Chapter 18: Katie

Katie trudged up the stairs from the subway as her airpods played Frank Sinatra's "Summer Wind." She smiled self-consciously because she always found herself craving Sinatra after spending time with her parents. Her dad had instilled a love of Rat Pack music in her, Sinatra especially, from a very early age, and it was still some of her favorite music to listen to even though she didn't like to admit it publicly.

Just then her iPhone buzzed with a text message. She snorted a little as she read the text: "Back from the Siberia with elm trees?"

"Ha, ha! Yes; just about to my place. Are you close by?" she wrote back.

"Yep; had some business in the city, so thought I'd come over for a bit before you head back to Connecticut."

"See you soon!" Katie replied before walking into her building on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Opening the door to her third floor walk up, she called out for her roommate before remembering that Ashley had texted yesterday to remind her that her mom was coming, from Florida, for a visit and that she'd be meeting her at the airport early in the afternoon on Saturday.

Looking around at the light and airy open plan living room/kitchen, Katie was grateful that after some initial help from her mom and dad, she had been able to afford her share of the rent for the small but modern two-bedroom one-bath apartment. She felt fortunate that Ashley had answered her ad for a roommate about a year ago, and they had been fast friends ever since. Her parents also loved Ashley, especially her mom, since Ashley worked for a prestigious public relations firm in the city. They always seemed to have something to talk about whenever they saw each other.

The knock at the front door interrupted her thoughts, and she walked over and looked through the peep hole before opening the door.

"Hey baby," Nico said pulling Katie into his arms for a soft kiss. "I missed you last night."

"Me too," Katie said as they walked over and sat on the couch. "It was a long night but really good for the family to all be together. It definitely seemed to help Sam, and I learned a lot about what went on between my parents when Dad was still Mom's housekeeper, and they were trying to keep their feelings in check."

"Yeah, my dad still talks about it sometimes. About how they came over to Grandma's that Thanksgiving, when Mom was pregnant with me, and even though Angela seemed so uncomfortable, he could tell there was something between them. Even more so a few months later when they were all playing poker at your house, and there was a definite vibe between Tony and Angela. In fact, I think that's when the guys all decided that they would end up together eventually."

"Exactly!" Katie said as she snuggled up to Nico's chest. "We got to hear a lot of the back story to what was really going on between them during that time. Sam and Jonathan were just eating it up, since they were so young back then but always knew there was more to the story."

"Speaking of your parents, don't you think it's about time we let the cat out of the bag?" Nico asked. "I mean it's been six months, and we're spending all our time together when we're not working."

Biting her lower lip, Katie nodded before saying, "I know. I know. But you know my dad. He can be relentless. I totally understand now why Sam and Hank got married so young! And once he finds out that we're a thing, who knows what will happen?"

"Babe, I think he'll be thrilled; at least once he has time to process it. I mean, the grandson of his surrogate mother dating his daughter? Our families know each other so well that it's kind of surprising that it didn't happen sooner."

"You're just lucky I walked into the store in Brooklyn that day to pick up the order that Dad had placed! I mean, before then, we hadn't seen each other since I was in high school, I don't think. You being an older man and all," Katie said giggling.

"Hey, seven years isn't that much of an age difference now!" Nico shot back before pulling Katie in for a quick kiss. "Plus, your dad has said how impressed he is, since I took over the fish market from my dad, with how I've been able to grow it so that we now have a location in each of the five boroughs. See, I'm putting that NYU MBA to good use."

"Ay-oh-oh-ay, he's not the only one who's impressed!" Katie said smiling. "And yep; it's probably time. But not this weekend. I don't want to spring it on them while they're so focused on Sam. Soon. I promise. I know you're dying to tell Mrs. R and your parents."

"They'll be over the moon; Grandma especially. She's always wanted our families to actually be related. As far back as when she thought Sam and Al might actually get together," Nico said with a laugh.

"True," Katie agreed before standing up. "Now, I am in desperate need of a shower. Care to join me?" she asked with a coy smile.

Before Nico could answer, they both heard a key turn in the lock, and Ashley walked in with an older woman pulling a carry-on suitcase.

"Hey Katie, Nico," Ashley said. "Wasn't sure if anyone would be here. We're just stopping in so my mom can drop off her bag and freshen up before we grab a late lunch."

"Hi, I'm Katie and this is my boyfriend Nico," Katie said with a warm smile as she stuck out her hand. "It's great to finally meet you Mrs. Sawyer."

"It's nice to finally meet you too. Please call me Kathleen…"