I take a moment to look around as I settle Brax on my hip, ready for the long haul to baggage claim. The entire Gallo family is standing in the middle of the main terminal, holding signs, flowers, and balloons, welcoming us to Florida.
Before they left Chicago, they made us promise we’d come to Tampa to attend Gigi’s graduation and spend a little time in their world like they did in ours.
It is a much-needed break after a long and gloomy Chicago winter. I’ve missed the thick, damp air of the South and the endless streams of sunshine.
“Hand her over, kid,” Izzy says to Bianca, taking Amelia from her arms without hesitation. “God, this almost makes me sad I’ll never have another little one.”
James pulls his wife closer, staring down at the doe-eyed little bundle in Izzy’s arms. “We can try for another. Maybe the next one will be a girl.”
Izzy’s face tips upward to her husband, and she narrows her eyes. “Don’t get any ideas. I’m way beyond the baby stage, and I’m not about to start over. Plus, we both know I’m cursed to forever have boys, but at least I have nieces to spoil.”
“It’s always better when it’s someone else’s kid.” James laughs and kisses Izzy’s cheek before turning his attention to the dark-haired beauty in his wife’s arms. “She’s absolutely perfect.”
The put-together Vinnie and Bianca have vanished. The months of not sleeping and parenthood have taken their toll on the young couple.
“You can keep her for a few nights,” Vinnie says to Izzy. “I could use some rest and time alone with my woman.”
Izzy looks to James, and he nods. “That’s a deal. Only a few nights so you kids can sleep,” she tells them.
“Oh, thank God. I’m so tired from traveling, and I’m not sure I could take another sleepless night,” Vinnie says, running his fingers through his already messy hair.
I’m thankful for Angelo. Although I’m a first-time mother and worry about every little thing, he’s calm, cool, and collected with this being his third child. The family has rallied around Vinnie and Bianca, helping in every way we can, but I can see the wear and tear on their faces.
Everyone’s busy hugging and kissing, the usual Gallo family hello that I’ve grown accustomed to. I would expect nothing less.
“Let’s get the bags and head back,” Uncle Sal says, corralling us all toward the escalators.
Lucio and Delilah walk in front of me. Lulu’s in Lucio’s arms, playing with his cheeks, and Zoe’s in Delilah’s arms with her head on her mom’s shoulder, fast asleep.
Leo’s carrying Nino as he clutches his teddy bear tight to his body, and Daphne’s walking at their side. I hold Angelo’s hand as we descend the escalators to a busy baggage claim area, and I’m thankful the family has come here to help with the kids and the mountain of luggage, car seats, and strollers we checked back in Chicago.
Thirty minutes later, we’re out of the airport and piled into their SUVs. “I can’t thank you enough for getting us,” I say to Suzy as we make our way down the highway toward their town.
“We wouldn’t miss this for the world,” she says, turning around in her seat to face me. “It’s been too long since we’ve seen each other.”
“You sure you guys don’t want to stay with us?” Joe asks, glancing in the rearview mirror as he follows the entourage of cars in front of us.
“I’m sure. You have enough going on, and it’s not easy with infants. We’ll be fine at the hotel. Thankfully, they had suites, so we won’t be jammed into a little space.”
“I’m thinking we can do the beach tomorrow,” Suzy says, changing the subject.
I grimace at the thought of putting on a bathing suit because I haven’t been able to shake all my baby weight. “I don’t know.”
Her gaze follows my hands as I cover my stomach. “Oh no, you don’t. Your body is kick-ass. And let me let you in on a little secret—this isn’t Baywatch.”
“What?” I giggle.
“It’s not all tight bodies, big tits, and hot guys. This is Florida. You have a better chance of seeing an old man with a beer gut wearing a Speedo on the beach than some hot young thing.”
“You’re really selling me here, Suzy.”
I remember vacationing in the Panhandle as a kid with my parents. They loved the beach, and it was only a few hours’ drive from home. We went every year to the same hotel and sat on the same stretch of sand, watching the waves from the Gulf of Mexico.
“You’ll see. We have a few big portable canopies for the kids to play under, so they don’t get burned, and another one for the adults, especially those of you who haven’t seen sunshine in months.”
“I’m getting really sick of the cold and snow. This trip couldn’t have come at a better time.” I smile and grab Angelo’s hand. “We needed this.”
“You should just move here,” Joe says like it’s a simple thing to do.
