Page 50 of Four Stepbrothers for Christmas

Becca took a deep breath, her cheeks flushing. "I know how it sounds. I know it’s crazy, even to me." She met Mary's gaze, her voice raw with emotion. "But it’s the truth. I’ve fallen for them too. All of them."

A weighted silence fell over the room. You could've heard a pin drop. Everyone seemed to be processing, trying to make sense of the emotions swirling around.

Sal took a moment, then slowly rose from his seat. He approached Becca, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Life has a way of surprising us, throwing things at us that we never see coming." He looked at each of his sons in turn, then back at Becca. "But at the end of the day, if you all truly care for one another, who am I to stand in the way?"

This was a surprising twist. Coming from Sal, who was otherwise a pretty traditional guy, it felt surreal. I knew, though, that beneath his rough exterior was a heart that genuinely wished the best for his family.

Mary added, "I just want my daughter to be happy. Safe. Loved."

I could tell she was struggling with the situation, as any mother would. But Becca wasn’t a child, and Mary seemed to recognize that.

Becca blinked back tears, pulling Mary into a hug. "I am loved, Mom. More than I ever thought possible."

The night had taken us on an emotional rollercoaster, but for now, the car seemed to be pulling back into the station. We were all processing, trying to understand this tangled web we'd found ourselves in.

Vinnie cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. His usual jovial demeanor was tempered with seriousness. "I'm in love with Becca too," he confessed, looking at Sal with an earnestness that surprised me. Vinnie was rarely this vulnerable, and it drove home just how significant this situation was to all of us.

Luke stood up, pushing himself off the couch. "Dad, I know this is... uncharted territory for our family. It will make all of us truly happy, though."

Sal's gaze, heavy with contemplation, finally shifted to me. I felt the weight of his expectations, the history between us as the unofficial fourth son.

Taking a deep breath, I began, "Sal, you've always treated me like one of your own. And for that, I’m eternally grateful." I paused, picking my words carefully. "We understand the implications of this relationship, especially now. None of us wants to bring shame or disrespect to you, Mary, or ourselves. We love each other, genuinely. And we believe we can build something meaningful with Becca."

I took another breath, trying to steady my emotions. "Our hope, our collective wish, is that this doesn't harm any of the relationships we cherish. Whether it’s our bond with you, Becca's with her mom, or even your relationship with Mary. We want to be a united family."

A few beats of silence filled the room, each one of us holding our breath, waiting for Sal's response.

He sighed heavily, and I could see the weight of our revelations pressing on him. He looked around at each of us, his gaze thoughtful. "If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it's that love can’t be dictated by society's norms or expectations. It’s a force all its own."

Sal met Mary's eyes, who smiled gently at him, then looked at Becca. "However, whatever path you all choose, be sure it’s one you're ready for. Not just in the joyous times, but also when the storm clouds gather. Love is a commitment, a responsibility."

Luke nodded. "We know, Dad. We're ready."

Sal took a deep breath, nodding in return. "Then all I can offer is my support. It might take some time to adjust, for all of us. But as long as you’re respectful and treat each other right, I'll be in your corner."

A silent communication passed between Sal and Mary, the sort of unspoken conversation only those deeply connected could hold. It wasn't unlike the way the rest of us connected with each other or Becca.

Mary stepped forward, her gaze softening as it met Becca's. She cupped her daughter's face tenderly. "Darling, remember that no matter what, I love you. That will never change."

Sal echoed her sentiments, looking at each of us in turn. "You're all my family, blood or not. That won’t change either."

Before they could make their exit, worry creased Mary's features. "I just can’t shake the feeling that Mikey is spiraling out there. With everything that's happened... I'm afraid of where his head might be."

Determination flashed across Becca's face. "I'll find him, Mom," she promised.

I felt a twinge of concern. I didn't like the idea of Becca potentially putting herself in harm's way, even if it was for her brother. I bit my tongue, knowing now wasn't the moment to voice my reservations.

Mary nodded, squeezing Becca’s hand before turning to leave with Sal. The weight of their departure settled on the room, leaving us all in contemplative silence.

Then, breaking the quiet, Becca announced firmly, "We're getting Mikey out of whatever mess he’s gotten himself into."

Vinnie was the first to speak, his tone gentle yet filled with concern, "Are you sure that’s wise? It could be nothing – might’ve just gone for a walk to clear his head.”

“Maybe. But if he’s in danger, I have to do something," Becca retorted, her voice laced with both frustration and worry. "He's my brother."

Luke chimed in, "We're all in this together. Whatever we decide, we do it as a team."

Archer nodded in agreement. "Mikey needs help. And we need a plan."

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