"I'd love to see it," she said with a smile.
"Great, we've got another reception down there, waiting for us. I told the kids about you, you know, the ones I teach karate, and they want to meet you. I've got plans to open a karate school, what do you think?"
"I think it's a great idea, and I can't wait to meet them."
"Don't worry, we'll run everyone off early."
"Why Mr. Leonetti, what do you have in mind?"
"You'd be surprised. I never told you about my foot fetish have I?" He smiled and kissed her on the nose.
"You neglected to mention that."
"Forgive me for not confessing my love sooner. But, I had to concentrate on the one thing I knew you wanted—the baby."
She giggled. "Your baby! And it's only one thing I wanted—not the only thing."
"If it helps, I was in pain." He smiled and kissed her hand. "But I wanted you to realize that our love was not just on a physical plain. I wanted to tell you how I felt that night in the garage, and the other night too, but I was afraid you wouldn't believe me. I wanted to make you love me, for being me, Nick Leonetti."
"Oh Nick." she sighed happily, kissed him hotly.
He finally had to push her away to explain more. "Mama planned a spaghetti party, first, and my older brothers and their families will be there, they were in the wedding congregation, but they couldn't make the reception because they planned this one. It won't be as high class, but everyone there loves you. There will be music and dancing, and kissing, relatives you wouldn't believe, like my Uncle Antonio that won't let go of you, and afterwards," He whispered in her ear, and she giggled. "Maybe we should forget the garage and go somewhere quiet. I don't think I can wait till we get to Carmel."
"No, I like your first plan better. We'll just run them off a little early. Besides, I want to meet the boys, and your friends, and be with your family. And Nick, I haven't told you. I haven't said the words—but I love you too. Just for being you. From the moment you said you wouldn't have any part of my plan."
"I gambled on that." He smiled and kissed her hotly on the lips. "But a guy needs to hear it sometimes."
"I'll remember to tell you often."
"We're good for each other," he chuckled and planted a more than inviting kiss to her enticing pink lips.
"I want several children," she began questioningly.
"Me too."
"I want to live in New York," she insisted.
"Sounds great," he said and smiled. "It's always been home to me."
"I want to quit working, and be a mother, and wife."
"Great. I like being the bread winner. We won't live on your family's money, agreed?"
"Agreed. What you make, I'll spend."
"I'll put you on a budget," he insisted. "And I'll keep the garage so I can tinker from time to time, at least till someone wants to buy me out for another sky scraper. But I need a place to go when you get your dander up."
"That's alright; I'll probably run home to mother when we fight. Does it still bother you that the old neighborhoods are going to disappear?"
"It'll always bother me. But its guys like me that make history survive. Hell's Kitchen will never completely die in the heart of the people at least. But I've been through a few changes, and it didn't kill me. I'm learning to adapt."
"So you'd put me on a budget?"
"I'll probably have to."
"I'll skimp one month, and splurge the next, then. I'll spoil our children with love, like your family has you. You know you're richer than you think Nick. You have always had the one commodity that money can't buy—love. And that's one Leonetti tradition I plan on cultivating myself. We'll bake, and sew and make crafts all the time. You'll have to walk over everything in the house to get to us. I want—"
"Ever done it in a limo?" Nick asked pulling the curtain between them and the driver, his face mirroring his love for her.
"No," but there's always a first time."
EPILOGUE
"Uncle Jack, will you tuck me in," the little girl with dark hair and enormous blue eyes cried pulling on Jackson's pants leg.
"I'd be delighted, my dear," Jackson smiled down at Sarah Jackson Leonetti in her blue silk pajamas. Picking her up, he carried her to bed. Planting a kiss on her forehead, he gently tucked her in and smiled down into her small face. "Sweet dreams, little one. Did you enjoy your party with your grandparents?"
"Very much. Grandma Rosa's gonna bake cookies next weekend and she's gonna let me help. I love going to her house because Tony always gives me rides on his back, and Tina puts make-up on me. Grandma O'Sullivan is taking me shopping too; she says I don't have enough pretty dresses. Night Uncle Jack, I love you so much."
Jackson stared glassy-eyed at the child, obviously touched by her love, and then blew her a kiss, "I love you too."
"Night."
"Goodnight," Jackson replied as he strolled towards the door, his emotions once more intact, and turned out the light, his face beaming with a wide smile.
Nick and Kelsey were just saying goodbye to all the relatives that had shown up for the three year olds birthday party. The house looked as if a bomb had gone off, and Dorothy, who had stopped long enough to join in on the festivities, was now cleaning up the mess, humming a tune as she went.
"She's in bed, all ready?" Kelsey squealed as she spotted Jackson.
"Too much excitement I'm afraid." Jackson chuckled. "See you two Monday morning at the office that deal you helped us land with the city for the contracted warehouses is out of this world, Nick; I'm not sure how we managed so long without you around. And thanks so much for inviting me to the party."
Nick grabbed at his elbow, "Hey pal, you're her God parent, that makes you extra special around here. I'm afraid you'll be attending a lot more of these functions in the next few years. Hope you don't mind too much."
Jackson let a smile escape his lips. "Mind? I'd be disappointed if you didn't. Goodnight, now."
"Night Jackson."
Nick pulled Kelsey into his arms, his eyes alight. "I'll just go check on her and be right there."
"Not too many stories, Nick, you're spoiling her."
Nick smiled and glanced at the growing bulge of his wife's stomach a gleam in his eyes holding her to the spot. "Gotta stay in practice for the next one."
Kelsey smiled, kissed him swiftly and darted for the bedroom, with the full knowledge that her husband was having the time of his life.
Nick opened the door to his daughter's room and smiled, she hadn't gone to sleep. She had waited for his story, like he knew she would.
"Well pumpkin, did you enjoy your birthday party?"
"Yes daddy, but I ate too much ice cream."
"I'm sorry. But you've got to stay in shape, because tomorrow we are going to ride the Ferris Wheel, eat hot dogs, and have a big time. That is if Mommy is feeling up to it."
The little girl's eyes widened and she grabbed her daddy by the neck and pulled him down for a big hug. "I can't wait. I hope Mommy feels better tomorrow."
"She wouldn't miss it. You know she's loves the Ferris wheel and she's addicted to hot dogs."
"Isn't the baby coming?"
"Not for a couple more weeks the doctor said."
"It'll be the best day ever."
"Oh Sarah Jackson Leonetti, I love you." Nick cried his heart swelling with pride.
"I love you too, daddy, now," she paused and looked into his smiling face, her blue eyed stare suddenly serious. "Will you tell me a story?"
"Of course, don't I always," he said and glanced about her room for her books. Just as he was about to pull one from the bookshelf, she shook her head at him.
"Not that one daddy. I want you to tell me about the one you know by heart. Grandma Rosa says the best ones are the ones you don't have to read."
Nick glanced at his daughter with a sly smile. "But you've heard that one a dozen times. Aren't you tired of it?"
"I'll never be tired of that one, daddy."
&n
bsp; Nick sighed with exaggeration. "Okay. If that's the one you really want to hear."
"Yes please."
Nick glanced at his daughter, thinking how wondrous it was to be here with her, telling her stories, loving her, watching her grow. What a miracle she was.
"Once upon a time," Nick began as he curled Sarah into his arms, secure at last that he would always be there for her. "There was this beautiful lady named Goody-Two-Shoes…"
THE END
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Nick's Baby Page 18
