by Tessa Thorne
“That’s amazing, kiddo!” Rocco kisses the top of his head. “I think your hit gave me the push I needed to wake up.”
His smile fades, and is replaced with a suddenly serious look on such a young boy. “I was really worried you wouldn’t wake up again.” He hugs Rocco close, wiping his tears on Rocco’s stubbly cheeks.
“It’s alright, kiddo.” Rocco smiles at him and kisses him on the cheek. “I’ll never scare you like that again.”
“You promise?” Ethan asks hopefully.
“I promise.” Rocco nods. “Wanna help me gather my stuff so we can go home?”
“Yeah.” Ethan nods his head vigorously as Rocco lowers him back to his feet with a barely audible grunt.
The doctors said he shouldn’t leave the hospital for a week after waking up, and normally I’d be worried. But I’m more than happy to take care of him at home.
I step next to his side and wrap my arm around his waist as Ethan goes through the drawers, grabbing the few things Rocco had when he was admitted.
“It’s good to have you back,” I say, kissing him on his cheek.
“It’s good to be back,” he says, turning to kiss me softly on the lips.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Rocco
Tony’s got his serious face on when I step into the back of his shop. I don’t allow my surprise to show on my face when I see the boss sitting on the other side of him.
“Boss.” I nod respectfully and they stand up for a round of hugs, backslaps and kisses on the cheek.
“Sit down.” Enzo gestures to the chair across from him, and Tony pours wine into three glasses.
It’s not often that Tony breaks out the wine.
“I hear you may have reason to celebrate soon,” Enzo says, leaving his glass untouched on the table.
“You have good sources,” I say, gesturing to my pocket. “May I?”
Enzo nods, and I pull out a small velvet box from my pocket and put it on the table. He reaches out, pops it open and lets out a slow whistle.
“It’s nice.” He shows it to Tony, who nods without saying anything. “Hope she’s worth it.”
“She is,” I say without hesitation.
“She the reason I’m being asked about a dead badge?” Enzo asks, narrowing his eyes.
I press my lips together, considering my words carefully before I speak. If he asked me here, he already knows. I swore an oath to die for this man, and I’m not going to lie to him here. Whatever the consequences, I just need to keep Cat and Ethan from facing the fallout.
“I killed him,” I say.
“For her?” Enzo asks.
“Yes,” I reply, meeting his gaze.
Enzo fingers the ring inside the box, taking it out to take a closer look.
“Vini tells me the cop was going to kill you when Pinky showed up.” He returns the ring to the case and snaps it shut. “That true?”
“It is.” Did Vini leave out that Cat was there?
Enzo turns to Tony, then back to me. “Tony made it clear he wasn’t to put a finger on a made guy.”
It’s not a question. Just a statement, and Tony nods firmly.
“Then there’s no problem here.” Enzo passes the box back to me, and Tony lets a small smile show on his face.
“When are you proposing to her?” Enzo asks.
“Right after this.” I grin.
“Good.” He picks up his glass by the stem, and me and Tony do the same with ours.
“Salute,” he says, and we repeat the word, clink our glasses and drink the wine.
The drink cuts the tension in the air. This went a lot easier than I thought. Could have easily gone the other way.
“You brought out the good stuff.” Enzo laughs, putting his half-finished glass down.
Tony beams up at me. “Kid’s like family to me, Boss.”
He slides the glass back to the center of the table, and stands up. He puts his hand on the back of my neck and pats me on the back.
“That was ballsy what you did there, Rocco.” He grins down at me. “She must be worth it if you put your life in his hands.”
Of course he knows exactly what happened. Shouldn’t have expected any less.
“She’s worth dying for,” I say firmly.
“No need.” Enzo laughs. “He was a piece of shit, and I’m happy for the Santinis to have one less badge on their payroll.”
Tony lifts his glass again and downs the rest. “Good riddance.”
“I’ll be looking for my invitation,” Enzo says as he heads out of the room.
