My ring is on her finger, my baby is inside her, and I’m not dreaming. Best fucking day ever.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face as we go in for breakfast. “Claudine, Bethany is pregnant.”
Claudine is as happy as I am; her hug is tight for me and gentle for Bethany. “I’m so happy for you both.”
“Dante, we should wait to tell people.”
“Why?” Her forehead wrinkles. “Hey, don’t think like that.” I pull her into my arms. “You only don’t tell people who you wouldn’t also tell if something did happen. If, god forbid, something happens, Claudine, Alicia, Che, they are our family and they need to know for the good and the bad.”
She looks to Claudine. “Is he ever wrong? Am I ever going to get a chance to be right?”
“Very soon, he’ll let you be right all you want. Especially when the tears happen for no reason.”
No doubt, Bethany will probably be able to get another five cats out of me if she asks for it.
“So you want to tell Cesare and Alicia right away?”
Hell, yes. “I’m not going to be able keep my mouth shut for long.”
“How about we crash them for dinner tonight and tell them then?”
“Works for me. I’ll invite Enzo and hopefully Sheila will be ‘busy.’” We all know she isn’t busy; she doesn’t like us, or maybe she’s figured out we don’t like her. “Damn, I just realized, we can’t get married in two weeks. It’s bad form to get married before Enzo and Sheila, since they set their date before us. They aren’t getting married for another six weeks, then they’re going to be gone for another two weeks for their honeymoon.” I don’t want to wait that long. “Claudine—”
“Don’t even think about it, you were right the first time. As much as you don’t like Sheila, a woman’s wedding day is special to her. You and Bethany getting married before them, so close to their day, steals her thunder. She’ll make Enzo’s life hell over it.”
Bethany’s eyes dim. I’m an asshole for being happy she’s disappointed. While she was calling me crazy, I worried she really meant she didn’t want to get married. “This is better, we can take our time to make everything perfect.”
I want to argue, but I think of what Claudine just said: Bethany deserves to have the best wedding day I can give her. “Fine. But the day after they’re back, that’s the day.”
“That’s the day. Promise.”
My phone goes off, Charlie is downstairs. “I have to go, have a good day. Don’t spend all of it on your feet. Call me on your lunch break.”
“Yes, Dante, whatever you say, Dante.”
“Good girl.”
I’m still grinning like a maniac as I hang up with the doctor’s office, the appointment set for eight tomorrow. Damn, my face is starting to hurt, but I can’t stop.
I’m on the internet reading everything I can find on pregnancy, like I have been all morning, when Che knocks on my door before opening it. I click out of the window fast.
“I thought your porn days at the office were over. I got lunch, come on over to my office.”
I grab my cell phone. I still haven’t gotten a call from Bethany. “Shut up, it’s not porn. What are you and Alicia doing tonight?”
Sitting down, I open my spaghetti carbonara. “Nothing much, you and Bethany want to come over for dinner?”
“Yeah, sounds good. We have some news. Let me text Enzo and see if he can come.” I send the text.
“You two are getting married already?”
“I can’t say, I’m not trying to upset her right now.”
Che drops his food. “She’s pregnant?” How the fuck could he know? “Are you serious? Jesus, Dante, you don’t waste any time.” He’s looking as dazed as Bethany did this morning.
“I know it’s soon, but I couldn’t be happier. It’s the best fucking thing that’s happened to me aside from Bethany.”
The dazed expression disappears, replaced by a grin as big as mine. Then he’s up and I’m enveloped in a bear hug. “It’s awesome. I’m happy for you both.”