Page 18 of A Mafia Christmas

“Faith, take Beth to her room for a nap,” Aria said. “One of us will come get you for lunch if you’re not already down here.”

“Why does Faith get to do it?” Angel said.

“Oh, God, here we go,” Aria grumbled.

Faith stood and fingered her sister. “Because I’m the best.”

“Mom!” Angel yelled.

“Girls, get along.” Aria turned to Angel. “She’s the oldest. You’ll all take turns helping me. Don’t worry.”

Faith got Beth up from her chair and clutched her hand. Beth watched her chin go up as they passed Angel’s chair. “I’m the oldest and the best.”

“Faith!” Aria said in a warning tone.

Faith stuck her tongue out at Angel behind their mother’s back.

“Mom!” Angel cried out. “Did you see that?”

“Oh, Lord. I’m hiding in my office. I’ll see you all later.”

They walked up the stairs.

“I love pissing Angel off. It’s so easy to do,” Faith said.

Beth sighed and shook her head. “You should be nicer to your sister.”

“Oh, man. You’re a fun hater, aren’t you?”

Beth smiled. “Your husband said that to me once.”

“Really? When?”

“Una had hit me with a stick on the back, and Alastair … he put lotion on the marks. They talked about burying her, and I said something like, ‘Oh, she cares if you ruin her reputation.’”

Faith laughed.

“Both of them looked at me like I was crazy. It finally dawned on me what they really meant, and I told them they couldn’t kill their stepmother. That’s when Graham said it.”

That was a good memory. Even though her back hurt at the time, her husband had been so sweet and attentive.

Faith giggled. “I knew I loved that man.”

Faith pulled back the blanket on the bed. “Do you want me to stick around? I could lay down with you, or if you want to talk.”

“Actually, a nap sounds good. Can I catch up with you later?”

Faith kissed her cheek. “Of course. You know what to dial to get someone, so I’ll see you later.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Faith blew a kiss before she shut the door.

Beth rolled to her side and closed her eyes. Sleep would not come, but the tears did. She went through several tissues. Only when she’d been able to stop the crying did she finally go to sleep.

She woke up groggy and looked at the clock. She had time to wash her face and brush her hair before she went down.

After lunch with the girls, Aria took her to the room where the doctor was. At first, Beth was terrified, but Dr. Hollie put her at ease immediately. She was also very thorough. Beth got dressed behind a blind as the doctor wrote things down.

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