The transition of having someone live with me again had been easier than I thought. After Sophia and Kayden moved out, I didn’t think I would ever allow someone else to live with me. Not because they were such a problem, but because I didn’t think I’d find someone I could get along with. I know I’m not the easiest person in the world, and it’s a fact that I’d always accepted. We talked about moving into a bigger place, but I didn’t think we could afford it. My place was perfectly adequate.

It had only been a couple of weeks, but it had been wonderful. My house was small, but everything seemed to fit okay—with some adjustment on both our parts. I was thankful that it was Christmas break and that I’d get to spend the holidays with City and his family. My parents decided to go on a Caribbean cruise and leave me behind this year, and my sister had her fiancé’s family to be with. If it weren’t for City and the Gallo family, I’d be the third wheel at Sophia’s apartment.

City had spent the morning making a special breakfast for us before heading to his parents’ house. He told me that his mother always made panettone French toast every Christmas, and he wanted to treat me to his mother’s recipe. It had been the best Christmas morning since my childhood.

I still hadn’t mastered cooking, and stuck with the few dishes I could make edible. His mother had shown me some of her techniques and made notecards for me to follow, but it was useless. She would say, “No worries, love, you’ll get the hang of it. It just takes practice.” It was nice of her, but I knew that either you had it or you didn’t—and I clearly didn’t.

“Ready to go, sugar?” City asked from the bathroom doorway as I finished applying my lipstick. He looked handsome in a black pair of jeans and tight gray sweater. I wanted to unwrap him like a present.

“Just about, Joey. Do I look all right?” I turned to face him, and watched as his eyes traveled up the length of my body before he stared into my eyes.

“Always beautiful.” He grabbed my face and kissed my lips, and the familiar want filled my body. I didn’t know if I’d ever lose that feeling with him. I hoped I never did. “No time for what you’re thinking, sugar. We can’t be late today.”

“I can wait. I’m not a total fiend.” I laughed. “Did you load all the gifts?”

“Just waiting on you, sugar.”

“Okay, I’m ready.”

He held my hand and stroked it with his thumb as he drove. He looked happier than he did when we first met. He didn’t look sad back then, but the happiness didn’t radiate off him. It made me happy to know that I had put it there.

His parents’ driveway was packed with cars as we parked on the curb. “Looks like a full house.”

“Sugar, Italians do it big. My mom cooks for an army and invites all the neighbors to dinner.”

“Oh, that’s nice of her. I didn’t get presents for everyone, though.” A panicky feeling overcame me. I had met his family a couple of times and just started to feel comfortable, and now I’d have to sit in a room full of strangers.

“We do our gift opening later, after everyone leaves. Stop worrying—everyone loves you as much as I do.”

City opened the door to a house of people; it looked to be bursting at the seams. His mom came toward the door with a smile on her face. She had on reindeer antlers and a cheery Christmas sweater. She looked like a mom, and one that any child would’ve been lucky to have.

“Suzy, love, merry Christmas.” She enveloped me in a hug. City cleared his throat, and she chuckled in my ear and ignored him. “I’m so glad you came.”

“Thanks, Mrs. G. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It smells amazing in here.”

She held my shoulders and looked at me. “I made all the classic Italian Christmas dishes. Got to fatten you up, my dear.” She rubbed my shoulder and stopped on the bone that sat below the skin.

“Not too much, Mrs. G, but I’ll have some of everything.”

“I knew I loved you, and yes, we do. Someday you’ll be carrying my grandbabies.” She smiled at me and made a face at Joey.

He choked and wrapped his arm around her to pull her off me. “Ma, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Just looking toward the future, Joseph. I want little ones running around. I’m too old not to have at least one. Try and make me happy for next Christmas, will you?”

“In time, Ma. Just give me a hug and we’ll talk about it another day.” He made eyes at me over her head, and I knew he was embarrassed, but I thought his mom was cute. Her words scared the piss out of me, but it was something nice to think about. I wanted him all to myself as long as possible.

“Come in and grab something to munch on before dinner’s ready. Joseph, go introduce her to everyone.”

“Yes, Ma.” He wasn’t always the most patient man, but that changed when he was around his mom. The reverence that was paid to a mom in an Italian family was something to watch. No one fucked with her or went against her word.

