I swallowed, trying to regain my composure. “I’m thankful that City is still with me after all we’ve been through. I’m thankful that he survived and is healthier than ever. I’m thankful for each and every one of you for being around this table, even Anthony.” I laughed as Anthony smiled, winking.
All the Gallo men were to die for—they were the panty dropping variety. Women couldn’t say no to them; that’s how City stole my heart. Everyone dug back into their meal, scooping up the stuffing and dreaded green bean casserole, and chatter filled the large dining room. I set my napkin down, sitting back in my chair, and let the joy I felt seep inside me.
There was something about a man that can cook. I hadn’t gone hungry or worried about which brand of Ragu jarred sauce to use since I met City. He had so many skills and every first impression I had about him was wrong. He was cocky, I hadn’t been wrong about that, but City wasn’t the overbearing brute I thought he was when we first met.
City’s an artist, a romantic, a loving partner, a cook, and an amazing person. The most diverse and well-rounded person I know. His artistry when it came to tattooing was beyond amazing, colorful and intricate; he spent hours in his studio upstairs creating designs for clients.
He wasn’t easy or simple, but he was mine.
“Sugar, you okay?” City brushed the back of his knuckles against my cheek.
I turned to him, smiling, tears welling in my eyes. “Yeah, babe. I’m great.” I wiped the corner of my eye, turning to him and taking in his rugged beauty.
“Why the tears?” he whispered in my ear, rubbing my cheek with the rough pad of his thumb.
“I’m just happy.” I touched his hand, moving into his touch, and leaned to the side to kiss him.
He smiled, moving toward me, and enveloping my lips in a loving kiss. “I can’t wait to call you my wife.” He searched my eyes, a small smile on his face. “You’ll be mine legally.”
“I’ve always been yours, City.” I smiled, warmth flowing through my body. He’d never let me think otherwise. He laid claim to me early in the relationship and never let me too far out of reach. No matter how scared I was or how hard I tried to fight him, the pull he had over me was too great.
The cocky grin I could no longer live without spread across his face as he grunted. “There’s no going back now, sugar.” He crushed his lips to mine, stealing my breath, the familiar dull ache returned between my legs.
“You two are kinda nauseating,” Anthony said, pretending to gag.
We both turned to glare at Anthony. City cleared his throat. “Someday you’ll understand, brother.”
“Not going to happen,” he said, grimacing before stuffing a piece of bread in his mouth. “I have too much to offer to be tied to just one woman,” he said with a muffled voice and small pieces of bread falling from his mouth.
“Yeah, I can see that. Who couldn’t resist such a specimen of a man?” I said, breaking out into laughter.
Mrs. G pushed back her chair to stand; the sound of the wooden chair scraping against the slate flooring sent a chill through my body, reminding me of fingernails on a chalkboard. “Alright boys, the ladies are done and we’re going to work on the wedding plans. Get this place cleaned up.” She raised an eyebrow and looked around the table. The boys, including Mr. G, nodded at her but grumbled under their breath. “Come on ladies, we have work to do. We have eight days to make it perfect.”
Mia, Izzy, and I rose from our chairs and followed Mrs. G out of the dining room. “I can’t believe I’m going to have a sister,” Izzy said, throwing her arms around me. “Finally, the tables are turning. We’re so close to equalizing the c**k in this family,” she whispered in my ear, a small giggle escaping her lips.
“That’s not possible,” Mia said as she walked behind us. “All the vaginas in the world couldn’t outnumber those boys. They’re too…” Her voice trailed off.
“Full of themselves,” Mrs. G chimed in, turning to face us. All of us laughed as we walked up the stairs. Gallo men were unique, and we knew it. “It’s my fault. I made them who they are, but never fear ladies; we control everything, even though they think otherwise.”
We sobered, hanging on her every word. “You control them, Ma. We sure as hell don’t.” Izzy rested her body against the wall outside the wedding war room I’d created.
“I’ll share my secrets when we’re inside and out of the boys’ earshot. They don’t need to know who really holds the power. It may bruise their male egos,” she said, her body shaking with laughter.
“Come on, ladies. Be prepared, its organized chaos inside.” I smiled as I opened the door, standing back to let them walk in first.
“Wow,” Mia said as she stepped inside and looked around with her mouth agape.
“Holy shit,” Izzy said, stepping into the room with wide eyes as she spun around.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, dear,” Mrs. G said as she put her arm around me and gave me a tight squeeze as we entered the bedroom.
I smiled at her, blushing. “We haven’t made it into a bedroom yet. We’re using it for the wedding only right now. It is pretty damn cool, isn’t it?”
“Will it be a nursery?” Mrs. G looked at me with hopeful eyes.
“Maybe someday.” I smiled, my stomach in knots.