chapter Thirty-Two
The Other Family
Victoria
I could feel someone playing in my hair. I heard chuckles, as I opened my eyes. I tried to figure out where I was and what was going on.
I suddenly remembered what had happened and my head snapped up. I turned to see Lorenzo smiling down at me. He looked so much better. I jumped up and threw my arms around his neck.
“I’m so sorry,” I said.
“What are you talking about, Beautiful?” he said calmly.
“I wasn’t paying attention like I should’ve been that’s why you got shot,” I explained.
“It was my fault, Victoria. Don’t worry about it. I’m okay,” he said. “You worry too much.”
“No. I love you too much,” I teased. “And I don’t listen. My temper kind of put you all in danger.”
“Now that, I may agree with. What were you thinking?”
“Honestly, I wasn’t,” I said shyly.
“Now that I don’t have a room full of men shooting at me, that was the best part,” Matt crooned. “I was hoping I would get to use what the Ghosts showed us.”
“Yeah bro, I’ll admit, I wanted to strangle Victoria at first, but it was fucking awesome,” Chris said.
“I don’t know about that. Victoria tried to shoot me, that wasn’t fucking awesome,” Lorenzo chuckled.
Everyone laughed and I realized how full the room was. Uncle Bryce, Marcus, my cousins Curt, Smitty, Byron, Ryan, and Justin were all sitting around the living room facing us. Matt and Chris were on either side of Lorenzo, sitting in chairs from the dining room. I was so relieved Uncle Bryce wasn’t having a fit about my involvement.
“Hey, Vicky, so you gangster now? What’s Venny teaching you over there?” Smitty called out.
Everyone laughed again. I just shrugged. My eyes were back on Lorenzo. I wanted to kiss him so badly. I wasn’t sure how my uncle would react so I hesitated.
Lorenzo stared back at me, with a smile on his lips. He wrapped his good arm around me to pull me closer to him. I was going to caution him not to, but he kissed me before I could.
“Ill …you must love her man, cause I know she got morning breath,” my cousin, Curt laughed out.
“Word, Vicky ain’t that cute, Lorenzo. Let her go get some Scope,” Smitty teased.
“Shut up, you two,” I growled as I pulled away from Lorenzo. “Smitty you want to find out how gangster I am?”
“Vicky, I ain’t messing with you. I still owe you for that tooth you chipped. You were already dangerous. I don’t know whose bright idea it was to give you a gun. There goes the neighborhood,” Smitty returned.
I turned to him and grinned. The two of us used to get into fights all the time. We were either fighting each other or fighting a group of kids together.
Smitty was a troublemaker. He would start it, and of course, me, with my hot temper, would finish it. Lorenzo laughed at our little exchange, which made me smile more. I got up from by Lorenzo’s side to stretch. I needed to use the bathroom.
“Hey, do you have my phone?” Lorenzo asked.
“Yes,” I said, as I pulled it out handing it to him.
I headed to my cousin, Bianca’s room, to use her bathroom. My cousins were a little right. I wasn’t as fresh as I would’ve liked to have been and I was covered in blood from head to toe.
I washed as much as I could off my face and hands. The clock in Bianca’s room said nine o’clock and it was light outside. I’d slept for a pretty long time. I was so hungry.
My hair was clumped together on one side, full of blood. I wanted to take a shower, but I didn’t have anything to put on. I sighed at the sorry sight I made.
Once I finished in the bathroom, I made my way back to the living room. I could hear more voices and more laughter, as I walked up the hall. I saw Angie and Chris hugging by the stairs first.
I turned the corner to see my mom, sitting next to Lorenzo with a hand on his face, while he spoke to her. I was so excited to see her. I ran to her side to hug her, but remember what I looked like.
I quickly shrugged the holster off my shoulders, dropping it to the floor and kicked it under the lounge Lorenzo was on. I pulled off the vest and tossed it aside. My mother just grinned at me and stood to give me a hug.
“Venny always did treat you like one of the boys. He can’t make up his mind…princess or mini Venncesso,” she said. “I like the princess better.”
“That makes two of us,” Lorenzo threw in and laughed.
“I know you’re not just going to act like I’m not in the room, big head,” My cousin Bianca sassed.
“How could I, big mouth,” I teased back. “What’s up, girl?”
