“Hardly. Many couples spice things up in the bedroom with such things. There’s nothing wrong with it.”
A groan escaped him that had me aching a brow. “What?”
“As much as I would love to continue this discussion, Mama and Pop will be here soon with Eli. Mama is bringing dinner.”
He helped me up from his lap and got me settled on the sofa. When my son came running into the house, he stopped just short of throwing himself at me and the look on his face hurt my heart. “Come,Mia Vita.I told you, you won’t hurt me.”
“Are you really okay, Mama?”
“I really am. It’s going to take time for all the cuts to heal, but I’m okay.” I looked up at Gio’s parents. “Carmella, thank you for letting Eli stay the night last night with you.”
“He is welcome in my home any time. He s a good boy, Carly. You should be very proud of him.”
“Grazie. I am. He’s my pride and joy.” I kissed the top of my son’s head. “I have a surprise for you.”
“A surprise? How come? It’s not my birthday.”
“No, it’s not. It’s not that kind of surprise,Amato. Risa has come to stay here at the house with us while I recover from my accident.”
“Really? Where is she?”
I smiled at his excitement. “She’s upstairs. She’ll be down in a few minutes. Oh, here she is now.”
I watched as Eli hopped off my lap and dashed over to Risa. He adored her.
“Risa!!”
“Hello to you, too, squirt. Didja miss me? You didn’t give Gio’s mama a hard time, did you?”
“Of course I missed you,” he said, as if it was a given. “No ma’am. I likeNonnaCarmella. She’s really nice.”
“Nonna?”
Risa and I shared a look. I really needed to tell my son who they were to him.
“Yeah. All the kids call herNonnaCarmella and she said I could too. It’s okay, isn’t it, Mama?”
“Of course it is. Come here and tell me all about your sleepover atNonnaCarmella’s.”
I found ways to keep my son from thinking about my accident until dinner was ready. Thankfully, I didn’t have to carry the conversation during the meal.
That night, when I was curled next to Gio, I decided to broach the subject of telling Eli the truth about his father. “Gio? I think it’s time Eli know the truth about Rico. Who he was, and who your family is.”
“If that is what you wish,Bella. He is your son.”
“He deserves to know that he’s not alone in this world. He deserves to know that his father’s family is right here, and they love him just like I do.”
“I know Mama will be happy. She won’t have to watch what she says around him.”
“Will you help me tell him, tomorrow? Maybe after breakfast?”
“Si. Get some sleep now,Tesoro.”
I felt him press a kiss to my temple and smiled even as my body slowly relaxed. My last thought, before I drifted off, was that I could really get used to falling asleep in his arms.
I was nervous about telling my son the truth about his father, and who his family was. It came as a shock to me to learn that, not only was he related to Gio, he was part of the Italian Mafia. Maybe the Mafia part would wait. That might be a bit too much information for him to try and process.
Breakfast was done and we were sitting on the sofa. "Eli, there's something I need to tell you."
