Page 70 of Nico

“Mommy, can we go swimming?” They both asked cheerily, while Ella and Grace shook their heads vigorously in the background. “Matteo loves to swim.”

“It is too cold to swim,” I told them. “Besides, there are a lot of people here. What if they all wanted to go for a swim?” I asked. “We don’t have bathing suits for everyone and then their feelings would get hurt.”

“Andiamo in spiaggia,” Matteo asked, hope in his voice.Let’s go to the beach.

He surprised me by speaking in Italian. It was clear he was good at it too, his pronunciation perfect.

I shook my head. “No, not now,” I told him. “Your clothes will get ruined. Maybe when everyone leaves. But no swimming. The water is too cold.”

The three of them shared a glance and opted to go play in the playroom. They took off without another word, not interested in us and Bear trailing behind them.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized to him.

He grinned his shark smile. “Oh, this is nothing. My little ones, they would have blown up this place with their energy.”

“Geez,” I joked. “Don’t bring them here. Take them to Nico’s place.”

All of us laughed and he took off after the children.

“I am so tired,” Grace pronounced. “It’s like they are on steroids.”

I chuckled. “I’m pretty sure Hannah and Arianna feed off each other’s energy. It is a never ending circle.” I turned to Nico’s mother. “Umm, I’m not sure if you know each other already-” I started and when all three women shook their heads, I continued, “This is Nico’s mom, Mrs. Morrelli.”

“Please call me Nancy,” she chimed in.

I smiled at her. Despite her level of alcohol consumption, I kind of liked her. “Nancy, this is Grace Vitale and Ella… Ugh, what’s your last name? I’m sorry, I can’t keep track of all the names I’ve learned today.”

Ella grinned. “I wonder why. We only showed up at your doorstep unannounced. It is Amatte.”

I grinned. “That’s right. The two girls, twins, that were just here are mine. Hannah and Arianna. And the boy is Grace’s. Matteo.”

“You have girls?” Nancy’s head whipped in my direction. “They are your daughters?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

A shadow crossed her face. “Keep them away from Nico’s father. Okay?”

I frowned at that request, then glanced at Grace and Ella. They seemed just as confused.

Without a word, I nodded. It was an odd request, but I didn’t like her husband, so I’d have no issues following her request.

“Okay, show me where you wacked your best friend upside his head?” Nancy asked, breaking the awkward moment.

“What?” Grace and Ella asked at the same time.

“I was giving Nancy a tour of the house,” I explained. “And was going to show her where I threw tools at John.”

“The guy that Nico went crazy over?” Isabella joined in with a grin on her face. “I have to hear this one. Do you ladies mind if I join you? Vasili is driving me crazy. He thinks I’m an invalid not a pregnant woman. I’m just about ready to throw something at him.”

Giggling like school girls, I proceeded to give everyone a tour.

And hope bloomed in my chest. I could get along with these women and make lifelong friendships.

* * *

After the tour,the ladies found seating on the patio as Grace and Ella entertained them with stories of their antics while traveling through Europe; although I had to wonder how she convinced her husband to let her go away for that long with their son. He didn't seem the type to let her stray too far.

Glancing around, I was surprised to see John still around but also happy. He stood leaned against the deck rails, watching me. Heading his way, where he stood alone with a beer, I felt a pang of guilt. I haven’t been a good friend to him.