She might have to help Tony adjust to his mama’s new status. But she had no clue when they’d be able to announce their own special news. Now definitely was not the time.
Tony sat in stunned silence until Carm eased his hand around his glass to toast his mama and her new husband. Husband? What the—
“I know this probably came as a shock to all of you.” Understatement of the century. “Once I saw where we were headed, I should have prepared my family for this eventuality.” Mama looked up at Janowski and smiled. “I’ll admit it came as a surprise to me too. I haven’t done anything this spontaneous in a long time.”
Tony had to admit his mother looked happier than she had been since Papa died. How could he begrudge her some happiness in her life?
They’d already told Rafe, who hadn’t given any of them a heads-up. Thanks a lot, Bro. Tony couldn’t wait to see how Rafe was taking the news, given the rivalry between him and Paul.
“We’re not sure yet, but are thinking about finding ourselves a house in Breckenridge closer to Paul’s station.”
She was leaving the only place he’d ever known as home? And the hits just keep on coming. Rafe still lived here. Maybe he’d want to stay here, even if he had to buy it off Mama. So many changes.
Carm leaned closer and whispered, “You okay?”
Tony finally remembered his fiancée sitting beside him. When they got married, that would be the biggest change of all. Obviously, they couldn’t tell the family about their engagement right now. It wouldn’t be fair to take anything away from Mama and Paul’s big announcement. He turned to Carmella for some guidance, and she nodded as if she knew what he’d been thinking.
Tony stood, squeezing Carm’s shoulder before sliding her chair back and helping her to stand. They went over to hug Mama and shake Paul’s hand to congratulate them. “Thank you for putting the sparkle back in Mama’s eyes. Take good care of her.” He almost added an or else but decided to give the man the benefit of the doubt. He was part of the firefighting family, after all.
“Thank you, Tony. You can trust me to do my best every day to make sure she’s happy and protected.”
There wasn’t much more Tony could ask of him. He obviously already loved her.
Mama gave Tony another hug and whispered, “It means a lot to me to have my sons accept our relationship, A.J.”
Tony stepped aside and Matt and Franco followed giving the newlyweds their congratulatory hugs and handshakes. It would take some getting used to, but Tony vowed to accept Paul—he couldn’t really call him Janowski now—into his family unless the man gave him any reason to regret that. From what he’d seen whenever Paul was with Mama, he’d shown her the utmost respect.
“If you’ll excuse us,” Tony said to no one in particular, “I’d like to show Carmella around town and walk off some of this great meal.”
“Unless you’d like me to help clear the table, Mama G,” Carm offered.
Mama shooed them away. “A walk after such a big meal is perfect. I’ll get these boys to help with the dishes.”
“I’m glad you’re here today, Carmella,” Tony said with a grin. “You’re getting me out of work.”
“I’ll find something for you to do later, A.J.,” Mama promised. And no doubt she would.
Tony took Carm by the hand and led her to the back bedroom where he retrieved their coats.
“A.J.?” Carm asked.
“For Antonio Junior.”
“Ah. I see.”
“When it’s just the two of us, she calls me bambino. I think I prefer A.J.” He grinned and helped her into her coat before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his chest. Tony kissed the side of her neck and whispered, “We’ll figure out when’s the right time for our announcement.”
“I know.” She pulled away and turned to face him. “Let’s talk while we walk before another brother finds us in each other’s arms.” He grabbed his coat and put it on.
A cold blast of air hit them as they stepped out of the house, clearing some of the numbness from his mind.
Carm took his hand in hers and squeezed it. “How are you doing? That was quite the bombshell.”
“I’ll say. I had no idea. It’s insane!”
“Well, unexpected, yes. But she certainly looks happy.”
Tony had to admit she was right. They walked in silence for a moment then he pointed out some of the places that had significance in his childhood. A climbing tree. His first best friend’s house.
“How long should we wait before we share our news?” she asked.
“I want to tell them before we leave Mama’s house today.”
“So do I. Maybe when we get back after our walk?”
He nodded. He pointed out a few more places of interest as they walked around the nearly deserted downtown area. “I guess I’m as ready as ever. How about you, Carm?”
She smiled at him. “Let’s do this! How do you think it will go over?”
“It can’t be any more of a shock than Mama’s news.”
Carm laughed. “That’s for sure.”
Minutes after walking back into the house, Angelina came over and pulled Carm aside. “I’m going to steal Carmella a moment, Tony.”
Tony had to admit that he welcomed the reprieve before making their announcement. “I’ll pour us some wine for when you get back, Carmella.”
He watched as Angelina led her down the hallway to his sister’s old bedroom and closed the door. What was up with that?
Carm had no clue what Angelina wanted her for. Surely she hadn’t pulled her in here to show her the bedroom she’d grown up in. Her sister-in-law closed the door and turned to face her.
“Is it true?”
That was a loaded question. Carm tilted her head in question, not wanting to say more than she needed to admit.
“What Matt just told
