Gabriella escorted Misty to a comfortable side chair, and as soon as she was seated, she crossed to her husband, putting her arm around his waist and stepping into the space under his arm. “It looks like our family will be expanding again. Misty and Gabe are having a baby.”
“That’s wonderful! I’d offer to toast to the occasion, but…” He pointed at Misty’s middle.
“There’s just one little problem,” Gabriella said. “Gabe is being quite an ass about it.”
“What? Where did he go?”
Gabriella patted his arm. “Now don’t go getting all upset with him. He’s just out for a walk. He came and got me and asked me to stay with Misty until he got back.”
“I’ll go find him.” Antonio strode to the closet, grabbed his coat, and was out the door before anyone could stop him.
“Oh no. Is he going to yell at Gabe?” Misty asked, concerned. “I don’t want anyone getting angry with him about this. It was not intentional.”
“Of course not. They’ll just talk. We know how it feels to be in that position ourselves, but don’t let anyone else in on that.” She winked.
“Oh. Don’t worry. I’ll keep it to myself.”
“I’m sure Antonio remembers how it feels. I think it’ll be good for Gabe to talk to his father right now. Meanwhile, it will be good for you and me to talk a bit. Can I get you something to drink or eat? Milk? Some homemade cookies?”
“No, thanks. I just had a cup of coffee.”
She smiled. “It’s the Italian mama in me. I want to feed you as a sign of love.”
Misty chuckled. “That’s sweet, but I really don’t need anything.”Other than a miracle.“Sandra didn’t tell you anything, did she?”
“No. Does she know?”
“Yes. She was there when the diagnosis was confirmed.”
“Diagnosis. That sounds so clinical.”
Misty stared at her lap. “Well, I’ve been to a lot of doctors recently. I guess I’ve picked up some of the clinical lingo.”
Gabriella reached over for Misty’s hand. Misty took it, and they just held hands in companionable silence for a moment.
“They made a positive diagnosis of MS the day before yesterday, too,” Misty added quietly.
The Fierro matriarch leaned forward and clasped Misty’s cheeks. “Oh my goodness. You’ve really had a bad week, haven’t you?”
Misty’s lower lip trembled. She did not want to cry, especially not in front of Gabe’s mother. She took a few deep breaths and got herself together.
Gabriella gave her a knowing look. “You’re not alone. You understand that, right?”
Misty smiled weakly. “I know. I can always count on you.”
“And you can count on Gabe too. We’ll be hearing wedding bells soon. Long before the baby is born. When are you due?”
“Sometime around the end of November.”
“Ah, Thanksgiving. A perfect time to be grateful for one’s blessings, especially for a baby who’s bringing a young couple together. It’s meant to be.”
Misty sighed. “I’m not sure about that. Gabe never wanted to get married, have kids, and all that.”
“I’m well aware,” Gabriella said. “That’s why it’s meant to be. It would take something like this to make him realize he can do it.”
Misty was confused. “Of course he can do it. But whether he wants to is a whole different question. I don’t want him to feel forced into something he doesn’t want. He’ll just resent me and the baby.”
Gabriella laughed.
