Page 40 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

The atmosphere grew even more charged. Mikey's eyes shot daggers at Becca. The irritation, clear in the hard line of his lips and the tight clench of his jaw, made me curious. But he refrained from voicing his thoughts. He simply lifted his water glass, the movement slow and deliberate, and drank, eyes locked with Becca’s.

It was becoming evident that the undercurrents in this room weren't solely about the surprise coupling of Sal and Mary. The dynamic between Becca and Mikey was intricate, layered. Whatever history they shared, it was certainly complex.

Through the hushed conversations and low hum of excitement, I was momentarily pulled from my observations of the room when Sal entered, balancing a massive pan of his famous lasagna. The aroma filled the room almost instantly with the inviting scent of tomatoes, cheese, and freshly baked pasta. My mouth watered in anticipation.

Becca, maybe searching for some semblance of normalcy in the whirlwind of surprises, noted, "Is this a new table?”

“Oh, isn’t it nice?” Mary asked, placing her hand on the smooth wood top. “Picked it up at an estate sale. Well, Ibought it– big, strong Sal here was the one who literally picked it up and carried it in.” She laughed at her joke, Sal smiling and squeezing her arm.

Sal smiled. “It’s an antique – and handmade, as far as I can tell. And fitting, too. Big table for a big family.”

A glance exchanged between Sal and Mary spoke a thousand words. Their smiles, a dance of shared secrets and silent conversations, made the room feel warmer. The glances I shared with the brothers were more of the curious kind.

With everyone settled and dishes served, Sal lifted his glass, signaling a call to attention. The room grew silent, all eyes on him.

"To family," he began, his voice deep and resonant as he used that word again. "To unexpected meetings, to reunions, and the moments that bring us closer together. As the year comes to an end, I am reminded of the importance of cherishing every moment, every connection, and every shared laugh. To the ties that bind, and to the future that awaits."

As his words filled the room, my eyes inadvertently found Becca's. There was an unspoken understanding, a silent conversation that seemed to echo Sal’s sentiments. Yes, this gathering was about more than just a holiday reunion.

The murmured cheers following the toast were warm, filled with genuine appreciation for Sal's heartfelt words. But before anyone could dive back into their meal, Sal had yet another surprise up his sleeve.

Clearing his throat, a twinkle in his eye, he reached for Mary's hand, urging her to stand. Together, they looked like two teenagers in love, the world around them fading away.

"There’s more news we'd like to share," he started, causing an anticipatory hush to descend upon the room. "Mary and I are getting married!"

Chapter 26

Becca

The moment after Sal's proclamation stretched out, time elongating in a cruel trick of reality. As I glanced around, taking in the facial expressions of everyone seated, it felt like the universe was playing the world's worst joke on me. My gaze settled on my mother's glowing face, and my stomach did a visceral flip. Oh, boy, if I managed to keep down those two measly bites of lasagna now, it would be a sheer miracle.

The silence was heavy, punctuated only by the clinking of silverware being set down. Everyone seemed to be in a state of shock. I darted a glance toward Vinnie, expecting him to break the tension. But even he appeared to be momentarily lost for words, eyes wide and mouth agape.

Summoning every bit of acting prowess I didn't know I had, I pasted on the brightest, fakest smile I could muster. "Oh my God, Mom!" I exclaimed, leaping up from my chair. I enveloped her in a hug, doing my best to communicate my happiness and support even if my insides felt like they were staging a violent revolt.

Whispering close to her ear, I tried to find the sincerity in my words, "I'm so happy for you."

Pulling away, I caught her watery eyes, filled with a mixture of happiness and uncertainty, probably gauging my reaction. My mom had been on her own for years, bearing the weight of loneliness, especially with Mikey and me living miles away. The least I could do was be happy for her.

Luke, picking up on my lead -or maybe he just felt the need to save the moment too-, got up and clapped Sal on the back. "Congrats, Dad. Quite the bomb to drop on us, but then again, you've always been full of surprises."

The room slowly erupted into a mix of laughter, congratulatory pats, and shared whispers. I took a moment to breathe, slipping back into my seat.

Vinnie finally piped up. "Well, I guess we're going to be one big, happy family then. Christmas is going to be wild!"

I snorted. "Understatement of the year," I mumbled under my breath, catching Isaac's smirk from across the table.

Archer raised his glass in a toast, "To the unexpected turns in life, and to finding happiness, no matter how unconventional."

I clinked my glass against his, our eyes meeting briefly. "Hear, hear," I whispered, taking a long sip of my wine.

The atmosphere in the room shifted from stunned surprise to warmth, the way fog lifts to reveal a sunny day. A cacophony of "congratulations" and the clinking of glasses echoed as everyone attempted to process the unexpected news. Drinks were poured with a little more enthusiasm, laughter rang a bit louder, and the mood lightened as the reality of Mom and Sal's announcement set in.

As my mother basked in the glow of attention and well-wishes, I stole glances at the men who had come to mean so much to me. Archer met my gaze with a calm that was both reassuring and infuriating. Did nothing phase him? His eyes conveyed a quiet understanding, as if silently promising we'd navigate through this new twist.

Vinnie, being Vinnie, laughed heartily, clinking glasses with everyone, even going so far as to propose a humorous toast. "To unexpected family reunions! May we never run out of surprises... or wine." He winked, eliciting chuckles from the group.

But it was Isaac and Luke whose reactions tugged at my heartstrings the most. Isaac had an edge of discomfort, like a man trying to fit into a suit two sizes too small. His eyes darted away when they met mine, as if pushing back emotions he wasn't ready to confront. Sal may not have been his biological father, but Sal and my mom being married would make our relationship just as complicated as it would with the others.

---