Baby V (Chianti Kisses #1) (2 page)

“
Way to go, Baby V! Bring it on home
!
”

Before he can finish as enthusiastically as he started, Theresa elbows him hard enough to ensure there isn't a follow-up. That's my girl! Although Theresa is Dom's younger sister, she always has my back. As the only two girls in our family, we have an unspoken allegiance to each other.

Theresa has had her share of the boys' antics growing up, but, as the baby of the group... I bear the brunt of it.

Dom pretends to be injured, cowering away from his little sister while she returns her attention my way, and politely claps... just as I had done at her own graduation ceremony last year.

The two are quite a pair. For however handsome Dom is, Theresa is equally beautiful with her huge almond eyes, and long, wavy, blown-out hair. She is the closest thing to a sister as I'm sure I'll ever find.

After the full five-second timeframe perfected during countless hours of graduation rehearsal, I turn once more to Father Cross. His lip quivers a little in restrained anger as he issues his standard well-rehearsed words of wisdom.

“
Congratulations my child... and God bless you
.
” 

Simple. Sweet. And probably more than a little difficult for him to say at the moment.

~*~

In a matter of moments, the great lawn has been transformed into a sea of chaos as relatives and loved-ones swarm around in search of their particular graduate. It probably doesn't help much that we are all dressed in the same identical burgundy ceremonial gown. Twice now, someone has grabbed on to me only to find that I was not exactly who they were expecting.

Maybe this will be easier if I just park it somewhere and wait to be found, instead of playing the maze-game with several hundred well dressed but impatient audience members? I head over toward the largest oak tree in the center of the lawn to relax under its shade until the craziness settles.

The temperature instantly drops a few degrees as I feel the trees relief from the brutal sun. Pressing my back against the ancient tree, I graze the crowd looking for my mom. She is the only person I want to see right now as I'm still angry at the boys for their little graduation present from thirty minutes ago. Instead, I see another familiar face walking toward me, making an audibl
e
“
Tisk, tis
k
” sound while smiling.

“
How is it that you can turn something as boring as a graduation ceremony into a small scandal?
,
”
 
the friendly visitor finally asks as he joins my shaded spot. 

I reach out to hug him, thankful for the lighthearted distraction. He follows his chiding with a soft embrace.

“
Hey Conrad. So... you saw that, huh
?
” I ask back sarcastically. I haven't seen Conrad since spring break when he came to pick up Stephanie to take her home. He laughs lightly in my ear before tightening his grip and whirling me around.

“
Of course I did. I was nodding off, listening to Cross ramble on and on until all hell broke loose
!
”
 
He gently places me back down and lets go of his grip to look at me.
 “
So... Baby V, hmm? What's that about? I've never heard anyone call you that before. Something new
?
”

“
No... something old. Annoying, and old. Have you found Steph yet? I saw her over by the flower garden a few minutes ago
,
” I quickly change the topic away from my personal humiliation.

He moves us deeper into the shade.
 “
Yeah, I found her. She's taking pictures with our parents. So, how does it feel to be amongst us grown-ups, in the real world now
?
” 

Ha! I can barely call Conrad a grown-up. He is no more an adult than his sister or I am.

“
I am officially declining to answer any such questions until after the Summer is over. I figure I can stretch out one last season before joining in the trenches
,
” I answer back while shaking my head.

“
All righ
t…,
”
 
he gives me a pass.
 “
I'll ask you again in September, then. Enjoy it while it lasts. Steph tells me you two are going to be roommates in the city this fall
?
” He takes on a visibly confused exterior.
 “
Seriously, I don't get chicks. I've spent eighteen years living under the same roof as her, and I couldn't
wait
  for us to go to college just so I wouldn't have to deal with her every day. You two get paired up for four years and can't seem to let it go. I've seen how she keeps her room, V
.
” 

He rests a playful accusing finger on my chin,
 “
Yo
u’
re a glutton for punishment
.
”

I step up to defend my friend, even in jest,
 “
Steph's not
that
messy. She's just organizationally challenged, I think. Yeah, we're going to look for an apartment downtown while we both get internships. Hopefully
.
” 

I had no idea Steph had told her brother about our plans for the fall. I scramble to think of a polite way to ask Conrad to keep it on the quiet side until we definitely have plans set, when I see him look over my shoulder, his face tensing nervously.

“
There you are. We've been looking all over for you
.
” I turn to see Dom standing a few feet away from me. His deep brown eyes looking from me to Conrad and back.
 “
I told your mom I'd find you for pictures
.
”

Conrad recovers from the sudden discomforting intrusion. 

“
This must be one of your loudly-proud brothers then? Nice to meet you
,
” he speaks to Dom as he politely extends his hand.
 “
Conrad Thomas, Stephanie's brother
,
”
 
he introduces himself.

Dom hesitates for a split-second while looking down at me. He's always been substantially taller than I am, but I somehow feel him grow in height. He reaches out for Conrad's hand and shakes it casually while maintaining his fixed gaze on me. 

