Epilogue
Two years later
Matt hadn’t set foot in a church since the day he and Gina got married. Out of obligation, she still joined Rosemary every Sunday, but well, he wasn’t going to push his luck. St. Vincent’s needed their roof.
But today, he didn’t have a choice.
He had to go.
His son was being christened today.
Only a month old, Dominic McCready had blue eyes that hadn’t changed color yet and a head of dark hair like his mother’s.
Bo and Ava were expecting a little boy in a few months, and Chloe was due soon after that.
Matt smiled. A new generation of hooligans.
He already knew the three boys were going to be the closest of friends. Brothers. Family.
Just like their fathers are.
“Here, let me do that for you.” Gina tied his tie. He hated the damn things. “Everybody’s waiting for you downstairs. If Teo and Sara don’t get the baby dressed before he gets fussy, we’ll be late for church.”
The godparents have that honor. Along with the blue sugar almonds, it was another tradition he’d never heard of.
“Does he have to wear a dress?”
“It’s a christening gown.” And patting his chest, she giggled. “My brothers wore it, too. Our Nonna crocheted the lace herself.”
Rosemary was in his kitchen, where she’d prepared a large home-cooked meal for the party afterward. At least he had plenty of good food to look forward to. Matt had to admit that he ate well.
“I know you don’t know these things, Matthew, but remember when you carry my grandson into the church, you do it without looking back,” his mother-in-law schooled him, wagging her finger. “Then, he’ll grow fearless and strong.”
Behind his hand, Kit snickered.
Matt didn’t believe her superstitious nonsense either, but he’d listen to her just the same.
Gina’s family was his family, and his family was hers, after all.
He carried his son across the threshold, a blue ribbon hanging on the door, and then into the church with his wife. His family.
His luck held.
The roof remained intact.
And he never looked back.
The End… until The Bass Line