Cheers erupted again as Thad handed me a glass of champagne. Lifting it, I looked directly at my beautiful bride. She lifted her glass and winked. “So, before I dance with my beautiful bride, a toast!”
Everyone lifted their glass as I shouted, “Gia Mas!”
The room once again erupted in cheers of gia mas and opa.
I turned to the DJ and motioned for him to start the song as I jumped down off the chair and quickly made my way over to Kilyn. When the first notes of “I Love This Life” started, Kilyn jumped up and down.
“Yes!” she shouted as I picked her up and spun her around.
Setting her back down, I placed my hand on the side of her face and smiled.
“Stay with me forever.”
Her hand covered mine as she smiled and replied, “Forever.”
Placing my lips up next to her ear, I said, “We’re having a baby.”
Her head fell back as she laughed and screamed out, “Opa!”
SIX MONTHS LATER
THANO AND I stood at the end of the sidewalk that led to the house I grew up in.
“Are you ready?” he asked as I pulled in a shaky breath.
Nodding, I replied, “I think so.”
As we slowly started toward the front door, I realized that the only reason I stayed away from this house was because it was easier for me to forget the memories rather than deal with my parents’ death.
Falling in love with Thano and finding out I was going to be a mother, I knew I needed to finally face my last fear.
We stopped, and I looked up at the large wooden door. My body trembled as I lifted my hand and placed the key in the lock. When I turned it and heard the click, it felt as if it rattled my entire body.
I faced Thano, fear etched on my face.
“I’m right here, ladybug.”
Taking his hand in mine, I pushed the door open and took a step inside. Ahead of me was the familiar staircase I ran up and down for so many years. Instead of being filled with sadness, I was overcome with a sense of peace and happiness.
As I walked in, a memory of my father standing at the bottom of the steps yelling for me to hurry up or I would miss piano flooded my mind.
Covering my mouth with my hand, I didn’t try to hold back my tears. I let them fall freely as Thano squeezed my hand to let me know he was still there.
Turning, I made my way into the family room. Everything was exactly how I remembered it. Even my mother’s favorite candle sat on the coffee table. Dropping Thano’s hand, I walked up to the fireplace mantel and grabbed the box of matches. Striking it, I lit the candle and let the aroma fill the air.
I laughed when I saw the unfinished puzzle in the corner.
“My father loved puzzles,” I said as I walked over to it.
Glancing over to Thano, I saw him walk up to the baby grand piano and pick up a picture of when I was five.
“You look so adorable in this picture. I like the pigtails.”
I wiggled my eyebrows. “Oh, yeah? Pigtails, huh?”
His eyes darkened. “I think you should wear them tonight.”
I shook my head. “You’re terrible. We are in my parents’ house and you’re talking about sex.”
“I didn’t say anything about sex. You’re the one who took it there.”
With a shrug, I smiled. “I’m pregnant. I’m allowed to take it there.”
When he walked up to me, his smile faded some. “How are you holding up?”
“Honestly, it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. I’m glad I kept the housekeeper coming, though. Everything looks so neat and clean. Bless her soul, she didn’t move a thing.”
Thano looked around. “Show me the rest of the house.”
I did just that. Each room we entered I was swept away almost immediately in a memory. We saved my parents’ room for last. Slowly opening the doors, I walked in. It was then the sadness swept across my body. The knowledge that my mother would never hold my son or daughter in her arms hit me as I felt my legs give out.
Thano had his arms around me and walked me over to the love seat that was positioned in the reading nook of the room. “Sit down, baby. Take a deep breath and slowly blow it out.”
His thumbs wiped my tears away as I whispered how sorry I was. He placed his hand on my eight-month pregnant belly and smiled.
“Kilyn, you never have to say you’re sorry. I won’t even pretend to understand how this makes you feel. All I can say is I’m here for you and I always will be. I’ll never leave your side.”
I gazed into his eyes and saw nothing but love. Placing my hand on his cheek, I closed my eyes. “Thank you for being so patient with me.”