“Someday there will be a baby in there,” she said, pointing at Suzy.
A change of subject was needed quickly. “Want a drink, Pop?” I asked, wrapping my arm around him, leading him into the kitchen.
“I’d love a stiff one,” he replied, looking around the finished living room.
“Yeah, Suzy had one before you got here.” I smiled, looking back at her over my shoulder.
“I’ll get it for you, Mr. G,” Suzy said as she walked by and elbowed me in the ribs. “Why don’t you show your parents all the hard work we’ve done?”
I hunched over, feeling the sting of her boney elbow as I pretended to catch my breath. “Sure.” I smiled at her.
Suzy was a vision. Skin slightly pink and pale, blonde hair flowing down her back with her knee length white sundress. She looked like an angel, but I knew the truth. The girl came off as sweet and innocent, but she was a tiger and had developed quite a liking for curse words. I rubbed off on her. To say I was proud to call her mine was a complete understatement.
“The house is beautiful,” Ma said as she grabbed my arm. “You trying to kill her?” she whispered as we walked into the great room.
“Ma, she gives as good as she gets.”
“I’m sure, baby,” she said as she patted my stomach. “Wow, the fireplace really turned out better than I thought.”
I looked at it with pride. It took me days to get it just right, laying each stone one at a time. “Thanks, it was worth all the hours.” The rounded river rock made it a challenge but I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let it beat me.
Ma touched the stones and ran her hand across the large wooden mantle. “I’m speechless. The entire place is…” She smiled, looking around.
“I know, Ma. It’s perfect. Turned out better than I could’ve dreamed.”
“Here’s your drink Mr. G,” Suzy said as she handed him a glass of whiskey on the rocks.
A loud pounding on the door made my mother jump. “I’ll get it.”
Suzy nodded. “I’ll show them around.”
The banging continued. “Jesus,” I yelled as I opened the door.
Mike’s fist stopped in mid-air, as he was about to land another blow. “Sorry, didn’t think you heard me.”
“I think the dead heard you, brother.” I opened the door, letting him inside. His overly sized body hid Mia. “Hey, Doc. How the hell are ya?” I asked Mia as Michael walked inside.
She smiled, holding out her hand to me. I shook my head, grabbing her and pulled her to my chest. “I want a hug. We’re beyond handshakes, Doc. You’ve seen me naked for shit’s sake.” I laughed, feeling her tense in my arms.
She blushed, her cheeks turning red as she pulled away. “Well, um...”
“It’s okay, Mia. I was dying and you saved me. I’m just harassing you.”
She swallowed, looking at Mike before turning back to me. “You know how your brother gets.” She chewed her lip as she looked around my body to Mike.
“Don’t worry. He doesn’t give a shit about me. He knows I have my girl. Come on in.” I stepped aside letting her pass. “How’s the clinic?” I asked as I followed her toward the sound of Mike’s voice.
“I promise I didn’t look, by the way.” She winked with a small smile on her face. “It’s so great, Joe. You’re family has done so much.” She smiled, stopping at the counter to watch everyone else in the great room.
“Mia,” Ma said, holding out her arms.
I smiled as Suzy wrapped her arms around me, placing her head on my chest. Life couldn’t get much better than this. Mike and Pop sat on the couch talking, Ma and Mia greeted each other, and Suzy was at my side.
The front door opened and I turned to see who it was. We were only missing Izzy and Anthony. “Smells damn good in here,” Izzy said as she walked into the kitchen.
“Hey, sis,” I said, walking over to hug her.
“I brought someone, I hope you don’t mind.” She smiled, looking up into my eyes. Izzy was never this sweet.
“Who?” I asked, looking up.
Anthony waved and stepped aside. Fuck. “Really?” I whispered in her ear, grabbing her by the shoulder.
“Come on, Joey. He didn’t have anywhere else to be. He was in town and I told him he could spend the day with us. I know you made enough food for an entire army.” She batted her eyelashes at me.
“He’s here now.” I shook my head, looking down at her. “Next time ask, Izzy.”
“Okay,” she whispered in my chest, squeezing me before ducking under my arms.