Choices We Make: The Moretti Brothers Series (11 page)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Victoria and Dominic spoke on Saturday to arrange the time he would pick her up on Sunday. Victoria got up Sunday morning, looked at her wardrobe and tried to figure out what to wear.  She finally settled on a scooped neck navy blue dress that gave just enough room for her stomach.  Dominic picked her up and they headed over to his parents home. While riding in the car, Dominic captured her hand, subconsciously unaware that he was doing so; she looked over at him and her heart raced. She was falling in love with this man, who fathered the babies she was carrying. She turned her attention towards the window, trying to get her heart rate under control, she could feel Dominic staring at her “You okay?” he asked looking concerned, he could feel the pulse in her hand speed up. “Yes, just a little nervous, you know meeting the family for the first time and all.” She smiled as she tried to bring some levity to the situation. Dominic looked over at her and smiled “it's going to be fine, you'll see, my family will love you,” he said as he kissed the back of her hand. They pulled in front of his parent’s home and Dominic recognized everyone's car. They were all there, waiting for them.   Dominic parked and looked over at Victoria.

“I promise you Victoria, it's going to be fine and if at any point you feel uncomfortable, you let me know and we are out of here, okay?”  She nodded nervously.  They walked to the door and it opened before he put his hand on the handle.  “It’s about time you got here!  Can you ever be on time for anything?”  His younger sister Francesca asked as she moved to the side to let them in.  “And you must be Victoria.” She gave her Victoria a hug catching her totally off guard. “I’m Francesca but you can call me Fran.  So I hear I’m going to be an auntie again, I’m so excited I can’t wait, and you know what they say about interracial babies...”  “Francesca, that’s enough” Dominic said sternly.  “What?  It’s true.”  She turned to Victoria and whispered in her ear.  “Everyone knows they make beautiful babies,” she said being careful to say if out of earshot of Dominic as she winked at Victoria.

They walked through the living room, and into the family room where everyone was gathered except his mother, who was probably in the kitchen, he surmised.  As they entered the room Rafael, Marco, Francesco and Richard, Maria’s husband stood.  It was evident to Victoria that his father made a conscious decision not to stand.  “This is the whole gang.”  Dominic said as he went around the room and made introductions. “This is my older brother Rafael.”  Rafael nodded, not rude, but definitely not a warm greeting.  “This is my younger brother, Marco.” 

Marco walked over and gave her a kiss on the cheek “Nice to me you Victoria.” Marco said warmly. 

“This in my youngest brother and twin to the big mouth you met at the door Francesco.”

Francesco shook her hand “it’s nice to meet you.” 

“That’s my older sister’s husband Richard.”  Richard also shook her hand, looking a little confused, but didn’t say anything.  “This is my father Lorenzo,” he said giving him a “don’t start” look. 

“How are you, young lady?”  Lorenzo said barely looking at Victoria. 

“I’m fine, it nice to meet all of you,” Victoria said nervously.  She was not comfortable being the focus of attention in the room, Dominic lightly squeezed her hand for comfort.  His touch helped her to instantly relax.

“Well, it’s about time you two showed up.” Annette said as she pulled Victoria into a hug.  “Well aren’t you a beautiful girl, I’m Annette but you can call me Momma, everyone else does.  How are you feeling, do you want something to drink?”  Victoria was about to say no thank you, but Annette spoke again.  “What are you standing there for boy, go and get her something to drink.” She motioned Francesco.  “We have juice, bottled water, milk and soda.  What would you like?”  Victoria turned to Dominic, feeling overwhelmed.

“She’s fine Momma,” Dominic said as he pulled her closer to him.  

Maria pushed Dominic out the way “Since my brother is so rude, I will introduce myself, I’m the oldest sister Maria. It’s nice to meet you,” she said while giving her a hug.  “Alright everyone dinner is ready, come eat.”  Maria said as she disconnected the hug.  There was so much going on that Victoria didn’t notice the children until Lily walked over to her.  “Hi my name is Lily.  Are you having a baby?”  Victoria was taken aback by the question but then responded, “I’m actually having three babies, Lily.” She said as she bent over to address the little girl.  Lily eyes opened wide with surprise.  “Wow!  Are you and my uncle Nick getting married because Mommy says you have to be married before you can have a baby?”  Victoria was a little thrown by the question but luckily Maria came over, “That’s enough Lily, let Ms. Victoria eat before you start in on your interrogation,” Maria said as she mouthed “sorry” to Victoria, the smile on Victoria’s face was a sign of acknowledgement. 

