Keeping Faith by Cindy Bradford (serial 28)
Chapter 9 Part VIII
Cindy Bradford
When Patrick reached the terrace, he saw that Elisabette and Guliano were already there, each drinking a glass of wine.”
“Hurry, Patrico, I want you to meet our children,” Carmella called.
Guliano stood. Almost as tall as Patrick, the dark Italian had smooth black hair and a straight mustache. Patrick thought he would pass for a movie star. Unfortunately, Elisabette, he decided, took more of her father’s looks than her mother’s. Not unattractive, she just didn’t have the same striking facial characteristics or smooth lines as her mother. But her personality was a reflection of both and she stood and hugged Patrick immediately as her mother introduced them.
Guliano smiled, “Hmm, Patrico. I have not known an Irishman with that name. Carmella has a way of making everyone Italian,” he stated as he grinned at his mother-in-law, obviously with love and admiration.
As soon as Patrick sat down and took a glass of wine Guliano stood again, “I propose a toast,” holding up his glass, “A toast to the new grandparents-to-be.”
Looking faint, Carmella cried, “Oh Elisabette, Guliano, is it true? Are you sure?”
“Yes, mother,” Elisabette said, beaming. “That is why Guliano wanted to come, too. He really needed to stay in Milan, but we wanted to be together to tell you.”
Beside herself with joy, Carmella asked, “Did you hear that Stefano? We are going to be grandparents!” fanning herself with her napkin.
“Yes,” he said his voice cracking. “I am a happy man. Congratulations Guliano!” he grabbed him and gave him a bear hug. “My darling daughter, you give me great joy,” kissing her on both cheeks. “This calls for a celebration! Remember that bottle of wine I showed you Patrico? I have one even better.” Before Patrick could nod yes, Stefano took off for the wine cellar.
“This is great news,” Patrick said, “Congratulations to both of you.”
Carmella was still spinning around. “Elisabette, we have to go into Florence this week. We must pick out some things for the baby.”
“Okay mother, but I think we have quite some time before the baby will be born.”
“Elisabette, please indulge me.”
“You know I will mother; that is why I planned a week here,” she said, smiling.
Dinner was high-pitched with the excitement evident in every word spoken. When they were all finished, Patrick excused himself so they could spend some time alone as a family.
“I must pack. I need to catch the 10:00 a.m. train if that’s okay, Stefano.”
“We hate to see you go, Patrico, but we will get you to the station.”
“I’ll see you all in the morning. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight, Patrico,” they said in perfect unison.
Back at his bungalow, Patrick laid awake, thinking about Elisabette and Guliano, how excited they were and how they had come together to share their news. He remembered Carmella saying how she had so wanted a houseful of children and Stefano telling him about not being able to give her the one thing she wanted most.
His thoughts then strayed again to Sue, how lonely she must have felt when she found out she was carrying his baby. If he had known, he wondered what he would have done. He doubted he would have left her like that, no matter what his plans for the priesthood, but she had saved him that decision. She had loved him too much to make him choose. How different things might have been. He certainly would not be here, halfway around the world.
The next morning, Stefano and Guliano drove him to the train, but not before Carmella hugged him again and again, telling him to be careful, to write, and to come back soon. She had packed him snacks, enough he guessed, for several days. Glancing back one last time, he saw Carmella standing on the terrace, one arm around Elisabette’s waist, the other waving to him. Pablo, the fat, orange cat, lay on top of her Mercedes, yawning, with his tail thumping up and down.
“Thanks for everything, Stefano. You have been so kind, so generous with your time. I can never thank you enough.”
“You just did,” he said, slapping Patrick on the back. “Now go see the sights so you can come back to see us.”
“Okay, you take care, Guliano, and congratulations. I am sure you will make a good father, that is if Carmella ever lets you or anyone else hold the baby.” Both men smiled.
“Thanks. For sure this baby will be loved, Guliano said, smiling.
Patrick waved from the train, knowing he would be in Florence in an hour.