Well, fuck, when he says it like that.
“But even if he didn’t, you don’t have to physically touch someone to condition them to act in a specific way. The way her face fell, I don’t think he was very nice to her before he cheated. If I had to guess, that might have been the best thing to happen to her as far as I’m concerned.”
His words hang in the air, and while it was terrible that she went through this, he’s right. Carter’s cheating changed everything for all of us.
We spend the rest of the day exploring, eating from street vendors, and buying her flowers from almost every pushy salesman at every corner.
Every time, she’s adamant that we don’t have to, but we, of course, do it anyway.
She deserves them and so much more.
By the time we reach our parents’ house, she has nearly a hundred euros' worth of random fresh flowers.
Mother greets us at the door, on one knee, ready for Addy’s flying hug despite her older age.
She loves her so much that she almost moved back to live with us when she was born. She’d stayed with us for a while when the boys were younger, but with Addy, she had said she needed a woman in her life. Unfortunately, our father's health had taken a turn, and she wasn’t able to. He’s since gotten a little better, but only because she watches him like a hawk, changing his whole diet and keeping him from not only the pipe but the booze.
She’s so occupied with Addison that it takes her longer than I’d thought possible for her to realize it’s not just us.
The second she sees Kat, she pushes to stand, Addy still wrapped up in her arms as she turns her gaze to Nathan. I know that look; I grew up on the receiving end of that look, whereas Nathan was almost always better behaved.
“Nataniele.”
That’s all it takes.
“Oh, Daddy’s in trouble!” Addison squeals with a laugh that momentarily saves Nathan from her wrath, giving Nathan enough time to step forward and explain.
It’s not until I look down at Kat, whose hand rests in mine, with Des’s arm slung around her shoulder, that it even occurs to me she was unaware that Nathan spoke Italian.
Well, we all do, but only Nathan is showing off his skill set as Mama rains questions down on him.
It’s funny for a moment, but as the questions move to topics of marriage and babies, I quickly step in.
“Mamma.” Her head snaps in my direction, and for a moment, I’m on the receiving end of her glare. I feel like I’m ten, and it takes me a second to remember myself and why I was willing to turn her ire toward me.
I hold up Kat’s hand, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand before I release her, pulling her from Des’s arm and gently pushing her toward Nathan.
She hesitates a moment, looking back at me like a deer in headlights, before she looks to Des, who is smart enough to give her an encouraging nod. Turning back around, Nathan holds out his arm to her, and she moves toward him until he can wrap his arm around her and tuck her into his side.
“Mamma, meet Kat,” Nathan says in English, no doubt for Kat.
Mamma looks down her nose at her, assessing her. She’s never liked a single girl any of us have brought home; she hadn’t even allowed us to stay in her home with Natasha when we came to visit in the past because they butted heads so badly. I’d never cared before, but I find myself hoping she likes Kat. I know I’m not alone in wanting to make her my wife, and I get the feeling that if Mamma doesn’t like her, that honestly might break Kat’s heart.
“Kat,” Mamma says in a curt greeting that isn’t at all her usual cheery personality, and I see Papà roll his eyes at her dramatics from his wheelchair.
“It’s nice to meet you, ma’am.” Kat bows her head before offering her an adorable smile that I know makes the rest of us smile.
Mamma notices.
She looks from Kat to Nathan before turning to look at Des, Vince, Oliver, and myself, where we stand a few feet away watching them.
A butterfly chooses that moment to fly past Addy, making her squeal with delight as she watches it, pulling everyone’s attention back to her.
“Mommy, look, a butterfly!” she yells, pointing at it and following it the best she can.
Mamma’s eyes go wide at her words, and this time, when she turns to look at Kat, a smile pulls at her lips as well.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kat,” she says, offering her hand and pulling her into a hug when Kat takes it.