Once we’re alone, I look at Tony and let out a small breath of relief. I didn’t expect things to go so smoothly.
“You were really gonna let the guy kill you?” Tony asks.
I shrug. “I figured you’d have to retaliate if he did. It was the only way to save her from him.”
“That’s what Enzo figured.” He laughs, patting me on the shoulder. “She must be some girl.”
“She is.”
“Then don’t let me keep you from her,” he says.
I grab the box, slip it back into my pocket and hug Tony on the way out. I got one more stop before I head home to propose to Cat.
I step into Ma’s room as her nurse is getting her dressed after a bath.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Armati.” She smiles at me.
“It’s just Rocco.” I grin, knowing she’s never gonna call me that. “I brought her favorite for dinner.”
She takes the tray of eggplant parmesan from me. “I’ll let you two talk.”
“Thanks, Dorra.”
I wait for her to close the door behind her and pull up a chair in front of my ma. She’s in her rocking chair, positioned so she can look out the window.
“Hey Ma,” I say, leaving room for her to reply. But she never does, and I don’t expect her to.
“I wanted to give you some good news,” I say, taking her hand in mine.
She’s frail for her age. How well they take care of her here is the only reason she’s as healthy as she is.
“Sorry I didn’t show last week,” I say. “Pinky said he came by to see you in my place.”
He’s been a lot better about showing up. I know how hard it is for him to keep seeing our ma like this. But we can’t just give up on her.
“You remember that girl I told you about? Cat?” I say, brushing my finger over her hand. “I love her.”
I can feel my eyes stinging as I look in Ma’s eyes, searching for any sign of a reaction. The doctors say her brain’s all healed up since what happened. That the rest is up to her. She just needs to choose to wake up.
I reach into my pocket and pull out the ring box. “Gonna ask her to marry me,” I say, opening the box so she can see inside it. “Got her this ring.”
My heart leaps into my throat as her eyes turn from the window and drop to look at the ring. They quiver under her wrinkled lids and shine with tears.
“You’re gonna be a grandma,” I say, swallowing the lump in my throat.
She blinks, shedding a tear that rolls down her cheek.
“It’d be really great if you could make it to the wedding,” I say, squeezing her hand. “Pinky’s gonna be my best man.” I laugh. “Can you imagine him in a tux?”
I grab a tissue to dab away the tears that are flowing freely down her face. I can feel my own tears threatening to drop from my eyes. This is the most reaction she’s shown in years.
“Gonna take that as a yes.” I smile at her. “I’ll ask Dorra to pick out a nice dress for you. Get your hair done the way you used to when I was a kid.”
Her cheek twitches, and I turn her chair so she can face me. I watch, my heart pounding like a jackhammer in my chest as the corners of her lips lift into a small smile.
“I love you, Ma,” I say, giving her a gentle hug. “Gonna propose to her tonight.”
Her lips quiver as the corners of her lips drop. It must take so much strength for her to smile after all this time.
“I gotta go pick her up from work.” I smile. “But I can stay longer if you want. Ask Pinky to pick her up.”
Her eyes look more alive than they have in decades. I feel her fingers moving in my hand, trying to grip mine. She slowly moves her head to one side, then the other, shaking her head no.
“You want me to pick her up.” I grin. “You’ve always put us before you.”
I stand up and wrap my arms around her again. “I love you, Ma.” I kiss her on her cheek. “You always put us before yourself.”
I stand back up and head toward the door. “Be back tomorrow to tell you how it went.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Caitlyn
Rocco’s been quiet on the whole ride home. Ethan was more than happy to fill the quiet for us.
Once we’re home, I put my stuff away as Rocco has some quiet words with Ethan.
After they’re done, Ethan comes up to me and says, “Gonna go to my room and play with my toys, Ma.”
He’s talking more and more like Rocco as the days go by.
I glance up suspiciously at Rocco, then back at him. “Okay, baby,” I say. “I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”
Rocco rubs his hair as he runs past him into his room.
