Page 93 of The Fixer

I’d been trying. Trying to be the son I should have been. Trying to be the brother and the cousin that had been stolen from them so many years ago. Trying, the way Kosta once told me I should. While Paulo taking me in might have saved me, it also took me away from my family. For so long, I’d believed they hadn’t wanted me. That they were judging me every time they looked my way. That no matter what Bo had said, no matter how hard I’d tried to protect my family from my shame, they blamed me for sullying their name.

Now I knew; they missed me. When I’d walked out without looking back, when I’d cut off contact because of my mistaken beliefs, I’d hurt them more than I’d hurt myself.

It was Eliza who helped me realize this. She had lost her entire family while so many of mine were just across town. She wanted the exact thing I’d been hiding from all these years, and making her happy was my new mission in life.

The problem was, we’d been here too long. Though we lived just across town, Mamma had wanted us to be here first thing to open presents with the family. And my girl had turned the brightest shade of red when she thought of the looks she’d get if my family heard us making love in my childhood bedroom.

She was temptation wrapped in a beautiful package; in that tumble of red hair and the green dress that she’d smoothed down over her knees. Each kiss she gifted me made it harder and harder for me to ignore my own Christmas wish: unwrapping her.

“Rebecca,” my father’s voice snapped, loud and sharp, and the girl beside me jumped in her seat. I tucked my arm behind her legs, curling them against me, then had to stifle another groan as my hand slid over her smooth, smooth skin.

“Yes, Babbo?” The woman tried for innocent, but there was none to be found.

“What are you three whispering about over there?”

“Nothing,” she rushed, but she fooled no one.

My father shook his head. “Do not lie to me on Christmas.”

“It was nothing,” Silvia tried, shaking her head, while Emilia squeaked out, “We were talking about Jet!”

All eyes swiveled that way, and it was only Eliza’s hand on my chest that kept me from climbing off the floor and leaving the room. I clutched her hand to me, throat so tight I could barely breathe.

“What were you saying?” Mamma demanded, her hand reaching out for my shoulder. As if she, too, could tell I was about to bolt.

Silvia and Emilia lowered their gaze, but Rebecca lifted her chin and straightened her back. “We were discussing the likelihood of Jet giving Eliza an engagement ring for Christmas. Or of them giving you news of another grandchild. Lord knows he can’t keep his hands off her.”

The tightness in my throat loosened, and Eliza’s hand moved to the back of my neck. Her fingers tightened, the girl giving me all the comfort she knew how to give.

“If or when your brother gives us such blessed news,” my mother told the room, hand squeezing my shoulder in support, “I’ll be sure to tell you. Until then, you may keep your gossip to yourselves.”

“Yes, Mamma.”

Glancing up at Eliza, I knew in my heart it wasn’t a question of if, but when? It’d been four months since I met her, but I couldn’t see myself with anyone else or imagine my life without her. The ring was already purchased; I was just waiting for the right time.

Eliza bent to kiss me once again, the hand she placed on my cheek calming in a way it’d never been before she came into my life. And I knew, the time was coming. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could wait to make her mine.

“Open your gift,” Eliza urged.

I shook my head. “Not yet,” I told her, rising from my seat on the floor. “I have one for you first.”

My sisters tittered as I rushed from the room, but I was past the point of caring. If it was my love life they were interested in, let them talk all they wanted. Eliza had told me time and time again that she was mine and wasn’t going anywhere. And I wasn’t about to let her go.

Grabbing the box I’d had my mother help me pick out, I readied Eliza’s present, tying on a bow before settling the lid over the package and returning to the other room. My sisters stilled as I lowered myself in front of Eliza and held the little red box out to her.

“Jet,” she told me, voice an awed whisper, “you didn’t have to.”

“I know I didn’t have to. But I wanted to. You mean more to me than anyone, Eliza. I love you.”

Her cheeks flushed, that beautiful peachy color, as the girl gave me her gorgeous smile. “I love you, too.” She took the box from my outstretched hands and slowly lifted the lid. And I saw exactly what I hoped I would when she opened the box and peeked inside.

The gasp. The mouth dropping open. The tears dancing in her eyes.

“Oh, my goodness!” She reached her hands inside, pulling out a little ball of fur, cradling the kitten against her chest before turning her chocolate gaze on me. “You got me a kitten?”

“I found him for sale on the sidewalk the other day, and I knew he had to come home.” I reached out to pet the little guy, making the little bell on his collar ring. “I thought we could name him—”

“Mr. Jingles?”