We make our way downstairs 1 see Madre first who gives me a warm hug and kisses my stomach.
Belle little Bebe. How are you feeling darling?
Tokay, just a little sore,
Madre.”
“Well, you make sure you don’t overdo it, okay? Lots of rest and let these three take care of you.”
“See, Madre agrees.” Luciano says smugly and I roll my eyes at him.
“Come on, lots of people want to see you all.” She says leading us down the staircase.
1 look over the kitchen to the backyard where tables and chairs are set up, much like my Donna ceremony. There are indeed a lot of people here still here. I think everyone who helped get the guys out are still here.
“Donna?” I see Jeremy’s dad get up from his seat at the counter and rush over to us.
“Michael, it’s good to see you in once piece.” I say brightly, giving him a kiss on either cheek and letting him hug me gently.
“That is thanks to you. You saved my life back there. I’m forever in your debt for that.”
“Oh nonsense. You were only there to help us in the first place, and you are family,”
“None the less…I do feel the need to repay you. I would have ended up with a bullet in my head.” He turns to Luciano and holds out his hand to shake.
“Don. I’d like to request to return from retirement and be a part of Donna’s protection detail.”
“Are you sure, Michael?” Luciano says.
*I would like the honor of dedicating the rest of my useful years to protecting our Donna.”
“Then it shall be done. Thank you for your services, Michael.”
“Ugh, seriously?! Now he’s going to back seat drive me every day when we’re protecting her!” Jeremy wines from the corner of the room, but he has a playful
smile.
“Oh please, son. The only reason you know how to do any of this is because of me. It’ll be good for you to be reminded of how the old boys do it.” Michael winks at Jeremy and I laugh at their antics. This could be fun.
“Jeremy…” I say smiling and holding out my arms to him.
“Hey little one.” He wraps me in his arms and kisses my forehead. “Thanks for saving the old guy. I don’t think I’m ready to let his annoying ass go just yet.”
“Yeah yeah, you owe me one.” I tease.
“Oh no no. That ‘one‘ went out the window when carried Luca’s naked ass out of that place. That makes us even.”
“Oh, that reminds me!” I pull out my phone and open the chat with Matteo who thankfully saw the funny side of things and snapped a picture from my body cam that night. I show Jeremy the photo of him carrying said naked Luca.
“Oh Jesus, yeah, see! Look at how close his junk is to my face!”
Luca looks over my shoulder and laughs hysterically. “You gotta send that to me! That’s going to be my wallpaper!” Jeremy groans in annoyance. I quickly send it to Luca who pulls out his phone when it pings. He smiles devilishly and then turns his phone around to the rest of us, showing he did in fact make it
1/3
Chapter 96
his wallpaper. We all laugh as we make our way outside. The moment we walk out the chatter dies down and every person out here turns their head towards us. I see Nonno stand at his table at the back of the marquee. He raises his glass, “DONNA!” he bellows and everyone else raises their glass and follows,
DONNA! Making me blush and awkwardly curtsey. I grab a glass of water from one of the servers and raise it in response.
To the elders who should have been enjoying their retirement, to the men who came to aid a family they were not a part of, to the women who helped cater and care for everyone and to the men who have put their lives on the line for this family every day. Please, raise your glasses and toast yourselves. To family
TO FAMILY!” They all respond, raising their glasses and taking a drink.
Spoken like a true Donna.” Luciano whispers in my ear and kisses my cheek.
“Donna?” Ramen says as he stands awkwardly fidgeting to the side.
“Ramen.” I say smiling.
“I would like to apologize…for not doing my job properly and not protecting you.”
“Oh Ramen, don’t be stupid! Come here!” I say lunging at him in a hug. He stiffens and then I assume he got the okay nod from my guys and gently embraces me back.
“You did an amazing job, you hear me?” I say pulling back and holding his face with both of my hands. “You may have taken a little nap in the middle of the war but hey, I’m not going to hold that against you.” I say laughing.
“I think I should be moved off your protection detail. I don’t deserve it.” He shakes his head.
“Don’t be silly Ramen, I feel safe with you and hey, if it makes you feel better, Luca also took an inconvenient nap that night too.”
“Yeah! Look!” Luca says pulling out his phone to show off his wallpaper.
“Hey! That’s a good idea!” Hays says joining the group. He pulls out his phone and fiddles for a second before flipping it around to show his wallpaper, now a picture of him carrying Ramen. Luca and Hays high five.
“At least you weren’t but naked, Ramen.” Jeremy laughs slapping him on the back and causing Ramen to laugh a little and shake his head again.
“You’re part of my inner circle, Ramen. Thank you for your services.” I say placing a hand on his chest.
“What about me?” Hays asks.
“Hays. My brother.” I say cuddling into his chest and letting the action say more than words ever could. He pats my head softly and gives me a little
squeeze.
“Thank you, Ramen, Jeremy and Hays. For protecting our girl, and for trusting her enough to follow her. We are forever in your debt.” Luciano says and him, Luca and Tony all place their hands on their hearts and bow to them. A sign of respect and a high honor coming from a Don, his second and top warrior. They bow in return and my stomach grumbles loudly making everyone turn to me.
“Looks like our baby is hungry.” Luciano grins at me.
“Come on honey, Jet’s get you fed.”
“They better have something with pickles in it.” I mumble out as we make our way to our seats.
