“Thank you so much. I can’t wait to tell my mamá that I’m going to learn to bake. She’s a great cook, but she doesn’t like to bake.”
“We all cook and bake. The bakery was something we decided to open about five years ago. We originally just wanted a bigger space to cook and bake. And now we’re so busy that we’re thinking of hiring more help.” Graínne chuckles.
Graínne and Caitríona have Irish accents and I love listening to them talk. Rosaura has the same accent as I do.
The morning goes by really fast. There’s a lot of customers that come in, Simone knows a lot of them by name. She said they come in almost every day. Just as it starts to die down a little, Giancarlo comes running in. Behind him is the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.
Gianluca
After Giancarlo and I finish breakfast, he asks if we can go to the bakery. Since I don’t have a game today, I get to spend all day with my boy. I love days like this. We get in the car and head to Precious Risings. He loves it there because he knows he’s going to get some kind of treat. No one seems to be able to say no to him. Not even me.
“Come on little man.” I smile as I get him out of his car seat.
If you had told me a year ago that this would be my life? I would’ve laughed and said no fucking way. But now? Now I can’t imagine a day without my son. I only wish that Faith was still here to see him grow up. I know we would’ve found a way to raise him together. Even though we weren’t in a relationship. Knowing how loving Carlo is? I know that Faith raised him right.
We walk into the bakery and Giancarlo lets go of my hand and runs to the woman that’s standing behind the counter with Simone. She says something to him as he hugs her and points to me. I’ve never seen him hug someone he didn’t know.
“Hey, Gianluca.” Simone smiles.
“Morning.” I nod. I can’t tear my eyes away from the woman that’s holding my son.
I see my mamà come out from the back.
“Abuela!” he giggles as she hugs him.
Then she comes over to me and gives me a hug.
“Mijo, remember I told you my friends daughter was coming to stay with us? This is Gabriela. Gabriela, this is my baby, Gianluca.”
I step closer to Gabriela and take her hand.
“Hi.” I say as I stare into her deep blue eyes.
“H-hi.” She says softly.
Giancarlo has gone back to holding her other hand. I don’t know what it is, but I need to know her. And it looks like my son likes her too.
“I met your son this morning. He’s so cute.”
“Thank you, I’m sorry I missed you this morning. When I don’t have practice, I get to sleep in a little.”
I don’t know why I’m telling her this. I feel like I need to explain why I wasn’t around to greet her this morning. She’s staring at me and I can’t tell if she thinks I’m crazy or not. Before I can blurt out anything else, my sister comes into the bakery and hugs me.
“So I see you met Gabriela. Isn’t she adorable? We need more women in the family. She fits right in. But we need to take her to a baseball game and a hockey game. OH! Tonight! HOCKEY! We’re all going to the hockey game tonight.”
“I’ve never seen a hockey game. I have seen a baseball game.” Gabriela giggles.
“Well we’re going to fix that tonight. I’ll ask Cillian if we can get a tour of the locker room. Maybe you can meet the team too.”
I frown at Fiorella. I don’t want Gabriela meeting any of the hockey players.
“Why are you frowning at me?”
“What if Gabriela doesn’t want to meet hockey players?” I frown more at her.
My sister continues to stare at me.
“Holy shit…”
