Page 7 of Surprise Baby for the Mafia Boss

Looking at Emelia, though, I think about how she’s been there for my previous moments of weakness and has never once brought them up or judged me.

If I am going to get through the next few weeks, I may just need her to be around to bring a sense of calm to the chaos that's about to unfold.

Chapter Four

Emelia

The memorial is just a sea of condolences from everyone that has ever met Ginny, and I stand there, aware of Luca just a few steps away from me.

My father has already told me how I should be consoling Luca today, but I made the first move at the airstrip, and now he needs to show that he’s willing to let me in.

I’m also still upset at the way the Baldinis treated me when all I was doing was offering to help them plan this day, which I was more than capable of doing.

Ginny and I had gone over how she wanted to be remembered and how she hoped her family would send her off. I probably had a lot more insight than any of the three of them.

Their excuse of me not being family hurt too. I've spent a lot of time planning how to, very soon, be a part of their family. I can’t wait to see their faces when that plan works out, and they have to welcome me with arms wide open into the Baldini clan.

I’ve shown up to the mansion in my best black dress, knowing that their eyes are on me, but I’m used to that.

There’s no dressing down when you’re celebrating the life of a woman who used to be the trendiest person in town. And I know that this dress hugs my curves perfectly, because I caught Luca’s gaze lingering on me as I entered.

Besides the Baldini siblings, I’ve spoken to almost every other person in this room. I’ve gotten to know quite a few of Ginny’s friends, and being at the mansion every day meant that anyone who showed up for business also knew who I was.

The connections I’ve made in the last few months have made my father very happy, but they’re still not enough for Enzo and Grazia to admit that I’m now a part of their inside world.

As I work my way through the crowd, so many people mention my time with Ginny and how much I meant to her.

"I heard you were the rock through all of it," says Maria, Ginny’s oldest friend, as she places a gentle hand on my shoulder. I offer a small, appreciative smile, and thank her for her words of kindness.

Everyone who had spent time with Ginny lately had gotten to know me. I spent almost every day with the woman, only going home to sleep and shower.

It was easy, though. Ginny was a lovely woman to talk to, and her stories of Luca made it seem like he was still right there with us, not away on endless work for the family business.

“I did my best,” I say to Maria, as one of Luca’s cousins walks up and overhears us.

“From what I heard, Emelia,” she says as she inserts herself into our conversation, “Ginny was incredibly grateful to have you here. We all know how much she hated having nurses fumbling around her, so it must have been a huge help to have someone she trusted to keep things in order.”

Her voice is loud, and I’m pretty sure all of the Baldini siblings hear her, including Luca, but I keep my eyes on the two ladies and smile.

“Ginny was an amazing woman,” I reply, a little louder than I need to. ”I was lucky to have her influence in my life, and to get to spend so much time with her at the end of her life.”

The women talk a bit more about Ginny, but I zone out and stop listening to what they’re saying, my thoughts on Luca, and how I’m going to navigate things after today.

Eventually, I’m left alone again. I walk through the crowd, looking at Ginny’s casket it's surrounded by black lilies. There's an extravagant shrine near the casket. There seem to be endless photographs documenting this woman’s full life. This is a beautiful memorial. It’s exactly what Ginny would have planned for herself. I know that Luca wouldn’t have accepted anything less, though.

Overhearing snippets of conversations, I can hear how people are talking to Luca about how I supported and cared for his grandmother while he was away.

He glances over at me a few times, but I try my best not to show that I’ve noticed it at all. I want him to come to me this time. I know that he’ll be seeking a distraction soon, and it’s so much better for him if that distraction is me, rather than some sleazy girl at the family club.

I barely see or speak to Enzo and Grazia all day. I haven’t outright avoided them, but I also haven’t sought them out. It will take some time for my anger to dissipate, and they’re much too busy to be making amends right now.

There was no one saying things like, “this is just family business”, when I was helping out at the house and with Ginny. If their grandmother had been in that kitchen a week ago, I know she would have reprimanded all three of them right there for trying to exclude me from this day.

My father says I shouldn’t hold a grudge, that grief does things to people, and I should forgive them. My father also prefers to kiss ass when it comes to the Baldinis. I, on the other hand, know my own worth.

I notice that people are beginning to leave, and the mansion starts to feel quieter, not completely in a good way. Lunch has lasted a good few hours, and the sun has already set outside.

Enzo announces he has to get his little family home, and Grazia says she’s going to take a bubble bath to decompress. I make my way over to where Luca is standing, and we both say goodbye to the last of the lingering guests.

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