“Wow, I have to shoot somebody to get you here, nowadays?” Bianca teased, as she came to give me a hug. “Girl, you look a mess. Bry took us to your place to get you and your friend some clothes. We need to talk about some shoes I seen in your closet. You gonna need to come up off those.”
“Whatever, Bianca, you trippin’. If you supposed to be getting me something to wear, how you shopping in my closet?” I laughed.
“I’m sayin’, they were in my sightline,” she giggled.
“What’s poppin’, Bry you know I really don’t appreciate the fact that you been up in my crib twice now,” I threw at my cousin, Bryce Jr.
“Sorry about that, ma. Just looking out,” he said as he came across the room to hug me. “So, I’m really coming to your wedding next week? Ain’t you still in high school? Yo, how old are you, playa?” Bryce Jr. said, looking at Lorenzo with the last question.
“I’ll be Twenty-one on the day of the wedding,” Lorenzo answered.
“Vicky, ain’t you like seventeen. I know I got you by two years,” Bryce Jr. quizzed.
“Okay…and what’s your point, Bry. Cuz you’re really all up in my business right now,” I fired. “I don’t ask you about the crud you date.”
“Alright, little mama. I’m just looking out,” he said as he raised his hands. “If homie is willing to take a bullet for you, he cool with me.”
“Sorry, but I wasn’t waiting for your stamp of approval, anyway,” I rolled my eyes and looked at Lorenzo.
He smiled at me, with a curious expression on his face. I tilted my head, trying to understand it. I went over to him and he pulled me to his lap. I scanned the room for Uncle Bryce. He was talking to Matt and Marcus about something on the TV.
“Guess she shut you down,” Bianca laughed.
“Bry got a lot of nerve. He ain’t holla at me in a month of Sundays. Now he wants to be all in my business,” I laughed. I watched Lorenzo’s face as the curious look just increased. “Che cosa?” I asked him.
“Te. Questo è ciò che,” he answered.
“Oh, no you two don’t. Vicky, you know better than that, English,” Bianca hissed.
“Sorry,” Lorenzo said. “You, that’s what, you manage to fit in everywhere.”
I laughed so hard. I forgot Lorenzo has never seen me with my other family. To him, I’m the black girl that speaks Italian. When I do speak English, I still don’t sound like my father, but it’s not the same as when I’m with my cousins. I must of sound weird to him.
“Does that bother you?” I asked curiously.
“No, I like it,” he answered.
“Since I must speak English, I’m not even going to ask you what that means,” I said, causing us both to laugh.
“Owww…Vicky, when you get so rude?” Bianca asked, while rolling her eyes. “You could at least introduce us to the dude, if he’s going to bleed all over the future.”
I had to laugh. Bianca is so comical. I looked at Lorenzo and noticed that he was no longer hooked up to the fluids. I wasn’t sure if he should get up yet. I decided if they wanted to be close they, would have to come to us.
“Lorenzo, this one here with all the mouth is, Bianca,” I started.
“Nice to meet you, Bianca,” he said and smiled.
“Nice to meet you too. He’s cute, Vicky, he have a brother?” she returned.
“No, sorry, just me and my sister,” Lorenzo laughed, then added with a frown. “That I know of.”
I laughed and Bianca frowned. She looked over to Matt on the couch. “Hey, Matt, you still seeing what’s her face? Tina right,” she called over.
“Yeah, Bianca, you didn’t want me when I tried to wife you,” Matt winked and chuckled.
“I was playing hard to get, Matt. You gave up too soon,” Bianca threw back at him.
“Oh, please,” I huffed rolling my eyes. “Lo, that’s Bryce Jr. and next to him is the other big mouth, troublemaker, Smitty,” I pointed in their direction. Bryce Jr. came back over and gave Lorenzo five.
“What’s up, cuz?” Smitty nodded with a grin.
“What’s up?” Lorenzo smiled back.
Marcus, Curt, Byron, Ryan, and Justin came over and hugged me, while waiting to be introduced. They each gave Lorenzo five one at a time. I got up to move out of the way.
“This is Marcus, Curt, Byron, Ryan…Yes, they’re twins, and Justin,” I introduced my cousins.
“Nice to meet you all,” Lorenzo said.
