Chapter 25

"Grandma" Vic said in shock.

The older woman smiled at her grandson. "Victor sweetie, don't just stand there. Let your pour old grandmother in." she said in her thick Italian accent.

"Right, sorry." He said nervously as he stepped outside to help his grandmother inside. He was still trying to get over the shock of seeing her at the door. He hadn't expected her to ever leave Italy. "What are you doing here? Did you travel alone?"

"I'm fine honey." She said as she pushed his hands away. "I can travel if I want to young man and I came here to meet your future wife."

Vic cringed. He had forgotten his grandma didn't know they were already married. This presented a problem because his grandmother mentioned she wanted to be there when they got married. With all the craziness of the past two days he had completely forgotten. He planned on going to get her about a week before the wedding was to take place so she could meet Reba and get to know her personally. She and Reba had talked on the phone while he was in Italy but meeting each other in person was different.

Vic picked up her bag on the outside door and then shut it behind them. "This must be the wonderfully sweet woman I talked with on the phone." His grandmother said as she saw Reba on the stairs.

Reba grinned and approached the woman. "Reba…" Vic said taking her hand gently and leading her to his grandmother. "This is my Grandmother Sophia Benita Mariano. Grandma this is my lovely wi…fiancée Reba."

Reba looked gave him a look when she didn't introduce her as his wife but maybe she didn't know yet. She just shrugged it off and held the hand out to the woman. "It's lovely to meet…"

Sophia laughed and didn't take her hand. "I do not shake the hands of family. I hug them." Reba was taken aback when the small woman took Reba into her embrace and hugged her. Sophia was surprisingly strong for a 100 year old woman. She let Reba go for a moment and looked her over. "Bella, simply bella, you are even more gorgeous than how Vic described you." She smiled took Reba's arm into hers. "Can you take me to the sofa please? I would love to speak with you more."

Reba happily led Sophia over to their couch and they sat down together. Reba had completely forgotten that she had interrupted her and Vic's time alone. Now she just wanted to talk with this sweet woman and get to know her better. "Vic tells me you lived in here for many years before you returned to Italy."

Sophia smiled and nodded. "My new husband and I moved here to America when we were seventeen. I moved back to Sulmona ten years ago when my husband past." She frowned as she mentioned her husband. She then turned and smiled. "Victor here act and look just like him." She said glancing at her grandson who had decided to join them in the chair next to the couch.

"I am sure I would have loved him." Reba said with a smile.

Sophia gave her an equally happy smile. "I am sure he would have loved you too but now I want to hear about you. I know you two met through work and that you fell in love shortly three months later."

Reba looked down shyly. "I know that seems a little soon."

Sophia giggled. "Who says how soon is too soon. I married Victor's grandfather four weeks after I met him, so, really, you two actually moving a little slow for my tastes." Reba felt so much better after that and she smiled. Sophia turned to Vic. "Go get us some drinks and let us have some girl talk. Go now young man." She said waving her arms. Reba giggled as Vic shook his head and got up to get them some drinks. Sophia turned back to Reba when Vic disappeared into the kitchen. "You never did tell me much about yourself except you were married once and have three children and a beautiful granddaughter named Elizabeth. Tell me more about where you grew up. I want to know everything."

Reba smiled and gladly starting with telling Sophia of growing up in Oklahoma. Vic came back in shortly with Reba's juice and he knew his grandmother would appreciate a fine red wine. "Thank you sweetie." She said taking the glass from him. She turned back to Reba and frowned when she saw the juice. "Do you not like wine?" she asked curiously taking a sip of her own wine.

Reba smiled and set her juice down. "I do drink wine occasionally but there are circumstances to which I am unable to drink at this time." She said grinning from ear to ear.

Sophia sat straight up and smiled, looking from Vic to Reba. "Are you with child?" Reba nodded and Sophia squealed. "This is so wonderful." She said clasping her hands together. "Granted I would have preferred to have you two were married first…" Reba smiled shyly. "But you are younger and this is modern days and I am a very stubborn old woman sometimes."

Vic chuckled. "Sometimes?"

Sophia turned to her grandson and glared. "Don't you start now Victor Lee." Reba giggled and Vic just rolled his eyes when Sophia turned away. "And don't roll her eyes at me either." She said turning back towards him again.

Vic just threw his hands in the air. "I am never going to win with you two around am I?"

Sophia smiled. "And that's how it should be." Sophia turned back to Reba. "This is very exciting for me. I just hope I'm around when he or she is born."

Vic smiled. "You will be."

