You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

Chapter 24

A month later...

Chrissy was getting better every day with the help of Dean, Jamie, and the Martin children that had moved into her home. They were Betty's children who she promised she would always care for.

Dean and Chrissy were in a strange state of being. They had always loved each other, but for the first time since they had known each other, they were both available. Divorces were underway for both of them. Frank's and Chrissy's was amicable while Dean's and Jeanne's was a bit more tumultuous.

Meanwhile, life had to go on and Jamie's birthday was next on the agenda. The day of his party arrived quickly and Dean and Chrissy busied themselves with decorating the house for the party. As guest started to arrive, Dean began grilling burgers while Chrissy greeted the guests.

After several guests had arrived, a familiar car pulled up to drive.  Frank came walking up the sidewalk toward the house carrying a birthday gift in his hand.

"Hi, Chris," he smiled.

"Hi," she said, surprised by his attendance.

"I hope this is okay. Jamie sent me the invite. I couldn't turn him down."

"Oh, of course. I'm glad you're here."

"You're looking good."

"Thanks," Chrissy blushed.

"Hey, can I do anything to help out?"

"Dean's on the grill if you want to see if he needs anything?"

Frank nodded and headed inside.

After the party of the century, Chrissy and Dean flopped onto the couch.

"Holy shit," Dean groaned as kicked his shoes off, "I'm exhausted."

"Jamie loved it," Chrissy replied. Jamie had gone upstairs to look through all of his gifts and probably fall asleep. Craig was out with friends, and the girls were packing for the upcoming trip. There had been a lot of excitement for one day. "Thank you for making it happen."

"He's a good kid. He deserves it." Dean sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Okay, so tomorrow you have a doctor's appointment. Then Frank is picking you up and taking you to the lawyers' for you two to finish up paperwork and I'm going to my lawyer's to see what divorce settlement Jeanne and her crook came up with. If you're cleared, we all head out to go see Mama."

"You, me, and five children. What were we thinking?" Chrissy laughed.

"Mama's thrilled. Of course, Papa too, but Mama really can't wait to see everyone."

"Jamie and I stopped to see her when we took the road trip to move out here. That's been almost two years now."

"Mmmhmm. Do you regret it? Especially after everything that's happened?" Dino asked.

"Not for a second. Frank and I shared some great times. He still cares about Jamie. He bought him tickets to the Dodger games for his birthday."

"That's nice."

"Jamie finally confided in me though that he never wanted to take Frank's name. So they can be buddies and Jamie will be happy."

"He told me that while you were in the hospital."

"I'm glad he's always had you."

"He's a good kid. You raised him right."

"I have Nonni to thank for that."

"She was a special lady. The kids still call her the candy lady. Holy shit, no matter where we were she was pulling candy out of her bag or her sweater," Dean laughed. "Christ, do you remember my uncle's funeral? Nonni and I both had colds and she hard candies to suck on? I got into that coughing fit and couldn't stop, Nonni pulls a baggy of lozenges out of her brazier?" Dean began to laugh so hard that tears were rolling out of his eyes. He grabbed for his handkerchief.

Chrissy was cackling. "And do you remember what her response was?"

Dean laughed harder as Chrissy mimicked her Nonni's thick Italian accent, "My good jacket have no pockets. You want or not?"

The two of them couldn't stop laughing.

"Do you remember Jamie's baptism?" Chrissy continued giggling.

"Aww hell," Dean wiped at his eyes, "Do you mean when she yelled at the priest?"

"Nonni yelled at anyone who crossed her, holy or not."

After they had calmed down from laughing, Dean grabbed Chrissy's hand, "I'm sorry I wasn't there to say goodbye to her. Jeanne needed..."

"It's okay, Dean."

"I know, but she was always there for me."

"She loved you, and she knew you loved her. If you would like, you and I can go visit her grave while we see your Mama and Papa."

Dean nodded, "I'd like that. She was a really wonderful lady."

"Dino, you know what she said to me when we first met you?"

"Hmm?" He asked as his thumb caressed Chrissy hand.

"She said that we would end up together one day."

"Well, honey, that day might be closer than we thought."

Chrissy hesitated for a moment, but then she moved her body closer to Dino. Their faces were nearly touching, but she whispered, "Can I kiss you?"

Dean didn't answer, for he was too busy capturing her lips in a kiss.