“Man, you haven’t seen nothing yet,” Curt told him. “Your boys said today was your bachelor party, but they had to change things around.
“We thought it would be cool to throw ya’ll a party and let you meet the family. We don’t see Vicky as much as we’d like to, but she means a lot to us, man. What you did was big. We not gonna to forget that.”
Lorenzo looked at me and smiled. “She means a lot to me too. I love her. I’d do it again if I had to.”
“That’s what’s up, my dude. Judging by the size of that rock on her finger that ghetto booty got you twisted, playa,” Justin teased.
My mouth fell open, as I reached out to mush Justin in the head. Laughter filled the room. I caught Lorenzo looking behind me. I wrinkled my nose at him.
He just smiled and winked at me. He bit his lip as a look filled his eyes. Lorenzo reached for me, but I walked away.
“No… that’s not why I love her. I’m not complaining about it. It’s just not what makes me love her,” he chuckled.
“Well, why do you love her?” my mother asked.
“Ms. James, Victoria has changed my whole world into hers. When I’m not with her, my head hurts and I feel like someone is trying to steal my air.
“She’s my best friend and girlfriend, all at the same time. Yes, I find her very, very attractive. She’s the most beautiful woman I know, but she’s also smart, thoughtful, half crazy, willing to put up with and take care of me.
“I want to give her everything she wants and needs and make sure it’s always in her best interest. I’ve never met anyone else I can say that about,” he answered.
“Okay, Lorenzo, at least you can give me an honest answer. I know why the two of you are getting married so soon. I just want to make sure you want this as much as she does.
“Victoria loves very hard. I see how much she loves you. I wouldn’t toy with that if I were you. You have a point…she is half crazy,” my mother said, teasing Lorenzo with her last sentence.
“Somebody, please, tell them I’m still in the room,” I said. “The two of you have nerve. You and Venny raised me, so what does that say about you? And you Lo are in love with crazy, so you sure aren’t far from it.”
“Baby, I think I’m the only man in the world that can handle loving you,” Lorenzo teased.
“Okay, well, I have a question of my own,” Uncle Bryce said, as he approached us. “Where do you sleep in that apartment, nephew? I only saw one bed.”
Okay, now I was ready to go. Uncle Bryce was almost as bad as my father. I wanted to stay away from this subject. I inched back over to Lorenzo’s side and watched my uncle’s face as Lo answered.
“I sleep with her in our bed,” Lorenzo said confidently.
Uncle Bryce raised his eyebrow. “And this is something her father knows?” he asked, disbelievingly.
“Yes,” Lorenzo answered. “But before you jump to conclusions. Victoria and I have never had sex. I’m a man, I know how to wait.”
“I like this kid, Keisha. He cracks me up,” Uncle Bryce snorted. “You expect me to believe that you have been living with my niece, that one. The one that has looked twenty-five, since she was like fifteen. And the two of you sleep in the same bed, but you have never—.”
“Yes, Sir,” Lorenzo answered. “She doesn’t want to. I love and respect her for that and I will wait. If she’s still not ready when we get married, I’ll understand. She is younger than I am, so I am willing to wait as long as she needs.”
“Yeah, right,” Uncle Bryce twisted his lips and looked to me. “Victoria, I know when you’re lying. You’ve been living with him and nothing has been going on?” Uncle Bryce asked.
“Yes, Uncle Bryce. Lo is very patient with me,” I shrugged.
“You know what nephew, I really do like you. That bum, Venny could learn a lot from you,” Uncle Bryce laughed. “Vicky, honey, you seriously look scary and your grandfather is on the way. I think you and my nephew here need to get cleaned up. But I don’t play that here. Lorenzo, you can use Bry’s room. Victoria, you know the drill.”
I was glad for the fresh clothes and a shower. I wasn’t going to argue with Uncle Bryce at all. I watched Lorenzo get up for the first time. When he looked stable, I was willing to go and shower. I took the bag of clothes Bianca had for me and headed back to her room.
The hot shower was nice. I washed my hair until I stopped seeing blood in the shampoo. As I stood in the shower, I thought about how nice my family was to Lorenzo.
I loved that and he seemed so comfortable around them. I also thought about how that cow Angie was so wrapped up in Chris, she didn’t even speak.
