Page 129 of When We Fall: Part One
“She would be stronger for her return if you did,” she answered just as softly before pulling away and kissing my forehead. “I love you so very much, Lorenzo.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
She cradled my cheek for a moment, a sad smile on her face, before stepping away. I led my family to the front door. The guys weren’t downstairs, but I knew they were upset.
I put my hand on the doorknob right as Rosalie came into the room wearing a pretty little skirt and top, her red hair cascading around her. She’d missed breakfast this morning. So had the guys. I’d had it with my parents on the patio, wishing shit was different.
“Thank you for coming,” Rosalie said, going in to hug my mom. My mom held her tight and whispered something to her that made Rosalie nod her head before she pulled away. My father moved forward and gave Rosalie a hug.
“We love you, Rosalie,” he said, pulling away. “Be good. Stay safe. We worry.”
“Of course.” Rosalie backed up, and I quickly wrapped my arm around her tiny waist, desperate to keep her at my side for eternity.
We bid my family goodbye and watched them pile into the waiting SUV. Emilio had brought an entire convoy to the house. A line of cars followed them out, with one leading. Once they disappeared from sight, I turned to stare down at Rosalie.
“This weekend was a shit show?—”
“Shh.” She pressed her finger to my lips. “We all would like to talk.”
I nodded, swallowing hard, and followed her into the living room, where the guys were already waiting.
I sank onto the chair, my soul empty as Rosalie moved away from me and went to sit between Cole and E. Fox stared at his feet from the loveseat, not bothering to even look at me.
“We’ve been talking,” Rosalie started. “We don’t like that you’ve been making decisions without us.”
“I know,” I said simply. “I was wrong. It was out of line. I did plan on discussing everything with you guys.”
“But you didn’t,” Cole said, glaring at me. “These aren’t little things, Enzo, like deciding we’re having fucking sheep for dinner instead of chicken. If my ass is expecting chicken tenders, andyou decide to change it to a baby fucking sheep, I deserve to know! I shouldn’t get slapped with a leg of lamb!”
“Is this about dinner…?” E frowned.
“No, man. It’s about this prick taking our choices away. Also, I don’t ever want to see a lamb in this house again unless it has a pink bow around its neck and is eating out of my fucking hand.” Cole folded his arms across his chest. “That shit was fucked, man. I don’t eat baby anything.”
“Noted,” I muttered.
“Look, we only want to be included,” E said. “Rosalie is our girl, right? Not just yours.”
“You’re right. I was wrong to behave the way I did. I take full responsibility for it,” I said.
“And Italy?” Fox finally looked at me, his blue eyes hard. “You going to keep that the way it is? Did you even fucking ask her what she wanted?”
“We agreed to talk about this calmly,” E started, worry on his face.
“Yeah, what the fuck? The baby? I’m not letting you go three weeks anywhere. Rosalie and I are going to try before the wedding,” Cole added.
My heart fell at what he said, but I forced calm words from my mouth.
“We can talk about all of it,” I answered. “Rosalie, I booked us a trip to Italy for our honeymoon. Would you please come with me?”
She looked back at me. “I-I want to, but I think three weeks is too long. I have classes, and the guys…”
I nodded, my throat tight.
“But we can go for a week. I’d like that. Then maybe next summer, we can go somewhere else together. We could go back to Italy or-or even visit New Zealand. I’ve always wanted to go there. Or Egypt. I love Egypt.” She gave me a hopeful look.
“OK.” I licked my lips. “One week in Italy for our honeymoon and then two weeks next summer anywhere you choose.”
“And the guys get to come with us,” she added.
