Love in Flame (De La Fuente Family 5)

“I’m going to do everything I can.” I just don’t know what I’m going to do about Mom, I silently add.

“Enough about me,” I change the subject. “I want to hear all about my niece or nephew that’s cooking in there.” I indicate her stomach.

She chuckles and relaxes into her seat as the food is placed in front of us.

“Your niece or nephew is doing great and will be making an appearance in around five months.”

“So you’re not asking the baby’s sex, huh?” I enquire because if it was me then I probably would’ve asked, but Emelia is much more patient than I am.

“We talked about it, but decided to have a surprise. All I’m bothered about,” she forks some pasta into her mouth, “is that the baby is healthy.”

“I hear you.”

“It would be nice if I did know because then I could purchase dresses, or outfits for a boy, instead of neutral things.” She shrugs. “I’m still enjoying shopping though.”

“I hadn’t noticed,” I drawl, rolling my eyes.

She chuckles. “Oh Diego, why do you think Dante opted to stay back at the farm? He isn’t into shopping like I am.”

“The only reason your husband isn’t with us is because you wanted me to yourself.” I raise a brow daring her to deny what I’ve just said.

“Maybe, but it worked. You talked to me now that no one else is around.”

Her words ring true. I talk to my other siblings, but none like I do with Emelia. They say twins have a special bond and we certainly do.

“As we’re talking, what did I overhear you telling Mom?” I ask.

Emelia frowns. “When?”

“The other day about someone discovering you have the same father as Dante.”

“Ah.” Her face clouds with misery as she lays her knife and fork down, and after taking a drink of some water, replies, “The busy body in the town where we live works at the town hall. She’d been filing some documents and questioned me putting down my maiden name the same as my married name. I was caught off guard and gave her an evasive answer, so she went looking.” She rubs her brow. “It plays heavily on my mind, Diego, and I don’t know what to do about it. What if others discover that on paper Emiliano is Dante and mines father?” A tear runs down her cheek, making me feel like a dick for upsetting her when she’d been glowing with happiness.

“I’m sorry, Em. The last thing I wanted to do was upset you.”

“It isn’t your fault,” she adds. “Dante says that it’s easily explained if we have to. It just gets to me, you know?”

“It can’t be easy.” I grasp her hand and intertwine our fingers. “But you’ve both had a rough time getting to where you are today, so fuck them. Enjoy your life with Dante and stop looking over your shoulder, sis. You’ve got this.”

She smiles and her face lights. “I love you.”

“I love you too, now stop this okay?”

“Oh, wow. You two are the cutest siblings I’ve ever seen,” Leah supplies as she clears the dishes. “You’ve been coming in here for more years than I’ve worked here and I can honestly say you are the only siblings who don’t end up arguing or fighting.” She shakes her head. “It’s always a pleasure to serve you both.” Before she turns away, she adds, “Lunch is on me, pay it forward.”

Emelia and I are left with our mouths open in surprise at the graciousness of the server.

“Pick a table,” Emelia says. “We’ll both pay it forward. This is exciting.” Emelia bounces in her chair and then winces.

“What?”

“I forgot that I’m suffering with back pain. I need to go at a slower speed.”

I shake my head. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

Her eyes darken with disappointment, so I add, “I meant after we’ve paid it forward.”

Helping Emelia up from the chair, I keep my arm around her and carry the shopping in the other as we make our way to the front of the bistro.