They all sat at the huge dining room table.  Victoria was in awe of Dominic’s family.  Grace was said and the food passed by her as fast as the conversations did.  Annette made lasagna that was absolutely amazing.  Victoria ate in silence as everyone else talked about everything from work to bad relationships. 

Just as Victoria was about to put a fork full of lasagna in her mouth Annette said, “So Victoria, how are you feeling?   I remember when I was pregnant with the twins I was exhausted early on, in my pregnancy.  I was a stay at home mom, I can’t imagine working and carrying triplets.” 

“I’m feeling good and I’ll work as long as I don’t have any complications.” 

“So what do you do Victoria?”  Rafael asked.  Dominic cut his eyes at Rafael letting him know he better not start. 

“I work in Finance.  At Bouvier and Hart I am….”

Rafael interrupted her “Bouvier and Hart, I know one of the VPs there, Michael Finnegan, do you know him?” 

“Yes I do, I…” 

Interrupting her again he said, “Mike and I are good friends.”  Marco looked at Dominic and smiled because he knew his arrogant big brother was about to put his foot in his mouth.  “If you would like I can put a good word in for you, providing you don’t rake my brother over the coals in child support. 

“Don’t start!” Dominic said in a tone that Rafael knew he shouldn’t continue but he ignored the cues and continued. 

“Rafael!” Annette said embarrassed. 

“Come on Momma, I’m just saying what everyone around the table is thinking.” 

“The only thing I’m thinking is that you’re an ass,” Marco said as he took a sip of his wine. 

“Yep, I agree with Marco you’re an ass Rafael,” Francesca said. 

“Oh come on, you don’t think it’s pretty convenient that they just met and she gets pregnant?  Victoria, how did you pull that one off?  Did you see a rich businessman and thought that was your meal ticket?”

Victoria sat there stunned, wondering how the conversation went from a family conversation to calling her a gold digger especially when it was her who paid him to accompany her on vacation.  Dominic jumped up but Victoria put her hand on his arm and whispered, “The children are watching.”  Dominic looked over and saw his niece and nephews watching intently.  “You’ve been warned for the last time Ralph.  Stop. It. Now.”  He said through his teeth, clearly angry as he sat back down.   Rafael, knowing not to push Dominic too far continued with an explanation. 

“Nick, you’re my brother, I love you and I’m looking out for your best interest. 

“I don’t need...” 

Victoria put her hand on his arm again.  “It’s okay Nick, I can handle this.” She looked at Rafael and smiled, and he took it as a cue to continue. “Like I said I can put in a good word for you.” 

“That won’t be necessary,” Victoria said with a smile. 

“No no, I don’t mind.  What do you do there anyway, secretary, paralegal? Well it doesn’t matter because I just need to make sure you are not using my brother and I’ll help you.”

“Rafael, while I appreciate the alacrity to help me, that won’t be necessary.”

Francesca mouthed to Francesco “alacrity?”  Francesco shrugged his shoulders and mouthed, “I don’t know.”  They both turned their heads to the conversation that was playing out between Rafael and Victoria

“Why, you don’t appreciate my help?”  Rafael asked in a condescending tone. 

Victoria returned the condescending tone “That won’t be necessary because your umm, friend, he works for me, the Hart in Bouvier and Hart would be me, I am Victoria Hart, as in CEO Hart.  So, while I appreciate your willingness to huh, help me, I’ve got it handled.”  Victoria picked up her glass of water and took a sip.  Rafael sat deflated and stunned.  Dominic smiled as he gave her thigh a squeeze under the table.  She looked at him and smiled. “And that, my dear brother is what you would call a checkmate,” Marco said as he picked up his glass and headed towards the family room.  Francesca followed suite taking her glass and walking up to her older brother and yelled “Boom” in his face before exiting.  “You really are an ass, you know that?”  Maria said to her brother.  “Victoria forgive my brother, he doesn’t always think clearly when he thinks he’s protecting his younger siblings,” Maria said as she started clearing the table. 

