Throttled (13 page)

Epilogue ~ Back to Reality

We spent two weeks in Italy, touring my homeland and showing her the vineyard my family owned. It had been her first time outside of the US and I wanted her to experience the beauty that Italy had to offer. Suzy fell in love with the people of Italy. The culture is so different than in America. Life was slower; people enjoyed the simple things and didn’t move through their day at breakneck speed.

Although neither of us wanted to say goodbye to Italy and head back to reality, the moment we walked into our home everything felt right. I carried her over the threshold, not wanting to break tradition and also being told by Suzy that it was a requirement. I laughed when she refused to walk into the house until I picked her up and carried her inside.

Waking up in our bed made me feel more rested than I had in over a month. Suzy slept peacefully at my side with the sheet covering half her body. Her breasts were exposed, her hair flowing around her head, as she softly snored.

I kissed her neck, feeling her pulse under my lips. She stirred, a small moan coming from her lips.

“Morning, sugar,” I said against her skin.

“Morning, husband.” She stretched, the sheet cascading down exposing her entire body.

“I love the sound of that,” I said as I partially covered her body with mine.

I slid my hand up her side, stopping on her breast, feeling the fullness in my hand. I rubbed my palm against her nipple feeling her twitch. I grabbed it with my fingers, giving it a slight tug.

“Ouch,” she said, her face contorting.

“Sensitive today. Is it time for your period?” Typically that was the only time she complained that my touch was too tough or abrasive.

“I haven’t been keeping track. It must be,” she said with a yawn as I cupped her tit in my palm.

“They feel fuller than usual,” I said, squeezing them lightly.

“I probably gained ten pounds in Italy. The food was so amazing.”

I looked down at her. I knew her body like I knew my own. I’d spent hours worshiping it. “Suzy, are you…?” I sucked in a breath. Suzy’s body hadn’t changed in the year since we met. No amount of pasta or Gallo family meals had added a curve to her hourglass perfection. Missing her period and her overly sensitive nipples had my mind spinning.

“Oh no,” she said, sitting up quickly, grabbing her breasts. “I can’t be.”

“I’m greedy and want you all to myself, but when it happens I’ll be the happiest man alive, sugar.” I touched her stomach, resting my hand against her skin and smiling.

“I’m on the pill, but I missed a couple days with traveling. I can’t be,” she said, blowing out a puff of air, resting her hand against mine. “I’m sorry I forgot my pill, baby.”

“I fucked you so much there should be quadruplets in there.” I laughed, moving to rest my head against her abdomen. She snaked her fingers in my hair, massaging my scalp. “There’s no greater honor than for a woman to carry a man’s child. Don’t ever say you’re sorry. When it happens it happens, but lets try to not have it happen so soon.” I kissed her stomach, making a ring around her belly button.

“Your mom would be so damn excited,” she said, pulling my face up.

“You’ll make her the happiest woman in the world someday, Suzy.” I kissed her lips, enjoying the feel of her against me. “But would you be happy, sugar?” I asked, looking into her eyes.

“I’m not ready to give
us
up yet,” she whispered. Suzy swallowed hard and rubbed her forehead. “City, what if I am?”

“If you are,” I said, rubbing her cheek with my thumb. “I won’t be pissed off. You’ll be carrying a part of us and we’d still have nine months to ourselves before our world would be rocked.”

“I’m not ready,” she whispered, her eyes closing as she frowned.

“Sugar,” I said, touching her chin and forced her to look into my eyes. “You can handle anything. You’re stronger than you think and I’ll be here with you when it happens. Let’s not worry about something that we can’t control. We’ll find out soon enough if you or aren’t. You worry too much. I’m sure it’s just the stress of the travel. Let me help you forget.” I smiled as I watched her gnaw on her lip.

“You’re right. I’m sure it’s from the stress of the wedding and travel. How are you going to make me forget?” she asked and wiggled her eyebrows.

I crushed my lips to her mouth, devouring her lips. She melted into my touch, her mind occupied by the feel of my rough hands gliding across her soft skin. I made love to Suzy in our bed for the first time as husband and wife. Life couldn’t get any better.

Christmas

Suzy and I decided that we’d wait until Christmas day to share the news with the Gallo family. My parents had everything they could ever want and buying a gift for them was a bitch. The one thing we could give them that they couldn’t get anywhere else was the news of the impending birth of their first grandchild.

“You ready for this?” I whispered to Suzy as we sat down on the couch.

