Page 90 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

It was the first she was hearing this part, but honestly, no one had a perfect marriage and it was crazy to think otherwise.

“Did you both finally just stop trying and if it happened, then it did?”

“After years, that is how I looked at it. But each month, she kept waiting. If she was one day late, she’d take a test. But she always came back negative even if she missed a month of her period. We checked when she ovulated. Things like that, but the more years that went by, the less she was ovulating.”

“She was thirty-two when she passed?”

“Yes. Maybe it would have still happened, but it doesn’t matter now.”

“You want kids still, right?”

“Definitely. I’ve never made a secret of it. I’ve got options too. Things I’ve thought of, but I feel there is time yet.”

“You know I do. Just haven’t found the right person. And I’m not saying let’s try to make one,” she said, laughing.

They really did need to lighten this conversation some.

Or maybe she wanted it that way.

She had no right to get worked up over the fact that Luca seemed to sacrifice so much.

“Hey now,” he said, pulling her under his arm and lying back on the bed. “There is nothing wrong with the act of trying. Doesn’t mean we want it to happen, but practicing helps.”

“Oh hell yeah,” she said, rolling over and lying on top of him. “You know I’m all for practice makes perfect, but it’s not something I’m planning on.”

She wouldn’t say she didn’t want it. Never that.

Look how many of her cousins were protected against it and yet still got pregnant.

She was of the firm belief that shit just happens for a reason and it is what it is.

“I’ve learned there are things in life you just can’t plan,” he said.

She leaned down and planted a big kiss on his lips. “Nope. Like you said, they happen for a reason. The good, the bad, and the sad. The reason can suck half the time, but getting worked up for things we can’t control isn’t good either.”

“No,” he said, rolling and pinning her arms over her head. “But getting worked up when I can control it is even better. We really should get you out of this stained shirt.”

“Yes,” she said, laughing. “We really should.”

Which meant conversation over and it was for the best.

27

DODGED THAT BULLET

“It’s so nice to have you back here, Gabriela, even if it’s only for two days.”

“Thanks,” she said ten days later. They needed coverage in Boston and she was off. They didn’t really ask. Or they kind of did, but the underlying message was if she didn’t have plans, she really should take it.

And by plans, that meant something more than going to the gym or doing chores around the house.

Since Luca was working until Sunday anyway, it wasn’t that big of a deal to stay in Boston until Saturday morning. No reason to rush to catch a ferry on a Friday night when she finished either.

“How do you like it on the island?” Cassie asked.

“I’m really enjoying it. It’s not as fast-paced as here.” She was looking over her appointments for the day. Jam-packed. Some hours had four in them depending on the reason for the visit. Others two.

She really hated that she couldn’t spend more time with her patients.