“The problem is, I didn’t ask for his help.” Dominic leaned into his brother so only he could hear the comment “and if you ever disrespect Victoria again, I don’t care who is in the room, I will beat your ass and that’s a promise.”  Dominic stood and held Victoria chair so that she could stand as they walked into the family room. 

The entire family gathered into the family room minus the children who were playing in another room.  “So tell me how you and my son met, since we never heard of you prior to him announcing that he was going to be a father.” Lorenzo said superciliously. 

“Dad, please don’t start.”  Francesca said flustered. 

“I think it’s a fair question.  I mean he and Anna are back together again, which I was very happy to hear about, she is such a lovely girl and now we find out this young lady is pregnant, with triplets no less.”  

“By lovely you mean white, isn’t that right dad?”  Dominic stood and gestured for Victoria’s hand.  “I’ve had enough of this.   I wanted everyone to meet Victoria so that you would know the woman who is carrying my babies, but I didn’t bring her here to be harassed or criticized.”  Annette walked into the room just in time to hear the exchange between her husband and son. 

“Please Dominic, don’t leave.  I didn’t get a chance to talk to Victoria.”  She turned to Victoria with a pleading look.  “Please stay a little while longer, I promise everyone will be on his or her best behavior,” she said as she cut her eye at her husband, giving him a knowing look.  Lorenzo caught the implication and directed his attention to the TV.  “Come in the kitchen with me Victoria, I want you to try a new pie recipe I baked today and we can talk.” Victoria looked at Dominic and he gave her a nod. 

“Sure, I’d like that,” Victoria said as she followed her to the kitchen.  Dominic sat back down next to Marco.  “She’s beautiful man.”  Dominic looked towards the kitchen.  “Yeah, she is beautiful.” Dominic turned to his younger brother. “So how’s work going?”  Dominic talked and joked with his siblings for a while before noticing that Victoria had not returned from the kitchen.  He excused himself to go in search of her, he walked towards the kitchen and could hear Victoria’s hearty laugh, and he stopped.  Her laugh was amazing; in all the time that they were on the island he didn’t remember her laughing like that. 

He walked into the kitchen and could see his mother, two sisters and Victoria all sitting around the kitchen island laughing.  Victoria was laughing so hard she was holding her stomach.  “So what are you ladies talking about?”  They all turned towards the doorway.  “Girl talk and as usual Francesca doesn’t have a filter,” Maria said still laughing.  “You know I’m right Maria, that’s how men think,” Francesca said.  Dominic waved his hand indicating he didn’t want to hear the comment because he knew his baby sister.  She was a free spirit with a big heart, who always said exactly what she felt, even if it was something inappropriate to say at that time. 

“Well, it’s getting late and I have an early day tomorrow.”  Victoria stood “Thank you for the wonderful dinner and the pie was incredible.” 

“Please don’t be a stranger Victoria, I want to know how you and my grandbabies are progressing,” Annette said as she stood and gave her a kiss on the cheek. 

“Yeah Victoria, maybe we can finish our conversation another time,” Francesca said as she hugged her. 

“I would like that.” Victoria responded as she returned the hugs.  Maria walked up and also hugged Victoria.

“Call me when you get a chance, maybe we can have lunch and go shopping for baby clothes.” 

“Thanks sounds like fun, thanks for your hospitality.” 

“No need to be so formal girl, you are a part of the family, you are not only having one but three Moretti babies and we Morettis stick together.”  Francesca said smiling. 

Victoria nodded and started to feel emotional.  It had always been her and her mom, but the way the Moretti women had accepted her made her feel good. She smiled back at Francesca “Well you have definitely made me feel welcomed.” 

“Okay, if the love fest is over, I really need to get Victoria home.  I have an early day tomorrow too.”  Dominic said as he placed his hand on her lower back and they walked towards the door.  His sisters and mother looked at each other, giving a knowing look. Everyone said their goodbyes as the pair walked out the door.