"Do you know if the baby is a boy or a girl?" she asked sweetly.

Reba shook her head. "No, not yet, we could find out sometime next month if we wanted to."

Sophia nodded and looked at Reba intensely. "You don't look very far along. I can see you haven't gained much weight."

Reba sighed. She wished her doctor would think that. "I am almost four months but if I have been thinking about becoming surprised. I thought about waiting until he or she was born to know."

Sophia nodded. "That would be a wonderful idea. It only made me more excited when I was pregnant with Victor's father. I was so happy when I went into labor. I was anxious to know what he was going to be but now from what I am told my son has turned into a huge asino."

Vic burst into laughter but Reba sat there confused. She never understood Italian but she was sure that what Sophia just said couldn't be considered a compliment. Sophia had turned the rest of her attention toward Reba and just kept the questions coming about her hometown and the rest of her family who she couldn't wait to meet.

"I consider Barbara Jean my best friend now and I am happy to have them both in my life." Reba said with a smile sometime later. Reba and Sophia had been talking for a little over an hour and Sophia had learned almost everything about Reba since she arrived. She was surprised Sophia wasn't tired yet. After a long flight from Italy she had to be exhausted.

Sophia smiled and patted Reba's hand. "That is good, life is too short and I am sure you are happy with the way your life turned out?" she asked with a big smile.

Reba laughed and nodded. "Yes I am. I wouldn't have Vic if none this would have happened." Reba gave Vic a smile and a wink.

Sophia saw the exchange and gave out a yawn. "I think I better find a hotel and sleep. I am quite tired from the long flight."

Reba shook her head. "Nope, I won't have it. You will stay here."

Sophia smiled. "You are so sweet. Show me where I will be staying then." Reba helped Sophia up and toward the stairs. They stopped and Sophia turned toward Vic. "You have strong arms young man, bring my bag upstairs." Reba couldn't help but giggle. Sophia was demanding toward her grandson but that's how grandmothers are and she was sure Vic didn't mind doing things for his grandma.

Reba led Sophia up to Cheyenne's old room and helped her put her things away and get settled in. "I hope the room is okay."

"The room is lovely." Sophia said grabbing her cotton nightgown from the drawer she had just put it in. "And I thank you for letting me stay here with you."

Reba smiled. "It's nothing. You are family and you are welcome to stay here anytime."

Sophia smiled and nodded. "Thank you for that and if you will excuse me I think I should get some rest." Reba smiled and nodded as she shut the door gently.

Reba walked back downstairs to where she was sure Vic still was. Sure enough, he was locking up the house. He turned and smiled when he saw Reba standing near the stairs. "Are you tired?" he with concern. "Because you look it."

Reba rolled her eyes playfully and smiled. "Such a lovely compliment, now…" Reba said smiling and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Where were we?" Reba kissed him but when Vic didn't respond she pulled away. "What?" she asked

Vic sighed and stepped away. "I'm sorry but with my grandmother right next door to our room, I just can't honey. I'm sorry."

Reba sighed and nodded. "Okay, let's just go to sleep then." She said with a smirk. "You lock the backdoor and I'll go get ready…for bed." She said still smiling. Once Vic went to the backdoor Reba ran upstairs to change quickly into the see through nightgown she had on before he was able to even able to walk in the room. Reba situated herself on the bed and waited for Vic to return.

Vic opened their bedroom door and was greeted by the sight of Reba lying on their bed. He groaned. "You are not going to make this easy on me are you?" Reba shook her head and pulled him close when he stepped up to the edge of the bed. Reba ran her hands up his chest and kissed his lips gently. Vic still didn't respond. "I'm sorry." He said pulling away. "As much as I would like to I just can't get in the mood knowing my grandmother is in the next room."

Reba sighed and pushed herself away from Vic. She didn't bother to change in the hopes, maybe, having to keep seeing her dressed like this might just change his mind. It was weird though to be the persistent one. He was always the one pushing but she was either too tired or they would get interrupted. She snuggled herself in bed and waited silently for Vic before turning the lamp off and snuggling up to his back.

"You are making this extremely hard to resist." He said in the darkness.

Reba chuckled deeply and pressed her chest up against his back more, kissing his shoulders. "That's the idea honey." She giggled. Vic was more than willing but it just made him cringe knowing his grandmother was only a wall away. He just settled himself in bed and turned to cuddle up next to Reba. Reba smiled into the darkness. "It feels like you are more than willing Vic."

