He groans behind me, picking up the plate of muffins we just made. “Papa, please. Andrew said he’d have me back stateside a week before training starts.”
I shake my head. “Danny boy, we had a deal. You got your year off, but now it’s time to assimilate into the business. You had the option of going to college, and you said no.”
“There’s nothing college would teach me that I won’t learn on the job,” he huffs as we reach the top of the stairs. “I want to be the nextcapo. I want to follow in your steps. I just want to… do what kids my age do for a little while. I have all the time in the world for business and work. But I want a moment to be my age.”
I glance over my shoulder at my son. “I know, my boy. I understand you. But you carry the Davacalli name. It is your duty as my sole heir—just as it was mine for my father.”
He gives a solemn nod.
“But,” I add, “that being said… I think some time away from all of this will do you some good.”
I watch the tension slip from his shoulders. His face breaks into a smile, and his eyes light up in a way that takes me straight back to when he was small.
“Are you serious?”
I nod. “I forget at times how young you still are, my boy. I’ve been trying to plunge you into this sea of sharks far too quickly. Like you said—there will be time for business later. Be a boy for now, before I force you into manhood. Come, your mother is probably pretending to be asleep.”
We tiptoe into the bedroom, doing our best not to wake Beatrice. But the truth is, she’s likely already awake.
“Careful,” I whisper.
He rolls his eyes and stands beside me. “Iamcareful.”
We stop at the side of the bed. I take a moment to admire her—because no matter how many years go by, she will always mesmerize me.
“Okay,amore. You can wake up now.” I raise my voice on purpose, and she stirs. She pretends to blink away sleep, but I catch the gleam of mischief in her eyes.
Daniele clears his throat, already off-key. “Haaaappy birthday to you…”
I join in, and together we sing like idiots—loud, cracked, joyful. She sits up, brushing her hair back, eyes shining with happiness.
“Haaappy birthday to you…” we finish, absolutely butchering the last note.
“You boys,” she says, voice thick with love. She presses a hand to her heart, eyes gleaming with unshed tears. “A little off key, but definitely better than last year.”
“I think it was my harmony that saved it,” Danny argues proudly. “Dad was a little sharp on certain parts.”
I place the tray on her lap and kiss her lips. When I pull away, Daniele is already making gagging sounds—as usual.
“That willnevernot be gross for me,” he teases, then softens as he hands her the plate. “Here you go, Mama. I baked it and Dad mixed it. It’s gluten free—just like your new diet.”
He sets down the baked goods and presses a kiss to her cheek.
“That’s so thoughtful, love bug.” She smells the treats, then turns her attention to me. “And thank you,amore mio.”
She takes a bite and hums in approval. Danny shoots me anI told you solook, and I wave him off. There is absolutely no reason gluten-free food should taste good—but it does. It works.
“I’ll leave before you two start making out again.” Danny scrunches his nose in mock disgust, but I see the brightness in his eyes. “I’m going out for a run. Text if you need me. Happy birthday again, Mama.”
“Thank you, my boy,” she says, blowing him a kiss as he leaves the room.
I settle beside her and brush a stray strand of hair from her face while she finishes her first muffin. She turns her head, and I seize the moment to capture her lips with mine. When I pull away, there are tiny crumbs clinging to the corner of her mouth. I chuckle and brush them off.
“Oops,” she laughs. “These are heavenly. And why are you staring at me like that?”
“I was just admiring the view,” I say. “Like wine, you get better year after year,amore.”
She rolls her eyes playfully. “No need to flatter me, Mr. Davacalli. You already have me for all eternity.”
