Athena swatted away the woman’s apology. “Who are they? Those girls with Signor Tesano?”
Carla trembled, her dark eyes growing as round as her face. “Scuse Signora Tesano, uh...tuoi figli,” she informed her employer that the girls were guests of her sons. She drew an unsteady hand toward the parlor doorway.
Athena’s stormy violet gaze elevated to one of white hot rage when she looked into the room. “Bastardo!” she hissed in Pitch’s direction.
“Mama!” Aaron moved between his mother and half brother. “Remember the day,” he said.
“It’s okay, Ari,” Pitch spoke to Aaron, but it was Roman he held back. His younger brother looked ready to defend him in word and, Pitch feared, action.
“It’s no big deal,” Pitch said.
“Ain’t that the truth,” Roman seethed, “she’s called you way worse crap than that before.”
Athena turned frigid eyes to Roman. “Mind yourself, child.”
“Mind myself?” Roman’s eyes blazed.
Athena looked to Aaron. “Who are those girls?”
“Our guests who’ll be staying for dinner,” Roman answered. “Take it up with your husband if you have a problem with it.”
“You dare speak to me this way in my own house, boy?!”
“Boy?” Roman smirked, nudged Pitch’s side. “That’s one she usually saves for you,” his expression darkened when he glared his mother’s way again.
“Do you know there are people who’d spit on you for your color as fast as they would him?”
Resignation claimed Athena’s expression then. “You can be a foul little thing.”
“Wonder which parent I got that from?”
“Enough!” Gabriel demanded when his mother gasped to Roman’s insult. “We can’t have this... not today.”
Athena inhaled deeply, pressed a hand to her choker of pearls and forced a smile. “You’re right, my love, thank you. And thank you too Aaron for remembering what we’re here for-to honor the Blessed Virgin’s ascendance-”
“No Ma,” Gabriel interjected. “We have this dinner for this reason every year and every year we fight. This day will be different because the reason is different.”
“What’s goin’ on Grekka?” Aaron queried. “Why did you want us here?”
Gabriel smiled, there was no trace of temper in his expression. “I wanted you here to meet my fianceé.”
***
No words accompanied the stunned looks that followed Gabriel’s announcement. Even Athena was silent, though happiness and horror mixed with her expression.
Her plan had been to ensure all preparations for the meal were in place before she went upstairs to chair from her long drive. Instead, she took Gabriel’s arm when he offered to escort her back to the garden to meet her future daughter in law.
Liam and the girls were still enjoying themselves. They were no longer strolling amid the gorgeous blasts of color and fragrance offered by the array of flora that spanned half an acre. Gabriel had asked one of the staff to track down the rest of his brothers and send them to the gardens.
The girls and Liam were already settled to stone chairs arranged in a semi-circle at the center of a small courtyard among the flowers. Liam’s deep voice carried and it was obvious the young women held onto his every word. The younger men arrived at the clearing with Athena, but it took Gabe and Pitch clearing their throats before their presence was noticed.
Giselle’s face grew more luminous, her smile broadened as she called Gabriel’s name. He opened an arm to beckon her and she dutifully ran to his side.
Athena, still clutching Gabriel’s other arm, blinked countless times. With each rapid flutter of her lashes, relief took greater hold of her expression.
Gabriel kissed Giselle’s cheek and then smiled at Athena. “Mama, everyone, this is Giselle Weeks. My fianceé.”
~~~
“A librarian,” high approval laced the title Athena sighed.
Giselle’s cheeks flushed. “Not yet, Mrs. Tesano. I haven’t finished the schooling.”
Athena cast off the technicality with an eye roll. “Working for the New York library is an accomplishment, Lovely. Don’t belittle it.”
It had become quite clear to all in attendance that Athena Tesano was very pleased by her son’s choice. There were no questions to Gabriel about whether he was sure or if Giselle was just a passing fancy. Athena gazed upon the blue-eyed blonde with the same adoration Gabriel did.
The group mingled in the courtyard close to 15 minutes. Athena’s focus was solely on Giselle. During that time, Stone, Humphrey and Vale had joined them. Humphrey accepted the news with a stoic look, but properly squeezed Giselle’s hand and welcomed her to the family. Aaron remained as stricken in the courtyard as he had in the parlor when Gabriel first made the announcement.
Once talk of Giselle’s profession curbed, Athena moved on to comment on her beauty. By that time, she brought her husband into the conversation.
“Admit it, Liam, isn’t Giselle the most beautiful girl any of the boys have ever brought home?”
Candace and Rena traded sly, amused looks. Candace shook her head with a subtle quickness when Rena’s mouth crooked for a grin. The young women sobered with Liam began to speak.
“I think all the boys have outdone themselves today. You still haven’t met Aaron’s friend and Giselle’s best friend Rena Abreu and this is Pitch’s girlfriend Candace Strong and Roman’s girlfriend Imani Kamande, all the way from Mozambique.”
Imani stood and graciously extended her hand to shake with Athena. Her gesture was ignored.
