I duck my head to hide my smile.
Travis exchanges handshakes with my uncles, officially introducing himself.
“Breakfast will be here any minute.” Not two seconds pass before Travis gets a message that his delivery has arrived.
“He’s handsome,” Uncle Owen says a beat after Travis leaves to get our breakfast.
I laugh when Uncle Theo gives him a side-eye.
“What? You see it, too.”
“What I see is a young hot shot who got my niece pregnant.”
“Uncle Theo, don’t be like that.” I wrap my arms around him and look up at him, batting my lashes.
He grumbles. “You can’t do that, niece.” He pulls his arm free and wraps an arm around my shoulders. “You look too much like your mama, and she always knew how to get me to do whatever she wanted.”
For the first time, the mention of my mother sends a slice of pain through my heart.
By the time Travis returns with an insane amount of food, my uncles have set the places and dishes for all four of us on the table on the balcony.
Uncle Theo grills Travis as he spreads a deliciously thick layer of strawberry jam on my onion bagel and hands it to me. My uncle’s coffee brown gaze follows the movement intently.
“Are you sure you’re up for all of the walking we’re planning to do today, niece?” Uncle Owen watches me out of the corner of his eyes.
“I’ll be fine,” I assure him, leaving off the part where my feet have taken to swelling slightly after particularly long periods of walking, lately.
Dr. Dupas assured me it’s normal.
“We won’t walk all day,” Travis says as we exit the lobby.
He holds up a pair of keys with his free hand, because his other hand holds mine.
“Your two-seater won’t fit us all,” I remind him.
He leans in, kissing my cheek. “We’re taking the SUV today, babe.”
“Fancy,” Uncle Owen says, coming up beside us as we step out into the sunlight with Travis’ bright red SUV awaiting us directly in front of the building.
“A little flashy, isn’t it?” Uncle Theo asks in a cynical tone.
“I would apologize, but flashy comes with the brand,” Travis confidently retorts. “I can’t be caught in anything other than an Amato.” He gestures to the yellow and black logo on the side of the car.
My uncle snorts, and I lightly elbow him in the ribs and give him a look.
“Shall we?” Travis asks, holding the door open for me.
I’d had high hopes for my uncles and Travis meeting, and now I don’t know if this meeting will go as smoothly as I wanted.
“Areyou sure your feet are all right, Alyssia?” Uncle Theo asks as we explore Monaco’s Exotic Garden.
“She would tell us if she needs to sit down,” Uncle Owen says behind us. “You two get in and take a picture,” he directs right as we come to a stone archway along the trail.
“All three of you get in. I’ll take it,” Travis encourages.
Uncle Owen hands over his camera, but not before giving Travis another round of instructions at what angles to hold it and all of the minor details a semi professional photographer would give.
“He’s got it, Uncle Owen. Come on,” I call out, waving him over.
