"Which is why I want you there."
"Yes." A beat. "Yes, I'll come today. Give me two hours." A pause, and then, softer: "Have you told her? About any of this?"
He looked out at the city.
"Not yet."
"Dimitri...."
"I'll tell her. When I know how much there is to tell."
Nonna made a sound that conveyed, with remarkable economy, that she found this answer inadequate but was choosing her battles. "She deserves to be prepared."
"I know."
"The girl loves you. That means she'll walk into whatever is coming without hesitating. The least you can do is make sure she can see it coming."
"I said I know, Nonna."
"Then act like it." The warmth crept back into her voice, tempering the sharpness. "Two hours. Have someone make up the east guest room....I'm bringing my good pots, I refuse to cook with what you have in that kitchen."
Despite everything, the corner of his mouth moved. "You've used that kitchen for three years."
"Under protest. Two hours, caro."
She hung up.