“I think he’s gonna be talking in a Brooklyn accent soon if we stick around here any longer.” I laugh.
“Planning to go somewhere?” he asks, cocking his eyebrow at me.
He slips his arms around my waist and pulls me up against him.
“Not if you have anything to say about it.” I smile coyly at him.
“I don’t have anything to say.” He kisses me on the lips. “But I have something to show.” I look down between our legs and he laughs.
“Not that.” He grins at me. “Saving that for later.”
“Oh?” I look up at him and find his intense black eyes locked onto mine.
He kisses me again, longer this time. Letting me relish the taste of his lips on mine. My heart begins to pound in my chest as he drops to one knee and reaches into his back pocket.
My knees start to shake, and I’m afraid I might faint as he presents a red velvet box in the palm of his hand. He smiles up at me as he opens it, and a diamond ring shines up at me.
“Caitlyn O’Connor,” he says. “Will you marry me?”
I blink, and hot tears drop from my eyes. My mouth is dry and I’m afraid I can’t speak, but I somehow manage the words. “Oh, yes!”
He takes out the ring, takes my hand in his and slips on the ring. It’s a perfect fit.
I look down on him as he climbs up to tower back over me. He tosses the ring box on the couch, wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a long kiss.
“Ooooooooh!” I see Ethan running through my tear soaked eyes as he slams himself against us and wraps his arms around us. “You’re gonna be Daddy Rocco!”
Rocco pulls his lips from mine, and I follow his eyes onto Ethan’s beaming face as he picks him up in our first family hug.
“I love you both,” he says, kissing Ethan on the cheek.
“I love you, Daddy!” Ethan cries, burying his face in Rocco’s shoulder.
Rocco leans the side of his face on top of Ethan’s head and I kiss the top of my baby’s head.
Until this moment, I’d always felt my past in the back of my mind. Impinging on my present, threatening my future. For the first time in a long time, I can look forward to the future without worrying about my past.
Ethan’s going to have a father. And I’m going to have a husband. And we’re going to have a beautiful family.
Epilogue
It’s been crazy the past month. We’re ramping up to roll out another major demo for a set of investors, trying to hire more coders, and planning our wedding. Rocco’s a good man, and I trust him to do anything, but he really can’t help with the wedding.
Thankfully, his extended family’s taken a bit of the load off me. Tony’s wife insisted she take care of the food. She promised the best, and I have no doubt she’ll deliver.
It’s everything else that I have to worry about. Somehow finding the time to go shopping for a dress with Jasmin. Picking out the bridesmaid outfits with a whole host of new girlfriends from Rocco’s familia. They’re nice girls, but it’s been really overwhelming.
I knew there’d be things I’d have to get used to by marrying Rocco, but I wasn’t prepared to deal with this all at once.
“Hey baby.” Rocco smiles as he comes in, Ethan following close behind him. “How was your day?”
“Exhausting.” I laugh as Rocco wraps me up in his arms and gives me a kiss. “But feeling better already.”
“Good.” He smiles. “'Cause I need to ask you a favor.”
“Oh yeah?” I grin up at him.
This is the first time he’s ever asked me to do something for him.
“Being around Ethan’s got me thinking,” he says as Ethan sits on the floor and crashes a toy truck into a dinosaur. “You looking to hire more people, right?”
“Yeah.” I nod. “You know anyone?” I can’t help but laugh at the idea.
“Actually, yeah.” He grins back at me. “I’d put Pinky up against anyone else.”
“Huh.” He looks totally serious. “I didn’t even think of that.”
“He knows all kinds of stuff,” he says. It took him a while, but his profanity filter has gotten really good around Ethan. “And I want to get him out of the life before it’s too late for him.”
I smile at him. Now I get it. He told me how Ethan reminded him of his brother in more innocent times, and how he’s not suited for this kind of life. Hell, I could tell he wasn’t suited for it, let alone Rocco. And he wants to find a way out for him. Who am I to say no?
