“I know it. My nephew learning how to be a sculptor from me? Ain’t no way you’ll fail as my apprentice. You’re a Carillo. We always pull through.”
“I’m a Carillo too!” a little high-pitched voice shouted from behind Lexi. Daisy pushed Lexi out of the way to run to me. But as soon as she saw Ally, Daisy changed course and jumped into her arms. Ally lifted up our six-year-old niece. She immediately began playing with Ally’s long hair.
Just then, Levi back came over with his twins, and asked, “We eating or what?”
*****
A couple of hours later, after food was eaten, the tapping on glass got everyone’s attention. When I looked to my left, Molly Prince was standing. Rome stared up at her with a wry smile.
Looking at all of us around the table, Molly sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry for interrupting, guys.” Ally reached down to take my hand, a happy smile on her lips, as she guessed what her best friend was about to say.
“Go on, Molls, you sexy beast!” Cassie shouted and took a swig of beer.
Molly shook her head, laughing, and took a long deep breath. “I’m not really one for public speaking, at least not outside of the classroom. But I couldn’t let this night pass without a toast or two being shared.”
Molly fixed her eyes on me. “Firstly, I wanted to offer huge congratulations to Axel for what is one of the greatest achievements a sculptor could hope for... his very own permanent exhibition in The Guggenheim. I’m truly proud of you, sweetie. We all are.” Molly raised her glass. Ally squeezed my hand as everyone raised their glasses and took a drink.
As Molly lowered her glass, she looked down to her husband and held out her hand. Rome took it immediately.
Turning back to us, Molly continued. “Just this week I was working in my office, trying to plan a release date for my next textbook. When I glanced at the calendar, I actually sat back in my chair in shock.” A small smile pulled on her lips and she pushed her black glasses up her nose. “It’s twenty-five years this very month since I flew to the USA... to the University of Alabama... to study for my Masters.”
“God, Molls,” Ally exclaimed. She shook her head in disbelief. “Twenty-five years?”
Molly nodded in disbelief and Lexi laughed. “I remember that day as though it was yesterday, Molls. You moved in with Cass and me. You were so nervous.”
“Yeah, but we soon knocked that shit right outta you, didn’t we, Molls? Soon made you one of us.”
Molly laughed. “You sure did, Cass,” she said happily, then glanced down at the tabletop. “I bring this up because... as I look around this table, at all of us... I can’t believe how far we’ve all come. What we’ve all accomplished... and the obstacles we’ve all had to overcome.”
Molly’s face grew serious. “The reason I decided to go to Alabama was because I had no one in England, no family, no real friends… nothing.”
Ally’s hand squeezed mine as she looked at her best friend, sadness clear on her face.
“Baby...” Rome whispered, edging forward on his seat. Molly lifted her hand to cut him off.
“No, I’m not looking for sympathy, Rome. Quite the opposite.” She faced the rest of us again. “My first day in Bama I met Lexi and Cass. And without judgment or expectation, the two of you took me on as your best friend and you changed my life.” She then looked at Rome. “Then on my very first day of studies, I ran into you… literally... and that was it. I was yours and you were mine from that day onward.”
This time, nothing was stopping Rome from leaning up and kissing his wife. Molly ran her hand down his face. Then she turned to Ally. “Through Rome I met the most lovely girl in the world... his cousin, Ally. Ally, you fast became, and still are, family to me. You’re the sister I never had, but always wanted.”
“You too, Molls,” Ally quickly agreed through a throat tight with emotion. Molly laughed as she wiped away a stray tear. Leaning in closer to my wife, I put my arm around Ally’s shoulder and she immediately melted into my side.
“I remember the day I was asked to come to America by my professor. I remember thinking it through... wondering if it would be the right move for me to make. In the end I thought 'what the hell' and jumped in with both feet. And because of that leap of faith, I’m now living a life I could barely have imagined. In truth, I honestly think we all are.”
Molly pointed to Cassie and JD. “Cass and JD met the same night as Rome and I... and now you’re the proud parents of five beautiful boys... and run one of the most successful ranches in Texas.”