Ivy's Twisted Vine Redux by Latrivia Nelson (books to read for beginners .TXT) 📕

Ivy and Grey are at his place. Mom is not the type of person to just sit around with when she’s in one of her moods, and you don’t have any other friends.”

Trina laughed. “I do, too.”

“Really,” Emerald said looking around. “Where are they?”

“This is the third time this week that I’ve cooked for you, Emerald.” Trina said going back to the couch. “Why don’t you cook for me?”

“Why don’t you get dressed? We can go down to Fresh Market and get all the ingredients that we need for a feast fit for kings, and then we can hang out here.”

“Why don’t you order a pizza and rub my feet,” Trina said wrapping herself in her comforter.

With a huff, Emerald gave in to her plea. “Okay. But I get to drink beer.”

“Only if it’s Corona…my favorite,” Trina said smiling from under her bundle.

There was something running a muck with Emerald, and Trina meant to find out what. Over the last three weeks, he had spent a considerable amount of time at her place even when Ivy was nowhere to be found. However, he was always a total gentleman only pining after her friendly attention and talking to her about everything under the sun. Like little children they sat in front of the television for hours swapping stories and quizzing each other on trivial facts about life. To her surprise, Emerald was far more intelligent that Ivy had ever given him credit. He was well versed in business matters and had a secret interest in surfing. The attention that he had showered on her had helped tremendously during her time of mourning and his ability to keep things non-sexual allowed her to continue to indulge in his company free from guilt.

Chapter Twenty-Two:

A Parting Gift

Chapter 22

A PARTING GIFT

“Could I have your attention please?” Adamo stood up at the head of the formally decorated table.

Adamo decided have a huge family dinner at the yacht club to give his son a proper farewell. It had been a short and impatient two weeks, and he longed for Nicola to stay for a few more weeks, if not a lifetime. With only the boys, Arin, Liz and Delmin set in an intimate room in the back of the club with a great view of the many masterful yachts, full moon and clear starlit sky, he lifted his glass to his closest companions.

“I’d like to propose a toast to my oldest son by seven minutes, Nicola Michael Agosto,” Adamo said in his heavy Italian accent.

“We know who the guy is,” Santo said playfully. “Get on with it, Pop.”

Holding up his crystal champagne glass, he looked over at Nicola and smiled. “To a wonderful son that we are so glad to have home after many years. We pray for your safe return to the Memphis. We pray for your continued success on the Memphis Police Department and most of all, we pray for you to return soon to visit. Let’s not have years that we do not allow ourselves to embrace one another. As I grow old in my age, I see you boys and I think to myself that I am proud to be whom and where I am. My only wish is that you two continue to build on the new relationship that you’ve developed since you’ve come home …Salute.”

“Salute,” Nicola said with the rest of the family as they lifted their glasses.

“And I would like to propose a toast to the possibility of new additions to the Agosto family,” Liz said unable to keep her peace. After hearing the Nicola could very well be the father of Ivy’s children, she hadn’t had a moment’s rest. She had long prayed for grandchildren and wanted Ivy to be carrying her blessing more than even Nicola did.

“Alright let’s eat,” Adamo said sitting down.

**

As the other members of his family laughed and huddled around the table talking later that evening, Nicola stepped outside in the night air to take in the beautiful view and gather his thoughts about Ivy. Arin came out moments later behind him with a full glass of champagne. Smiling she inched up beside him and leaned on the rail of the deck.

“You still won’t really acknowledge me, will you?” Arin asked smiling at him revealing her deep dimples.

“Of course, I acknowledge you, Mrs. Agosto. How could I not?” Nicola gave her a smug grin and then turned to look up at the moon.

“Well, you’ve ignored me for seven long years.”

“Why stop a good thing now?” he smiled. He had lost his desire to hate either of them over time.

“You know, when you left, Santo was here for me. He loved me. He looked after me. He was a reminder of you without being you…Mr. Stubborn for lack of a better word.” She took a deep breath. “He went on for months fighting with the possibility of losing you to gain me. And finally it was me that convinced him that he would not. Needless to say that I was wrong. And he has been lost without you ever since.”

“So you say,” Nicola said trying to hide his surprise.

“I came out here to ask you for your forgiveness for both of us, Nico.” She touched his hand lightly. “The way that Santo and I broke our news to you was wrong, but after so many years, Nico…” Her voice drifted away. “Your brother needs you. You are all that he has. Surely, you realize that.”

Nicola turned to face Arin standing tall and proud in a silk white dress that hung off her soft golden-bronze shoulders. Her yellow silk wrap fell into the folds of her arms and her blonde hair flowed in the wind. “You are still so beautiful, Arin,” he said taking her hand. “And I’m happy that you chose my brother instead of me. He’s given you all that he could for many years. I only hope that someday I can find that happiness. And