Page 43 of Wicked Union

Slowly, the chatter and greetings quiet. Tony stands once again in the doorway while Sal and the rest of the family quiet down. Mom and Dad sit at the table with Tito's father, and I clear my throat. No one, not even Melody, knows what I’m about to say, but they all look at me with expectation.

I'm nervous to make this announcement because I don't know how it will be taken by everyone. I expect my father to be thrilled and Donatello to be proud. Tito, I'm not sure. But I know it'sinevitable, and I want everyone to learn at the same time, get all those reactions out of the way at once.

"I, uh… I have something to tell you all and I'm excited about it." I bite my lower lip and watch as Melody's lips curve upward into a grin. She's reading my mind. Mom folds her hands in her lap, and Dad rests his hand on the table. Tito joins me and places his hand in the small of my back again, and I'm instantly given more courage. "The past few months have been sort of chaotic. Some good things have happened, some not so good things." My sentence is punctuated by the silent weight of that statement, but I continue.

"And the best is yet to come…" I look up at Tito, whose face is serious and stern as always. He's not expecting this, and I hope his reaction is good. "The best for the Peraltas and the best for the Ramiros. I'm going to have the heir."

I let the words sink in, hovering in the air as they all understand what I’m trying to say. I don’t even look at the family. My biggest concern is what Tito thinks. His expression darkens, eyes hazing over with confusion then concern and then upset.

"You went into that warehouse into a shootout and you knew you were pregnant?" he asks, and I smile at his anger and protectiveness. It's how I know he loves me even when he's sometimes so angry or withdrawn that he can't show affection.

"Yes, of course." Wrapping my arms around his torso, I say, "Am I your partner or your wife?" And then I hear my father chuckle.

Dad laughs louder, causing Mom to laugh, then Melody. Tony and Sal join them in the fit, and if Donatello wasn't so sick, I am certain he would laugh too. It makes Tito seem angrier at first,and then he cracks, a smile forming on his lips as he hugs me hard and sways back and forth.

"Mrs. Ramiro, what will I ever do with you?" The moment is priceless, the two of us surrounded by our family in celebrating the newest Peralta-Ramiro to join the ranks.

"Love me?" I say playfully before he pecks me on the lips.

Everyone claps as I rest my head on his chest, finally settled in the idea that it doesn't matter whose heir my son or daughter is. We will love them the same. They will have both families to love and be loved by, and in the end, he or she will lead us all into the future, one where both families are one and strengthened in number and influence.

"Congratulations," my father cheers, and everyone here offers their congratulations too. It's a happier moment than I imagined as I lean on Tito and accept the celebratory cheers.

"You know this means diaper duty, right?" I say to him quietly, and he speaks to me out of the corner of his mouth.

"You know there will be no more shootouts until this child is at least five, right?" He tickles my side, and I snicker and squirm.

"Deal." After the last one, I have no intention of doing that again. I will help lead with my wisdom and let someone else be the muscle. As the Donna of the family, I'm all for letting others do my dirty work, including poopy diapers. But I'll love every second of motherhood, even if it means cleaning up vomit.

"I love you, Mr. Ramiro." I hug him a little tighter as he shakes his father's hand and the elderly Ramiro nods his praise.

"I love you too, Mrs. Ramiro," he growls as he leans down to kiss my cheek and nip at my ear. "Let's eat something. You're eating for two now. You've got to take that job seriously."

I couldn't be happier now, which I never saw coming. Mom was right. Over time, respect turned to affection, and that affection and fondness have formed an unshakeable bond. I'm better off because of where I am today, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

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