Joey was driving Pauli’s BMW and they were right behind Gabe and Jess. Gabe was looking in the rearview mirror watching Joey throw his tantrum. It took all of the will power Jess had not to turn around and look at him, but she knew if she did, he’d wonder why she was looking at him, and that he’d finally figure out he’d butt dialed her.
Gabe smiled, “The word you’re not getting is fuck. Pull down the vanity mirror so you can catch the whole show.”
Jess pulled down the mirror. “What has gotten into him anyway?”
Gabe looked at her. “He thinks there’s something going on between us and he’s jealous. I told you when I saw that trumpet charm he left for you that it was for the archangel Gabriel who blew the trumpet to call all of the angels and that it was Joey’s way of marking his territory.”
Jess looked at him. “Okay, fine, I get that, but Gabe, you and I are just friends.”
Gabe shook his head. “He doesn’t know that.”
“But Gabe, you’re gay.”
Gabe flashed his eyes at her, “I can’t believe you just said that out loud.”
Hell, he couldn’t believe she thought it. A few weeks ago, she’d walked in on him and a friend. They were actually writing lyrics to a new song, and they’d stopped the minute they realized she was in the room; but Jess had jumped to the conclusion that they were gay and in love and she had told Gabe she’d keep his secret. He knew he needed to set the record straight; they had a long overseas flight in a couple of days and a long time together in a villa after that. He’d find the right time.
She laughed. “And I thought he was just being distant. Oh, and speaking of secrets, only Joey knows I speak Italian and I’d like to keep it that way. I keep your secret; you keep mine. Deal?”
Joey’s voice came over the blue tooth again, “What the hell does a guy need to do to get her attention anyway?”
“Well, I was buying her shoes.” Pauli replied
“I am not buying her any damn shoes!”
Gabe looked at Jess. “What, the whole family buys you shoes?”
Jess narrowed her eyes at him, “If that were true Joey would be buying me shoes. We have a long flight Monday, I’ll tell you all about the shoe buying, who, what, when and why, then.”
Gabe had pulled into the driveway and before Jess could get out of the car, Joey appeared at her door. He tapped on the window.
“I’ll leave you to it.” Gabe said as he pressed the unlock button and opened his door. He got out of the SUV and walked to the house without turning back.
Chapter 20
Shortly after Lane and Ben got home, the dinner guests began descending. Dante and Teadora arrived bringing traditional Italian antipasti including Bruschetta, Prosciutto e melone, and Crostino. Soon Uncle Vinnie and his wife Elena came bringing traditional desserts Cassata siciliana and cannolo siciliano. The Kellys soon arrived bringing two each of pumpkin, apple, and cherry pies along with a cheesecake. Meg carried a bag containing whipping cream (un-whipped) and ice cream. Uncle Sal arrived and sent Ben to retrieve a case of wine recently arrived from the family vineyard in Palermo. Tony who had called earlier asking if he could bring a date showed up with Ben’s ex-girlfriend Liza Conrad and some Italian breads.
Lane had pulled out the tablecloth and napkins from the butler’s pantry and arranged the table before they’d gone to Sunset House. She’d written beautiful calligraphy place cards for each place. Ben had pulled a table from the basement and draped it with a tablecloth to use as a buffet. As the guests arrived with their contributions, they placed their offerings of appetizers on the buffet where plates and silverware waited. They put desserts on the kitchen table.
As the guests mingled, Lane and Ben did introductions for people who hadn’t met at their wedding reception last month. Everyone was encouraged to taste the antipasti and appetizers. Ben opened and poured the wine.
Ben spoke quietly to his father and uncles, asking them to join him briefly in his office. He closed the door and asked them to sit. As usual, their conversation was entirely in Italian. He placed the paternity test on his desk.
“It’s a long story, but the Bambino is my son. My biological son. I can answer questions later, but Lane and I just found out yesterday and we told Jamie. Jess figured it out and last month and had DNA tests done. Lane and I have talked and figured out the ‘what and how of things’, we were surprised, but thrilled. I don’t know what Mama’s going to say, but at least Lane and I are married now.”
At first, his statement stunned the audience who were silent as the news sank in.
“I wanted to tell you all because Jamie could say something about it today. He talked about being a Bellini in front of Joey this morning.” Ben looked to his father, “I’ll talk to Mama, but any insight you could give me, is appreciated.”
Dante shook his head. “So it happened after her husband left her and when you were in college in Omaha?” He knew there was no other explanation.
“Yes. As I said, it’s a long story. We spent one night together and the next morning, she disappeared. I spent a week in an unsuccessful attempt to find her.”
Sal and Vinnie looked at him in confused disbelief, they had met her when she was four years old and hadn’t seen her again until a few months ago and yet they had recognized her immediately.
“May I assume there was alcohol involved?” Sal asked.
Ben ran his hands through his hair. “A lot of it, and she gave me a false name and her hair was cut very short and it was blonde. I really had no idea the woman I spent years trying to get out of my system was the same woman I finally fell in love with. But none of that matters because through the grace of God I did find her again and we are finally married.”
There was a knock at the door and Jamie stuck his head in. “Mom said you all disappeared. I figured this is where I’d find you.” He looked at his father, “Mr. Tanner and Daniela are here, and Mom says that you should come carve the turkeys.”
Dante Bellini looked at Jamie, his first grandchild and walked to embrace him, “Mio nipote.” He kissed Jamie on each cheek.
Jamie looked at him.
“My grandson.” Dante repeated, this time in English as he hugged Jamie.
Jamie was a little confused, he’d heard Uncle Sal and Uncle Vinnie call Ben nipote, but he wasn’t their grandson. Now that he knew he was a Bellini, he really was going to have to learn Italian.
Ben walked over and put his arm around Jamie’s shoulders. “It’s a word used sort of generically for nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. You’ll figure things out.”
Yeah, or I’ll actually order the Italian Rosetta Stone Mom keeps talking about. Jamie thought.
Dante Bellini turned to look at his son and in English said, “In my experience with your mother, the truth usually works best. Just take her aside and tell her. Better she hears it from you, and soon.”
They walked out of Ben’s office heading toward the kitchen where Ben carved both turkeys as Lane handed platters and bowls to Jake, Jamie, Jess, and Gabe to carry to the buffet table. On the dining table were bottles of wine, pitchers of water and iced tea. It was an Italian thing, and coffee they’d have coffee with dessert. It wouldn’t be the Keurig single cup coffee either, Ben would fire up the cappuccino machine, and real Italian coffee would be served.
Ben’s mother was going to have the seat to his left. So, before everyone went into the dining room, he approached her in the hearth room. She was talking to Evie Parker. Ben knew that Lane had spoken to Evie earlier, telling her about Jamie’s parentage, shortly after they’d gotten back from Sunset House.
“Can I steal my mother for just a minute?” He asked Evie as he put his mother’s hand in the crook of his elbow.