I towel dried my hair and used some of Bianca’s gel and a brush to brush the front of my hair, pulling my curls into a large bun. The outfit in the bag said Bianca all day. I laughed to find my dark blue skinny low rise stretch jeans, a purple pullover v-neck top, and a pair of suede purple platform pumps.
The pumps told me that Bianca was all in my closet. I had these shoes way in the back, for a special occasion. I dressed quickly because I wanted to get back to Lorenzo.
I could hear music playing as I walked through the hallway. When I got back to the front of the condo Lorenzo was standing with a group of my cousins, laughing and joking. He looked so relaxed and happy. He fit right in, like he’d known them for years.
Chris and Angie were with them. Angie was tied to Chris like a wet shirt. I realized then that Chris and Matt had on fresh clothes as well.
Lorenzo had on a t-shirt I had bought him a few weeks back and a pair of jeans. When I looked down at his sneakers, I knew Bianca had been in his closet as well. Bryce Jr. would have gotten closer to something Lorenzo would put together.
Lorenzo turned towards me, as Smitty said something and nodded my way. Lorenzo’s whole face lit up when he saw me. I watched his eyes trail my whole body.
The intense look filled his eyes once again. It was like I could feel the heat coming off of him. His face said I was walking too slow. I picked up the pace a little. When I was close enough for him to reach, he put his hand on the back of my neck, closing the gap between us as he captured my lips.
I kissed him back as his hand went from my neck, slowly moving down to my shoulder, my arm, to around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and stood on my toes to close the gap in our height, as much as I could.
My cousins giggled and snickers, as a couple of people cleared their throats. When Lorenzo went to pull away, I grabbed the back his hair and held him to me. I’d gone days without this. They would give me a minute to enjoy it.
I felt Lorenzo’s sexy smile, just before he pulled my lower lip between his teeth. I just barely stifled the moan that wanted to draw from my lips moan. I wasn’t letting him. I knew he was trying to shock me into doing so. Instead, I grabbed his face with one hand and gently grazed his bottom lip in response. He let out a little chuckle of his own, and pulled his face away.
“I love you too,” he whispered.
“I know,” I told him. “How are you feeling?”
“Very happy.”
“No, not that silly, are you in pain?”
“Nope, the doc gave me some pain killers. I should be good for a few hours.”
“Oh, okay. You don’t need to sit?”
“I’ve been sitting for days. I’m okay.”
“Yo, Vicky, we were telling your boy about granddad and giving him pointers on getting on his good side,” Curt busted.
“I hope you started with looking him in the eyes,” I giggled.
“You know it. Remember Farrah brought home that dude that wouldn’t look him in the eyes,” Curt said, as all my cousins and I started to laugh.
“‘Farrah get this snake out my house. His eyes wouldn’t know the truth if they seen it,’” Bryce Jr. mocked and everyone roared with laughter.
“Remember the time granddaddy gave Vicky a hundred dollars for slapping the neighbor?” Bianca asked, over the laughter.
“Oh, I remember that, that was the year we came over for Christmas,” Angie chimed in.
“Oh, look who decided they want to speak,” I shot at her.
“Sorry, Vic,” she said, giving me a shy look, as she came to hug me. “You looked a little scary before. I wanted to give you your space.”
“Ha, ha,” I replied.
“You guys have to let me tell this one,” Bryce Jr. laughs out.
“Please don’t,” I pleaded.
“I want to hear it,” Lorenzo laughed.
“So, it’s Christmas Eve, right,” Bryce Jr. begins, walking over to Lorenzo and placing an arm on his shoulder. The two of them looked like old friends. “Now, granddaddy’s neighbor’s kid had a crush on Vicky. What’s his name, Eric or something like that? Well, Vicky, Angie, and Bianca are running through the house making a bunch of noise.
“All you see is a bush of curls flying, by followed by sticks, and big mouth,” he points to Angie then Bianca and Lorenzo laughed at the references he made. “Vicky makes it to the stairs of the family room, under the mistletoe, and this kid runs by and kisses Vicky on the cheek.” Bryce is laughing now so hard he can hardly finish the story.
“Oh, Bry, if you’re going to tell the story hurry up and finish,” I grumble. Lorenzo looked me and winked, but I rolled my eyes and fold my arms across my chest. This was so embarrassing.
