My eyes widened in horror. “She wanted to go swimming?!”
“Said it wasn’t fair that we were making her wear a dress when she wanted to be a mermaid.” His lips twitched. “If she hadn’t scared the shit out of me, I’d have laughed. She made a tail out of toilet paper roll.”
“It isn’t funny!” I said around a laugh of my own. “She didn’t think the toilet paper would get wet?”
“She said Ursula would make it real.”
“Ah, fuck.” I’d done too good a job of making my daughter love the Disney villains. “It’s going to be one of those days, isn’t it? Where is she now?”
“WithMatri.”
“And Lauren was in on theLa Befanapreview, was she?”
“Not exactly.” He rested his head on the swell of my stomach. “Please, God, let this be a boy.”
I stroked my fingers through his hair, uncaring that he was dirtying my white robe. “Your sperm makes the best girl babies.”
He moaned pitifully. “It really does.”
NINETEEN
I flickedPaddy’s forehead when he got too close to me and I knew he was angling for a kiss. Instead, I chivvied, “Did you brush your teeth? I’m not having my first transatlantic Christmas gift opening with you and spinach stuck between them.”
Paddy complained, “It was one time, Lena! You’re such a hard ass.”
“Like you don’t need some bossing around.” I sniffed. And I meant it. “It’s a shame Liam couldn’t make it today.”
“Nah, he hangs around with the Bukowskis come the holidays.” He pulled a face that spoke of resignation and wistful longing. “Fucked up with both my kids.”
“It’s an O’Donnelly trait I’m hoping this generation breaks,” I said wryly.
“Me too.”
“Have you heard from Jennifer?”
“She video-called. Loved her watch.” He nudged me. “Thank you for helping me pick out their gifts. Meant a lot.”
“Don’t be silly. It’s fine.” I refused to blush.
“You sure you’re okay with ending the trip in Sicily?”
“Of course I am. Seeing in the new year there sounds wonderful. They don’t mindmecoming to their villa, do they?”
“Wouldn’t have invited us if they did.”
“It’ll just be them?”
He nodded. “They don’t all leave the country at once.”
I huffed but I understood the necessity, even if I was sick of it.
A lifetime of abiding by bylaws that the rest of the world never even imagined existed was incredibly wearing on one’s patience.
“Now, how do I look?”
“Surprisingly casual.” I felt his eyes on me. “You’re still a looker, Magdalena.”
My lips curved. “I know.” Then, I turned to him and conceded, “When you shave, brush your teeth, and make sure to wear the clothes Luciu bought you, you’re a looker too, Padraig.”
