“Just two of them?” I asked, shocked.
“Vince is bringing her so I can look at his car. We’ll see the rest of them tomorrow. But Mama was missing Luna and Theo.”
I laughed. Rosa took every opportunity to see Stefano and his little family.
“She’s, ah, bringing pasta, right?” I asked hopefully.
Theo ran out the door, looking excited. “Ziti!” he exclaimed, jumping off the deck, letting me catch him.
“Oomph,” I groaned. “You’re getting too big to do that anymore. Far too much ziti in you already.”
He laughed in delight. “That’s what Dad says too!”
I saw the look of happiness on Stefano’s face. He still smiled every time Theo called him Dad.
Theo leaned closer. “I can’t stop growing no matter what I do. I tried.”
I set him on his feet and ruffled his hair. “You can’t stop nature, bud. It’s just the way it is. You can’t control it.”
He nodded. “Dad said that to Mom this morning.”
“Oh yeah?”
He looked confused. “Not sure why. He was hugging her, and Mom slapped his arm and told him to stop it. He said he had no control over it.” He scratched his ear. “Maybe he was growing too?”
I had to look away. Stefano bit back his grin, and Maxx covered his mouth. Chase broke into laughter and turned his back. Theo looked at me. “What?”
“I think your mom meant something else.”
“Like what?”
Stefano met my gaze, his amused. He wasn’t going to help with this one.
“He was probably tickling her.” I bent and grabbed him under the arms. “Like this!” I wiggled my fingers, laughing as he squirmed and squealed, trying to get away. It did the trick, and he pushed me away and ran, laughing, to his mom.
I picked up my beer and grinned at Stefano. “One of these days, he is gonna know what was growing.”
Stefano clinked his beer with mine. “God help us then.”
The backyard was warm, the sun bright in the late afternoon. Stefano’s mama was in her glory, surrounded by everyone. She was adored by each person here, and with good reason. Mary had joined us, and the two of them got on like a house on fire, constantly talking, playing with the kids, overseeing the food. It was loud, fun, with the laughter never-ending. We fixed the loose belt on Vince’s car, but Stefano wanted to give the engine an overhaul. He scolded his brother, telling him to bring it to the shop.
Vince lifted one shoulder. “I barely have enough time to sleep these days, never mind take a day to bring the car out.”
Stefano shook his head. “I’ll have Chase drive you a loaner. He’ll bring this to me. You only have to tell me.”
Vince shook his head. “I hate bothering you, little bro. You’re busy enough.”
Stefano gripped his shoulder. “Never for family,” he said firmly. “It’ll happen this week.”
Vince nodded, looking grateful. I knew how important family was to them. Given the fact that I had only my father, it was nice to see the siblings care for each other.
Gabby slipped inside to feed their daughter, and I noticed Stefano disappear after a few moments. I knew he was crazy about them both and liked helping Gabby with the feedings. I distracted Theo, playing soccer with him, Maxx, and Chase, and keeping an eye on Thomas as he toddled over. Maxx’s daughter, Vivvy, was too little and far more interested in the stuffed animals spread around her than the boisterous game we had going on. Charly sat on a blanket with her, tenderly stroking her red hair and smiling. Rosa watched over them, looking content. She loved all the kids and the women who had become part of her life. Mary sipped wine and chatted to them, sitting on the blanket with Charly.
I hadn’t asked about Kelly, but at one point when I met Charly’s gaze, she had lifted a shoulder, shaking her head, and I knew she was telling me Kelly wasn’t there. I felt a swell of relief at her assurance, and I squashed the fleeting disappointment at the knowledge I wouldn’t see her. No doubt she’d avoid me at all costs.
It was for the best.
Stefano and Gabby returned, Gabby sitting with the other women and Stefano joining us.
After another few moments, I held up my hand, catching the ball with my foot. “I need a break and a drink.” I kicked the ball to Stefano and walked to the cooler, deciding I needed water instead of beer.
I headed inside, filling a glass with ice and adding cold water from the fridge. I drained the glass and refilled it.
I watched from the window, smiling as Stefano lifted Theo after he scored, putting him on his shoulders and celebrating.
I felt an odd pulling in my chest as the thought that I might never experience that hit me. It happened a lot these days seeing my friends so happy, but somehow, I had no desire to try to change my life. Something held me back from doing so.