“Okay, Okay,” he finally gained control. “Vicky snatches the kid by the back of the collar before he can get away. She snatched him back to her like he stole something. Then, she hauls off and slaps him across the face.
“Vicky is just standing there now staring at him with her little fists balled up and you could see her curls shaking, she was so mad. Now, granddaddy watched the whole thing. He calls Vicky over and pulls out a hundred-dollar bill and says. ‘Very good, Victoria and that’s what you do from now on when someone tries that.’ It was classic,” Bryce laughed.
Everyone, including Lorenzo doubled over in laughter. I wanted to kick Bryce Jr. right in his big mouth. Lorenzo had enough images of me and my temper of his own.
I turned to walk away out of embarrassment, but Lorenzo wrapped his arm around me to place his hand on my stomach, as he pulled me to him. He laughed in my ear as he kissed my neck.
“I’m glad you didn’t slap me,” he whispered and chuckled.
“I just might if you’re not careful,” I teased.
There was so much laughter, no one noticed the elevator open as the laughter continued. Uncle Bryce called out for Lorenzo and me, we both turned at the mention of our names. I saw Uncle Bryce motion for us to come over. When I saw my grandfather, I reached for Lorenzo’s hand and dragged him across the room with me.
I gave my grandfather a big hug, when I made it over to him. He smiled down at me, then pulled me into a tight hug and kissed my forehead. He released me and looked at Lorenzo, scanning him and giving him a slight smile.
“How’s the arm?” My grandfather asked, as he looked at the bandage, peeking from under Lorenzo t-shirt sleeve.
“It’s fine, Sir,” Lorenzo answered and reached out to shake my grandfather’s hand. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lorenzo. I’ve heard a lot about you,” he replied with a smile and shook Lorenzo’s hand. “I’m happy to see you’re okay. Thank you for protecting my granddaughter.”
“My pleasure,” Lorenzo said looking over at me, smiling, as he reached to brush his fingers over my cheek.
“I wanted to meet you and give my blessing. I’m sure you understand why I won’t be attending the wedding,” my grandfather said, as he looked Lorenzo in the eyes.
“Oh, granddaddy, no, I wanted you to come,” I whined.
“Your aunts, uncles, and cousins will represent me,” my grandfather replied.
“Yeah, but granddaddy that’s not…”
“Victoria,” Lorenzo interrupted in his, my word is final, voice.
I looked up at his face to see the same thing I heard in his voice. I dropped my head along with the subject. I was hurt that my grandfather wasn’t coming to the wedding. I was sure Lorenzo could understand that. Lorenzo reached over to lift my head with his hand, as he addressed my grandfather.
“I understand, Sir,” he said, not taking his eyes off my grandfather. “I will make sure my mother has the video and pictures sent to you. We will miss you there, but we can respect your choice.”
My grandfather watched the way Lorenzo handled me. Lorenzo had pulled me to his side, while speaking. He gently caressed my back to soothe the sting he’d caused.
Lorenzo turned long enough to kiss the top of my head. “I will explain later,” he whispered.
I nodded, placing one hand on his back and the other against his chest. I looked at my grandfather in order to keep from looking down. My grandfather was silent for a while, as he observed us.
“Lorenzo, my father wanted to make sure you and your friends understand that Venny isn’t welcome here. He isn’t even to know where here is,” Uncle Bryce said to fill in the silence.
“That’s very understood. Neither Matt nor Chris will violate my orders. They answer to me, not Venny,” Lorenzo answered.
I turned to Lorenzo as those words sank in. When did things change? Matt had said that Lorenzo wasn’t the boss of him. It’s so easy to miss things around here.
Lorenzo noticed I picked up on that and frowned a little. I wrinkled my nose back at him. He’d better not start acting the way he had while we were in the estate.
Lorenzo released a long sigh and kissed my cheek. “I’ll explain that later too, if you’d like,” he offered me.
“Yes, please,” I answered.
“Yes…that is my other concern, Lorenzo,” my grandfather said. “I see Venny has let things get beyond him. My daughters aren’t as oblivious as the women in your family are. That’s a concern for me with Victoria.
“She’s being exposed in a way I don’t see as being safe. She should either know or not know. These pieces are dangerous for her. I’m trusting you to manage this a little better.”