We walked around, and Joey introduced me to the family members that flew from Chicago for a warmer holiday, and the friends of the family. In my family, handshakes were the norm, but here hugs were expected. There was a warmth in the house and love could be felt in the chatter of the guests. I felt at home.

“Suzy,” Izzy yelled above the crowd, and I could see her hand waving in the air.

“I’m going to go say hi to your sister. I’ll be back,” I said as I reached up and kissed his cheek.

He smiled at me with loving blue eyes. “I’ll join you in a minute,” he said before turning his attention back to the neighbor. They were discussing football and the possible Super Bowl teams. Boring didn’t even begin to describe how I felt about the topic.

Izzy looked amazing, like always. Her long, flowing black hair framed her face perfectly. She had on a skintight dress that hugged her curves and showed off her beauty.

“Hey, Iz, it’s good to see you.”

“Merry Christmas, Suzy. I’m so happy you made it. How’s my brother doing?”

“They’re talking about football. Thank you for rescuing me.” We both laughed and looked over at the two men waving their hands as they spoke.

“Boys and their sports. Did you guys exchange your gifts yet?” The look on her face told me that she knew what City had bought me, and she couldn’t wait to get my take on the gift.

“Not yet. Do you know what it is?” I squinted at her. I never liked surprises, and maybe I could get it out of her.

“Oh, I know, and my lips are sealed, babe. City would be pissed if I spoiled his surprise.”

A surprise. That means it was something big, and not a frilly dress or casual gift like we’d agreed on. I had purchased clothes and a cross pendant for him, along with new leather riding gloves. He was impossible to buy for, but I threw in some ultra-sexy lingerie that would have to wait until tonight.

“I hate surprises,” I grumbled.

“This one you won’t, trust me.” She smiled and giggled, and my heart began to pound in my chest.

We hadn’t discussed marriage, and I didn’t know what I’d do if he bought me a ring and asked me in front of his family. Breathe—you can do it.

“Hey, big brother, merry Christmas.” She wrapped her arms around Joey and they whispered in each other’s ears.

The clinking of glass caused everyone to turn toward the kitchen. His mother stood, her antlers shaking with each stroke of her hand. A hush descended over the crowd as she began to speak. “I want to thank everyone for coming today. It wouldn’t be Christmas without my family and friends. Dinner’s served—feel free to help yourself.”

“Your mother is really adorable,” I said to Joey as he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

“Yeah, she loves the holidays. Anytime she can get people to eat, she’s a happy woman. Hungry?”

“I just ate a ton of appetizers, but I don’t want her upset so I’ll figure a way to eat more.”

“Better get used to it, sugar. Food’s the name of the game in this house,” he said as we moved toward the kitchen.

A line had already formed, and he stroked my back as we waited to grab a plate. Every granite countertop in the expansive kitchen had a dish of some sort filled with food. The woman should’ve opened a restaurant with her culinary skills. Every type of pasta dish, braciole, chicken Parmesan, and meatballs were waiting to be consumed.

We found an open space on the lanai and chatted with the table guests until we couldn’t eat any more. I kept eyeing the bottles of wine on the table—Gallo Family Vineyard. Gallo was a common Italian name, and I was sure out of pride they chose this label above the rest. I could hardly move. If they celebrated every holiday with this much food, my waistline would be in serious jeopardy.

The ladies cleaned the kitchen, and I was told under no circumstances was I allowed to help. His mom wanted me enjoy myself, since I was a guest, while she and her sisters did the dirty work. I dozed off on Joey’s shoulder during the chitchat and screaming at the football game on the television, but was woken up for the next round of eating—dessert.

The guests left a couple of hours later, after coffee was served and the football game ended. After the last person walked out, his mother yelled from the foyer, “Who’s ready for gifts?”

“Anthony, get your ass in here,” Izzy yelled from the floor.

His mother sat down next to the tree and waited for everyone to take a seat. “I love you all, but I miss Thomas. I wish he could’ve been here with us this year.” The smile on her face faded as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. I knew little of Thomas, and he was the only sibling I hadn’t met. “He called this morning and spoke to your father and I. He promises he’ll be here next year.” She cleared her throat. “I’m thankful that Suzy could join us.”

