Chapter 54
Chandler
“I have a little something for the baby,” said Juliet, her icy blue eyes dancing with excitement. She pulled out a large gift bag stuffed with tissue paper from beside the couch and handed it to Gabriella.
“She’s not even here yet,” said Gabriella with a soft laugh before she tore into the tissue paper eagerly. She pulled out a pink crocheted blanket and a crocheted bunny that matched. Everything was pink, and I loved it.
“These are beautiful!” said Gabriella, running her hands over the soft knit pieces.
“I made them myself,” said Juliet proudly.
“You made them?” I asked, my eyes growing wide as Gabriella handed me the blanket and bunny that were even softer than they looked.
“Juliet is very crafty,” said Gabriella with a proud nod. “She’s been that way since high school. She’s one of those people who is good at everything.”
“Am not.” Juliet rolled her eyes, growing shy.
“Don’t deny it! Do you remember your senior project? It was a handmade replica of the Empire State Building. It should have been in a freaking museum!” said Gabriella.
Juliet tilted her head back and laughed.
I listened as they reminisced more, enjoying the memories they shared back and forth.
It was like getting a little peek in to Gabriella’s past. I was glad that I had finally had the opportunity to properly meet one of her best friends, and hopefully make a good impression after everything Gabriella had dished to her about me in the beginning.
I knew I would probably have to work hard to win Juliet over, but she was surprisingly welcoming and warm, which was a relief.
She had invited us over for breakfast, having biscuits and gravy, eggs, and French toast waiting for us on her small round table just off the kitchen.
Everything was delicious, and we spent the meal getting to know one another.
I felt grateful that Gabriella had her friend by her side when everything had been such a mess, which I still regretted pretty much every day.
I tried not to dwell on it, given that everything had worked out in the end, but I knew I had hurt her badly.
To think I almost lost her was unbearable, which was why I reached for her hand now.
“Thank you for these incredible gifts,” I said to Juliet as Gabriella leaned her head on my shoulder. I breathed her in. The warm vanilla scent felt like home.
“Of course. This is my first time being an aunt,” she said, holding her fingers up in air quotations.
“You’ll be the best aunt ever,” said Gabriella with a nod.
“Have you met Sadie and Erica yet?” asked Juliet curiously.
“Not yet. We are still making the rounds.”
“There’s more of you?” I swallowed hard.
Juliet laughed out loud.
“I’m kidding. I’ve heard all about them,” I said with a grin.
I was eager to meet them, and anyone else who was important in Gabriella’s life.
I had already gotten the parents out of the way, and was glad we were on good terms. Great terms. Everything was falling into place, one person at a time. One puzzle piece at a time.
“We should get going,” said Gabriella, checking the time.
I helped pull her from the couch and Juliet stood up to give us both hugs before walking us to the door. We thanked her for a delicious breakfast and walked out into the hallway. Gabriella looked in the direction of her apartment and back to me.
“I haven’t been here in months…” she said, chewing on her cheek thoughtfully.
“Is that okay?” I asked warily.
We had never officially talked about her moving in with me. After the hospital scare, she came home so I could take care of her and then she never left. I didn’t want her to.
“Mhmm. I just feel like I have one foot here and one foot at your place. I guess it just feels strange to be back here, knowing most of my things are right down the hall.”
“Well…” I started hesitantly. “I can easily have movers come get your things. I mean, if you want to.”
“Want to move in with you?” she asked, tilting her head.
I nodded, feeling my nerves creep up. It made the most sense. We were going to have a baby. We loved each other. We already pretty much lived with each other. Still, I wasn’t sure if it was too fast. But then again, when had that ever stopped us?
“I thought I already did,” she said coyly.
I breathed out a sigh of relief before pulling her close.
“I do love it here,” she said softly.
“Do you want to stay here?” I asked, pulling away and searching her face.
“No, no.” She waved me off. “There isn’t room for you or a baby! I just love this brownstone, you know?”
I nodded. I liked the warmth of it. The character. The history. It was so different from my glass tower that was only a few years old.
“It certainly has good bones,” I said, looking up and down the hallway.
“You’ll call the movers?” she asked, as if not wanting to dwell on it anymore.
“Right when we get home,” I said with an assuring nod.
She smiled and grabbed my hand, leading me toward the staircase to leave.
That night, we had plans to meet my family for dinner.
It was the first time Gabriella would be meeting my brother Nathan.
And while she had met my mother and Greg before, it was under different circumstances.
Awkward circumstances, thanks to my mother.
I felt a little nervous about the whole thing because I had never brought a woman to meet my family, but I was so ready to take that next step with Gabriella.
She was opening her life up to me, introducing me to her friends and her mother. I wanted to share her with the special people in my life. We were going to be a big family, after all.
“Does this look okay?” asked Gabriella nervously, walking out of the master closet wearing a cream sweater dress that hung off her shoulders and hugged her bump perfectly. She looked like a glowing vision. I couldn’t believe she was asking if she looked “okay” when she looked absolutely gorgeous.
