Page 72 of Thiago
“What is all this?” Bruno asked. He approached and took the basket from Rose.
“A little something to get you through the next couple of days. Fresh vegetables from the garden. I also cooked a few meals so you wouldn’t have to worry about that while you’re getting settled with the baby.”
“I told her you don’t need this food, but did she listen to me? No.” Benicio placed the containers on the island.
“And I told him that even chefs need a break, especially when they have a newborn,” Rose said.
Bruno pulled her into a warm hug. “Thank you, I appreciate you going to so much trouble.Weappreciate it.”
“You’re welcome, my dear.” Rose patted his back.
“How quaint of you to bring food,” Valentina said, a thin smile curving her lips. “I suppose if I had nothing to do all day, I could do the same—cook for a man who is a Michelin-starred chef.”
Tension heightened in the room.
Rose clasped her hands in front of her. “Hello, Valentina.”
“Rose.”
A glass of white wine pinched between her manicured fingers, Valentina looked like she had just stepped out of a salon. The former actress’s glossy black hair tumbled past her shoulders and was held out of her face with sunglasses perchedon her head. She wore cream slacks, a silk blouse, and a light cashmere sweater tied over her shoulders. Elegant and posh, she made Rose feel severely underdressed in her comfortable jeans and simple gray shirt, and decidedly frumpy with all the gray streaking through her hair.
Bruno shot his mother a look and picked up the food. “Are you ready to see the baby?” he asked, placing the container inside his stainless steel refrigerator.
“That’s why we’re here,” Benicio said, stepping closer to Rose and placing a comforting hand at the base of her spine, which she appreciated.
She knew better than to let Valentina get under her skin, but somehow she always managed to do so.
“Follow me,” Bruno said.
They moved into the living room, where Marissa was sitting on the sofa holding her son in her arms. Her russet-brown skin was makeup-free, and her hair pulled back into a neat bun. Though she appeared put together, Rose saw the lines of strain around her mouth.
“Oh my goodness, look at his little face and those full cheeks.” She sat next to her daughter-in-law and rubbed her back. “How are you?”
“Tired. Happy. Excited. A lot of emotions at once.”
Marissa was not close with her parents, so Rose had been as involved as possible without overstepping her bounds. This was Marissa’s second child, but she had wanted her daughter-in-law to know she was available for support if needed.
She laughed. “It doesn’t get any easier, does it?”
“No, but I can’t wait to see the personality my new little guy has,” Marissa said, gazing down at her son.
“Before you arrived, Bruno was about to explain the name they have chosen—Liam Manuel Santana.” Valentina sat in an armchair and crossed her legs.
Bruno remained standing. “Marissa has always liked the name Liam, and we added Manuel for my father’s father.”
“He would be honored if he were alive,” Benicio said with a wistful smile.
“I was surprised by the choice. Liam. It is a very anglophone name, no?” Valentina’s eyes landed on each person in the room.
Marissa glanced at Bruno, shifting uncomfortably on the chair as she rocked the baby.
“There is nothing wrong with my son’s name,” Bruno said stiffly.
Valentina lazily swirled her wine. “Sí, but a nice strong name can make the difference in a person’s destiny. I gave all my boys strong names. And look, you are all very successful.”
Rose couldn’t believe Valentina was being so rude as to complain about Liam’s name. “I like the name Liam,” she said.
Valentina shot her a scathing look. “You would.”
