“Jesus!” My eyes go wide as saucers, hearing her daughter was in any kind of danger.
Nina showed me photos of Simi at the barbecue. I can’t believe anyone would hurt that adorable little girl.
“Since that day, Georgi has been Simi’s prince,” Nina says, a soft smile curving her lips.
Yuki lightly slaps Nina’s shoulder. “Tell her the good news.”
“Yes. I could do with hearing something positive,” I join in.
Nina lifts her left hand, showing me a gorgeous diamond on her ring finger. “Georgi proposed.”
Yuki shrieks as if she’s hearing the news for the first time, while I smile from ear to ear, saying, “I’m so happy for you, Nina! Tell me everything. Was it romantic?”
“It was perfect.” A dreamy expression settles on her beautiful face. “Georgi told us to meet him for a picnic in Central Park. I thought he was running late because of work, and Simi was running around with a bottle of bubble solution, blowing bubbles everywhere when men started blowing trumpets. You know, like in Disney movies?”
I’m not sure, but I nod anyway.
“Santino, our head of security, was dressed as a royal herald and shouted, ‘Hear ye. Hear ye, Prince Georgi requests the attention of Princess Simi and Princess Nina.’ Simi almost lost her mind from excitement as Georgi came along riding on a horse, prince costume and all.”
“Oh my God,” I gasp, completely engrossed.
“He then went down on one knee in front of Simi and asked if he could be her daddy. While I cried, and I mean, I sobbed, she said yes, and by the time he kneeled in front of me, I was a blubbering mess.”
“I would be too, girl,” Yuki says, rubbing Nina’s shoulder.
“He then asked if I would do him the honor of becoming his queen and marrying him, and of course, I said yes.”
“That’s so stinking romantic!” I give her left hand a squeeze, then I look at Yuki. “How did Augusto propose to you?”
“He didn’t. Ours was an arranged marriage.”
My jaw drops. “They still do that in this day and age?”
Yuki nods but grins happily. “He saved me from a very bad situation.” Shrugging, she adds, “We love each other so it all worked out for the best.”
Since the hospital belongs to the Cosa Nostra, they visit with me for a while until my mother-in-law walks into the room.
“Laurie, are you okay?” she asks, concern making her frown. “You’re so pale.”
“I’m fine, Mom. Just a little tired.”
I’m exhausted but also enjoying the visit.
“We should get going,” Nina says.
They both give me a hug, and after they leave, Mom lifts her eyebrow at me. “You’re overdoing it.” She helps adjust the bed, and when I lie back down, she sits beside me and brushes her fingers through my hair. “How do you really feel, sweetheart?”
“I’m okay. Processing what happened.”
“It was an isolated event.” Her touch feels so comforting, I reach for her other hand and grip it tightly in mine. “Something like that has never happened before. Not since I’ve been a part of the family. So I don’t want you to worry about it or doubt our guards. Okay?”
I nod and take a deep breath before I say, “You’re such a good mother.” Mom shrugs, and when I can see she’s going to downplay it, I add, “You’ve shown me more love and support in the short time we’ve known each other than my mother ever did. Trust me when I say, you’re an amazing mother.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.” Her expression softens as she continues to brush her fingers through my hair. “Sleep. I’ll watch over you.”
With my mother-in-law bathing me in attention, I drift off.
Chapter 28
