Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 18
“Oh, yeah? She invited me to dinner Sunday…with her family. What am I going to do?”
“Do…nothing-just go and enjoy the meal and the company. Jimmy and Andrea will be there-you already know them-and so will Marta and I so you’ll know almost everybody. You’ll love Mama and, frankly, you’ll love Papa, too. Just relax and be yourself. Celia obviously likes you a lot-she’s never invited anyone to dinner before.”
“I hope you’re right. I’m too young to go on the lam.”
I made arrangements to pick Paul up and drive him to the Pelligrini estate. We stopped at the gate as Tony greeted us, “Hi, Pete…. Marta, so I guess this is Paul, eh?” I nodded as Paul smiled nervously. “Yeah, you’re one lucky dude hooking up with Celia. Man, she is one hot…oh, sorry, Marta.” He opened the gate and we drove up to the house. The family was there to greet us. Cella ran to the truck, pulling Paul to her and greeting him with a passionate kiss. I saw Paul cringe.
Celia led Paul to the head of the line, introducing him to Papa and Mama. Papa extended his hand; Mama hugged him. I could see Paul relax when he shook hands with Jimmy and kissed Andrea. Marta and I greeted everyone next, I patted Paul on the back as we walked together into the house. Once he had a chance to relax everyone got to meet and know the real Paul; he was witty and sensitive. He treated Celia with the ultimate respect. Nobody reacted at all when Cella sat in his lap, wrapping her arm around his neck.
Dinner was the usual “ordeal.” Fortunately, Marta and I had warned him what to expect so he paced himself throughout the meal. As usual, the women helped Mama clean up and serve the dessert Marta distributed the cannoli, giving me a kiss instead. We laughed our way through the rest of the evening until it was time to go. I went to round up Paul, but Cella headed me off, “We’ll be taking my car, Petey and thanks. I hate getting fixed up…usually, but not this time. You were right. He is wonderful”
“That’s funny,” I whispered in her ear as I leaned down to kiss her cheek, “that’s exactly what I told him about you.” She kissed me back and the four of us took our leave.
We were back at Casa Pellegrini at Thanksgiving, seated around
the huge table.
The Pellegrini tradition is to tell everyone what you are thankful for before eating.
This is usually just a sentence or two, but this year it seemed to go on forever. Celia went first, “I’m really thankful that I’ve finally met someone I can love and trust. Despite my initial misgivings I’m thankful that my ‘brother’ Petey had the sense to convince me to give Paul a chance. Thanks, Petey!
Paul went next: “I’m also thankful for Pete’s intervention in my life. Here I was minding my own business as a happy bachelor and now…. Uh oh, I think I just goofed.” Celia came to his rescue by kissing him and showing everyone the ring she had been hiding up to now. “OK,” Paul continued,” I’m especially thankful for Celia. As you can see I’ve asked her to marry me and, for some reason I can’t fathom, she’s said ‘yes.” Everyone rose to congratulate the couple. I could see a huge smile on Papa’s face as he shook Paul’s hand.
Next was me: “I’m thankful that fate brought me to Marta, that I was able to save and protect her. More than that, I’m especially thankful that she loves me enough to want to spend all her days with me. I also want to thank all of you for your help and support through our ordeal.” There was polite applause when I finished. Marta was last. “I think everyone here knows what I’m thankful for…being alive and rescued by the most wonderful man I’ve ever met. I’m thankful for all the help everyone in this family has given me. I’m thankful that I have a real family-my own was nothing like this. And, finally, I’m thankful that am… PREGNANT!”
Again everyone was up to congratulate us with kisses and back slaps. It was almost five minutes before everyone was seated again. Marta continued, “I’m not quite done yet. I’d like to ask Celia If she would be our child’s godmother and Jimmy if he’d be the godfather.”
Both readily agreed before Jimmy spoke, “I’m thankful we can eat now.”
Paul and Celia were married just before Easter, Celia was three months pregnant at the time. Marta had an uneventful pregnancy, sharing her most intimate moments with…Sara-our dog. The school year was almost over when the principal’s secretary came to my classroom door. “It’s time,” she told me, “someone named Celia-is that Mr. DeVito’s wife?” nodded nervously. “She called to say Marta’s on her way to the hospital.” I ran out as fast as I could. I jumped into my car and drove. The trip was a blur-I remember nothing of it-until I reached the hospital. Then I couldn’t find a parking place. Finally, I ran in, got directions to the right area. A nurse helped me into a gown, cap, and booties. I felt silly, but
Marta was thrilled to see me. I kissed Celia and then Marta. I held
her hand through the entire birth. It was incredible. Six hours later I her hand through the entire birth. It was incredible. Six hours later I was the father of a beautiful baby girl. I was never happier as I hugged Marta and kissed her, telling her for the thousandth time, at least-“I love you.”
T H E E N D . . . . . ….
NOTE: While this is a work of fiction all the geographical descriptions are real and based on my own experiences. Likewise, all the fishing information is also as I have lived it.
Unfortunately, Marta is merely a figment of my imagination.
Thanks for reading till the end ❤❤
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