me by my nickname, either.” Between you and me, I had a feeling that we’d have to find a name for our daughter that couldn’t be shortened because Brady wouldn’t have it.

She gasped. “He doesn’t?”

“Nope,” he confirmed, tapping her on the nose. “So, what do you say?”

She nodded, her soft curls bouncing up and down. “No one has ever asked me before. I say, okay. You can.”

Brady nodded. “Thank you. Now, are you having fun, Isabella?”

She wiggled her nose. “Yeah, except I don’t like some of the games. I want to know if you’re having a girl. Can you tell me, please?” she asked, waiting as I angled my head and considered the question.

Then I looked at Brady. “What do you think? Can we tell her?”

Brady crossed one arm over the other and rubbed his chin. “I don’t know. Do you think she can be trusted?”

Isabella hopped up and down at my side. “You know I can, Aunt Allie. Please!” Then she mimed zipping her lips and throwing away the key.

Brady and I exchanged a look, and he bent down to pick her up, bringing her real close. “I think she’s trustworthy. Tell her, Allegra.” He brought her toward me, and I cupped her ear with my hands, whispering it to her.

Once I said it, she gasped and pulled back, her eyes wide as saucers. “Thank you! I’m so happy!” She reached out and wrapped her hands around Brady’s neck, giving him a hug. “Thanks, Uncle Brady.”

“Anytime, Isabella,” he said, setting her back down. “And listen, one day, we’ll need you to babysit, so remember this moment.”

Isabella angled her head and narrowed her eyes like Maria did. “Okay,” she said, not sure she understood him. “About Tipsy,” she started, and I laughed, surprised the dog wasn’t at her side.

“Yeah, where is our girl?” Brady asked, looking around.

Isabella crossed her arms. “She doesn’t like it when I chase her. Your dog is broken,” she noted casually before spinning on her heel. “She’s in Nonno’s room,” she added before finally leaving us.

I couldn’t hold back my laughter. Isabella was a trip. Then add in the fact that Tipsy had found Dad’s room and I was in stitches. “I better go get that dog,” I said, laughing.

Brady looked at me, horrified. “Okay, I’ll go with you.”

I looped my arm through his and led us to Dad’s room.

* * *

Brady

I couldn’t stop thinking about Isabella and my interaction with her. To date, I’d had very little time with her, which wasn’t surprising. We had no reason to be together or talk, but today I’d learned something valuable from Isabella.

I was going to be a good dad, after all.

Let me explain to you how I’d come to that conclusion. . . for as much as I’d worried about it, I was realizing that I had nothing to worry about. Kids were just like adults. You just had to treat them with respect and love and you’d be fine.

Love was something I knew I’d have in spades for my daughter. Hell, I’d loved her from the moment Allegra told me about her. How could I not?

When Allegra bumped my arm with hers as we rounded the corner to her dad’s room, she stopped and smiled. “What are you thinking about?”

Shrugging, I stopped, too, and grinned. “How lucky I am.”

“That I didn’t hang your ass out to dry when you brought this puppy home for me?” she asked, joking.

With a grin, I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Nooo,” I said, dragging out the word. Then I opened my eyes and stared into hers, turning serious. “How can you fault me for that, anyway? It’s been good for us, and I really think it’ll help you know what I know—that you’re going to be a great mom. Look at the way you treat Tipsy and how attached to you she’s become already. It’s pretty obvious. So, you’re welcome.”

Reaching over, she pressed her lips to mine. “You know, I think I’m the one who’s pretty lucky.”

I smacked her ass. “Don’t forget it, either.”

Gasping, she reached around to my ass and gave it a squeeze. “Want to go into one of these empty rooms and fool around?”

My mouth agape, I felt my eyes grow wide. “In your dad’s house? No way in hell. Let’s just get Tipsy and get the hell downstairs. Besides, I heard something about a beer drinking contest.” And I was prepared to dominate that one.

Allegra laughed. “You know it’s through a baby’s bottle. Nipple and all,” she explained.

I hadn’t known that, but it didn’t matter because I wasn’t worried. Nipple sucking—that was even more of a reason I’d dominate. “You know that’s not a problem for me,” I said, winking at her and bringing a hand to her tit.