“Yes, Sir,” Lorenzo answered. “I don’t believe in lying to her. She’s very smart. I tell her what she needs to know nothing more. I’d respect if everyone would try to keep that in mind and understand that for now, I think that’s best. She will know more when the time is right.”
“I will respect that, Lorenzo. Just keep what I’ve said in mind,” my grandfather said and reached in his jacket pocket for an envelope. “With that, Lorenzo. I give you my blessing. You’re a fine young man. If Victoria is happy I’m happy.
“This is your wedding gift from me. Please do me the favor of opening it now. I want to make sure it’s enough for my pumpkin.”
Lorenzo took the envelope and handed it to me. I opened it as Lorenzo held the small of my back watching me. There was the most beautiful card inside. I held the card up for Lorenzo to see, then opened it to read the inside.
There was a check for two million dollars on the inside. My mouth fell open. What was my grandfather thinking? How wasn’t that enough for me? Was I really that spoiled? Lorenzo was smirking at my reaction.
“Granddaddy, why would this not be enough? This is a lot more than I expected. Thank you,” I said, not wanting to get all weepy.
“Well, Angie has told us that my new grandson here, bought you a new house. I wanted to make sure you have enough to furnish it,” my grandfather chuckled.
“That’s not necessary. My father promised to cover that cost. No offense, granddaddy, but Venncesso owes me more than that at this point. Would it be okay to do something else with it?” I asked.
“Pumpkin, you two do whatever you like with it,” he grinned, “As long as you’re happy.”
“Thank you so much,” I said, moving to wrap my arm around his waist.
“Thank you,” Lorenzo said, reaching to shake my grandfather’s hand.
My grandfather pulled him in for a hug, whispering something in his ear. Lorenzo face spread into a wide smile, as he nodded at whatever was said. My heart filled with so much joy to see my grandfather accept him so easily. When I say granddaddy loathes my father, you can feel it come to life when they are around each other.
“Lorenzo, don’t think this is an invitation to stock the twenty-car garage,” I teased.
“Don’t worry about that, Beautiful. I’ll behave…Besides, I think my father is buying me a Lotus for my birthday,” Lorenzo shrugged, with a smug smile.
“Well, in case your father doesn’t come through, I have something for that garage,” my grandfather smiled and reached into his pocket. “You didn’t think I’d ignore my new grandson’s birthday did you?”
My grandfather held up a box and handed it to Lorenzo. Lorenzo smiled and lifted a brow, as he took the box. He placed it in my hand that I held up to help him open the box.
Pulling the box open, Lorenzo pulled out the key that was inside. His face glowed and his lips parted. He looked at me, then looked at my grandfather.
“A Wraith? Are you serious?” he smiled. “Wow, thank you so much. I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you, granddaddy, Lorenzo loves cars,” I squealed.
“So, I’ve heard. I hope you like that one. It’s the least I can do. Bry said you’d like this one,” My grandfather beamed.
Bryce Jr. walked up, as my grandfather pointed out that he picked the car. Lorenzo gave him a hard pound and pulled him in for a chest hug, not having use of both arms. Bry smiled and nodded at Lorenzo to assure him he had his back on the car. I was so happy to see my family welcome my soon to be husband the way they were.
“Bry, why don’t you take him down to see the car?” Uncle Bryce said.
“It’s here?” Lorenzo crooned. “Oh, man, let’s go. Babe, you coming?”
“No, you go. I’m starving,” I said as I watched his excitement. “I’ll make you something for when you come back.”
Lorenzo stopped to think about it for a second, looking at me as if he didn’t want to leave me. I could see he really wanted to see the car, but I hadn’t eaten in more than twenty-four hours. He reached for my hand and pulled me to him, placing his forehead to mine and palming my waist.
“I can wait. I want to be with you,” he said softly.
“No Lo, go,” I ordered. “I’ll be right here when you come back. I can see how much you want to.”
“Are you sure? I can wait. I’m hungry too. Your mom and aunts have this place smelling great.”
“Lo, go see the car. By the time you come back, I’ll have your food waiting for you,” I said, placing a kiss on his lips quickly because my grandfather was still watching us.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I called, as Bry pulled him away.