I stood from the bed where I had just put on my gold cufflinks and strode toward her, putting my hands on her waist and running my eyes up her body to her light made-up face of mascara and blush. If we weren’t going to meet my family, I would have taken her to bed right then.
“More than okay,” I said, my voice low as my thumbs stroked her side.
Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink and she bit her lip in that way that drove me crazy. I reached up and gently freed it from her teeth with my thumb.
“None of that now, or we will never make it out of here,” I said before leaning in and kissing her.
“Where are we going again?”
“Brooklyn,” I said.
“Really?” she asked, raising a brow. “I didn’t think you stepped foot out of Manhattan.”
“I do when there’s the best Italian food in New York.”
“I’m starving,” she groaned.
“Then let’s get going.” I grabbed her hand and led her out of the bedroom before she could do any more outfit changes. This cream sweater dress had been her seventh attempt.
“Who is going tonight?” she asked curiously as I pulled my sports car out of the parking garage and into the night. It was already dark and the city lights twinkled around us as I drove in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Nathan, my younger brother. Greg’s son. My mother. And Greg…” I said, feeling a little apprehensive.
“Are you okay with that?” she asked, stroking my hand with her thumb.
“Yeah,” I said, turning my blinker on and getting into the left-hand lane.
There was something about driving that really cleared my head.
I knew having a car in the city wasn’t necessary with the transportation system, cabs, and the ability to walk, but I couldn’t give up my sports car.
Cool nights like these reminded me of how much I enjoyed a good drive, especially with a beautiful woman by my side.
“I actually have been thinking a lot about my relationship with Greg…”
“Really?” she asked in surprise.
“I don’t want to be on the outs with him. I’ve been working so hard to become the man I want to be, and that man isn’t a dick to their stepdad.”
She nodded encouragingly, her smile warm and filled with what looked like pride.
I realized I had never actually called Greg my stepdad.
I had always called him Greg or my mother’s boyfriend, as if he hadn’t stepped in and been in my life for over twenty years.
That had to be a sign I was moving in the right direction. I just hoped he felt the same.
I pulled up to the restaurant and had valet park the car, leading Gabriella through the wooden doors of Morelli’s.
It was the perfect place to bring her. Warm and welcoming with its dim, gold lighting and warm wood tables.
The walls were covered in photos of the Morelli family through the years, making pasta and stomping grapes.
The hostess greeted us warmly and led us to our usual table, where Greg, Nathan, and my mother were just settling in.
They all stood up as soon as they saw us.
My mother pulled me in for a long hug before turning to Gabriella and embracing her the same. She drew back from Gabriella’s embrace and looked down at her growing bump, choking on a sob.
“Oh, my goodness. Look at you,” she said. “You look stunning. How is my grandbaby?”
“She is doing just fine, Mom,” I said.
Her eyes shot to me and back to Gabriella, and then to her stomach, before they filled with tears. “A girl! You’re having a girl?” she practically screamed.
“Mom, calm down.” I chuckled.
“Congratulations, you two,” said Greg from where he stood next to my mother.
“I’m just so excited!” my mother said, clapping her hands.
Nathan cleared his throat, and I was glad for the interruption from my mother’s hysterics. I gave him a thankful look and realized I had an introduction to make.
“Gabriella, this is my brother, Nathan. Nathan, this is Gabriella.”
He smiled and held out his hand, gently shaking her hand.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said. “I’ve heard a lot about you. I heard you’re about to graduate from law school. Please, tell me everything. Law has always been fascinating to me.”
Nathan grinned excitedly and helped her into a seat at the table. My mother took a seat as well. Just as Greg was about to sit beside her, I gently grabbed his arm and nodded toward the bar. The same bar we had argued at last time.
“Can we talk?” I asked.
He raised a wary brow before nodding and following me to the bar. I ordered us two beers and we both sat there awkwardly taking a first sip.
“I wanted to apologize,” I started.
Greg looked taken aback, but didn’t say anything.
“I haven’t been the best stepson to you…”
“I don’t think you’ve ever called yourself that,” said Greg softly.
“Well, it’s what I am. You are my stepdad. You stepped in when my mother and I were on our own. I didn’t know if she’d ever open up again after what my father put her through, but you were able to do it. And you tried to be a father to me, too, which I never really welcomed or appreciated.”
“You were young,” he said, waving me off.
“I was stupid. And I’m not young anymore.”
“I haven’t always been easy on you either…” admitted Greg.
“Well, I don’t blame you.” I shrugged. “But I would like to start over.”
“I would love that, Chandler,” he said, his voice shaking slightly. “I’ve always seen you as a son. Always.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to see that.” I lowered my head with remorse.
“Better late than never,” he said, nudging me with his shoulder.
I smiled at him. “My daughter is lucky to have you as her grandfather.”
It was then that I saw a tear run down Greg’s cheek. It was the first time I had ever seen him cry. I pulled him in for a hug, probably our first one ever, and something broken inside me seemed to be glued back together.