Page 100 of Bound by Love
Behind them, the women in the crowd collectively let out an “Aww…”
Nonna turned and placed Hope in her husband’s arms, tears running down her wrinkled cheeks. “Alonzo’snipotina…”
“Si,” he replied gruffly. He held the baby, gazing into her eyes as if he were communicating with her in a secret language.
Hope stared up at him, completely mesmerized.
Nonna took the opportunity to hug Brie. “Grazie, Brianna.”
The old woman’s embrace was filled with overflowing love for her. Brie remembered that feeling from her last visit—the feeling of belonging to a bigger whole, and of being totally accepted.
After Nonna let go of Brie, she hugged Sir. She cried tears of happiness in his arms and did not let go until Nonno cleared his throat. The tiny woman looked up at Sir, her cheeks wet with tears. “Ti amo,Nipotino.”
Sir looked down at her, cradling her thin face in his strong hand. “I love you, mia nonna.”
His grandfather held up their daughter for the crowd to see. The group clapped and cheered, shouting blessings for the child.
Aunt Fortuna joined them, having been patient long enough. She immediately took Hope from Nonno and cuddled her, telling Sir, “Congratulations, Thane. She is as beautiful as your mother.”
Sir’s smile faltered.
Aunt Fortuna didn’t notice as she turned to Brie and added, “She has Alonzo’s eyes.”
Brie glanced at Sir, realizing how much he must take after his father. What would it have been like to meet Alonzo in person? It made her sad that she would never know—that Hope would never know.
“I agree, Aunt Fortuna. Our little girl is a beautiful blend of families,” she replied, grateful that the famous violinist lived on in their daughter.
“She is,” Sir agreed, his smile returning.
“We need to get you inside,” Aunt Fortuna stated. “There is much celebrating to do!”
Brie stayed back, observing the group as they headed up the stairs: Aunt Fortuna in front with the baby, Sir helping Nonna up the steps, and Nonno at the rear, a look of pride in his eyes.
He turned back and held out his hand to Brie. “Bellissima mia nipotina.”
She grinned, taking the hand he offered, honored he’d called her his beautiful granddaughter. In this family, once you were accepted, it was as if you had always been a part of it.
He gripped her hand firmly and placed his other hand on the small of her back as they made their way up the stairs. There was no doubt Sir took after this man. She glanced at him, admiring his full head of hair and classic good looks despite the toll that time and sorrow had etched in his face.
Sir would make an exceedingly handsome older gentleman too, she realized. How lucky was she?
Once they reached the top of the stairs, Brie was greeted with a pleasant surprise. The room was decorated for a baby shower, complete with streamers, baby items, presents, and cake. All the females in Sir’s large family had managed to squeeze themselves into that room—the men taking over the kitchen.
Aunt Fortuna was surrounded by women wanting to see and touch the baby. Brie glanced at Sir. He stood back from the crowd, an arm around his grandmother, who was looking up at him in loving adoration.
Nonno guided Brie through the cluster of women so she could stand next to Sir. Some of them reached out and stroked her as she passed, chattering at her excitedly. Although Brie had practiced the language, these women were speaking too quickly for her to translate more than a couple of words. However, their smiles were easy enough to read.
Brie basked in the joy that surrounded her. It was reflected on Nonna’s face, in the pride shining in Nonno’s eyes as he gazed on his great-granddaughter, and in the tenderness in Sir’s eyes when he caught Brie staring at him.
Their little girl would grow up with this depth of love and be forever supported by it.
Famiglia…
Later that afternoon, Brie moaned as she sat back in her chair, completely stuffed, having just finished off her meal with a delicate cannoli. She sat there in a pleasant food coma with a smile on her face as she digested all the fabulous food Sir’s family had prepared.
Sighing in contentment, Brie looked up at the wispy clouds floating in the blue sky. She was grateful that Sir’s grandparents had their family meals on the rooftop.
Everyone around her was in the midst of animated conversations. Her ears were filled with their beautiful Italian when she heard a faint, but familiar, voice. Brie got up and walked over to the edge, placing her hands on the half-wall as she looked down at the street below.
