Chapter 22 Kieran
twenty-two
Kieran
The women walk out of the house with Henry following them, making sure they stay safe. Mia walking around in public is basically like my heart walking on the outside of my body and Henry is the only person I trust to watch over her.
"Da, I have something I need to run by you," I tell him.
"I'm listening."
"Last night Henry and Daniel heard rumors about the Carrino family trying to encroach on our territory at the harbor."
"How did that happen?"
"He threatened the harbor master’s family."
"What are we going to do about it?"
"I'm going to call Elios and remind him whose territory he's trying to invade. If he doesn't listen, we declare war."
"War is expensive."
"That's why I'm going to call him first. Try to negotiate."
"Okay. Get it done, son. Now, tell me how come your new bride doesn't have a ring?"
"I just haven't had time to get her one."
"Well, how about this one?" he says, pulling out a black box from his pocket. "I didn't know I would be giving this to you as an already married man, but this ring was your grandmother’s."
For one of the very few times in my life, I'm speechless. I never thought my Da would give me the family ring, the last time I saw it was when I was told I would be marrying Suri.
"Thanks, Da," I say as I reach for it, staring at it for a moment.
It's an art deco oval ring with a halo of diamonds around a sapphire. My grandfather gave it to my grandmother in the sixties, and it's always been a story that has been told since we were kids.
He fell in love at first sight and within three months they were married. Mia reminds me a lot of my grandmother—she's strong, and knows when to put you in your place, but also calmly. She's the strong, silent type.
Closing the box, I pocket it, then pull out my phone, to text my Ma.
Me: Can you make sure that Mia grabs a dress for dinner tonight?
Ma: Of course, do you know where you're going?
Me: I'm going to take her Tasty Napoli.
Ma: Great. I'll help her pick something up.
Me: Thanks, Ma.
Placing my phone back into my pocket, I look up at my Da. He has a look on his face that I can't quite read. I'm pretty good at reading people, but Da is a professional at what he does, and part of that is keeping his emotions guarded.
"What's going on, Da?"
"Your mother and I've been talking—it's time for me to retire." His words shock me, I'm sure my jaw is sitting in my lap. I knew that he’s been talking about retiring but I thought I would have more time.
After a few moments of silence, my Da breaks it by chuckling. "You going to pick up your jaw, boy."
Shaking my head, I gather myself and mutter, "Sorry, Da."
"Don't worry, I know you thought you would have more time before taking the reins. But you're ready, you have Henry by your side. If you wanted, I'm sure you could bring Brendan on board, I’m sure you could convince the other clan members that it’s worth it.”
"Da, are you sure? I thought you had conditions."
Da shakes his head. "It wasn't me that had conditions—it's the family elders back in Ireland. Since you’re married now, you shouldn't have any issues. You know they're traditional."
"Thanks, Da," I mutter but I'm not sure that I've processed everything. I've been planning this for years, and making Mia my wife for months and now it's all coming to fruition. It's all too surreal.
"I've already told the families back home, but we will announce it next week to the rest of the family."
No words could express anything I'm feeling in this moment.
Instead, I just nod at him. We both sit at the table in silence, taking the moment in.
My Da has never really expressed emotion or even taught us it either, all of that fell to my mother.
I'm sure my Da is sitting here trying to figure out what to say, too.
Finally, my Da smacks the table, grinning at me. "Alright, enough of this heavy shit. Let's eat some more before we have to get back to it."
"Sounds good," I say, reaching for my fork again and returning to my food.
"Mmm… this is good. I might have to talk to your Ma about stealing Imogen away."
I laugh at my Da, pointing my fork at him as I say, "Don't even think about it."