"Do you want me here?" I blurted out. "Like here, with you. If not, I can go." He grinned and then burst out laughing. "So strong and yet so insecure." He spoke some Italian that I couldn't comprehend. "Of course I want you here. Having a family of my own that I love and who loves me has been all I've ever wanted. You're going to give that to me, I can tell." He slapped my shoulder once more, harder this time so that it stung. "I'm glad you're back in my life."