“Who’s going first this year?” Anthony asked, sitting next to Izzy on the floor.

“I’ll go last,” Izzy said, leaning back looking uninterested.

“That’s total bullshit, Izzy. You always want to be first,” Michael said, sitting down next to Mia on the love seat.

She placed her hands on her chest as she spoke. “Being the baby earns me the right to always go first. I was left out of everything growing up. Christmas day was mine, all mine.”

“Please, you were so far up our ass, you were never left out of anything,” Michael said, laughing and wrapping his arm around Mia.

Suzy leaned over, whispering in my ear. “I’m kind of nervous. Everything is about to change.” Suzy turned her attention back toward the family.

I nodded; leaning over so only she could hear. The shit was about to hit the fan, but for once, it would be a great thing. “Just be ready to have your eardrums shattered.” I laughed. God, the Gallos could be loud, but I imagined my mother’s happy screams would be near window cracking volume.

“Why don’t we start oldest to youngest,” Anthony said, trying to be diplomatic.

“That’s not necessary, your father and I don’t need presents,” Ma said, sitting in her chair next to the Christmas tree.

My parents outdid themselves this year. The Christmas tree almost touched the ceiling. They never went with an artificial tree. My pop had to cut down a tree each year. My parents spent days finding just the right one on their property before cutting and hauling it inside. Thank God they had boys, because it took all of us to help him carry it inside and set it up. Ma spent days decorating it, adding ornaments that dated back to our childhood. The woman kept every decoration we ever made and they lined the tree.

“Ma, stop. You and Pop deserve presents. You’ve always spoiled us and now it’s our turn to give back,” Izzy said, turning toward Ma. “Not really happy about the oldest to youngest thing, but I can wait.”

“You’re a sweet dear,” Ma said, leaning forward, stroking Izzy’s cheek.

I rolled my eyes. The sugar plum fairy must’ve invaded my sister’s body.

“Open my present first, Ma,” Izzy said, reaching under the tree, and pulling out a small box wrapped in red glitter paper and a silver bow and handed it to Ma.

Ma shook it, putting it next to her ear. “Hmm, I wonder what it is.”

“Just open it,” Izzy said, bouncing on her knees.

“Patience, Isabella. It’s a virtue,” Ma said, pulling the ribbon and removing the bow.

“Virtues and me don’t get along,” Izzy said, her laughter growing loud.

“You’re a Gallo, none of us do,” Pop said as he smiled at Izzy and chuckled.

Ma opened the box, a giant smile spreading across her face. “Oh, Isabella, it’s beautiful.” She pulled a bracelet from the box lined in rubies and diamonds.

“It’s our birthstones together, Ma” Izzy said, crawling closer to her. “Can I put it on you?”

“Yes, I’d love that.” Ma handed the bracelet to Izzy. “It’s beautiful. I love you, baby girl.” Ma leaned forward, kissing Izzy on the head as she snapped the bracelet around Ma’s wrist.

“Love you too, Mama.” Izzy moved the bracelet so the stones sat on top and were visible before crawling back to her spot next to Anthony.

“City, why don’t you go next,” Michael said, winking at me.

“Did you tell him?” Suzy mouthed at me with wide eyes.

I shook my head, because I hadn’t said a word to anyone. “No, brother you go ahead,” I said, trying not to spoil their gifts by going before them.

“I can’t follow up Izzy’s gift. You always give strange things to Ma, so I rather go after you,” Michael said as he slapped his knee.

Everyone laughed and Mia elbowed him. I always bought Ma something special and meaningful. The woman didn’t care about price; she only wanted something that was heartfelt and meaningful.

“I hadn’t planned on giving Ma our gift so soon, but we’ll go now just to make you happy,” I said with a smirk. He’d shit a brick in a moment… it served his ass right for his shitty comment.

“I want to give it to her,” Suzy said, placing her hand on mine before pushing off the couch.

We spent hours talking about the best way to break the news. Suzy decided to have a shirt made that said ‘World’s Greatest Nana’ along with the first ultra sound photo tucked underneath. Damn kid looked liked a jellybean, but I knew it was enough to make my ma squeal.

“Izzy, can you give me the big box with the snowman paper, please,” Suzy said as she approached the tree.

Izzy grabbed the box, shaking it as she handed it to Suzy. “Is it an ugly Christmas sweater? You know a girl can never have too many of those.” Izzy smiled as Suzy ripped it from her hands.

