Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
I can’t believe I’m doing this. I just invited Mary and Esther to Sunday fucking dinner. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be inviting my mother for dinner. Then again, I didn’t think I’d ever have a sister either. And now I do.
I just need to break the news to the others.
Me:
Demon birther is coming for Sunday dinner. You all need to be here.
I knew the moment I hit send on the text that they would all start blowing up my phone.
Gabe:
Why?
Santo:
Have you lost your fucking mind?
Marcel:
??? Really? It’s not April Fool’s, Gio.
Vin:
I’m busy.
I call Vin’s number. He’s busy, my fucking ass.
“What?” he answers.
“You will be here Sunday,” I tell him.
“Why? What’s it matter if I’m there or not?” he grunts into the phone. Moody as fucking ever.
“Because we have a sister, Vincenzo. And the only way to see her is to have Mary around with her.”
“Why the fuck do we care about a sister we didn’t know shit about?”
“Because she’s still our sister and we are going to get to know her. We don’t leave anyone behind, Vin. We’ve always stuck together,” I remind him.
He’s silent for a while before he groans. “Fine, I’ll be there. But don’t expect it to be all happy families and shit.”
“Thank you,” I tell him before cutting the call. I send another text to the group.
Me:
Esther is our sister. That means something. We are going to welcome her into the family.
Santo:
Okay, but what the fuck do we do with a sister?
Marcel:
Can she at least be gay?
Gabe:
Protect her. Get to know her. That’s what we do.
Vin:
She’s a smart-mouthed, moody teenager.
Me:
It wasn’t all that long ago that you were one too.
Putting my phone away, I go in search of my wife. Sunday is going to be interesting.
* * *
“It’ll be fine,” Ellie says before pressing her lips to my cheek.
“I’m not worried,” I lie.
“Sure. I’m going to get Aurelio dressed. I’ll meet you downstairs.” She takes my son from my arms. I know I’m supposed to share him with her. She’s his mother. But fuck, I hate it when anyone takes him from me.
“Remind me again why we’re doing this?” Santo groans the moment my foot hits the foyer.
“Because we have a sister,” I tell him for the millionth time. Seems I’m the only one who remembers that fact.
“Half-sister,” Marcel adds.
“ Sister nonetheless. And we are not putting the sins of our parents on her. It’s not her fault we share a mother who lied to all of us,” I say. “Also, how are we supposed to protect her if we don’t know her?”
“Assign some guys to her tail?” Marcel suggests, knowing full well I did that before we even left that meetup.
“We are going to welcome Esther into our family, and I don’t want to hear another word about her only being our half-sister, especially in front of Vin.” I point at my brother.
“Right.” Marcel nods his head.
Just when I think our father couldn’t get any fucking lower, or mess with us anymore, he continues to surprise me. Even from the fucking grave. He had Vin believing that he wasn’t a De Bellis all this fucking time.
“Uncle G, Uncle G.” Luciano runs up to me, Gabe and Daisy trailing behind him.
“Hey, little man. How the fuck have you grown an inch since last weekend?” I ask as I scoop him up into my arms.
“Language.” Daisy glares at me.
“I have a nonna,” Luciano proclaims. “And a new auntie.”
“Do you now?” I look to Gabe, who just shrugs in response. I have no intention of allowing my son to know Mary as a grandmother, but I’m not going to tell my brother how to parent. “How about we head into the games room until everyone gets here? Auntie Ellie will be down with Aurelio any minute now,” I tell Luciano.
“Okay.” He nods his head, and the moment I put him down, he’s running through the house.
The door opens and Vin and Cammi walk in holding hands. “Party in the foyer?” Vin asks.
I shake my head. “Nope. Just thought I’d wait to see your pretty face, little bro.” I wrap an arm around his shoulder and lead him towards the games room.
“Cammi, you look beautiful as always. Glowing even,” Marcel says, and Cammi stops in her tracks. Which makes Vin stop too.
“You told them?”
“I didn’t tell them shit,” Vin grumbles. “They don’t know anything.”
“Okay.” Cammi sighs. “Fine. We’re pregnant.”
“What?” This comes from Ellie, who starts rushing down the stairs. “ You’re pregnant ?”
“Oh my god,” Zoe adds. And Daisy just squeals, wrapping her arms around Cammi.
“Whoa, get off her.” Vin pulls Cammi back.
“She’s pregnant, not fragile.” Daisy rolls her eyes.
“How are you feeling?” Ellie asks.
“I’m good, just a little nauseous from time to time,” Cammi tells her.
A knock at the door has us all turning in that direction. “Guess the guest of honour is here,” I announce to the room.
“I’ll get it.” Ellie hands Aurelio to me. Walks over to the door and opens it. “Hi, welcome. I’m Ellie. Come on in,” she says.
You could hear a pin drop as Mary, Esther, and Tommy enter the house. I clear my throat. “Hi. Come on back. Dinner should be ready soon.”
Luciano runs straight past me, stopping right in front of Mary. “Are you my nonna?” he asks her.
“I… ah…” Mary looks past him to us.
“He’s mine,” Gabe says.
“And mine!” Daisy raises her hand. “I’m Daisy. It’s nice to meet you.” She walks over to her son. “Luciano, this is Mary.”
“Hi, Luciano. It’s really nice to meet you,” Mary says, bending to his level.
“You’re my new auntie?” He looks to Esther.
“Yeah, seems that way.” She nods her head. “I’m Esther.”
“I’m Luciano,” he tells her.