“This is the first time we’ve had a Christmas tree in … fuck … I don’t even remember how long,” Savio said as he stood in front of the tall tree.
Adamo nodded. “I think I was six or seven, and Remo got that ugly silver plastic tree.”
“The stupid thing almost burnt us to the ground because the cable was broken,” Savio said with a laugh.
“Yeah.” Adamo laughed too, and they exchanged an amused look.
My heart swelled. “Will you help me decorate it?” I pointed at the box with baubles and tinsel.
Savio looked at Adamo, then both nodded.
“What do we get in return?”
“Cookies?” I suggested.
“Deal.”
Adamo frowned. “I don’t get how you can stomach all that sweet stuff. And you call me pussy.”
Savio gave him the finger. “The fucking cigarettes probably burnt away your taste buds.”
I pushed the box over to them. “Hey, focus on the task at hand. Can you get the ladder for me, Adamo?”
He trudged off toward the storage and returned with the ladder and set it down in front of the tree. “How about you two decorate the lower part while I take care of the top?” I climbed the ladder. It shook and Adamo quickly steadied it. “I can hold it while you’re up there.”
“Thanks.” I climbed up more, trying to decide how to arrange everything.
Savio scoffed. “I get cookies and Adamo gets booty.”
I glanced between him and Adamo whose face was turning red.
“What?”
Savio gestured at my backside. “Adamo checked out your ass. He seems to enjoy the sight.”
“I didn’t …” Adamo glared at his brother then smiled apologetically at me. “I mean … I didn’t check out your ass … but it’s fine, your backside I mean …”
Savio cracked up. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, shut up,” he got out between laughter. “You really need to grow a pair. Kiara knows she’s got a fine ass. I think we can all agree on that.”
“I’m glad my wife’s behind meets your requirements,” Nino drawled from the doorway, arms crossed and a smirk on his face.
I blinked and my shoulders started shaking as I fought giggles and almost fell off the ladder. Adamo tried to steady me and grabbed my hips and briefly brushed my upper butt. He quickly released me and Nino was already at my side. “I’m sorry,” Adamo said quickly.
“It’s okay. Thanks for your help.”
“Nice catch,” Savio said. “Next time it’s my turn to hold the ladder.”
Adamo hissed something under his breath, causing Savio to grin even wider. I watched the two brothers walk off, bickering.
Nino regarded the tree then touched my waist. “If Savio or Adamo do or say something that bothers you, tell them.”
I shook my head. “I don’t mind, honestly. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure how to handle Savio. Now I’ve gotten used to his sense of humor.”
Nino gave me a small smile. “I’m glad that you get along so well with my brothers, even Remo.”
“They are my family and I care about them.”
Nino wrapped an arm around me and pulled me against his chest.
The way he looked at me, I finally gathered my courage. “I was thinking … maybe I can stop taking the pill in the new year.”
Realization settled on Nino’s face. “You want to get pregnant?”
“Yes. I always wanted to be a mother. I know we’ve been married for only eight months but it can take a while so…” I suddenly worried about having brought it up. Things with Remo still were difficult after all.
Nino’s face was frozen with surprise. Then he kissed my mouth. “If that’s what you want, then we’ll try for a baby.”
“Really?”
I pressed my face against Nino’s chest, smiling.
Nino touched the back of my head and murmured, “But you need to know something about me before you decide to have my child.”
I pulled back. “What do you mean?”
Nino’s eyes reflected hesitation. “Even before the thing with my mother, I wasn’t quite normal. I had emotional deficits from the start.”
I regarded Nino curiously. “You were closed off?”
“That, and I had trouble understanding and reading other people’s emotions. I was a quiet kid, and got stressed when I had to deal with crowds. I preferred to spend hours figuring out mathematical problems.”
“Were you ever tested?”
Nino shook his head. “You mean for some form of Aspergers or something similar?”
I nodded. Some of what Nino described could maybe be associated with something of the sort.
“I don’t see how that would have changed things for me. My emotional deficiency became an advantage, and it wasn’t as obvious before the incident with my mother.”
“Okay,” I said softly. “And you worry that a child might inherit your condition?”
“It’s possible. We could do a test.”
I touched Nino’s chest. “No, I’ll accept and love our child no matter what. This is part of who you are and if a child inherits it, then that’s how it’s meant to be.”