CHAPTER ELEVEN - "Marry Me?"

Along with the other guys in his family, Luca sat in the living room of his youth. To watch football on Thanksgiving, his father, brother, uncles, and cousins all crowded in together. Being Italian, they were expected to accept instructions given by their spouses or mothers. Before his mother dragged him by the ear to the living room, his aunts shouted and cursed at Luca in Italian when he attempted to enter the kitchen to speak to Eddie.

He desires to put everything right. Even if it means witnessing her with someone else, he needs his roommate back. He started messaging her because he wasn't allowed to speak to her in person.

LUCIANO

10.48 a.m.: I was considering having dinner with you.

EDDISON

10.52 a.m.: It's called Thanksgiving, and we're about to do it.

Luca grinned at her irony.

LUCIANO

No when we reach home, 10.54 a.m. Parker, Kate, you, and I.

EDDISON

10.56am: No.

LUCIANO

10.57 am: I'll do well, I swear.

10.58 a.m.: No sexual remarks.

10.58 a.m.: I'm not going to tell him that Marly and I made you weep.

EDDISON

11.01am: You also did!!

LUCIANO

11.02 a.m.: Ed, please.

EDDISON

Okay, but you're cooking at 11:03!

A voice calls Luca from his phone before he could respond.

"Snacks, gentlemen?" Eddie declares walking in with two bowls of chips. Before her sight meets his, she is met with a chorus of "yes" and "thank you."

Before giving her a kiss, he mouths his response to her, "Deal." as she pulls her lips into a little smile. He observes her blush as she turns away and heads back to the kitchen.

*******************************

The women enter the lounge with wine glasses in hand to toast the holiday before supper is served. The Morreti family is also entertaining a few nearby families this year. When the doorbell rings, Maria walks to it with a smile on her face. Mark approaches Eddie from behind, stooping to rest his chin on her shoulder.

"Wed me?"

"What?" Eddie chuckles.

"Please? Save me from my mother's matchmaking, please.

Eddie suggests, "You might like this girl."

"I never get along with girls," Mark mutters. Say, "Kiss me."

"No."

"Come on, she'll believe I'm engaged.

"No, because your mother will be organizing our wedding," was the reply.

Is that really so bad? "I'm a catch!"

"No."

Mark pretends to be disappointed as he covers his emotions. You hurt me, "Oh Cara."

"MARCELLO!" From the entryway, Maria makes a call.

Your bride is waiting. He is jokingly pushed by Eddie toward the door.

As she observes Mark sulk toward his mother, she chuckles. The young woman at the door seems anxious. She has amazing long, dark hair and olive skin, making her look lovely and very Italian. Her mother pushes her ahead as Mark ushers her into the dining room.

"Men, kindly lead your women inside. We'll eat soon!" As directed by Maria, each time a woman enters the dining room, the Morreti men and their neighbours take her by the hand. As she feels warm breath on her neck, Eddie grins at the custom.

"Cara." She hears Luca's voice in her ear and feels him kiss her cheek. "Can I accompany you?" He offers his hand and asks.

Eddie accepts it and turns her head to gaze at the ground in an effort to cover up the tomato-red stain on her face.

Eddie is seated between the brothers as usual, but this time Mark is facing his date instead of the other way around.

The question "Did you study last night?" Mark complains that he pathetically talks to Eddison instead of the lovely girl. beside him. Eddie ignores him and leans in to reach out to the young woman.

"Hi, I'm Eddison Jenkins."

I'm Sienna, the girl says with a hesitant smile. "Sienne Romano"

What do you do, Sienna? It's nice to meet you.

Before responding, Sienna smiles as she turns to face Mark. "I work at the restaurant owned by my family. However, I'm learning online.

The question "What are you studying?"

the discipline of "mechanical engineering."

"No way. Engineering is my major at Boston College. Definitely, we need to chat more later.

Eddie moves away, appreciative of her assistance, while Mark begins a chat with Sienna. She looks directly at Maria, who is seated at the head of the table, and she nods in appreciation before focusing on Luca.

What will you make then?

"Scuza.

"What will you make for this dinner that we are having?"

"Pasta. What's left?" Smiling, Luca answers.

"I want biscotti, too."

"Okay, I'll get some from the -"

No, I want you to succeed.

"What?"

"No dinner otherwise,"

"Fine." Luca moves in close and brushes her ear with his lips. The statement "You are impossible." She shivers as he murmurs to her.

The family and their guests retreat to the living room after the enormous lunch, where the second football game of the day is once more the centre of attention. At halftime, brandy is passed around, and as is custom, each person lists one item for which they are grateful.

People express gratitude for their spouses, food, God, football, good health, and their kids. Luca comes in second to last and has everyone's attention.

"I'm appreciative of the humour in my life. Without humour, the world would be depressing. I'd like to appreciate those that make me chuckle. Eddie is addressed with a smile as he squeezes her hand. As everyone in the room turns to look at her, Eddie flushes bright red. "Cara?"

"I'm grateful for my family," you say. She says, "I'm grateful to finally have a family," while smirking softly at Maria. The Morretis give the adopted daughter, cousin, or niece a grin, and Mark enfolds Eddie in his arms. As he toys with her hair, she squeals. "Ok! I withdraw it. As Eddie sobs, the room erupts in laughter.

"No, Bella, you can't take it back; you love us!" Mark claims to be tickling her.

Eddie gets tied down by both of them when Luca joins in with his brother. Before kissing one other on the forehead, Luca and Mark exchange smiles. Eddie gets dragged onto Luca's lap as they relax.

And we adore you, he says as he pulls her hair back behind his ear. "My Beautiful Love"

Eddie leans back into Luca's arms as she begins to warm up. She drifts off into thought.

We're in for a strange dinner.