Luke and Erin seem to hit it off quite well and start talking about a job offer he has for her, which is my cue to pull Adam aside and give him my baby news.
Adam seems like he is deep in thought when I finally reach him. I nudge him slightly on the shoulder to get his attention.
“Earth to Adam? Are you okay? I see you can’t seem to take your eyes off of Erin. Could the famous Adam Payne be falling for my friend?” I ask with a little bit of sass, causing him to look down at me.
“I have no clue what the hell you are talking about, you little shit.”
“Yeah, whatever, asshole,” I say, rolling my eyes at him. “I see the way you look at her. Just be careful and gentle with her, okay?”
I glance over at my best friend and then back at my beloved cousin.
“She tries to show everyone how strong she really is, Adam, but I know her. I witnessed the beatings her ex bestowed upon her. I’m glad that piece of shit finally disappeared, and she hasn’t seen or heard from him in a few years. I just want her to be happy. The move up here was one of the best things she has ever done.”
“I would never do anything to hurt Erin, you know that right?”
Looking into my cousin’s eyes, I see something I have never seen before when he talks about a woman.
“You like her, don’t you?”
“I do actually, and it scares the shit out of me, Shayne.”
I stand on my tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek.
“She happens to have some feelings for you, too, but just go slow with her, Adam. I know you would be the best thing that has ever happened to her. You are the most unselfish man I know.”
Returning the kiss on my cheek, he tilts his head to the side.
“Thanks, brat.”
I take him by the hand.
“Come into the house with me for a couple minutes. There is something I want to tell you.”
Adam follows behind me, sitting his empty beer bottle on one of the tables. We walk into the house but before I can even turn around and get the words out of my mouth, my big, bad cousin, the man who has always been by my side and who knows me better than most anyone blurts out, “You’re pregnant, aren’t you?”
Shocked can’t even describe how I feel.
“How in the hell did you know? Did Erin tell you?”
“No, she didn’t tell me. It was a guess, but I just knew it. Luke must have some pretty damn strong swimmers there, girl. But seriously, Shayne, I could not be more happy for the two of you, and Mom-” he goes quiet for a few seconds as I stand there holding back the tears that so desperately want to fall. “Mom would be so happy for you, too.”
I practically run the few steps it takes to get to my cousin. We embrace each other and hold on tight as I think about the person I just lost and the new life Luke and I created who I can’t wait to meet.
Going back outside, I notice the girls have Erin and Jen in the pool and the look on Adam’s face is priceless as he stares at Erin in her red, barely there bikini. I leave him standing there gawking at her and walk over to Luke who is busy talking to his parents, Antonio, and Bubba. When they notice me approaching, Camillia stretches her arms out to give me a hug and then places her hands on my belly and starts speaking in Italian. I have no idea what the hell she is saying. Luke just shrugs his shoulders and shakes his head. When Camillia is done talking, she finally looks up at me.
“My son was right when he chose the name tesoro bella for you, because not only are you beautiful on the outside my dear, you’re even more beautiful on the inside. You and my granddaughter have brought this broken family together again and now you stand here carrying my second grandchild. Last night after Luke called me and told me the news, I have finally been able to forgive myself for what happened all those years ago.”
Not quite knowing what to say to her, I feel a lump start to form in my throat. Luke is standing there looking at me like he is waiting for my response, so I glance back at Camillia.
“I have forgiven you, too. You know that saying, ‘everything happens for a reason’.” I shrug my shoulders while grasping hold of both of her hands and placing them back on my stomach. “I believe this baby is that reason.”
I see tears form in all of their eyes and as I look at Vincent, I see a man who is still very conflicted. We have not talked since the day he told me everything. I step in front of him and put my arms around his waist, laying my head on his chest.
“Don’t torture yourself with this anymore, Vincent. We have another reason and another person to be excited about.”
Knowing I need to look him in the eye when I tell him what he so desperately needs to hear, I lift my head from his chest and look up at him.