Page 26 of Claimed by The Italian

And I’ve been so good at it. I’ve raised such beautiful, healthy children. Seeing Daisy graduate with offers from top colleges and perfect grades has just proved to me that it was so worth all the hours spent on homework, all the hours wiping her tears as she dealt with high school stress, all the time dedicated to convincing her that dating boys could wait a few more years while she made her dreams come true. Our collaboration as mother and daughter has been so fruitful and I can’t help feeling so proud.

Lorenzo slings an arm around the back of Charlie’s chair. “That’ll be you in a few years. You’ll have your football scholarship in place and you’ll be off to college too.”

“You put so much pressure on them,” Bianca says drily. “I never went to college and look how well that turned out for me.”

I almost laugh, but I wouldn’t dare in front of Bianca. She’s still terrifying, even though we’re thick as thieves these days. She spent another ten years in the mafia business before retiring. At that time we didn’t see much of her. We had to think of the safety of the kids, after all. But now she’s left it all behind, sold the house, finally settled down with the man of her dreams, and bought a house close to us. She never did get to have kids, but she’s all too happy to look after ours when Lorenzo and I want to have a date night.

“Yes, you turned out just fine, Bianca,” Lorenzo smirks. She smacks his arm as everyone cheers for the next student and I laugh. Our family dynamic is a little crazy, but I love it anyway.

“What if I get an injury? What if I’m not good enough at football to get a scholarship?” Charlie worries aloud. Bianca takes his cheeks in her hand.

“No negative attitudes, hmm? You’re good enough. And if something goes wrong. I’ll pay for you to go. Simple.”

I smile affectionately. Bianca would’ve been a good mother. Despite her sternness, she gives so much love to these kids. She really is an important part of our family, especially now that the kids don’t have their grandparents.

As the ceremony comes to a close, our youngest, Becka, tugs on my arm.

“Can we get burgers to celebrate?” she asks, pouting her lips. She learned from a young age that being the youngest usually means she gets her way. Lorenzo scoops her up and rests her on his hip.

“Daisy wanted to have pizza tonight,” he says. “But we’ll have burgers on your birthday next week.”

“Daaad. You shouldn’t pick me up anymore. I’m seven, I’m a big girl.”

Lorenzo smiles in my direction and I chuckle affectionately. Seeing these kids grow up is both a blessing and a curse. I love seeing them develop, becoming personalities of their own. My heart is filled with more love for them every day. But it also hurts knowing that they’re slipping through my fingers. Even as Daisy runs over to hug me, I know soon she’ll be moving out and going her own way. I kiss the top of her head.

“We’re so proud of you,” I whisper, my voice cracking a little. Daisy looks up at Lorenzo.

“Daaad. Mom’s going to cry and make it awkward.”

Lorenzo cracks up and so do I. We can always rely on Daisy to lighten the mood. She grins back at us, but she looks like she wants to ask something.

“Um...I got invited to a party tonight,” she says. “Do you mind if I head off? I can stay at a friend’s house overnight.”

Lorenzo and I exchange a look. This was one of our last opportunities to get everyone together as a family before she leaves. But she’s growing up now. We know we have to let her spread her wings. Lorenzo sighs.

“Of course you can. Just be sensible. No drinking, no drugs.”

“Daaaad, I know that.”

“I know you do, kiddo. Be good,” he says, ruffling her perfect hair before she can duck away. Then, all too soon she’s gone, taking a piece of my heart with her. Lorenzo looks a little downtrodden too, but he smiles at Becka.

“Well, perhaps burgers are back on the cards after all.”

We all go for burgers and then Bianca offers to take the kids for the night so that Lorenzo and I can have a night to ourselves. We agree because I think we both need some time to process the graduation today. We both get a glass of red wine and sit looking through old photographs together, our hands entwined. Even after all this time, we haven’t grown apart even an inch.

“Look how cute they were when they were little. What the hell happened?”

I laugh. “Don’t be ridiculous, they’re like mini versions of you. They’ll always be gorgeous.”

It’s true. Lorenzo seems to age like a fine wine. He’s even better looking now with gray streaks in his hair and a few wrinkles creasing his skin. He’ll never not be handsome to me...and of course, he’s still got an incredible body.

---