"I told you I am but my grandmother is in the next room, please understand." He asked, trying to get himself in control but the fact that Reba was almost completely naked didn't help matters. "Can you at least put on something else?"

Reba shook her head and moved away from him. "I am not changing. I'll just go to sleep, goodnight." Vic sighed in relief and closed his eyes to sleep. It wasn't until he felt Reba moving too much that got him to open his eyes again. "It's hot in here…don't you think?" she said throwing off her clovers. She smiled. "That's better." She said closing her eyes, laying one hand above her head and the other casually on her stomach.

Reba gave out a sweet soft sight of contentment that definitely got Vic's attention. He was angry now, angry at Reba for trying to seduce him. He knew exactly what she was doing and he wasn't going to fall for it. He just couldn't do something like that with his Grandmother next door. He surprised her by cuddling up to her body and just wrapping his arm around her.

Reba frowned. She was sure seeing her lying there like that would have to do something for him but nothing. Reba figured she better get some sleep anyway. She turned her back to him and wiggled herself so she was close to his embrace. They both fell asleep quickly.

Reba was of course the first one awake. She didn't wait for Vic this time. She was a little mad he turned her down last night but now she knew how he felt when she would always tell him she was too tired. She took a quick shower and made her way downstairs. She was quite surprised to see Sophia in her kitchen, cooking up breakfast.

Reba walked in to find the table full of coffee, juice, bread that Reba had never seen before, and what looked like jelly but Reba wasn't really sure. Sophia smiled when she looked up and saw Reba walking into the kitchen. "Sit, sit." She said urgency. She rushed over from the oven and pushed Reba into the chair.

"You didn't need to make breakfast Sophia. This is your vacation. I should be making you breakfast." Reba said as Sophia poured her some juice.

Sophia shook her head. "I know you Americans always have such a heavy breakfast. I don't desire that even when I lived here I never had a big breakfast. Just please try some toasted Italian bread, it's excellent with the marmalade I had brought with me."

Reba chuckled and nodded, taking a slice of it and spreading the marmalade on it. Sophia stood next to her until Reba took a bite. Reba let out a moan of appreciation. "This is wonderful." She said smiling.

Sophia beamed and went back to the oven. "I also made fresh biscotti." She said pulling out the tray.

Reba sniffed the air and it smelled wonderful. "I don't know how you made it. Do you travel with food all the time?" Reba asked with a chuckle.

Sophia nodded. "Yeah I do, well, I don't do much traveling anymore but when I would visit Italy many years ago after I came here I would always bring food back with me. I mainly did it for Victor. I always brought him back food and books from the country. He loved it when I told stories of the past. Our family is very proud and I always thought he should know about his heritage."

Reba smiled as she swallowed another bite. "I am sure he does. He mentioned you to me a few times. He cares for you very much." Reba chuckled. "He told me at the airport when he was going to visit you that he always tried to get you to move back here to America."

Sophia sighed and set the plate of biscotti next to the Italian bread. "I know. He is concerned for me. I understand but I couldn't bear to leave my husband in Italy."

Reba frowned. "Just his grave is in Italy isn't it? He would be with you in spirit always, no matter where you went."

Sophia smiled and patted Reba's arm gently. "You are a smart woman but it's not only because of my husband. Italy is my home. My husband and I always planned on going back there to live. I was born there and so I want to die there. Now try a biscotti." She said shoving the plate in front of Reba.

Reba didn't press the subject any further. Vic was right. She was a stubborn woman. Reba and Sophia gladly ate and laughed as they talked until Vic walked into the kitchen. They both nodded toward him and smiled. "Are you behaving with your eating?" he asked playfully as he sat down at the table.

Reba glared and lifted up her second biscotti to her lips. "I can't refuse your Grandmother's cooking. That would be rude."

Sophia looked to Vic quite confused. "You watch her diet for her? I think she can think for herself."

Reba looked at Vic smugly and he just sighed. "Yeah but she is supposed to be on a special diet because the doctor ordered her to. She has high blood pressure and she is supposed to eat better.

Sophia immediately took the biscotti from Reba before she could have another bite. "You should have told me that you were on a special diet." She gathered the food up and put it on the counter which Vic was about to take a piece of. "I will make you a fruit salad."

Reba sighed and put her head in her hands. "I suppose it's all for the best." Reba said sipping her juice.

Vic chuckled and took her hand in his. "Remember it's all for the baby." Reba nodded and smiled.

"Have you two thought of any names?" Sophia asked as she cut up a banana.

