“Aside from the shock of the idea, I’m actually kind of relieved.”
“Because of us?”
“Yes, but there’s more to it than that. I’ve felt like I have had to be the head of the family all this time, and I didn’t want it. I never felt like I was ready for that, and I didn’t know what to do. I think that’s why I did things the way I thought Pops would have done them, and not the way I wanted.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Honestly?”
“Of course.”
“I’m most relieved because I don’t have to head up the family now. I feel like I have choices for the first time, and right now, there’s only one choice I really care about, and that’s you. You and the baby.”
Cherry smiles and blushes. I reach toward her stomach, tentatively at first, but when Cherry doesn’t stop me, I place my hand over her abdomen. I don’t feel any difference, and I wonder why Cherry’s neighbor was so sure of her condition. Had Cherry already confided in her?
“Did you tell Jessie you were pregnant?”
“No.”
“How did she know?”
“I have no idea. I only told Nora and Twos.”
“They were going to help you…take care of it.”
“Yes.” New tears spring to Cherry’s eyes. “I’m so sorry. I think I know how you probably feel about that.”
“It doesn’t matter now.” I hold her close to me, my hand still rubbing her belly. “I’m not sure what I would have done in your position. I’m glad you aren’t considering it now. That’s the only thing that’s important. Oh wait…there is one more thing.”
I jump up, retrieve my jacket from the back of the chair by the door, and dig around in the pocket.
“Will you put this back on?” I ask, holding up the ring.
“Yes.” Cherry blushes and smiles, her eyes lighting up as she watches me slide the ring back up her finger. She places her hand on her stomach. “All things considered, we might want to have the ceremony sooner rather than later.”
“We can go to the courthouse and have it done in an hour,” I say.
“I have a feeling Nora would not appreciate that.”
“No, she would not. I’m pretty sure she could have the arrangements done to her satisfaction within a couple of weeks, but I’ll leave that up to you. It’s whatever you want, not what Nora wants.”
“I think I’d prefer something simple,” Cherry says, “but also not necessarily at the courthouse. Maybe with just family and a couple of friends.”
“Catholic weddings are events, no matter how long the guest list is.”
“I take it you want a Catholic wedding?”
“I have to admit it’s my preference, but I’ll stand by what I said—it’s your choice.”
“Can you get your favorite priest to do something a bit…abridged?”
“You mean, tell him to skip the Latin?” I laugh. “Yeah, I’m sure he’d work with us.”
“Then I’d be happy with that.”
“I’ll inform Nora she can start planning again but within limits. You know you might have to rein her in a few times.”
“I think I can do that.”
“You say that now. We’ll see what you say in a couple of days.”
“I seem to be crying at the drop of a hat. A few tears will probably quell her insanity.”
“We can only hope. Do you think a month is too long to wait?”
“I’m close to three months along now,” she says. “I’ll be showing by then.”
“How about two weeks? That will give Nora a little time and maybe stop her from getting too many ideas.”
“I think that will work. It feels a little rushed, but…”
“We can wait, if you want. If you don’t feel like waddling down the aisle, we can wait until after the baby is born.”
“No,” Cherry says quickly, “I don’t want to do that. I guess I’m a little traditional when it comes to such things, too.”
“Two weeks, then.”
Cherry nods, and I kiss her again, slowly this time, but when she becomes more aggressive, I’m happy to oblige. I run my hand down her arm, over her stomach, and up to cup a breast. As soon as I do, I realize exactly how Jessie knew Cherry was pregnant—her tits are about to bust right out of her bra, even without my help.
I smile against her lips, but Cherry suddenly pushes me away.
“Nate—wait!”
“What is it?”
“What about the Ramsays?” Cherry asks.
“You mean, now that I know I’m one of them?”
“Yes, but also just in general. They were shooting at us recently, if you recall.”
“Oh, I have not forgotten about that. I need to talk to Threes and Antony. After that, I’m going to visit Janna Ramsay myself.”
“Nate,” Cherry says as she grabs my arm, “are you sure you want to do that?”
“I don’t see a lot of choice in the matter. It’s time we put an end to all of this, and talking to her is the first step.”
“And end to what?”
I turn toward her.
“Cherry,” I say, “answer me honestly. Do you want to have anything to do with the family business? I mean, take me out of the equation. Do you want to be involved in forgery and money laundering? Is that the business you want to own?”
Cherry bites her lip but doesn’t answer.
“You don’t, do you?”
“I love you, Nate, and I love your family. I want to be involved with the family, but no…I don’t want anything to do with the business. I’m all right with it because I want to be with you more than anything, but I don’t want to be directly involved in it. Even if you’re talking about the
