Chapter 12 - A Place Setting For Everyone
One year later.
The grand dining room of the Moretti estate was bathed in warm afternoon sunlight.
I stood at the head of the table, placing the final touches on the place settings. I wasn’t wearing an apron. I was wearing a beautiful ivory sundress, the sapphire ring catching the light as I moved.
The table was set for twelve.
Tonight wasn’t a stuffy engagement party or a corporate dinner. It was Leo’s seventh birthday party, and he had invited his entire first-grade class.
The once-pristine Persian rug was currently covered in wrapping paper and toy cars.
Luca walked into the room, dodging a remote-control monster truck that zoomed past his ankles.
He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder.
“Are we ready for the invasion?” he chuckled, kissing my cheek.
“The pizza is on the way, the cake is in the fridge, and your aunt is currently teaching five six-year-olds how to play poker in the living room,” I laughed.
“I should probably go stop her before she takes all their lunch money,” Luca grinned.
He turned me around in his arms. He looked at me, his eyes filled with that same deep, unwavering love that had anchored me since the day we opened the wooden box.
“You look beautiful, Mrs. Moretti,” he said softly.
“Thank you, Mr. Moretti,” I smiled, resting my hands on his chest.
I looked over his shoulder at the long mahogany table.
It was covered in bright red paper plates, plastic cups, and superhero napkins.
But right at the head of the table, sitting in the place of honor where the birthday boy would sit, was something different.
It was an old, white porcelain plate.
A thin blue line circled the rim.
One corner had been chipped years ago.
And surrounded by the chaotic, colorful mess of a happy childhood, it looked absolutely perfect.
May you like
It belonged there.
And so did I.