“
No, I'm not V's brother. I'm a
really
good friend
,
” he reluctantly shifts his eyes to Conrad. They probably should have let go of their grip, but keep it going awkwardly.

“
Dominic DiBenedetto. Good to meet you. I didn't know Stephanie had a brother
.
” 

He finally releases the younger boy's hand.

The two of them can't be more than eighteen inches apart, facing each other. Dom is definitely the taller of the two, but Conrad straightens his shoulders as if to gain a few inches to make up the difference. Neither of them break their stare. I think fast to come up with something to say before this starts to become even more uncomfortable. Dom beats me to it.

“
But... you see those three goons over there? Standing by the fountain, staring at you?
Those
  are her brothers. I think they want to see their baby sister and congratulate her
,
” he slowly states with a subtle hint of disdain as he places his opened palm on my lower back, adding a slight amount of pressure to will me to move with him toward where he's pointing.

“
Uh, yeah. That's fine. Congratulations, V. I'll catch up with you later then?
,
” is all Conrad can manage to speak before I am out of earshot.

“
Thanks! I'll call Steph about meeting tonight. You in?
,
”
 
I call back slightly increasing volume as I am being led away.

He nods over-enthusiastically.

“
Sure! Talk to you then!
,
” he finishes while still standing in the same spot under the oak tree, trying to figure out what exactly just happened.

No longer trying to yell out to Conrad, I turn fully toward Dom and stop walking, placing more weight in the heels of my shoes to counter his gentle guiding. He realizes quickly that we have slowed and looks down at me, not releasing his position from its place on my lower back.

“
What?
,
” he playfully lets out while rolling his eyes.
 “
Come on V. Are you really
that
  pissed at what we did? It was Mike's idea. But it was a good one
,
” he continues his argument.
 “
You're the last one to graduate... we couldn't pass it up
.
”

I exhale deeply and loudly,
 “
You are
all
idiots, you know! Really! You couldn't just act your age and at least
pretend
  to be mature for one afternoon, could you
?
”

I scold him as my pointed finger presses into his tie. I was expecting to push into his chest for full dramatic effect, but meet resistance under my fingertip. Dom practically lives at the gym... but I guess I didn't give him enough credit. His chest was a
lot
firmer than I thought it would be.

He moves his free hand to cover my accusing pointer finger and presses it so that my palm flattens out over his silky tie. Keeping his hand covering mine while changing his tone from one of jest to a softer, sweeter one, he begins the apology. 

“
I'm sorry, V. Really... I am. You know us. We bust your chops. That's all. I mean... you must have expected us to do s
omething
...
?
”

His brown eyes are somehow softer now, no longer laughing silently as they were before. His hand is strong on top of mine, as if he is holding it to reassure me of his words. Not wanting to brow-beat him any more than necessary as he obviously thinks I'm damn mad at him, I pull my hand back and use sarcasm to return to our usual and familiar banter.

“
A sign?... Really? With Glitter! That's above Mike's planning skills, Dom. Neanderthals can't read, let alone write
.
” 

I turn on my heel and storm off toward the other three idiots about to feel my wrath.

CHAPTER TWO

Three screaming children run to reach me first, as I approach my family waiting for me by the large sculpted water fountain in the middle of the courtyard. It is a very fitting meeting place, as Aunt Rosie and Dom had gifted the huge marble fountain to the school last year in honor of Theres
a’
s graduation. I
t’
s slightly gothic in its style and very ornate.

Once or twice, some of the girls have stripped off their shoes and gone wading in i
t’
s depths. The four winged cherubs on the second tier have steady streams of cool water extending from their chubby fingers.

Theresa is strategically sitting on the fountai
n’
s edge, covering the bronze dedication plaque with her lower body. I
t’
s a beautiful fountain, but slightly ostentatious and probably embarrassing for her to stand next to.

JJ runs into me first, grabbing onto my legs full-force, while Anna and Gabrielle tackle into him shortly after. They are all dressed in their Sunday best, which
I’
m sure will not stay stain-free for long. I squeeze their little bodies in a group hug before bending down to look them all in the eyes. I do
n’
t have to bend as far as I used to. These kids are growing like weeds! I last saw them at Easter, but somehow I think they were not quite as tall.

Their cheeks are rosy and plumped up in wide smiles. J
J’
s grin is large enough for me to see the two missing spaces in the front of his mouth finally filling with his adult teeth. I pinch his nose and look a little lower at the two girls, his younger sisters.

Although the girls are barely a year apart from one another, they are always dressed exactly the same. Their pink and white plaid dresses match J
J’
s white jacket and little pink bow-tie. But... no outfit would be complete without accessories. Mary, their mother and Joh
n’
s wife, missed her calling as a stylist. These kids always look like they could be on the cover of the latest magazine.

Tiny little ribboned barrettes hold their shiny dark hair away so you can see their bright, happy faces. All three of these children are blessed with the most beautiful dark, thick, eyelashes. The girls will probably thank the stars one day for them.

“
Hey Guys! I missed you soooo much! Yo
u’
re getting so big!
,
” I let out as I grab them all for another squeeze.

