Page 57 of My Solemn Vow
Does everyone know something I don’t?I assumed it was only a business dealing, but... the way Mom looks...It doesn’t matter. Let it go.
We follow Antonella to the back of the house and find Kerriannemaking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the refrigerator door open and beeping. I push it closed and walk around the island to where she’s working.
Kerrianne doesn’t stop making sandwiches. “Ms. Mancini, do you want strawberry or grape? And do you like crunchy or creamy peanut butter?”
“Strawberry and creamy,” Antonella answers as she takes in the big space in the light of day.
The kitchen and living room are open concept and span two stories. Doors off the kitchen lead to the slate patio and modest-sized yard with the fenced-in tortoise run off to the side.
“I’m heading out. Your father wants a pot roast for dinner, and if I don’t put it on now, we won’t eat until ten.” Mom makes a big deal out of appeasing Dad, but I know for a fact she loves every minute of it.
I give her a hug. “Thank you for bringing her home. Jack should be at the bottom of the driveway with an escort.”
“You and your father worry too much. Everything will be fine. We’re with much closer friends now.” Mom looks at Antonella with a smile. “It was good to see you, dear.”
“You as well.”
Antonella’s shoulders are rigid, her spine straight and hands clasped before her, and when she moves, it’s with small, steady steps. It seems like she’s prepared to walk on eggshells, if needed, to navigate the situation.
After I hear Mom close the door behind her and Kerrianne makes three creamy peanut butter and strawberry jam sandwiches, we head out to eat on the patio. She picks her favorite chair, and I sit across from her, leaving Antonella to sit between us.
The elephant in the room is too big even for our patio, so I try to lessen the blow the best I can. “So, Kerrianne, you like having Ms. Mancini as your teacher?”
Kerrianne nods, her mouth full.
I don’t know how to tell her we’re married, so I start with what I know how to explain.She’s your daughter. Talk to her like you always do.I scold myself. “Well, do you think you’d be okay if she lived with us?”
“Obviously.” Kerrianne sasses.
Antonella snorts, choking on a giggle. I look to Antonella, hoping for some sort of help, and she takes mercy on me. “Kerrianne, do you remember when Sean didn’t come to pick you up?”
“Yeah.” Kerrianne drops her eyes to her plate and picks at her sandwich. “That’s when he got hurt.”
Her words break my heart.
Even though I protect her from most of the death in our world, it still seeps into her life. Not having been here for her afterward hurts. Mom and Dad broke it to her gently, but I’m her father.Maybe the truce will be a good thing after all.
“I’m finding a replacement for Sean.” I reassure her and myself. “We’ll make sure you two get along just as well.”
“Captain too.” Kerrianne’s features slip into puppy dog eyes.
It’s not even something she tries for. It’s natural for a wolf her age to do.
“Captain too.” I agree and then nod to Antonella.Can’t wait to show her the family pet and see how squeamish she is.
“You know how I knew your real name is Kerrianne and not Kelsey?” Antonella continues, circling back to the difficult conversation.
Kerrianne nods but stays silent.
“My name isn’t Ms. Mancini. I’m really Antonella D’Medici.” Antonella’s eyes flick to mine and then back to Kerrianne.
“We’re not supposed to talk to D’Medicis.” Kerrianne sits back in her chair and looks at me.
“Well, the day Sean went away, a big meeting was called between the D’Medici family and the Cavanagh family, and they decided to make an agreement so no one else would get hurt. Wepromised to all get along together.” Antonella draws a deep breath before continuing. “As part of that deal, it was decided that your dad and I had to get married.”
“Like Grandma and Grandpa? They got married a long time ago. There are pictures.” Kerrianne squints at Antonella, studying her.
“A little like that.” Antonella agrees. “Your dad and I agreed that we would live together and be friends so the rest of the families could learn how to be friends.”
