He had her naked in the firelight for the second time.
It was beginning to be his favorite thing.
History Repeats (Kinda)
Antonio
Anton opened the passenger door of his truck, guiding his fiancée to the farmhouse door. Checking his watch, he confirmed it was lunchtime. The delicious aroma wafting on the breeze agreed. Who needed a dinner bell when they had Nonna’s cooking?
With their hands clasped, the cool metal band of Lory’s engagement ring rested against his finger, inflating his chest with pride. She was finally his. He bent to give her a peck on the forehead. “Are you ready for this?”
“Do you think they’ll be mad?” She tightened her grip.
“This will be the first grandchild. They’ll be stoked.” Or not. They might be pissed. He didn’t really give a shit. Time to find out.
“Not just about the baby. I mean about us.” Her voice faded as the corners of her mouth turned down.
“They know I went to pick you up from the airport and that we’ve spent the night together. I think they’ve figured it out by now. Besides, I don’t care what they think. It’s nobody’s business but ours. And if they really love us, they want us to be happy.”
He pushed through the entrance, going straight to the kitchen. Five pairs of eyes locked onto his. His sisters stared, both holding pieces of bread in identical poses. Nonna winked, flashing her dentures. Papà’s features relaxed into a mask of indifference.
Mama came towards them with open arms. “Everything okay?” She caught them in a group hug.
“Sì.” He nodded.
She lifted Lory’s chin and gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m glad you’re back.”
Lory’s gaze slid sideways to Antonio as she bit her lip.
It’s okay. He slipped an arm across her shoulders. “We have something to tell you.”
Mama tensed before stepping away. “Is Grey alright?”
“Oh, he’s doing fine.” Lory spoke up.
“We’re engaged and Lory’s going to have our baby.” May as well get it all out.
The pieces of bread dropped from his sisters’ hands with perfectly synchronized thuds. His papa leaned back in his chair, smirking. Nonna grinned from ear to ear, resting her chin on her palm.
Mama opened and closed her mouth a few times before saying, “No!”
Okay, whoa. Role reversal. That was supposed to be Papà’s line. “Excuse me?”
“No. This can’t be happening again.” She shook her head so hard, hair loosened from her bun.
Lorelei leaned into his side, turning her face to the floor.
For the first time, he was angry at his mother. Pressure welled behind his sternum and he forced it from his mouth. “Mama!”
“Nelle. Sedere.” Papà’s bark stopped Anton from saying anymore.
His mother fell into her chair, obeying the command to sit.
“You, too.” Papà waggled a finger in Anton and Lory’s direction. “I have a story to tell. It’s time we cleared the air.”
Anton pulled out a seat for Lory before taking his beside her. What the hell is going on? His mama had been acting weird at the show. Maybe this had something to do with her behavior? He tried to relax his jaw as he focused on his father.
Papà pushed his plate aside and clasped his hands on the table. “Your uncle and I met your mother at the sale yards when we were teenagers. I’d never seen anyone so beautiful in my life.” He pulled Mama’s hand into his, giving it a kiss. Tears streamed down her face as she blinked at him. “I didn’t see her for weeks afterwards. Not until she walked in here with Matteo.”
Holy shit. She’d been with his uncle. Oh… ooooooh.
“Oh, my God,” Marianne gasped.
Nonna slapped a palm on the table, shushing her.
For once, Sophia was speechless.
Papà cleared his throat. “When I told you, a father knows his son, I meant it. I know you because I was in the same position as you. I loved your mother from afar for years, hoping that one day she would see that she was the center of my world.” He tapped a finger on his temple. “And she did. Matteo never put her first.”
“So, she figured it out and you got your happy ever after.” Anton raised his brows and turned to his mother. “Why are you upset about me and Lory?”
“I’m sorry. My outburst was uncalled for. I am happy for you both. And extremely pleased that Lory will officially be a part of our family.” The words came out in a rush as she stared at the table in front of her.
Anton shook his head, brow bunched in confusion. “None of that explains your reaction.”
Her shoulders rose as she drew in a breath. “Matteo left me in pieces when he told me of his plans to leave. Your father put me back together. I found out I was pregnant not too long after your uncle left.”
“Okay.” So what? He swiveled his head, looking between his parents for some clue to the problem.
“We don’t know who Greyson’s biological father is,” Mama croaked.
Holy fuck! That’s a big ass skeleton you’ve been hiding.
“Basta!” Enough! “We don’t need to know. He’s my son.” One heavy finger just about drilled through the table to emphasize his point. Papà pushed his chair back before standing tall. “Back to work.” He squeezed Antonio’s shoulder on his way past. A congratulations, Papà style.
At his command, Nonna and his daughters made themselves scarce. Anton and Lory were left to stare at his distraught mother. The three of them sat in silence for an interminably long time, the ticking of the clock there to mark the barrage of emotions tumbling across the wooden surface from Mama’s side of
