“Soon, I promise,” and I’m whisked away to more people, Capos and soldiers and lieutenants, all there to congratulate me and Calvino.
“Sisters soon!” Rella promises.
“Sisters forever,” Susi says with a wink.
Then Charlie comes over with Emilio in her arms. He struggles free and comes to me, and I scoop him up in a big hug, and Charlie’s hugging me and we’re both crying. God, I don’t know how much we’ve cried together since all this started, but these are the good kinds of tears. I’m not ashamed to shed them, neither is she.
“Welcome to the family,” she says and accept Emilio back. “Any second thoughts?”
“None whatsoever.” I look at Calvino and his eye catches mine from across the crowd, and his smile is heavenly, so deep and big and bold, true joy radiating from him in heavy waves.
“No, I’m exactly where I need to be,” I say, and Charlie laughs.