Page 43 of A Valentine's Day Gift
Vinny held up a staying hand to her, but kept his gaze on Luke. “I know that, but you know what? Me getting to be your stepdad, that’s a gift for me. And I promise to treat you like one of my own.”
Luke’s arms uncrossed, and he looked uncertain, like maybe he wanted to believe Vinny, but he wasn’t so sure.
“You like baseball?” Vinny asked.
Luke jerked his chin. “Yeah.”
“Tell the guys after dinner we’ll play a game. We’re lucky to have you and your brothers in the mix. Now we can finally have a real game.”
Luke bolted, shouting, “Guys! We’re playing ball after dinner!”
It was a start. She was sure Luke and Vinny would connect soon. It was impossible not to with Vinny being such a great dad.
She squeaked as Vinny got fancy with his newfound dance moves, spinning her around and then back.
“Look at you with all the moves,” she teased.
He looked over her shoulder. “Jared just made a break for it.”
“What!”
“I’ll get him.”
He left and returned a few moments later, one big hand on the back of Jared’s neck, marching him back in. Jared was grinning, saying, “I was just getting a drink!”
Jared adored Vinny because Vinny had been teaching him to work with tools. Jared was quite mechanically gifted, something she wouldn’t have known without Vinny in their lives.
A moment later, Jared pulled Angel away from the instructor, an older woman with dyed black hair and a graceful dancer’s body, and started dancing with him. The two boys stood, hands on each other’s shoulders, a foot apart, talking the whole time.
Vinny swooped her up in his arms and spun her around, making her laugh. He set her back on her feet and resumed the slow box step. “I told Jared it was either Angel or Miss Beasley. He picked Angel.”
“See? They’re bonding.”
The boys—all six of them—grimaced and snickered their way through class, which was fine by her, as long as they were learning.
They all walked out together after class, the boys quiet for once. Then Vinny announced, “You boys did such a great job, let’s stop for ice cream on the way home.”
The boys erupted in cheers.
Vinny smiled at her and winked. She smiled back.
And then the best part—the whole ride to the ice-cream place the boys noisily talked about their “lame” dance lessons and who had the worst partner. Even Gabe and Vince shared a good laugh. Which was exactly what she’d wanted.
Let the bonding begin!
~ ~ ~
Present day…
It was Valentine’s Day, always a special time for her and Vinny since it was their engagement anniversary. They were at the Clover Park Valentine’s Day dance, all dressed up and feeling romantic. They’d been surprised upon arrival to find their six sons in attendance with their wives and kids. Guess they wanted to start their own Valentine’s Day tradition here too. Now she and Vinny had the dance floor all to themselves because Angel had requested a special dance just for them. Such a sweetheart.
Vinny took the lead in a waltz, surprisingly graceful for a man of his size. She silently congratulated herself on getting him to take ballroom dance lessons before their wedding. It had paid off in spades, giving her years of wonderful dancing with him for special occasions or just when the mood struck in their kitchen.
As soon as the dance ended, the band quieted, so she and Vinny left the dance floor. Angel ran up to the microphone, holding a black leather-bound book, and she suddenly knew what was going on. He was honoring them as a couple because she and Vinny had been there for the not-so-easy paths to the altar of Angel and Julia and all of their children.
Angel’s voice rang out to the crowded room. “Attention, everyone, thanks for giving me a moment to acknowledge two very special people celebrating their anniversary today, Vinny and Allie Marino.”
Everyone applauded. Allie flushed and exchanged a look with Vinny. It was their engagement anniversary. When Angel had mentioned making a keepsake book before, she’d thought he’d meant for their wedding anniversary in June.
