“Nor can I.”
“You sure you’re ready for this?” she asked, looking up at him.
“I’m beyond ready. I was ready when I first saw you torturing your weed whacker in the garage at your house.” He looked at her. “You were crying that day.”
“I was so lonely, Rocco. And then I met you.”
They stopped walking and faced each other. Zavi ran ahead to the dining room. “And I turned your world upside down and left you alone in the chaos.”
Mandy shook her head. “No, you didn’t. You filled all the empty places in my heart and made me realize what I had been living without all my life.”
He nodded and blinked, his gaze drifting past her as he visibly worked to compose himself. “I love you.”
Mandy wrapped her arms around his waist. “I love you. I’m so excited for our lives together to begin!”
“You guys coming in?” Max asked, popping his head out of the dining room. “Or should we serve you here in the hallway?”
They followed him back into the dining room. Everyone was seated around the table. Mandy was struck by how large her family had grown. Every single person, man and woman and kids, as individual as they all were, held a piece of her heart. She smiled at them, then suddenly felt overwhelmed with emotion.
Ivy caught her expression. She flashed Rocco a quick look. “Mandy, what’s wrong?”
Mandy drew a ragged breath, then quickly covered her mouth. It was little Zavi who broke the news. “Papa and Mom are getting married.” He sat up on his knees and held his plate close to the bread bowl. “May I have a roll, please?” he asked Eden.
“Is that true?” Ivy asked, excited, stunned.
Mandy nodded.
Ivy came running around the table to hug her. “So these are happy tears?”
Again, Mandy nodded. “Very.”
“Then I am so happy for both of you!” She hugged Mandy and then Rocco as the room erupted in noise and motion. Everyone hurried over to hug or shake hands. Kit’s hug was especially reassuring.
“I’m happy for you, sis.” Kit switched her to his left side as he held out his hand to Rocco. “You two are perfect together. I’m glad you’re making it official. Welcome to the family, Rocco.”
*
Mandy was sitting on the sofa in the small living room in the suite of rooms she shared with Rocco. He’d helped her tuck Zavi in for the night. He’d been sitting next to her, surfing social media sites—all in foreign languages. She wondered if their child would have the same capabilities he and Zavi had. A few minutes ago, he’d gotten up, kissed her, then went in search of Kit.
She looked at her book, trying to get into the story, a futile effort when so many exciting things were happening in real life. Tomorrow, she and Rocco were going shopping for their rings and for the outfits they’d wear to their wedding.
What a long way they’d come to get to this point. She closed her book and thought about all they’d been through. She didn’t want to set him back by overwhelming him with details and emotions surrounding their nuptials. The trick would be to find that balance of a low-key event with a big footprint.
Ivy came up the stairs from the suite below. She sat in the armchair next to Mandy and grinned at her. “Are you excited?” she asked, keeping her voice low so she wouldn’t wake Zavi.
Mandy smiled and nodded. “There’s so much to do.”
More footsteps on the stairs. Eden, Fiona, Hope, and Remi came into the room. Wynn had long ago retired to her apartment over the garage. The little sitting room was full of hushed laughter and animated conversations. They decided to adjourn to the billiards room so they could plan the wedding as loudly as they wanted without disturbing Zavi or Casey.
None of the guys were in there, so the girls had the room to themselves. Ivy got behind the bar and poured glasses of wine for the four of them who weren’t pregnant, and grape juice cut with sparkling water for her and Mandy. “Okay, first things first. We need to plan a shower for Mandy. What theme should we go with?”
Mandy took one of the juice glasses. “No shower.”
“What? Why?” Eden asked, frowning.
“Because we have to keep things simple. I don’t want Rocco to get anxious or overwhelmed. I think he’s finally on the mend. We can’t risk setting him back now.” She sipped her drink. “Really, a visit to the justice of the peace and a nice dinner here at the house would be perfect.”
The girls exchanged disappointed looks, but Ivy smiled at them. “Then let’s make it an outstanding supper. Four courses. Eden—see if Ty has special china and silver flatware. We could do a salad course, a soup course, crown roasts for the main course. And then a phenomenal wedding cake.”
“Will there be dancing?” Fiona asked. “I love slow-dancing with Kelan.”
“Greer can do his DJ thing,” Ivy said. “He already has a great playlist set up.” She looked at Mandy. “You can switch out any songs you like.”