Natalie, usually the center of attention, seems smaller somehow, the nerves probably getting to her.
“Where’s Nonna?” she asks her mom.
“What do you think? In the kitchen, of course.” Lucia chuckles.
She grabs my hand and leads me to where I suppose kitchen is. To an innocent bystander, she might seem excited, but I knowbetter. She just wants to get this part over with. I circle her fingers with mine and squeeze gently, and she exhales a breath.
In the kitchen, an older woman stained with flour works on something on the island.
“Nonna, this is Matt.”
She glances up, her face stretching into a smile.
“Matt.” Is all she says before circling her floury arms around me in a crushing hug. Natalie mouths ‘sorry.’
“Natalia, cara, look at how handsome he is.” She grabs me by the chin, and Natalie lets out a loud laugh.
“Yes, Natalia, look at how handsome I am.” I smirk, and she smacks my chest.
“Can you make ravioli?” Nonna says in a heavy Italian accent.
“Not sure, but I make my own gnocchi.”
Nonna’s eyes widen in surprise. “We’ll make gnocchi next time. But come, I’ll show you how.” She dismisses Natalie and takes me under her arm.
It’s perfect, giving Natalie time to acclimate to the fact I’m here, and I get to learn a kick ass new recipe.
Nonna Antonia leads with an iron fist, leaving no room for error. Pretty soon, we’re on a roll (pun intended), rolling out the dough, filling it with ricotta cheese, and cutting out the little squares.
“I guess I’ll have a new meal to make for our lunches.” I break the comfortable silence.
“You care for her,” she concludes, not looking up from the ravioli.
“More than I’m able to express in words.” There’s no point in bullshitting this wise woman.
“Hmm.” She nods. “Natalia is a gentle soul. She may not look like it, but she is. She doesn’t need anyone taking care of her, but she needs someone in her corner.” She’s not asking, she’s telling.
I nod in agreement before she continues, “Of course, I would prefer you make an honest woman out of her and give me some great grandbabies, but I know my granddaughter well enough to know it won’t be easy.” We both chuckle.
“If you ask me, she’d already be living with me, a ring on her finger, but I’ll wait however long it takes.” This time, she’s the one to nod.
35
NATALIE
Iwasn’t planning on eavesdropping, but I just rounded the corner when I heard their conversation.
What I hear fills me with dread for a split second—habits are hard to break, but it’s soon replaced with elation. The time we spent together was nothing other than magic.
And I know he meant what he said, he’ll wait for me. But I want to give him more. He deserves me to be all in as much as he is. And I want that, so bad.
I gave up on the thought of having kids a long time ago, though I always loved them. I used to dream of my perfect, though unusual, wedding. But the need to survive my trauma suppressed all of that. And I’m just now starting to remember.
Soon, my brother and his husband join us.
“You must be the man who managed to tame my sister. I’m Tony,” my brother says, shaking Matt’s hand.
“Doubt it, but I’ll die trying,” Matt responds, and they both laugh.
