“Shit, they went overboard,” she says, groaning.
“Didn’t you think they would? It will be fine, Cherry. We got this,” I tell her. We get out of the car and walk together the rest of the way up the driveway. There are just too many cars to park any closer than I did.
“Let’s get this over with,” she says dramatically, and I cannot help laughing.
Inside her parents’ house, we are greeted by relatives from both of our families. I meet her cousin Albie and his wife Autumn as well as everyone else.
“Brendan. Let’s speak for a moment,” Fabrizio says, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“What’s up?”
“My daughter and son tell me you are in the know now. What do you think? Questions? Comments? Concerns?” he asks, chuckling.
“Yes. I’d like to be in on the daily briefings. I’d also like to know who I shouldn’t do business with. I am sure there is a list of personas non grata. I’m all in, so I want to help. That is, if you want it.” I have been thinking about this a lot and I want to know what it means to be valued by this family. Brynn was all for it, so why not?
“Two more hands are always helpful. What did you have in mind?” he asks, lighting his cigar.
“Not in the house, Fabrizio,” Fawn shouts from across the room.
“Yes, cara mia,” he says and opens the French doors and steps out onto the terrace, closing the doors behind us. Every time he calls her cara mia, I immediately think of Gomez and Morticia Addams and can’t help chuckling.
“Whatever you need,” I tell him honestly. I am ready to get my hands dirty.
“Let’s introduce you to my brother. He’s the man in charge,” he says.
“Sure. I get it,” I tell him, taking the cigar he’s offering.
Back inside the party, I am surprised at how well our families get along together. I clink a fork on my champagne glass to get everyone’s attention.
“Hey, everyone, thank you for the well wishes and all of the great gifts I see back there. We have some news. Brynn and I got married in Florida last week.”
“What?” Our mothers screech at the same time. Most people clap, but not those two. They are pissed, so Brynn steps forward to drop the other bomb.
“I am also pregnant,” Brynn announces. “I did not realize that this party would be so large, but thanks again for coming everyone.”
Our mothers accost us immediately, as we knew they would.
“Are you guys out of your minds? How could you get married without your mother?” Fawn laments.
“Or yours, Brendan Michael.”
“We know you are upset, but this is something we had to do for us,” I begin.
“We didn’t want a big church wedding; besides you are forgetting the most important thing,” I remind both of them.
“What’s that?” my mom asks.
“We’re having a baby. The first grandchild for both of you.”
“How about a huge baby shower instead? Would that make you happy?” Brynn asks.
“Oh, my God. You are right. I think a big baby shower, christening, and First Communion will make up for the egregiousness of not having a church wedding,” Fawn says.
“Yes. At least the baby is going to be Catholic,” my mom says.
“Agreed,” Brynn says, laughing. I watch the women hug, and then it’s my turn.
We only mingle for a little while longer, getting personal congratulations from our immediate families. When Brynn starts yawning, I call it a night. In the car, on the way home, I realize how much my life has changed in just a short amount of time, and I love it.
My first mafia assignment is adding someone to the payroll at Immortality using the cash Fabrizio provides. At least I don’t have to start at the bottom. Marrying Brynn provided some credibility I would never have had without her. I am not stupid. I know its money laundering at its finest, but if I am honest, it’s kind of thrilling. I am ready for whatever the future holds.
Chapter 18
Brynn
My second doctor’s appointment goes better this time because Brendan is right by my side. We hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time together, and it is such a sweet moment that I cannot help crying. Using his thumbs, Brendan wipes my tears from my face.
“Don’t cry, Cherry. Everything is perfect with Cletus,” he whispers, kissing me just below my earlobe. Oh, God. He knows what he is doing to me, but he does not care. He just grins at me when I give him a look of warning.
“Alright, hang tight. Doctor Patel will be in a few minutes. I have printed out a few copies of the sonogram for you and made a recording of the heartbeat,” the ultrasound technician says as she sets the items down on the counter before leaving.