“That sounds like a really good idea.” I smile.
He smiles back at me. “I really appreciate it. And I know he can pull his weight.”
“I’m sure he can.” I laugh. “I’ve seen his skill in action. We’ve been looking to hire someone to secure our app, and I’m sure he’d be a big help there.”
“You’re the best.” Rocco kisses me softly.
I relish his kiss and grin at him when our lips part. “Want to look at the guest list with me while I’ve got you in a good mood?”
“Sure, sweetheart.” He laughs. “Whatever you need.”
“Stop running around, Ethan,” I whisper to him as I pull him back by his shoulders. “You’re going to drop the ring.”
“Sorry, Ma.” He grins up at me.
He’s even grinning like Rocco now. What have I gotten myself into?
Jasmin pulls up the hem of her dress and squats down in front of Ethan to straighten up his outfit. She smiles at me as she stands back up.
“You ready, girl?” she asks.
I take in a deep breath and hold it in before releasing it slowly to calm my nerves. “I think so.”
“Good.” She smiles. “'Cause I think they're about to start.”
“Take your places, ladies,” the wedding planner announces. “And gent.”
Ethan finally stops his fidgeting and takes his place. I knew he’d be a good boy when I needed him to be.
The carved wooden doors swing open to reveal the grand hall of the church as the first notes of the Wedding March play on the Grand Organ.
I take my first step, and it’s like my body takes over as I float through the air to the altar. My man, Rocco, is standing there, tall and proud in his tux. He always looked so good in a suit, I should have known he’d leave me breathless in a tux.
The words of the priest fade into the background as I stare up at Rocco's handsome face, focusing on his eyes. I could just fall endlessly into those black pools.
It’s an odd wedding party. My side of the family is just Jasmin. My mom didn’t bother showing up, and for once I don’t care. Jasmin’s all the support I need on this day. Pinky’s there on the other side of the family, looking nearly as dapper as his brother. He doesn’t have the same imposing build, b
ut he’s handsome in his own way, and he cleans up nice, too.
Their mother is sitting on her wheelchair, her hair done up in thick curls. She looks beautiful. She’s started to speak in the last two weeks. Her doctors say it was like a miracle. Rocco doesn’t talk about it much, but I can tell how happy it makes him to see her recovering.
The time for our vows come, and I recite the words, intertwining my destiny with Rocco’s. Husband and wife, father and mother. It feels unreal as I hold out my hand and he slips the wedding band on my finger, snug against the diamond that changed my life.
I look down on Ethan, beaming up at me proudly as I take his ring from his pillow. My heart feels like it’s going to break out of my chest as I slip the simple platinum band around his thick finger, to tell the world he’s forever mine.
The church bells ring out my joy as the doors fling open, and we skip through the joyous crowd tossing rice and confetti into the air.
I slide into the limousine as Rocco lifts Ethan into the limo and follows in through the other side. I try so hard to keep myself from crying, but I can’t. So I hope to God the makeup artist was right, and what I’m wearing is waterproof.
“You’re crying, Ma.” Ethan reaches out to touch a tear dangling from my chin.
“I’m happy, baby,” I cry.
“Me too.” He smiles as Rocco pats his knee and puts an arm around my waist.
I put my arm around Rocco and pull myself closer to him. “I’ve got a secret,” I say, my voice trembling.
“What?” Ethan pipes up excitedly, and Rocco shifts against me to look at me.
I look between my big man and my little man, barely able to control my emotions. “I’m pregnant!”
Rocco’s mouth splits into a wide smile, and I beam back at him.
“What does that mean?” Ethan asks as Rocco presses his lips against mine, muffling my answer.
I warp my arms around his neck, pulling myself against him. I want this moment to last forever, my makeup be damned.
I can hear Ethan’s voice in the background, asking the same question. “What does that mean?”
