Page 240 of Forced Vows

"Thank you, but so was dad."

They all go silent at that, shocked expressions on everyone's faces. Except Severu's.

"Show them your dad's paintings," I prod, knowing now is the time and not after dinner, like we planned.

His brother and sister are delighted with their portraits, but they want to see more of Miceli's work and he shares that with them too.

Aria stands in front of her portrait, looking like a woman holding onto her composure by a thread.

Stepping up beside her, I ask, "Do you want some privacy?"

"Not in here. I don't want to interrupt the children."

Hearing her refer to her son, the don, and the others as children makes me smile, but I nod. "Come on. You haven't seen the primary bedroom yet."

She turns and takes a stumbling step. I wrap an arm around her waist before anyone else notices. I just know Aria doesn't want them to see her like this.

She's a lot like moma that way. Strong for everyone else, but keeping her own struggles private.

I lead her out of the room.

"Miceli tells me Pusheen has her own room."

"She does." I stop in front of the door next to our bedroom. "Do you want to see it?"

The door is shut, but Pusheen has an access panel designed to look like part of the door. It's connected to a transmitter on the cat's collar and slides open when she bops it with her nose.

But Aria shakes her head. "Neri is probably in there already, playing with the cat."

She's right. We continue on to the bedroom.

"It's beautiful," Aria says approvingly, looking around, but then her gaze snags on the photo of us on the wall and stays there. "You look very much in love there."

"I didn't know it, but we were."

"I thought my husband had a mistress. I believed he loved me, but I thought he had someone else."

"Oh, Aria…" I don't know what to say. So, I hug her.

And after only a second of stiffness, she turns and hugs me back, a sob erupting from her.

"Oh, mamma." Giulia rushes across the room and throws her arms around us both. "Papa would never have betrayed you like that."

Aria tries to push us both away, rubbing at her cheek, but Giulia doesn't let her. "Stop, mamma. It's okay to be human. We love you."

"I love you, too." Aria turns into her daughter's embrace and I step back.

But Catalina's soft voice from near the door says, "Don't leave. You're part of this family too."

Guilia guides her mom to sit down in one of the armchairs.

Aria reaches her hands out toward us. "My daughters…all of my daughters. I am so blessed to have you."

I'm not her daughter yet, but she's not making the distinction, so I don't either. Catalina and I join Giulia on the floor near Aria's chair.

It's so reminiscent of times in my moma rooms with my cousins, it makes my heart hurt. In a good way.

I am part of this family, and not just because Miceli insists it is true.

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