“That’s a relief,” Danny says gravely. “Thank you, Dr. Marchetti.”
Gianna preens. “You’re welcome. That will be one million dollars.”
Katie nearly chokes on her mimosa and even Luca raises an eyebrow at that.
“One million seems steep,” Danny says, still completely serious. “Can we negotiate?”
“No.” Gianna is firm, crossing her arms over her chest. “That’s the price. Take it or leave it.”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to pay it.” Danny pulls out his wallet and hands her a dollar. “Is this enough?”
Gianna examines it carefully. “Yes. This is perfect.” She stuffs it in her dress pocket and moves on to her next patient, Marco, who submits to the examination with the patience of a saint.
“She’s going to be a handful,” Katie observes.
“She already is,” Luca says, settling Daniel on the floor with some toys. “But so is her mother, so I’m prepared.”
I throw a pillow at him. He ducks it, laughing, before pressing a kiss to my cheek. He stands up after that and pats his pockets.
“Before we start,” Luca says, pulling out his phone. “Let me get a picture.”
Everyone but me groans.
“Daddy, no!” Marco yells. “You always take too long!”
“Yeah, Daddy, too long!” Gianna echoes, though she’s already posing, hand on her hip.
“One picture,” Luca insists. “Your mama likes to have these memories. Gianna, get your hand off your hip—where did you even learn that anyway?”
And I do. Every Christmas, every birthday, hell every ordinary Tuesday. I want to remember all of it. The way Marco’s missing his two front teeth. How Gianna refuses to wear anything that isn’t pink or sparkly. The way Daniel babbles constantly in a language only he understands.
The sound of small feet and big laughter filling rooms that once echoed with loneliness.
After approximately twenty photos, because Luca can’t just take one, he finally sets his phone down and starts distributing presents. The children tear into them with abandon, wrapping paper flying everywhere.
Marco gets the chemistry set he’s been obsessing over, because of course my six year old wants an advanced chemistry set, while Gianna squeals over her new princess dress. Daniel is perfectly content with the wrapping paper, though Luca tries valiantly to interest him in the various toys we bought.
My father appears from the guest room, still uncertain after all these years, and I watch as Gianna runs to show him her stethoscope.
“Grandpa! I’m a doctor now!”
“Are you?” My father’s face transforms as he kneels to her level, looking happier than ever. “That’s wonderful, sweetheart.”
“I can check your heart too. Hold still.”
He does, and I feel Luca’s hand find mine as we watch our daughter seriously examine her grandfather. My father catchesmy eye, and I see the gratitude there, the disbelief that he gets to be part of this. Dad wanders deeper into the living room and is instantly accosted by Marco who wants to show him his toys.
Ever since Luca sent Dad off to Arizona, he’s flourished there. He’s a different man. He’s sober and works at a clean warehouse while attending AA and gamblers anonymous groups. He visits for every major holiday, though he’s always nervous around Luca. He still apologizes for things we’ve all moved past.
I squeeze Luca’s hand, thinking about forgiveness. About second chances. About choosing not to let the past poison the future.
“Aunt Katie, you need checkups too!” Gianna announces.
“Oh no,” Katie says, but she’s laughing as she submits to Gianna’s very thorough examination.
The morning passes in a blur of presents and laughter and the traditional Christmas breakfast chaos. Danny and my father help Marco set up his chemistry set. Katie shows Gianna the dance from Mean Girls, and Daniel shreds the wrapping paper everywhere.
Later, when the kids are finally down for naps and Katie and Danny have left with promises to return for dinner, my father has retired to rest, and Luca and I are collapsed on the couch together. The living room looks like a toy store exploded, but neither of us has the energy to clean it yet.