JJ can hardly contain himself. 

“
Hey Aunt V, did you see me? Did you see our sign?
,
”
 
his
 “s
”
 
sounds sounding lispy from the gap in his teeth.

“
She saw it alright, kiddo. And she told me she
loved
it!
,”
Dom answers for me as he finally catches up behind me and rests his wrist on my shoulders, smirking down at me with those laughing eyes again while egging me on.

“
Did
n’
t you, V
?
”

I bite my tongue.
 “
Oh! I loved it, JJ, but Uncle Dom says he likes it so much that he wants to keep it and put it in his office. Do you think we should make him happy and give it to him?
,
” I ask the six year old little boy knowing full well that he loves to give little
gifts
to people. 

I can hear Theresa laughing at us from the fountain. His little eyes light up while glancing up at Dom next to me.

“
I guess so... tha
t’
s where i
t’
s been for the last few days, anyway. But, yo
u’
ll have to share it with Aunt V
,
” he commands to Dom with a matter-of-fact nod as his dad comes up behind him and swings the little boy up onto his shoulders.

John is about the same height as Dom, just not as broad. He looks up at his so
n’
s eyes staring down at him while giggling.

“
W
e’
ll leave that up to them, son
,
”
 
he turns his chin back down from J
J’
s face and looks down at me. 

“
Congrats sis. We knew you could do it. You look beautiful... does
n’
t she, Dom
?
”

John nods to Dom as his lip twitches, amused by his own comment. My mother gently pushes John aside, careful not to make him loose balance while JJ is on his shoulders.

“
My baby! Look at my baby! All grown up. So beautiful in her gown. You make me so proud today!
,
”
 
she exclaims in her thick accented, slightly broken english while grabbing my face between her palms, pulling me in to kiss her cheek.

I squint my eyes as my cheek is kissed then pinched.

“
Thanks Momma. Did you yell at your sons yet? Or did you save it for me to witness?
,
” I ask as she squeezes both my cheeks.

She shrugs her shoulders. 

“
No good, it would do. They had their minds set. But, they should not have been that loud to make the priest so surprised
,
” she answers back while glancing up at John, her first born. 

My mother could never bring herself to reprimand the boys. She leaves it up to John to handle the others, but can pick up where he leaves off if need be. If one of us screws up where John needs to step in and play the overbearing big brother, she is waiting in the wings to finish it off with a healthy dose of guilt.

Everyone closes in on us, forming our own protective circle of congratulatory exchanges and hugs. Tony steps out after everyone else has their turn.

“
So, sis. Who was your friend over there?
,
” he asks pointing to the now vacant tree.
 “
He looks like a
sweet 
kid. Maybe we should go introduce ourselves and see how friendly he is?  Whatcha think, Dom
?
”

I can feel the heavy sarcasm dripping from Tony as he and Dom share an all too common nod of understanding. I harshen my tone. 

“
H
e’
s my roommate's brother, and if you even
think
  about talking to any of my friends, yo
u’
re never going to make it off my shit-list after what yo
u’
ve pulled today
,”
I half shout back to him.

“
VINCENZA! Such language! With a priest nearby!
,
” Momma scolds quickly while looking anxiously around to make sure Father Cross is
n’
t actually anywhere nearby.
 “
And the babies! What kind of example are you giving them
?
”

Trying my best to think of a way around this without having to apologize to Tony after he baited me, I am so relieved to see Cecily walk up next to her husband.

“
Momma, I think Tony deserved that a little
,
” she sides with me as Tony takes on a subtle look of remorse.

He holds his wife close and places his arms around her, with his hands resting on her swollen belly. Cecily has such a way with Tony. Sh
e’
s usually pretty quiet, but when she speaks up... he definitely listens. Given her present condition, I doubt he would have the heart to upset her in any way. She lifts her hands to rest on top of Ton
y’
s forearms.

“
Tony is just so used to watching out for V.  But, h
e’
ll try his best not to be a jerk anymore today... right hon?
,
” she innocently asks up at him while sharing a loving gaze with her husband.

I feel Dom remove his wrist from my shoulder, as the weight suddenly disappears. Hmm... I forgot it was there this whole time. He lifts it up to his mouth and jerks his head suddenly, as if coughing, while we all hear him let ou
t
“
Whippe
d
” under his breath.

Tony keeps his cool.

“
Enough, bro. My wife is tired and needs to rest
,
” he lashes out at his best friend while rubbing his hands across her stomach and back to his own sides. 

“
W
e’
re going to head back to the hotel, and w
e’
ll meet you all in the lobby before dinner
.
”

My brother grasps Cecil
y’
s tiny hand in his, and leans over to give Momma a quick kiss on the cheek before leading his wife and their precious cargo toward the parking area.

Not one to miss an opportunity or let Tony get the best of him, Dom calls out behind them,
 “
Do
n’
t do anything I would
n’
t do
,
” in true smart-ass fashion.

Tony replies by sticking up his middle finger discretely behind his back as if he were simply scratching an itch.