Reba smiled and shook her head. "We can never agree on any names. He likes the name Eric for a boy and Erica for a girl but he is so positive the baby is a boy." Reba said smiling at Vic.

Sophia nodded. "I could understand why he would think that. In the Mariano family they are all boys."

Reba sat up and turned to Vic in question. "Really?"

Vic nodded. "Yup, for the last one hundred years, it's quite strange. All the Mariano's had are boys and they could never have more than one. My great grandmother used to say there was a curse upon the family."

Reba raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

Vic nodded and chuckled. "Yes but of course there was also the fact my great grandmother was on medication in her later years."

Reba chuckled and Sophia chuckled right along with her. "Gina was a character." Sophia walked to Reba and set a bowl of fruit in front of Reba. "You eat the fruit. I want my great grandchild to be healthy now."

Reba smiled and took a banana slice into her mouth. Vic smiled. "Reba is doing great." He said to his grandmother. "The baby is doing fine and I just can't wait until he or she is born."

Sophia smiled. "That is good. Now I want to know when this wedding is going to be. Will it be soon?"

Reba smiled nervously and turned to Vic for help. She wasn't sure what to say. He saw this and soon came to her rescue. "Well, we were thinking of just getting it over with. There is this little bed and breakfast outside of town and…"

Sophia shook her head. "You have to have a proper wedding, in a church with friends and family."

Vic sighed. He knew his grandmother was going to say something like that. He had to convince her someway. "Well, we weren't planning on a big wedding. We haven't really discussed anything that concerns with a big wedding and with Reba being in her fourth month she really wanted to just get married."

Sophia sighed. "I suppose you two kids should do want you want but I don't know what your mother would have to say about it. You know how she is." She said with a roll of her eyes. Reba just chuckled and went back to eating her fruit salad.

Shortly after breakfast Sophia insisted that Reba rest while Vic did the dishes. It gave Reba a chuckle and she was happy to put Vic to work. Reba and Sophia happily sat on the couch to discussing the wedding which they decided would take place that night. Sophia was a little concerned that it was too soon but Reba mentioned there weren't a lot of people to invite except her family and his mother.

Sophia went into the kitchen to check on Vic and Reba stretched out on the couch, ready for a nap even though she just woke up about an hour ago. She was just ready to nod off when someone knocked on the door and walked in looking around. Reba sat up to see her daughter trying to sneak upstairs with her eyes closed and ears plugged. "Kyra?" Reba said.

Kyra stopped and turned to see her mother lying on the couch. "Mom, I just came to get something from my room and then I will be gone. I am really sorry to interrupt your honeymoon."

Reba smiled and stood up. "Well, you can tell your brother that you two can come home."

Kyra's eyes shot up. "Why? Don't tell me you and Vic had a fight!"

Reba shook her head. "No, it's just…"

"This must be one of yours." Sophia said coming in from the kitchen. Sophia smiled and walked up to Kyra taking her hands. "You are a very pretty girl. You look like your mother."

Kyra looked at this old woman a little frightened and turned to Reba. "Mom, who is this woman?"

Sophia chuckled and turned to Reba. "I can see she is probably like you." Sophia turned back to Kyra. "I am very sorry dear. I am Victor's grandmother."

Kyra smiled. "It is very nice to meet you."

"It's very lovely to meet you. You must be very excited for tonight." Sophia said smiling.

Kyra was confused. "I'm sorry, for what?"

"For your mother and Victor's wedding of course, they plan on getting married this evening."

"But their…"

Reba quickly interrupted. "In love, very much in love, Kyra go into kitchen and talk with Vic about that thing you two were talking about the other day."

Kyra who raised an eyebrow nodded. "Okay." She said walking off. "I swear this family is getting crazier each and everyday." She mumbled.

Sophia smiled and turned to Reba. "She is a very spirited girl."

Reba chuckled. "Yeah, that's a nice way of putting it." Sophia chuckled and the doorbell rang. Reba turned to the door and opened it to find Lexi behind it. Reba smiled sweetly. "Lexi, it's so great to see you. What brings you here?"

Lexi smiled and Reba let her step in. "I came to see my son and to…" She stopped when she saw Sophia standing near the stairs.

For the first time since Sophia had been there Reba saw a glare of complete disgust when Lexi walked into the room. "Lexi." She simply said crossing her arms.

"Sophia." Lexi said in a cold voice and just stood there glaring.

Reba raised an eyebrow and looked between the two glaring woman. She could feel the tension between the two and Reba wasn't so sure she liked standing where she was. This was definitely going to be an interesting reunion.

End of Chapter