Chapter 43
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Leena
Shuffling through my closet, I smile at the amount of clothes Julian has accumulated at my place. I mean, he practically lives here. Charlie mentioned it while we all were lounging on the couch after cleaning up from dinner together a few nights ago.
His head was in my lap and I was running my fingers through his hair when he looked over at her and asked, “You sick of seeing me at work and home?” Though he asked teasingly, I knew he was worried she may think he’s overstaying his welcome.
My best friend played into that insecurity to make him sweat a little. Scrunching her nose and squinting her eyes, she moved her head back and forth, not saying a word for a few moments. When he stiffened and moved to sit up, she burst into laughter. “I’m messing with you!”
Relaxing his head back, he looked up at me as if needing to see where I stood on the matter. I leaned down and kissed his forehead and whispered, “I love having you here.”
“You earn your keep, Ortho Bro, helping out with cooking and cleaning. Oh! And having coffee ready in the morning. Big plus!” Charlie went on, both ribbing and reassuring him.
Today, I’m bringing Julian to family dinner at the restaurant.
When I told my parents, who were as surprised as I expected them to be, my mom couldn’t contain her enthusiasm while my dad remained stoically silent.
I let Mina and Sylvie share the news with Matteo after my dad’s muted reaction to the announcement.
Whereas I was a bundle of nerves meeting his family a few weeks ago, Julian has been cool as a cucumber, his usual composed self. But I love the little smile he can’t seem to hold in. He’s calmly showered and gotten dressed, and now he’s reading on the love seat in the corner of my room.
After I finish getting ready, I just watch him.
My dad’s silence on the phone call last week has me a little worried for today’s meeting, afraid he and my brother will gang up on Julian to make him sweat.
Thankfully, Mina is excited for me. When I told her and Sylvie all about Julian after we came up for air that first weekend, she started demanding to meet him.
I know he will win her and my mom over with his smile alone.
I think with them being fans and seeing Julian’s attentiveness and obvious devotion to me, my dad and brother won’t be able to find anything to object about.
“What’s that dreamy smile for?” Closing his book and standing, Julian strolls toward me.
Meeting him halfway, I loop my arms over his shoulders and sway side to side. “Just admiring my boyfriend. He’s so freaking sexy.”
Cupping my jaw in both of his large hands, he leans down and kisses me. Before we get carried away, I duck out of his arms and skip to the door. “No starting something we definitely don’t have time to finish.”
“Oh, pretty girl, we have no problem finishing.”
“Yeah, but you don’t want to meet my dad and brother while I’m sporting just-fucked hair. It may not be the best first impression.”
Grimacing, he agrees as he follows me into the living room.
“Finally. I was beginning to wonder if Leena fell on your dick and we were going to be late.” Making a face, she shivers. “Yikes, could you imagine explaining why you're late?”
“Mama, really?”
Batting her lashes, she teasingly replies, “Eh, he looks too calm. Besides, it’s too easy to give you shit.”
Tutting, I corral her towards the garage door. “Alright, let’s go. The sooner your mouth is full of food, the less you can talk and try to embarrass me.”
“Rude. You know I miss having my mouth full.” Her salacious reply makes me shake my head and Julian splutters out a laugh. She cackles as she climbs in the back seat.
I have Julian park in the lot behind the building.
Because, while I may be ready to introduce him to my family, I still don’t want to chance being seen together by someone who knows us from the hospital.
There is no risk of being spotted together in the restaurant, the upstairs lounge isn’t open on Sundays, so my family takes advantage of the privacy it affords while still allowing one of my siblings or Sylvie to be around if a situation arises downstairs.
“No sneaking off to the bathrooms today,” Charlie whispers out the side of her mouth as we step off of the elevator.
I’m saved from replying by my dad standing to greet us, “Bambina.” He envelopes me into his arms, and I savor the comfort they have always brought me. After affectionately patting Charlie’s cheek, he turns to Julian and says, “Now introduce me to your man.”
“Daddy, this is Julian.” As they’re shaking hands, I burrow into Julian’s side. “Julian, my dad, Michael.” I smile softly, but implore him with my eyes to accept the man I’m in love with.
Julian
Michael’s face is set in a hard mask as he studies me. But when Leena cuddles up next me, I see a change come over him, a softness I’ve seen my own father look at Quinn or any of us boys with. The look of a father who only wishes happiness and the very best for his children.
“It’s nice to meet you, Julian. I’m glad you could join us today.” With a slight squeeze of his hand, he releases mine and gestures to the table.
I recognize Leena’s grinning sister-in-law from my previous visits to Nonna’s.
Sitting next to her holding an infant, is a woman who could only be Leena’s sister with their remarkable similarities.
She looks me over before she turns her gaze to Leena with a smirk and thumbs up. I laugh at my girl’s groan.
Both women warmly embrace me.
“Zia!”
The joyful squeal is preceded by a little boy barreling into Leena. I tighten my hold around her to keep her from toppling over.
Entranced, I watch Leena scoop the little boy up, kissing and blowing raspberries in his neck. There is a sharp blooming of something in my chest at the sight of my girl holding the boy and showering him in affection. “Mikey, I’ve missed you, little man.”
“Maybe if you visited more . . .”
I look over to see a man about my age sauntering behind an older woman who must be Leena’s mother.
Her resemblance to both her daughters is striking.
Where Mina has lighter hair that is pulled away from her slightly more-rounded face and hazel eyes, Leena’s eyes, nose, and hair could be exact replicas of their mother.
“Matteo,” Audrey scolds their brother, causing snickers from both Leena and her sister. Matteo gives Leena an apologetic look as he plucks the boy from her arms before giving her a quick hug.
“This is my mom, Audrey, and my brother, Matteo. And this adorable little guy is my nephew, Micah.” She says the last part with a tickle to the little boy’s chubby tummy. Turning back to me, she beams. “This is Julian, my boyfriend.”
Taller than Leena, Audrey still goes up on her toes to hug and kiss my cheek, eager to greet me as Mina and Sylvie both did. “Welcome, Julian.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”
“Oh, psst. Call me, Audrey,” she says with a pat on the arm. Then she’s pretending to feel my bicep and turns to Leena, bouncing her eyebrows.
“Mom, oh my god!”
“Mom! Don’t ever do that again.”
At the sisters’ simultaneous exclamations, Michael frowns, Matteo scowls, and Charlie and Sylvie titter.
Setting the squirming little boy down, Matteo elbows his mother out of the way, and holds his hand out to me. “Good to meet you, man. Please do not let my mother scare you off.”
“Hey! I’m a delight!” Audrey huffs.
Charlie calls out, “Mama Audrey, I want to be you when I grow up,”at the same time I chuckle and say, “You, too.”
“Thank you, darling,” Audrey chirps down the table. “Come on now. Everyone sit down and let’s serve the food.”
Dinner is delicious, and just like any meal with my family, it’s loud. Well the women are, whereas Michael and Matteo offer very little at first.
They seem to be watching me, trying to determine if I’m worthy of Leena.
I’m not, no man ever could be. But I know no one will ever love or cherish her the way I can and will.
So, whenever our eyes meet, I hold their gaze and give a respectful tip of my chin.
I think it earns me a few points of respect because they seem to be less indifferent towards me.
Throughout the meal, there is lots of laughter and teasing, with plenty of questions for me that I never stray away from. But most of all, the kids are the center of attention. Everyone dotes on and engages with Micah as baby Samuel is passed around and snuggled.
That is something that my family has not experienced yet. But it may be a possibility sooner than any of us realize with the new dream sparking to life inside me. One of Leena, round with our child.