Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 45702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45702 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
I explain her sudden appearance and the fact she still has the same luggage set, minus the suitcase we have.
That little part of our own story where she gave us a suitcase full of money?
But Rocco doesn’t even blink.
“Tell me about the tests, sweetie. You’re giving me indigestion,” Rocco says calmly but firmly, reminding me how he doesn’t like waiting for news. He just needs to hear it.
Good or bad.
“It’s….”
“Chocolate or vanilla?” shouts Papa Martinelli right by my ear. And I watch Rocco’s face twist with frustration as his dad drowns me out.
He grabs a cone of each from his Papa to keep him quiet. Taking my elbow in his hand, he takes me aside.
“Jasmine?” he asks, deadly serious.
“I’m fine,” I tell him, putting my hand flat on his chest.
I can feel his heart beating a million miles a minute.
I forget now how much the whole ‘mom going to another city for some tests’ has really thrown both of us.
“It’s me,” I tell Rocco. “I’m back. And no, I’m not pregnant this time. It’s just… well, bumping into Maria Portello caught me off guard,” I add.
Feeling a little awkward about still trotting her suitcase around.
Rocco looks disappointed, and I know it’s not about the suitcase or me seeing Maria Portello again.
“We’ll keep trying, though, won’t we?” he tells me rather than asks me.
“Of course we will,” I tell him, patting his chest and standing on tippy-toes so I can peck his lips. Reminding him that he’s still an Italian stud, I was just a few days off from my regular cycle, there’s no need to panic just because the stork hasn’t visited us yet.
“Then maybe Grandpa and Grandma can watch the kids…,” Rocco mutters, planning my homecoming in a way that doesn’t surprise me at all.
“We could grab some pizza on the way home, too,” I remark, taking the biggest ice cream cone from him and running my tongue over the top, winking at him.
“I haven’t seen your parents for ages anyway. It’d be nice to catch up. They could stay with us another night or two, couldn’t they?” I ask, meaning it too.
“Like a regular family reunion,” Rocco agrees, almost complaining but smiling once he looks over at his folks.
Seeing how much they love spending any time with their grandkids, even if it’s just hanging out, eating pizza, and watching TV.
They love being a part of this family.
“I think that’s a great idea, now that you mention it.” Rocco smiles down at me and leans further to get some of my ice cream. I bop his nose with it, making both of us laugh before I can kiss it off him. Reminding him the best part of growing the family is the baby making process.
“I love you, Jasmine Martinelli,” he says, smiling a smile he only shows when he means it, which for me is as often as he can.
“I love you more for making this family perfect. For being perfect…,” I remind him.
Rocco’s kiss back to me is the only reply I’ll ever need from him.