LAKE
When I sent a group chat to everyone and asked them to bring some balloons, I did not expect them to go overboard.
Augustine and Mom called me to ask about the occasion. They were the first to know that Maverick and I were having a baby.
Thinking that I was going to be a father was overwhelming. That thought of it scared the hell out of me that I might turn out to be my father, but my child would never experience what I had been through. I would make sure of that.
The look on her face was priceless. At the same time, it scared me that she looked so shocked.
Of course, the surprise party wouldn’t be complete without our family and close friends. I even called her brother.
“Are you mad at me?”
“For breaking the news without my permission? I’m used to it by now, spoilsport.”
“Sorry, baby.”
“It’s fine, really.”
“You made me happy, darling.” Watching Mom hug my wife was the best image I could show the world. I took a picture of them together, even if Cooper got it covered.
“I told you.” My uncle came. “Proud of you, son.”
“Thanks for the push, uncle. That’s all I needed, I guess.”
“That’s what family does.”
Striker and London squeezed my wife in a hug.
“Easy.”
London just rolled her eyes at me.
Linden and Estelle were also here giving some pregnancy tips to my wife.
“Don’t listen to him,” Estelle said. “Let that guy over there read books. Just sit pretty and let him massage your feet after work. You carry all the loads for nine months. You deserve pampering.”
I smiled when Maverick looked at me. She looked glowing, her eyes shining and gorgeous, even if she had just woken up.
“Yeah. I did all that. That man needs to work overtime.”
“That man who knocked her up is here listening, Linden.”
“That’s intentional, man. Congrats.”
“Thanks.” I drank my coffee. I thought I slept last night because I was exhausted, and I got up early because I was too happy not to share the fantastic news with my family and friends.
A sudden burst of laughter erupted from the corner where Augustine, Terzo, uncle, Rocco, the new girl Mira, and Mom.
“What’s going on over there?” Maverick also caught their attention.
“That’s not my friend,” said Mira.
“I’m not lying. You can ask her if you don’t believe me.” Terzo pointed at Maverick.
“About what?” I joined them. I had a feeling it would embarrass my wife, and I could not wait to hear it.
“And then I told her. Why are you like this? You’re such a pain in the ass. I have to travel all the way from Sicily to the US, then here to resolve your domestic dispute. And then she said, even if I wanted to go back, I have no apartment. Why in the hell does she want an apartment? My sister just went nuts, and then I burst out laughing. You know what made her cry?”
I was already crossing my arms over my chest, grinning.
“What?” Mira asked.
“I told her. Your husband may have the longest patience for a handsome, rich guy, but don’t give him a reason to be tempted by lust. I’m sure a lot of women wanted to bone him.”
“Stop it.” Her face was red as a beet as she hit her brother on the arm. “Jeez. It’s embarrassing enough.”
“I think that’s cute, baby.” I kissed her head before she went to Augustine to squeeze her.
“If there’s one thing you made me proud of, Ricky. It’s having the baby.”
“How is it getting knocked up made you proud, Nana? And please don’t tell me it’s a blessing. I heard it a thousand times already.”
“Before I die-”
“Okay. You’re overreacting. You’re not gonna die sooner.”
“Then that’s good. I wanna watch your kids grow the same way I watched you grow up.”
“I love you, Nana.”
I went to the wet bar when Linden and Terzo moved over there.
“How’s your father, Siciliano?”
“Still dead.” He took the glass Linden offered to him. “Thanks for asking.”
When he turned to me, I had a feeling he wanted to say something, so I started.
“I know I hurt your sister, and I lied to her.”
“Your daddy issue is not an excuse to hurt your wife, Winston. If only it wouldn’t hurt my sister. I already buried you six feet below the ground. Alive. You have no clue what it felt like watching her ball up crying, and there was no way to ease her pain. What she’d been through for the last months since she met you it’s unfathomable. I love her with all my heart, but if you hurt her again, I will do the same to you as I did to that son of a bitch, Giosue.”
“You made your point, Siciliano,” Linden said.
“I don’t care if my sister will be a young widow. I will help her take care of her child. No man deserves her kind heart and selflessness.”
“I didn’t know she had a letter for me. That’s why she did not come back sooner.”
He tsked in disappointment. “I gave you the key for a reason, asshole.”
“Well, you could have just told me that was important.”
“Are you fucking kidding me right now? I gave you the key because it was important.” His feature darkened, and I knew he was still pissed off.
“I was also doing something to solve the problem.”
“Your father. That’s the problem. You would never be happy unless you stay out of his domain. You could have punched your father until his eyes popped out. That’s solved the problem.”
“He’s sick.”
“Well, that’s good news.” He chuckled.
“He’s sick, Siciliano. He has cancer,” Linden explained.
He was surprised and drank his whisky. “Oh. That’s terrible. Does my sister know?”
“Yeah. I told her last night.”
“What did she say?”
“Well, she said the last thing I expected. After what she’s been through, she still wants to find the best doctor to help my father.”
Terzo smiled. “That’s Maverick.”
“Is your other sister okay?”
“I’m afraid I lost the girl I grew up with. She just worked and worked nonstop. She did not even go to visit Maverick. I think that’s how she copes with her pain and suffering at the hands of that motherfucker. I even suggested to see a therapist. She said she would do it once her husband’s body has rotten to the bone.”
Linden gave a quiet sigh. “Yeah. She’s in pain.”
When I heard footsteps, I kept quiet.
“What bank are we going to rob?”
“Excuse me?” Terzo turned to her, who just snaked her arms around my waist.
“This kind of secret meeting is scary. So what are you three talking about?”
“I threatened to kill him if he hurts you again.”
“Jeez. Stop doing that. Maybe you should find a fine young woman and get out of Sicily. Marettimo is a great place to start.”
Linden laughed. “It’s his territory, honey. You’re like telling him to bring a woman home.”
She laughed. “Right. Then just get a woman and fall in love.”
“Yeah, right. I’ll go swim the ocean and maybe swim into Elsa.”
“It’s Ariel,” said Linden. “Elsa of Arendelle, the ice queen. Ariel is the mermaid.”
Maverick and I laughed out loud.
“Whatever. You know what I mean,” Terzo said dismissively.
Linden wasn’t even ashamed. He smiled proudly. “That’s what gets me for having kids.”
“Well, you two should start building your castle in the backyard for my niece,” Terzo said.
“Maybe it’s a boy, Terzo,” my wife said.
“Then you should start a condom factory.”
“Terzo!” my wife scolded her brother while Terzo just poured another drink.
“Well, I’m happy that you’re both okay. At least I didn’t have to travel around the world to mediate your marital dispute.”
“Thank you for taking care of her.” I offered my hand.
“While you couldn’t?” He smirked confidently as we shook hands, but I wasn’t even offended.
“Yeah. While I couldn’t.”