Page 76 of Forbidden Pregnancy
“Are you?”
“I got into McGill’s business program. I thought I wanted to use this degree to escape but… I want to come back when it’s all done.”
“You’re welcome to come home anytime, CC. I’m proud of you.”
Tears well up in her eyes, but CC holds back. I sense more of a request coming, and I wait for her to speak up. I have always done whatever I could for this woman – as difficult as she might be.
“Would you help me with the costs, Michael? I can pay you back when I come home, and I never thought I could ask dad for help but… I want to be more than a sex slave sold to benefit the mob. I’m smart and I want to prove that.”
“I have never doubted your intelligence.”
“Thank you.”
“And… I don’t approve of what you did to Myra, but I will help you with your studies. I’ll have my terms and conditions, but I’m sure you’ll find them reasonable.”
CC squeals and wraps her arms around me, nearly knocking the wind out of me as she clings to me.
“THANK YOU!”
“I need to breathe, Cosima.”
“THANK YOU!” she says. “I’ll have the highest GPA in the whole school, I promise. I’ll never get drunk… I’ll come home every month for the weekend… I’ll do whatever you want.”
“Stop hugging me.”
CC slowly releases me, grinning from ear to ear.
“Will you really do it?”
“If you never hug me like that again… yes.”
We both smile at each other.
“Will you look after Myra while I’m gone?” she asks.
“Yes. Obviously. She’smy wife.”
“Almost,” CC says. “I’ll let everyone know you’re ready.”
And I am. Ready to get married. Ready to spend the rest of my life with Myra. Ready to take on this new position as Leandro’s underboss.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Myra
Iwalk down the aisle arm in arm with my father, who still doesn’t approve of me marrying a white man. He has never approved of anything that I’ve done since I didn’t follow the family tradition of enlisting in the Air Force when I turned eighteen. My mother has been a lot more supportive, even if it’s only because she “had a prophetic dream” that I would marry a white man. Dad feels offended, like I’m choosing to defy his style of masculinity by marrying Michael.
When he learns that Michael shares his enthusiasm for the Buffalo Bills, I hope he’ll change his tune. For now, I can feel his reluctance and the undercurrent of disapproval that has always permeated my parents’ opinions of my choices.
Holding Michael’s gaze steadies my nerves and the doubt that I feel about everything disappears. I never told my family about what happened to me. I was too ashamed to admit that I slipped up and slept with a man as dangerous as Michael Corsini. I never meant for Michael to know the truth, but when he found out… he just destroyed everything that threatened me.
His power scares me, but when I look into his eyes, I just feel safe. My bond to Michael defies explanation. Maybe it’s just assimple as the good girls fall for the bad boys… and we both need someone to grow old with.
Father Barzini preaches for a while about the importance of love and commitment. Michael stares at me. He can’t make out the details of my face through the veil, but I still feel like he has insight deep into my soul just from the way he looks at me. I hang onto Father Barzini’s words as if deep listening could make the whole thing go faster.
Finally, we get to say our vows. It’s the most exciting and nerve-wracking part of the night. Michael wanted us to write our own vows, which surprised me, because I didn’t think he was the type of man who would want to write his feelings down. I don’t mind writing my feelings down, but I’m a little too introverted to get excited about reading my deepest inner feelings out loud.
Michael and I both have to tackle some of our fears before we commit to each other, kiss each other, and promise to look after each other through the highest and lowest times of our lives.
