Reputation's Play (Book 1)

Ch. 34 Strawberries

Chapter 34

Gia held Theo tightly in her arms as she walked Luca and Daisy to the door. The little boy was wide awake and with a full night of proper sleep, he was in a much better mood.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with us to the hospital?" Luca asked.

"I'm sure," Gia said. "I'm not ready to see him yet."

Understanding her fears and hesitation, Luca nodded. "You'll be okay with Theo?"

"This isn't my first time watching him," Gia said. "I'll be fine. Nonna is here too."

"I don't know if I trust her parenting skills," Daisy muttered under her breath. "The last thing I need is for Theo to turn out like Luca."

"Why?" Gia laughed. "He already looks exactly like Luca."

"Not funny," Daisy rolled her eyes. "He just looks like everybody."

"Mrs. Silvano," Gia gasped dramatically. "You can't leave the house dressed like that. You are the lady of the house now. You carry the family's honor!"

"Don't make me regret signing up for this," Daisy warned. "I already hate that I look like Martha Stweart."

Luca let his eyes take her in. Daisy shifted uncomfortably in the light pink sundress she had on. Maria insisted, more like forced, on a pearl necklace onto her neck and Daisy acted as if it was choking her.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?" Daisy accused Luca. "Is this revenge for when I used to call you an asshole?"

"I wasn't aware you used to call me that," Luca said.

Daisy stepped forward and looked the man into his eyes, "Asshole."

"Incoming," Gia whispered as Maria's footsteps appeared in the hall behind them. She stepped aside as the woman came to a stop beside her and smiled at Luca and Daisy.

"All set?" She asked.

"Yes," Luca said, wrapping an arm around Daisy's waist. "We'll be back in a few. Call if you need anything or if Theo starts crying."

"Don't worry about him," Maria said. "He'll be fine with nonna."

"And zia," Gia added, picking up Theo's hand to wave goodbye to his parents. "Say bye bye."

"Ready?" Luca looked down at his wife in his arms.

Daisy nodded, her eyes distracted as if she was lost in some place far away. She followed Luca into the car and sat quietly as he got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Gia stood with Maria until the car pulled out of the driveway and the doors closed.

"What would you like to do today?" Maria turned towards Gia. "There's a church service in the evening."

"I'm not going to church," Gia announced, walking back into the house.

"You must," Maria said. "I need to talk to Father Santino about baptizing Theo while he's here."

"Did you speak to Daisy and Luca about it?"

"I don't need their permission."

"Yes," Gia looked at her grandmother. "You do. This is their child. And I'm pretty sure Daisy is an atheist."

Maria gasped. If she had on Daisy's pearl necklace, Gia was sure she would have clutched them.

"I should have known," she said quietly. "Something's not right about her."