“Because seven months is long enough for us to discover if what we feel is lasting. The time is also an opportunity for you to decide if you intend to work. And if so, at what.”
Jude smirked. “I have to work.”
“Technically, if we’re together, I make a generous salary. Besides, we talked about going to Italy and Frank has had me on a waiting list at Maserati in Modena for training on the new models. If that happens, your job would be learning the language, since we’d be there for a minimum of six months.”
“I thought when we talked about Italy that they were pipe dreams,” he said, his face erupting into a grin.
“No, I told you that I’d been there once before. The fact that I’m fluent is a plus. Though everyone who works at Maserati speaks English, they always like when a native is among them.”
“What happens if you get the opportunity and you have the baby?” Jude asked, his tone non-judgmental. More like he was curious.
“I would be elated,” I said, sincerely excited by the prospect. “Since I’m her biological father, she’d already be recognized as an Italian citizen via their citizenship law based onjus sanguinis, which translates to law of blood. How would you feel being a stay-at-home dad?”
Jude recoiled and I was sorry that I verbalized my stupid thoughts. “Whoa… way too fast. I’m not saying no, but definitely not agreeing.”
I pushed to my feet and held my arms out to him. When he was snug against me, I lowered my hands to his ass. “Did I tell you how sexy you look today? Those shorts you have on hug this ass in the best of ways.”
He punched me in the chest. “Stop changing the subject. And no, you hadn’t told me.”
“What’s your answer,tesoro? Taking the baby out of the equation, do you foresee being with me in seven months?”
“I’d move one of your hands to palm my cock but I imagine Mamma might be peaking at us,” Jude said and instead, kissed me and whispered in my ear, “I’ll stay.”
“I’m going to ravage you when we’re home,” I rasped. “Another half hour and we’re outta here.”
Jude slipped a finger inside the waistband of my shorts behind my belt buckle. In a coy tone, he asked, “Will you be doing what you did last night?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Definitely,” Jude said, his eyes pools of desire, like a clear spring lake where everything is transparent until near the bottom where a person has to pay attention to see the multitude of marine life.
Frank and Mamma looked from me to Jude and then back to me before she asked, “Did you have a good talk?”
“We did, Mamma,” I said as Jude and I took our seats again. “We’re good. As for the question of adopting, I’m holding backdeciding until the baby is here.” I didn’t even want to verbalize my thoughts, but I owed it them. Thus, I took a deep breath and said, “To be honest, if I commit now, my heart is also going to commit. I’ll think about becoming a father with all the planning that goes with it. And then… Gabby changes her mind and even though she’d involve me with the child, I’ll still be the side salad instead of the main course.”
Frank’s smile made me feel that he understood. “I get it, Ethan.”
“The other concern I’d have is, what happens when she meets someone and marries?” The possibility only then crossed my mind. “Her new wife or husband might not appreciate me hanging around.”
Mamma wrung her hands. “All your points are valid. Gabby’s not been in a right mindset since learning that Belle had been cheating on her. I knew she’d have a hard time with being pregnant, and agreeing only because her wife gave her an ultimatum wasn’t smart.” Her brows lowered in a frown. “It is what it is.”
I quieted Mamma’s hands. “I’ll give her a call tomorrow after work. We’ll apologize to each other and we’ll be back to normal again. One less thing for you to worry about. You know I love her.”
Mamma popped up and came around the table. “Give Mamma a hug and then you two lovebirds get out of here.”
I normally would’ve asked her if she was sure but not then, when I had my man waiting for me to be inside him. So, I pushed to my feet, hugged her back, and held on an extra second for her sake. “Grazie per la cena,” I said and then turned to Jude. Since you might be interested in learning Italian,” I said with a wink, “I thanked her for dinner.”
“Say it again,” Jude asked.
I did and when he tried to mimic me, he snorted and said, “I’ll work on it.”
Mamma embraced Jude and Frank came over for his goodbye to us.
“See you in the morning,” Frank said to me and smirked.
“What was that grin for?” I asked, figuring it was something that would please me.
“Right before I left work on Friday, I was reviewing the lineup for tomorrow.”
