"So," Marco said, "good news everywhere, uhn?"
Luca smiled. "Yeah," he said. "I'm going to be a father, and I'm going to be marrying her." He glanced briefly toward Veronica, who was still tangled up with her sister and laughing through tears. "Not necessarily in that order."
Marco barked out a laugh. "Congratulations."
"Leave some love for your mother." Carol's voice came from behind them, and both men turned. She had just finished with Nonnina and now stood there, looking every inch the formidable woman who had somehow become the gravitational center of this increasingly unruly family.
Marco's whole face changed the moment he saw her. A boyish grin broke through instantly. "Ma…" He crossed to her, took her hand first and lifted her fingers to his lips before pulling her into a hug.
