Page 73 of The Princess, the Prick & the Priest (Confessions 4)

Well, then. It seemed no explaining was necessary. “That’s right.”

“Of course it is. I’m not blind.”

Clearly. Robbie laughed. “Okay then, come with me and I’ll introduce you.”

As Robbie directed her through to the living room, Julien and Priest got to their feet and smiled. Then they made their way over to Nonna so she wouldn’t have to go too far.

“Nonna,” Robbie said. “I’d like to introduce you to Julien, and Pri—Joel, you already know. We all call him Priest because his name is—”

“Mr. Priestley, I remember.” As Nonna sized them up, Julien greeted her the way Julien always did: a dreamy kiss to the back of the palm designed to make hearts melt, and Nonna’s was no exception.

“Bonsoir, mademoiselle,” Julien said. “Robbie has told me so much about you. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”

“The pleasure is mine, Mr. Thornton,” she said, squeezing his fingers. “I own one of your cookbooks.”

“Vraiment?”

“That means really,” Robbie said, making his nonna smile wider.

“Look at my grandson learning French.”

“He’s very good at it,” Julien said, and Robbie preened at the compliment.

“I’m not surprised. He’s always known how to talk, in any language available to him. And yes, really. It’s your French pastry cookbook.”

“Oh, oui, très bien. We’ll have to exchange recipes one day. Robbie’s been trying to teach me your pasta sauce. But I’d love the opportunity to cook with you some time.”

“My word,” Nonna said, and then turned to Robbie. “Did you hear that? He wants to cook with me.”

Robbie chuckled and kissed her temple. “Of course he does. You’re the best.”

She turned to Priest, and Robbie had to admit, he’d been curious about how this meeting would go from the moment he’d started dating Priest. These two knew each other, and Robbie wasn’t so sure how his nonna would react to him dating Vanessa’s ex…uh, lawyer? Especially considering how much he used to argue with said lawyer at the time.

But as it always seemed to happen when it came to Joel Priestley, no one ever quite reacted to him the way Robbie expected.

“I had a feeling I’d be seeing you again.”

Priest looked at Robbie and smiled. “You’re a smart lady, then.”

“Almost as smart as you, for finally snatching this one up,” she said, and Robbie grinned.

“I agree,” Priest said, as he took her hand. “How are you, Cheryl?”

“I’m very good, and very excited to finally be able to attend one of my grandchildren’s weddings.” Nonna looked around Priest to Penny, who rolled her eyes.

“We all are,” Ma said, as Robbie’s parents joined them in the living room.

“We’re excited too,” Priest said. “We can’t thank you enough for agreeing to host it here.”

“Oh, don’t be silly,” Ma said. “We wouldn’t have it any other way. But…since it is the night before the wedding, and we have a lot to do tomorrow, I think it’s time that Robert comes with me.”

“Wait? What? I have to sleep somewhere else?” Robbie said.

“Yes,” his ma said, as she took Robbie’s hand. Then she looked at Penny and said, “How are you?”

“Still pregnant,” Penny groused, as their father helped her to her feet.

“You poor thing. Go with your pa. He’s going to help you upstairs. And Julien, Joel? Did Robbie show you the room you are staying in tonight?”

“Hang on,” Robbie said, as Penny disappeared with their father. “They’re getting married tomorrow too. Why do I have to sleep somewhere else?”

“Because they’re already married, dear,” his mother said as though it were the most normal thing. Then she patted his arm. “There, there, don’t pout. That’s your own fault, remember.”

Priest and Julien tried to cover a laugh, and Robbie rolled his eyes. “That’s not fair.”

“Would it help if we told you we’d miss you?” Priest asked, and Robbie poked his tongue out.

“I’ll keep your men company until they head off to bed,” Robbie’s nonna said, as Julien took her hand and escorted her to the couch.

“That would make us very happy,” Julien said, and then came over to kiss Robbie on the cheek. “Bonne nuit, princesse. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”

When Robbie frowned, Priest started to laugh.

“Ugh, fine. Let’s go,” Robbie said to his ma. “I need my beauty sleep anyway.”

“No, you don’t,” Priest said, and kissed his other cheek. “But you do need to rest. Good night, sweetheart. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

Robbie and his ma headed upstairs and toward the bedrooms he and his sisters used to stay in whenever they came here for the summer. They were on the opposite side to the two guest rooms, which he figured was his mother’s intention, and when they finally got to Robbie’s room, she sat down on his bed and indicated the spot beside her.

“Felicity told me you asked her to do the ceremony tomorrow.”

Robbie nodded as he sat, and when he took her hand in his, Robbie heard her sniff. “Ma? Are you all right?”

---