“Shush it, you. I’m still mad at you,” Suzy said, sticking out her tongue at Izzy. She turned toward my parents, sitting in their favorite chairs next to the tree, side by side. “We had something made for you this year, Mom.” Suzy handed her the box and came back to sit at my side.

“That’s so sweet of you, dear,” Ma said, tearing the paper slowly.

“It’s for both of you,” I said, grabbing Suzy’s hand, giving it a squeeze.

“Thanks, son,” Pop said, watching Ma opened the box.

As she pulled the shirt from the box, Izzy said, “I knew it. Ugly Christmas clothes, nice brother.”

“Izzy,” I warned.

My ma’s eyes grew wide; her lip trembling as my pop grabbed her arm. Her mouth dropped open as she read the shirt. “Really?” she whispered.

Pop reached in the box, pulling out the ultrasound photo and bringing it close to his eyes.

“What the hell is it?” Michael asked.

Ma turned the shirt around, a giant smile on her face. “Promise me you two aren’t joking?” she asked, holding the shirt in the air.

“We would never joke about that, Ma,” Suzy said, squeezing my hand and leaning into my side.

The shrill scream from my ma had me covering my ears. She hopped from her seat, coming at us quickly.

“Fuck,” Anthony said, clearly understanding the error of his previous statement.

My ma was so lost in her baby haze that she didn’t even flinch at his statement. She stopped in front of us, tears just starting to stream down her cheeks. “When?” she asked, clutching the shirt in her hand.

Suzy laughed, hopping to her feet. “August,” she said, wrapping her arms around my ma.

“Oh my God, August is so far away, but there’s so much to do,” Ma said, grabbing Suzy and squeezing her tightly.

I stood, walking toward my pop, holding out my hand. “Congrats, Grandpa,” I said, waiting for his response.

He placed his hand in mine, pulling me toward him, embracing me. “I’m proud of you, son. Damn proud. There will finally be someone to carry on the family name... about damn time.” He laughed, patting me on the back.

“Only if it’s a boy, Pop,” I said, sighing and feeling completely content.

“Look around, boys are genetic. Girls are an anomaly in this family.”

Ma grabbed me, pulling me from his arms. “And you, how could you keep this from me?”

“We wanted to be sure, Ma. Don’t be mad,” I said, kissing her cheek.

“I’m not mad. I don’t know if I’ve ever been as happy as I am right now,” she said, resting her head on my chest. “A baby, finally a baby,” she whispered, her tears soaking through my shirt.

Over my shoulder, I could see everyone surrounding Suzy. She beamed, a giant smile on her face and her cheeks slightly pink. She didn’t like attention, but she better get used to it. She’d be the center of attention until the baby arrived.

Anthony touched her stomach. “Wow, it’s going to be like the movie Alien. That’s some scary shit, Suzy.” He smiled, patting it before flailing his arms like the creature that busted out of Sigourney Weaver.

Mike batted his hands away from Suzy, “Stop it, you dumbass. You’re scaring her. Congrats, doll. I’m so excited to finally be an uncle.” He smiled at her, wrapping her into his arms, but holding her like she was breakable.

“Maybe someday Mia can be an aunt?” she asked as she pulled away to see his face.

Mike laughed, nervously looking at Mia. “We’ll see. I’m still trying to figure out if she’s ‘the one’.” He said and laughed.

Mia smacked his ass, causing a loud crack to fill the air. “You could only be so lucky,” Mia said. “Come here, Suzy, give me a hug, Mama. Are you ready for this?”

I watched my family as they showered her with love. We weren’t the main attraction anymore; the world would now revolve around the baby.

Suzy huffed out a breath. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” She shrugged before hugging Mia.

“Congrats, Suzy,” Izzy said, pulling Mia off Suzy. “Remember, that baby better have a vagina.” Izzy poked her in the stomach and bent down next to her belly. “Hey little girl, Auntie Izzy will teach you everything you need to know about life,” Izzy said, rubbing her hand over Suzy’s stomach.

The color drained from Suzy’s face, as her eyes grew wide. “Izzy, we don’t know the sex yet, but boy or girl, they’ll be lucky to have you as an aunt.” Suzy looked at me with her eyes bulging like she was scared to death of Izzy getting her hands on our baby. There were worse things than having Izzy teaching a girl how to be strong. Izzy could be a pain in the ass, but she was a tough cookie. The man that could tame her would have to be a beast, if it was possible at all.