* * *

So I lost the beer drinking contest.

To Dom.

Go figure.

But I had a feeling Allegra’s cousin Vittoria and I were about to win the current game—How to Make Babies, or some shit like that. It was too bad I couldn’t play with Allegra, but Vittoria wasn’t a bad teammate. Allegra had insisted I play even though she didn’t want to. So here we were.

I felt slightly more than a little awkward as a room full of dudes (me included) stood around with a roll of toilet paper between their legs. The women held a broomstick between their legs. The ironic objective: get the stick in the hole. Just in case that wasn’t obvious.

When Bianca dropped the roll between her legs, she and Knox were out, and Allegra shouted, “You go, Brady! Come on Vitt! You guys can do it!” There were a few others left, but none who were real competition.

I cringed, but stayed the course, not moving so that Vittoria could get it in. When she jabbed me in the thigh instead, I shouted, “All right, whose idea was this game?”

Perla and Maria backed up and put their hands in the air, pointing at Bianca. “Hers! It was hers!”

Allegra turned down the music and picked up her phone. “I’m going to remember this forever. Smile for the camera.”

Vittoria turned around, smiling.

I just looked up with a blank expression as Allegra got evidence of the most awkward moment in history.

Laughing, Bianca came up behind me, trying to tickle my neck. “Come on, drop it!”

I turned my head. “Get off me. Shouldn’t I win something? I am the father.”

A team from Bellissima finally won and started screaming and jumping up and down. Allegra walked over and wrapped her arms around my neck as I loosened my grip on the roll between my legs. “You won me, isn’t that something?” Allegra asked cutely.

Bianca picked up the roll and started dancing, but I didn’t care what was going on around us. I just looked at Allegra and felt my heart swell. Winning her wasn’t just something, it was everything. I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Okay,” I called, “no more games unless Allegra can play.”

Bianca shooed me off, though, and Maria walked up. “Not to worry. We should pause on the games for a while. I’m thinking we should have some cake, right, everyone?” she asked the room at large.

With the cheers that followed, it was obvious everyone was ready to know the gender of our baby.

Allegra got them to quiet down as she gestured with her hands. “Okay, okay, but then presents!”

Perla walked up with Isabella who was carrying a wicker hat in her hand, Tipsy following close behind her. Perla took the hat and placed it on Allegra’s head. “Fine, but only if you wear this so we can do that old tradition of collecting all the bows and making you a hat.”

My eyebrow shot up. A bow hat?

Then Allegra surprised me by nodding and tapping the hat into position on her head. Yeah, it was safe to say this was my first baby shower, and baby showers were unlike any other party in the world.

* * *

Allegra

I was so excited for this part. Everyone would finally know what Brady and I had known for months—the gender of our baby.

Maria rolled out a cake while Dom followed, carrying a box full of what I knew were confetti cannons. I had ordered them myself. Well, that and the cake.

Dad lowered the music that was turned up in the background again, and Frankie came over with his camera to take pictures as everyone piled around Brady and me.

Dom and Maria passed the cannons around, then stepped aside as I passed the knife to Brady to cut the cake.

“Okay, who’s ready?” I asked. Meanwhile, Tipsy jumped on my legs at my side, so I gave her my hand, petting her head.

“On the count of three,” Brady shouted, exchanging a look with Jack and Quinn, who were standing next to us.

Jack started counting. “One. . .”

“Two. . .” Quinn picked up.

And everyone shouted, “Three!”

Brady sliced into the cake, which had whipped cream frosting on the outside, and the inside was a yellow sponge cake layered with pink whipped cream. It was also filled with millions of tiny pink hard candies that flowed out when he cut into it.

The cannons, of course, shot off immediately, and we were showered with pink confetti.

“It’s a girl!” I yelled, stating the obvious. “If you bet it was going to be a girl, you won!”

“I knew it!” Vittoria yelled as the music was turned up again, and the sounds of so much joy filled the air around us.

Dad was the first to approach me. He gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations. I’m very happy for both of you.” Then he turned to Brady and squeezed his shoulder. “Good luck, son,” he said, promptly stepping back so we could be enveloped in a massive group hug by just about everyone celebrating with us.