Dante paused, and met her gaze. “It was father’s initial reaction to us being together.” He sighed. “He accepted the fact that I was leaving the priesthood well, but blew as I carried on and told him how much I loved you.” He offered a wry smile.
“Oh.”
“Please put some food in your stomach, Em. I won’t be able to rest if I know you haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not very hungry.” She let her cutlery fall back to her plate, but picked up a slice of crispy bacon to munch on. “Last night, at least, didn’t go as badly as it could have. Or as I thought it would.”
“No it didn’t. At least, once Dad calmed down.” Dante had finished eating so he pushed his plate away and concentrated on his coffee. “We need to decide where we go from here. I have the cabin I took you too for now, I guess, but we need somewhere more permanent, where we won’t be known.”
“I’ve thought about that and, to be honest, I’m excited that we’re going to be looking for a home together. At the same time, we can hunt around for a building for your restaurant.” She smiled. “I mean, it’s going to be pointless purchasing a home with nowhere close by, right?”
Emelia watched as Dante struggled with his emotions. She’d watched him do that a few times now, and she just wanted to wrap him up in her arms. He’d had to suppress all emotion for years, but not anymore, and he obviously found it difficult now.
She reached forward and clasped his hand with hers. “I know.” Standing, she moved to his side of the table, and when he pushed his chair back, sat on his lap. “I love you, and I’ll always think about you and your happiness.”
His arms held her close while he buried his face in the curve of her neck and sighed, heavily. “That’s supposed to be my line.”
She chuckled.
“It’s true, though, regardless of who says it.”
“It is.”
Minutes went by, each lost in their own thoughts, before they were interrupted, “I’m feeling left out over here,” Diego said, and as she turned to face her twin, a huge grin split his face.
Dante released her, and that was all she needed as she practically flew into Diego’s embrace and let his huge arms hug her close.
“When did you arrive?” she asked, her voice full of tears.
“Just now…I’m fucked.”
Emelia smacked him upside the head. “You’re tired, don’t you mean?” She raised a questioning brow.
“Yes…Mom.” He laughed, and put her under his arm while he faced Dante, the man that she loved.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think about this, and as long as you take good care of her, I’ll always have your back…just like I would because you’re my brother.” Diego let her go and pulled Dante into a brotherly hug and when they separated, he continued, “Emelia has always been close to you as well and I’ve seen how unhappy she’s been. It all fell into place when she called and told me what had been going on and what was about to happen. It was weird at first, but I’ve thought about it on the flight here and I don’t really feel weird about it. It was just one hell of a surprise.”
“That means a lot.” Emelia reached up and kissed him on his cheek. She turned to Dante, winked and faced Diego, “Now, you know what this means, right?” He gave her a puzzled frown so she continued, “We have to find you a woman to keep you out of trouble because I won’t be underfoot unless I visit.”
His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Now, Sis.” He put her away from him. “There is no need for interference in my love life.”
“Hmm,” she scoffed, “Sex life is the correct wording for your life because I’m sure love has never entered into the equation.”
Diego grabbed both her arms and walked her backward into Dante’s waiting arms. “You have your man. Leave my sex life alone.”
“Yes, please do. I really have no wish to discuss my son’s sex life over breakfast.” Their mom smiled and gave a fake shudder. “Morning everyone.”
“Morning,” Emelia mumbled, feeling happy with Dante’s arms around her waist.
Her mom
continued, “And, what a lovely surprise to see my other baby here so early.” Their mom reached up and, cupping Diego’s cheeks, tugged him down to her and gave him a kiss on the forehead.
“Mom, really,” Diego grouched, wiping at his forehead before he pulled her close for a hug. “It’s good to be home,” he whispered and kissed his mom on the cheek.
She laughed and shook her head. “You’ll always be my baby boy regardless of how old you get…and Emelia, what are your plans today with Dante?” She smiled, and that told Emelia that her mom was coming around to the idea of them together.
As Emelia watched her mom fill the coffee machine with fresh water, and her brother grab a muffin that he’d just warmed in the microwave, she answered, “We’re going for a drive.”