She pulled a gift from under the tree and held it out to me. “For you,” she said.

I placed it on my lap and looked around, noticing that all eyes were on me. “What?”

“We all take turns, sugar.” City patted my leg.

“Oh, sorry. My family, it’s more like a free-for-all. Not used to this, but I’ll learn.”

It took hours to open gifts. They ranged in all sizes and shapes. I watched the family in front of me with joy. I’d never experienced something as loving as the Gallo family Christmas.

“I love everything you got me, sugar. I’ll use it all.” He kissed my cheek.

I smiled at him and whispered in his ear. “Wait until you see your last gift, but it’s at home—for your eyes only.” I bit his earlobe and was rewarded with a deep kiss.

“Hey, I know I want grandbabies, but not right here on the couch, please. There’s one more gift under the tree, and it’s for Suzy.” His mother beamed as she handed the last present to me.

The box was small, but not a ring box. City leaned back and stared at me to gauge my reaction. I looked around as I undid the ribbon It’s a horrible feeling to be the one left out—to be the surprised and not the one doing the surprising.

Tucked inside was a small business card. I read it, but didn’t know what it meant. “You gave me a business card?” I asked, confused.

“No, sugar. Read it. Turn it over.”

Mrs. Perkins

Florida Real Estate Specialist

I flipped the card over and recognized Joey’s handwriting.

Something to call “ours”

Merry Christmas, sugar

“I don’t understand,” I mumbled as I turned the card over again.

Joey grabbed my hand as he spoke. “I want to buy a house for us. I want you to pick out your dream home, or we can build on my land.”

“Joey, we can’t afford that, but it’s a nice thought.” I knew his gesture was sincere, even if it were a fairytale.

His mother started to giggle, and the entire family laughed. I didn’t get the joke. “Tell her, Joseph,” his mother said as she sat down next to his father.

“Suzy, we can afford it. I can afford it.”

“How?” I felt like an idiot.

“Jesus Christ, son. Suzy, our family owns a vineyard in Italy. We’ve owned it for generations. Joseph doesn’t flaunt his wealth, but he has the ability to buy five homes.”

I looked from his father to Joey, who sat there with a grin. “Is he telling the truth?”

“Yes, sugar. We all own a portion of the vineyard. We run the tattoo shop because we don’t want to sit on our ass all day. We wanted something that was entirely ours and separate from what we inherited.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I felt awkward having this discussion in front of his family, but I figured they knew his reasons.

He stroked my face. “I like my little farmhouse. It was enough for me. I also don’t like people to know my business. Too many people want things when they know you have money. Sugar, you have to understand. I thought if I ever—and I didn’t think I would—found someone that I loved, I had to know they loved me for me and not my money.”

“I do love you for you, Joey.” The words came out with ease, and even though I knew he’d lied to me for months, I could understand why. “I’m happy in my home, though. No need to buy another.”

“Exactly—‘your home,’ sugar, not ours. I want something that we pick out together with room to grow. We’re cramped, but happy. Anything you want is yours. All I ask is for a big garage for my motorcycles and a space for the guys to hang out.”

His mom clapped her hands. “Get lots of bedrooms too. I want an army of grandbabies.” Even though the idea of a horde of children made my body break out into a blotchy rash, a big house would be wise.

“Not helping, Ma.”

Her laughter filled the room. “Sorry, a girl can dream, can’t she?”

“So what do you say, sugar? Can we buy a home for us? It can be a fresh start, the beginning of an amazing journey. We’ll take our time until we find the perfect place. I love you, Suzy McCarthy, and this is what I want for us.”

I didn’t really have anything to think about. My last wall had crumbled. Everything I had on my impossible checklist had come true, and Joey was the man I’d always wanted. His family waited for my reply, and the air felt heavy. “Yes, Joey. I’d love to find our home and look to the future. I love you too.”

His kiss stole my breath, as it always did. I thought back to the words Sophia told me not long ago. Butterflies—I still felt butterflies every time I saw him. The nervous energy never left my body, and I felt the electricity when we touched. When it’s right, you know it.

He was the one.

Mine.