That night, we had plans to meet my family for dinner. It was the first time Gabriella would be meeting my brother Nathan. And while she had met my mother and Greg before, it was under different circumstances.Awkwardcircumstances, thanks to my mother. I felt a little nervous about the whole thing because Ihad never brought a woman to meet my family, but I was so ready to take that next step with Gabriella.
She was opening her life up to me, introducing me to her friends and her mother. I wanted to share her with the special people in my life. We were going to be a big family, after all.
“Does this look okay?” asked Gabriella nervously, walking out of the master closet wearing a cream sweater dress that hung off her shoulders and hugged her bump perfectly. She looked like a glowing vision. I couldn’t believe she was asking if she looked “okay” when she looked absolutely gorgeous.
I stood from the bed where I had just put on my gold cufflinks and strode toward her, putting my hands on her waist and running my eyes up her body to her light made-up face of mascara and blush. If we weren’t going to meet my family, I would have taken her to bed right then.
“More than okay,” I said, my voice low as my thumbs stroked her side.
Her cheeks turned a rosy shade of pink and she bit her lip in that way that drove me crazy. I reached up and gently freed it from her teeth with my thumb.
“None of that now, or we will never make it out of here,” I said before leaning in and kissing her.
“Where are we going again?”
“Brooklyn,” I said.
“Really?” she asked, raising a brow. “I didn’t think you stepped foot out of Manhattan.”
“I do when there’s the best Italian food in New York.”
“I’m starving,” she groaned.
“Then let’s get going.” I grabbed her hand and led her out of the bedroom before she could do any more outfit changes. This cream sweater dress had been her seventh attempt.
“Who is going tonight?” she asked curiously as I pulled my sports car out of the parking garage and into the night. It was already dark and the city lights twinkled around us as I drove in the direction of the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Nathan, my younger brother. Greg’s son. My mother. And Greg…” I said, feeling a little apprehensive.
“Are you okay with that?” she asked, stroking my hand with her thumb.
“Yeah,” I said, turning my blinker on and getting into the left-hand lane. There was something about driving that really cleared my head. I knew having a car in the city wasn’t necessary with the transportation system, cabs, and the ability to walk, but I couldn’t give up my sports car. Cool nights like these remindedme of how much I enjoyed a good drive, especially with a beautiful woman by my side.
“I actually have been thinking a lot about my relationship with Greg…”
“Really?” she asked in surprise.
“I don’t want to be on the outs with him. I’ve been working so hard to become the man I want to be, and that man isn’t a dick to their stepdad.”
She nodded encouragingly, her smile warm and filled with what looked like pride. I realized I had never actually called Greg my stepdad. I had always called him Greg or my mother’s boyfriend, as if he hadn’t stepped in and been in my life for over twenty years. That had to be a sign I was moving in the right direction. I just hoped he felt the same.
I pulled up to the restaurant and had valet park the car, leading Gabriella through the wooden doors of Morelli’s. It was the perfect place to bring her. Warm and welcoming with its dim, gold lighting and warm wood tables. The walls were covered in photos of the Morelli family through the years, making pasta and stomping grapes. The hostess greeted us warmly and led us to our usual table, where Greg, Nathan, and my mother were just settling in. They all stood up as soon as they saw us.
My mother pulled me in for a long hug before turning to Gabriella and embracing her the same. She drew back fromGabriella’s embrace and looked down at her growing bump, choking on a sob.
“Oh, my goodness. Look at you,” she said. “You look stunning. How is my grandbaby?”
“Sheis doing just fine, Mom,” I said.
Her eyes shot to me and back to Gabriella, and then to her stomach, before they filled with tears. “A girl! You’re having a girl?” she practically screamed.
“Mom, calm down.” I chuckled.
“Congratulations, you two,” said Greg from where he stood next to my mother.
“I’m just so excited!” my mother said, clapping her hands.
Nathan cleared his throat, and I was glad for the interruption from my mother’s hysterics. I gave him a thankful look and realized I had an introduction to make.
