“Katarina, my belle, how are you? You’re looking good, how long has it been?”
“Not since a little after the triplets were born.” We may not have seen each other in months but we keep in touch on the phone and via emails.
When dealing with someone like Colt it’s good to have all the backup you can muster. I knew Grim was going to be back in town this weekend and got him in on my plan, he’s Caitie’s Godfather after all. The girl must be the only child in the world with three. Him, Jared and Travis.
I couldn’t let the other two in on what I was doing for fear of them tattling on me, they’re almost as protective as Colt when it comes to me and the kids, so who knows how they’d have felt. Plus, I didn’t think it was a good idea to put them in that position.
But when I complained to Grim about Colton’s hardheadedness where Caitie was concerned he’d been more than happy to jump right in. Any excuse to get one over on Colt. They’ve been at it ever since I’ve known them, this game of one-upmanship.
He kissed my forehead and put me back on my feet. “Caitie darling, come and see what your old Godfather brought you.” Caitlin said something to Todd before walking over for her hug. I’d told him to pretend he didn’t see her when he first arrived. If we were going to make this work then we had to have every little detail down to a tee.
I knew my daughter wouldn’t run up to him if he didn’t acknowledge her and went to her dad, because she’d figure he was here about business and she’d wait until he was done to have her turn with him. I’d had him and Daniel leave for a little while which is no hardship since the two of them like to smoke together.
Now it was time to turn up the heat. “Come on you guys, he gives the best gifts.” I encouraged her friends to follow and right on cue he turned to Colton who was standing across the yard. “Come on boy. I think I might’ve outdone you this time.”
That’s one of the reasons I’d asked for his help. He and Colt still have this asinine thing going where they try to outdo each other in the gift department, it’s an old tradition. Around the holidays the other grandpas get in on the game, but these two go at it all year. Each time Grimaldi goes out of town and returns in fact.
It seems like everyone left the backyard and headed around front where he lead us holding onto my girl’s hand all the way. On the driveway we all came to a stop at the sight of the car that was still covered. There was a strange man standing there who was obviously the one who’d delivered it.
“You ready?” Grim turned to Caitlin who was smiling wide.
“Yes Grimmy.” It’s so cute that she still calls him that. When she was little she couldn’t pronounce his name and Grimmy was the best she could do. It’s stuck all these years. The one time she’d called his name correctly he’d pouted and my bright girl caught on and never did it again.
At his nod the guy pulled back the cover from the car and the whistles started from the guys. Her brothers, including Cody ran forward to get a better look and the murmurings started among the men.
“Is that a Bugatti La Voiture Noire?” Todd’s voice held a respectable dose of awe.
“This fuck!” I glared back at Colt who wasn’t too quiet with his assessment. Caitie screamed and jumped into Grim’s arms before running to Todd, she hadn’t even gone near the car yet. I’ve known for some time that she’s been after my car, the one Grim had given me as a wedding gift.
The one that Colt still bitches about even though he’s the one who makes sure it stays in tiptop shape. Now he had a glare on his face and I was holding my breath as I waited for him to ask the right question. One two three come on Colt, make this easy for me.
“Grimaldi, the fu…what is this? It’s not her birthday.”
“It’s her graduation gift boy.” Zing! I was all but jumping up and down inside.
“Aw Grim, I’m so sorry, didn’t I tell you that Caitie’s not graduating until next year?” That’s if her daddy lets her. She’d be the only twenty-five year old in high school if he has his way.
“What’s this nonsense? Didn’t our girl get the option to graduate early?” I shushed him and barely kept a straight face, this was going so well. Top that Colton Lyon. Caitie’s face had fallen but I’ll make it up to her later.