52. Saverio
I ’m not exactly sure what I’m walking into. All I know is Lucia told me to be here at this time, on this day, and to wear something ‘nice’. So, here I am, pulling up to Dante’s house in my usual button-down shirt and dark slacks, feeling completely out of my element.
The evening air is crisp, and I can hear faint music drifting from inside the house. I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Lucia’s cryptic instructions have left me with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. As I step out of my car, I straighten my collar and smooth down my shirt, hoping I’ve interpreted ‘nice’ correctly.
I still don’t have a real relationship with Lucia’s brothers, even if they’re trying their best to accept me now that their baby sister is pregnant. It’s a slow, awkward dance of forced politeness and strained small talk at family gatherings. And I sure as hell don’t do surprises. They make my palms sweat and my heart race in all the wrong ways. But for Lucia, I’ll do anything. She’s become my anchor in this unfamiliar world, and if enduring an unexpected evening at Dante’s house is what she wants, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I take another deep breath, steeling myself for whatever lies beyond that front door.
The moment I walk through the front door, I know something’s up. The house goes quiet—too quiet, especially for a Terlizzi family gathering. There’s no one in sight, not even Salvatore standing around with a beer like he usually is at these things. Of all the brothers, he’s the one I like most, probably because his natural expression when he sees me isn’t a scowl.
The silence is eerie. The familiar scent of garlic and tomato sauce that usually permeates the air is conspicuously absent. Even the usual creaks and groans of the old house seem muted. I take a hesitant step forward, my shoes squeaking softly on the polished floor. My eyes dart around, searching for any sign of life or movement in the dimly lit entryway.
I frown, glancing around. “Lucia?”
Before I can call out again, there’s a sudden burst of noise—cheers, laughter, and voices all blending together in a cacophony that shatters the silence. I’m startled for half a second, my heart leaping into my throat as adrenaline surges through my body. Then, without warning, the door to the dining room flies open with a dramatic flourish, nearly smacking against the wall. A wave of warm light and delicious aromas washes over me, and I’m hit with a chorus of “Surprise!” that echoes through the house. Familiar faces beam at me from the doorway, their eyes twinkling with mischief and affection.
I blink rapidly, my eyes widening as I take in the elaborate scene before me. The entire dining room has been transformed into a baby wonderland, decked out in an explosion of decorations celebrating the impending arrival of a little boy. Powder blue streamers cascade from the ceiling, swaying gently in the air, while balloons of various shades of blue bob and bounce against each other. A clothesline stretches across one wall, adorned with tiny baby clothes—onesies, socks, and even miniature suits—creating an adorable display. My gaze is drawn to a massive banner spanning the far wall, its bold letters proclaiming, ‘It’s a boy!’ in a cheerful font.
As my eyes adjust, I realize the room is filled with familiar faces. Lucia’s entire family has turned out for the occasion: there’s Dante, looking proud and beaming; Salvatore, with his characteristic mischievous grin; Luciano, standing tall and composed; and Niccolo, his eyes twinkling with barely contained excitement. Even their mother, Marta, is here, her weathered face creased with a warm smile. At the far end of the room, I spot Niccolo’s wife, Christine, and Dante’s wife, Adalina, both offering me encouraging smiles. The sheer number of Terlizzis packed into the space is overwhelming.
But my eyes lock onto Lucia, standing right in the middle of it all, glowing with an almost ethereal radiance. She’s beaming at me with her hands resting protectively on her growing belly, fingers splayed across the expanding curve. Her eyes sparkle with a mixture of joy and anticipation, and in that moment, everything clicks. This isn’t just a family gathering; it’s a celebration. A baby shower. For me.
“Are you serious?” I mutter, shaking my head in disbelief as I walk toward her, my feet feeling oddly heavy on the polished floor. The room seems to shrink around us, the chatter of the Terlizzi clan fading into a distant hum.
Lucia laughs as she steps forward to meet me in the middle of the room. “We all thought you could use a little celebration,” she says, reaching out to take my hand. Her touch is warm and grounding. “A baby shower doesn’t have to be just for me, you know. This one is for us, for our little one.”
I look around the room again, my gaze lingering on the faces of the people I’ve spent years keeping at arm’s length. And now, here they are, gathered to celebrate something I didn’t even know how to want until Lucia came crashing into my life like a whirlwind of light and laughter. I’ve never felt so included, so accepted, so… part of something bigger than myself. It’s a strange, unfamiliar feeling but not an unwelcome one.
And it’s not just the baby growing inside Lucia that’s somehow managed to soften even my hardest edges. No, it’s Lucia herself. She’s changed everything, turned my carefully constructed solitude on its head. With her, I’ve found a family I never knew I needed, a sense of belonging I never thought I’d have. As I stand here, surrounded by the Terlizzi clan, I realize that Lucia hasn’t just given me a child—she’s given me a home.
I shake my head, chuckling softly as I pull her into my arms and press my lips to hers. “You really went all out, didn’t you?”
She grins up at me, her eyes sparkling. “We had to. It’s not every day we celebrate you becoming a dad.”
Those words hit me harder than I expect, sending a jolt of emotion through my chest. I’ve been preparing for this momentous change in my own way for months—getting the house ready, making plans, even practicing my diaper-changing technique on a stuffed animal. But hearing her say it out loud—you becoming a dad—feels more real than it ever has. The weight of the responsibility, the joy, and the sheer magnitude of what’s to come crash over me like a tidal wave. I’m not just going to be a father; I’m going to be someone’s entire world. The thought is both terrifying and exhilarating.
I glance over at the table, piled high with gifts in a colorful array of wrapping paper and ribbons, and catch my soon-to-be brothers-in-law making snide comments, teasing me like we’re all part of the same rowdy, close-knit family. Their playful jabs and knowing smirks are a far cry from the cold silence I’m used to. It’s strange, this feeling of warmth and inclusion.
I’ve spent so long keeping other people at arm’s length, meticulously building walls around myself brick by brick until I was untouchable, but with Lucia, it’s different. She’s not just invited me into her world; she’s gently coaxed me through the door of her vibrant, loving family, and made me feel like I truly belong here. With them, with their boisterous laughter and heartfelt embraces, and most importantly, with her by my side, I’m beginning to understand what it means to be part of something bigger than myself.
“You know,” I say quietly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, “I was afraid we’d never get here.”
Lucia smiles, her hand resting on my chest. “Me, too. But here we are.”
I lean down, kissing her again, savoring the warmth of her lips against mine. And for once, everything feels right, like this is where I was always supposed to be. By Lucia’s side with our son on the way. With a family that I never knew I needed—a family that feels closer to me than my own brothers and sisters.
When I pull away, Lucia gazes up at me, her eyes full of love and something else—hope, maybe. “Are you ready for this?”
I smile, my hand sliding down to her belly, feeling the bump where our son is growing. He responds to the touch by kicking. In a few weeks, he’ll be ready to come out, and I can’t wait to meet him. “I’m ready for anything, Dandelion.”
As the celebration continues, I find myself surrounded by people who actually give a damn—something I’m still getting used to. I open gifts, laugh at jokes, and even tolerate Dante’s smirk every time he hands me another ridiculous baby outfit.
But the best part comes at the end of the day when everyone’s winding down and the crowd thins out. It’s just Lucia and me sitting on the porch outside Dante’s house, watching the sun dip below the horizon. Lucia leans her head on my shoulder, sighing contentedly. “Today was perfect,” she murmurs.
I nod, my arm wrapped around her, holding her close. “Yeah, it was.”
And I mean it. This life, this family, this future we’re building together—it’s everything I never thought I’d have. It is the happily ever after I never thought I deserved.