The condo was picked with my family. Half the guys, including Matt and Chris, followed Bryce Jr. and Lorenzo down to see the car. I made my way to the kitchen hugging my aunts and uncles on the way. I fixed a plate for Lorenzo, my grandfather, and me. I covered their plates as I awaited their return.
Lorenzo was right, the place smelled great and the food taste even better. I pigged out before Lorenzo came back to see how savage I can be. Bianca teased me, while also asking me about Matt and Martina. I didn’t want to get in the middle of that.
My aunts surrounded the kitchen now to question me about Lorenzo. I tried not to blush and hide from their questions. I’d be married this time next week.
“You two make a cute couple,” Auntie Taylor said. “I’m in love with that ring by the way. It almost puts mines to shame,” she winked.
She was right. I was only about a half karat short. My Aunts are all spoiled and my Uncles have spoiled their wives as well.
I shrugged. “He did good,” I smiled down at my ring.
There was so much excitement about the wedding. However, I was relieved when they stopped questioning me to ask my mother about Maria. Everyone knew their relationship had taken a three sixty.
At that point, I was too busy going for seconds to listen. The food was finger linking good. It made me miss living home with my mom.
What I did know, was that Lorenzo had talked to Maria about my mom. He asked her to try to work things out for me, at least for the wedding. My father promised he would respect my mother’s family. My mother wanted them there as much as I did. Maria was doing her best to involve my mother, as much as she could despite the mess that was going on.
They had changed subjects again, by the time the guys started to come back up. Bry, Lorenzo, and my grandfather were in the second group that came up. They looked like they were having an intense conversation.
Lorenzo still looked super happy. I could tell my grandfather likes him. My grandfather isn’t an easy man to please, so I was over the moon that he liked Lorenzo.
I took both their plates to the dining room for them to eat. When they sat, I could tell it wasn’t a conversation Lorenzo wanted me to hear. I nodded that I understood and left the room. I quickly sent Bianca and Aunt Taylor back with plates for Uncle Bryce, Bry, Matt, and Chris. Angie stayed in the kitchen with me. I was sure Chris had ordered her away too. They were in there for almost an hour.
I took the time to catch up with my family and dance to the music that was playing the condo. We were having such a great time. It was like the chaos never happened.
Bianca and I were acting silly, dancing and singing, when Lorenzo and the others entered the living room. I’d been laughing so hard I snorted, which made Lorenzo laugh too. He nodded for me to come to him, but I wanted to dance with him. I didn’t think he would, but when I shook my head and motioned for him to come to me, he did.
I learned so much about Lorenzo that night. This was totally different from the music at my birthday party. Lorenzo could actually dance. Sorry I couldn’t say that for Chris or my cousin, Matt. Matt was doing his best though, to keep up with Bianca. I was a little annoyed with him. He wasn’t acting like he had a girlfriend waiting at college for him.
All of my girl cousins wanted to dance with Lorenzo, after seeing how well he could move. He even danced with my mom a few times. Lo and Bryce Jr. even showed off a couple of times.
I was learning so much about Lorenzo. This was stuff I hadn’t gotten to see before. He hasn’t been this relaxed ever.
When we’re home, I never think about the music we listen to. In the car, he would leave the radio off to talk to me. He usually has his earbuds in when he listens to music in the apartment. I’ve picked his phone up a few times by accident, thinking it was mine. I laughed as heard his playlist, but I’ve never mentioned it to him or asked about his taste in music.
However, this was different. I watched him recite the words to the songs and dance along with them. Even Angie elbowed me with her mouth hanging open. He knew the words to new and old songs.
Bryce Jr. looked like he had found a new best friend. They laughed and rapped with their favorite songs, slapping each other five with lyrics they argued on. I laughed to myself, as I thought of earlier when Lorenzo pointed out that I fit in anywhere. So did he. He looked so comfortable here.
When the music quieted down, my cousins started telling more stories as Lorenzo half listened. He was too busy, whispering in my ear as he swayed us with the light music. Lorenzo’s fingers laced in mine as we melted into each other. I tried to be mindful of his arm. He had taken more painkillers, when it started to bother him a little.
It amazing to just breathe for once and relax. This was the happiest we had been in a long time. It made me excited for the wedding. I was ready to learn everything about Lorenzo. Today definitely taught me to pay more attention to what Lorenzo likes and what he is interested in. It was time we started our future.