“I’m not broken.”
I tighten my grip when she tries to push my hands away. “For the good of the baby.”
Those are the magic words because she instantly stops fighting me. “Fine,” she mutters and motions for her clothes. “Only because I don’t want anything to happen to our baby.”
As she gets dressed, I ask a passing nurse to bring our fathers in while we wait for her discharge. I know they acted nonchalant about everything, but they were worried too.
“Daphne,” Mr. Gallo says as he rushes into the room and sees Daphne standing and fully dressed. “Is everything okay?”
My father’s behind him. “Is the baby okay?”
“Everything’s fine,” I tell them both, but I leave out the bit about her being constipated. “She needs to avoid stress. Today was too much for her.”
“I’m sorry,” my father says.
I raise my eyebrows because that may very well be the first time I’ve ever heard him apologize. “Both of you need to work your shit out before it affects our baby, your grandchild.” I punctuate the last word, reminding them a part of each of them is growing inside her.
“Yes. Yes. Of course,” Mr. Gallo says and glances at my father. “We talked in the waiting room. Whatever’s in the past will stay there.”
“Son.” My father puts his hand on my shoulder. “Santino is telling you the truth. We’ve buried the hatchet.”
I eye him skeptically.
“For the good of our grandchild,” he adds.
“What about Johnny?” I ask, knowing he’s taking over for Santino and there’s bound to be some carryover.
“I’ve arranged a sit-down. We’ll iron things out. The city’s big enough for all of us.”
Daphne looks at me and is just as shocked as I am that they sound like grown-ups about the entire situation. Our entire lives, we’ve listened to these two men trash-talk the other, ready to fight to the death.
Even though they’re being overly friendly, I imagine there will come a day when the competition kicks in. Whether it be Christmas or birthdays, the other isn’t going to be the cheap grandpa, giving shitty gifts. I’m fine with it. Let them spoil our baby and shower him or her with gifts.
“I’m taking Daphne away for a little while,” I say.
“You are?” Daphne glares at me. “We didn’t discuss anything, sweetheart.” She pulls a tight smile, barely moving her lips as she speaks.
“We could both use some time away.”
“I can’t leave my brothers short-handed at the bar.”
“I’ll take care of your shifts,” her father responds quickly.
Daphne’s head snaps back to him. “Papa, come on.”
He puts his hands up. “I’ll do it. I’m retired now and have extra time on my hands. Besides, I want you to make sure my grandbaby is healthy.”
“Our grandbaby,” my father corrects him as the rivalry heats up, only in a new and different way.
“I don’t know,” she says and glances at the floor.
I place my fingers under her chin, bringing her eyes to mine. “They can handle it.”
“Okay,” she whispers, finally giving in.
21
Daphne
