Page 74 of The Don

“So…who is the father?”

“That’s also why I’m calling.”

“Oh? Did you find something else while you were looking for Zahra? An Italian noodle?” she asks, echoing auntie Mina.

I laugh so hard there are tears in my eyes.

“Oooh, looks like you did.”

The bedroom door opens, and Salvatore peeks his head inside.

“Bella, are you awake?”

Caroline cackles.

Salvatore looks at me in confusion.

“I’m talking to my aunt.”

“Okay,” he says and begins to back out.

“Wait,” I call.

Caroline is still laughing.

“Do you want… Do you want to meet her?”

“Yes, bella. Of course.” He walks into the room and actually runs a hand through his hair and straightens the glasses on his face.

“You look great,” I say wistfully.

“Oh, somebody caught some feelings,” Caroline laughs.

Salvatore sits on the bed and throws his arm around my waist. He kisses my cheek, and then I turn the phone toward us.

Caroline stops laughing, and she brings her phone closer to her face. “Girl, get your big ole head out the way so I can see him up close.”

“My head’s not that big,” I grumble, shoving the phone into Salvatore’s hand.

“Salvatore, this is my aunt Caroline. Caroline, this is Salvatore. The father of my baby.”

As soon as I say the word ‘baby,’ he starts to smile. “Ciao, Caroline.”

“Well, hello there, Salvatore. Are you taking care of my niece?”

His smile falters as he turns to me. “With everything I have, I’m trying.”

“He is. You are.”

This is why we aren’t talking as much as we definitely should. I can feel his guilt, and he can probably feel my lingering fear. There is so much that we will have to work through.

“And are you married or otherwise attached?” Caroline asks, not bothering to let us process these emotions on her time.

“No,” he says. “I’m a widower, actually.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Don’t be,” he says resolutely.

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