“Evie,” Zia said. Her daughter released her father and returned to her aunt with her mouth open to eat more from her spoon. Mira smiled at the nickname. The relationship between them was reminiscent of hers with her grandmother, and though she felt jealous at times with the way Eve took to Zia, she understood their bond.
The staff was sent home. Zia had taken over the kitchen and constantly had something in a pot simmering, or in the oven turning golden brown and crisp. When she reviewed the menu with Zia for Christmas day, she was told the meal would consist of no meat. It was custom to have fish, seafood, soup or stew. Of course Mira was now taking lessons from Zia’s kitchen on how to make everything fresh, from pasta to homemade sauces and wonderful sweets. The no meat rule did disappoint her. She loved making her famous cranberry turkey and wanted to do so for Christmas day. What was Christmas without a turkey? But alas, she gave in and respected Zia’s wishes.
To the right of the room Catalina sat on the back of her legs rummaging through several boxes that Carmine and Rocco pulled out of the attic. The ornaments were all family heirlooms collected by her mother. Mira’s gaze almost always drifted to Dominic when he and Catalina were in the same room. Dominic would sit across from her with longing in his eyes, but never speak to her directly or get close. It was the only way Giovanni could tolerate them both being present that evening.
Rocco and Dominic were toward the front of the family room fussing over the tangled lights. Rocco kept plugging them in as Dominic tried to unwind the string. Dominic would get exasperated with the old man and give up, only to have Rocco claim he was just testing them and unplug them again. The tug of war was continual. Maybe Dominic welcomed the distraction. It made him feel included in some way.
The song skipped over to the next. Stevie Wonder’s Ave Maria began to play. Mira had only disappeared after dinner to change into a dress and fix her hair. Giovanni hadn’t touched her for several days. Part of her resented everything that had him so distracted. But he’d kept his promise, and he was there now.
She’d chosen a red wrap around dress that reached just below the knees. Her hair was curled and pinned up by a red and green-jeweled barrette. She hoped Giovanni liked it. When she entered the room Eve and Zia noticed her first. Giovanni had his back to her now pulling on the oversized tree.
“Ma-ma!” Eve went straight for her. Mira knelt and picked her up. Everyone else turned their gazes her way. She blushed.
“Merry Christmas everybody.” Mira smiled.
No one spoke. All seem a bit taken with her glamorous appearance. She set Eve down and straightened her back. Tossing her chin up, she walked over to Giovanni. He hadn’t bothered to even glance her way. She tapped his shoulder, and he released the tree, standing tall. His eyes registered approval after he swept her appearance. “Dance with me,” she said. Mira lifted on her toes and kissed him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Here? Now?” he said with an amused smile. “What is this you’re wearing?” He tried to separate to get another good look at her, but Mira wouldn’t allow the separation.
“I’ve missed you Giovanni,” she whispered up at him. “So much.”
He paused for a moment and his gaze became soft as his smile faded. “Forgive me Bella. I’ve missed you so much too.”
“Show me.” She pressed into him and began to sway.