Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“Hi, Judge.” Nana O’Shea waved. “How are you feeling? Is your knee any better?”
“Hi, Fiona,” the judge answered. “Yes, the salve has worked wonderfully. I really appreciate it.”
She filed into a pew with my sisters following her. “I’m so glad to hear that.”
“Who are you two?” the judge asked.
Tessa cleared her throat. “We’re Anna’s sisters, which means we’re Violet’s cousins.”
He frowned. “Ah, didn’t you sell me my house?”
“Hi, Judge,” Donna said. “Someone else from my firm did, but I probably saw you in the office. How are you enjoying it? I thought the columns out front were lovely.”
“Yeah, I like the columns,” the judge said dryly.
The door opened again, and I knew who it was without looking. I could feel Aiden’s presence.
“Hey, Devlin,” the judge said. “Is the ATF involved with this?”
“Nope, just family.” Aiden headed over to take a spot next to my parents.
Nick Basanelli, his mom, and his brothers arrived next.
The judge pinched the bridge of his nose. “Prosecutor Basanelli, you are not related to anybody here.”
“I know, but I’m dating somebody here.”
“All right.” The judge held up his hands. “Nobody else comes inside this courtroom.”
We had a full house, so of course, the door opened, and Oliver and Pauley walked in.
I looked over my shoulder. “They work with me, Judge. Plus, the kids are friends with Violet.” I looked closer as Clark entered, stacks of files in his hands. “And that’s my law partner.”
The judge took a deep breath. “I see. Violet, are you sure you want all of this?”
As one, we all stood. This felt like a moment to stand.
“I’m absolutely positive, Judge,” she said. “I promise this is what I want and what’s best for me.”
The judge looked down at the paperwork. “After last weekend, I had considered extending this hearing for at least another month, but in the face of overwhelming evidence of love and support, I’m going to sign the documents today.” He signed and then stamped them.
Violet gasped. “That’s it?”
His gaze softened. “Yes. You’ll need to get your last name changed to Albertini, but I can do that right now. Everybody else has already signed the documents, and we will notarize them.” He looked around at the gathered mass. “I hope you know what you’ve gotten into.”
Buddy pulled Violet in for a big hug before handing her over to Yara, who also hugged her.
“Me, too, judge,” Violet said, her voice muffled. She turned to him and wiped tears off her face, and I found myself doing the same thing. “Thank you for this.”
The judge grinned. “You’re welcome, and I wish you the best of luck.”
Yara held Violet close. “We’re going to have a party to celebrate tomorrow night, Judge. We hope you can make it.”
The judge tugged on his pink tie. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
We trooped out of the courtroom, and Tessa cleared her voice. “Hey, lunch is on Smiley’s Diner since I’m part owner. Let’s head over there and celebrate.”
“What a marvelous idea,” Nonna Albertini said. “I’m starving.”
“Wait a second.” Nick held up a hand.
We all stopped outside the courtroom in the main hallway.
“What is it?” Tessa asked.
He shook his head. “I’ve been trying to do this for weeks, and honestly, I might as well do it right here in front of family.” He dropped to one knee and yanked the velvet box out of his back pocket. “Tessa Albertini, I’ll love you until the day I die. I’ve adored you for years and was finally fortunate enough to catch your attention. I know it’s soon. We can have the longest engagement you want, but here, with all our family as witnesses, I ask…will you marry me?” He flipped open the box.
A whisper went through the crowd.
“I said yes,” my dad said, his voice deep. “Just in case you wondered.”
Tessa gasped, delight filling her eyes. “Yes,” she said.
Nick instantly slid the ring onto her finger and stood, kissing her deeply. “Finally,” he said. “All right, let’s go celebrate family.”
Epilogue
Aiden and I lounged on the thick rug in front of our fireplace, drinking cabernet and watching the flames for our Valentine’s Day celebration. Just the two of us tonight. We’d had a romantic chicken cacciatore dinner and talked about Violet’s adoption and Tessa’s engagement.
“I hope Basanelli knows what he’s gotten into,” Aiden said.
I chuckled, feeling freer than I had in eons. Oh, my shoulder still ached, and the fresh wound in my leg pounded, but ibuprofen kept the pain at bay. “He should know. His family’s huge, too. It was nice that he got reinstated today, as well, since he’s no longer a suspect.”
Aiden nodded. “Yeah, he’s a good prosecutor. I have a case in LA and need to leave the day after tomorrow,” he said. “Thought you should know.”
My heart sank. I missed him when he was gone, but he was good at his job. “How long do you think you’ll be gone?”