Soon after the afternoon had bled into the evening the Paguros and the Marcovaldos were all gathering for dinner. Luca was sweating profusely and pacing back forth on the bedroom floor.
"Mom. Dad. I'm gay." He recited
Alberto was stressed out by just looking at his boyfriend.
"No, that's not right." Luca started over. "Mom, Dad, Nonna, Alberto and I are in a relationship."
Luca gave a frustrated huff as he sat on the bed next to Alberto. Alberto gently placed a hand on Luca's shoulder.
"Tell me what's wrong, Bubble." He said looking Luca in the eyes.
"Beto, nothing will ever be the same after we tell them, no matter how they react we won't be able to take it back."
Alberto wouldn't lie, his stomach did a tiny loop-de-loop. Luca was right, coming out was a big step. But it was just Bruno talking and Bruno would never win again.
"Listen, I know it's nerve wracking to tell everyone. We can't control how they react, but Silenzio Bruno! I don't want to have to hide my love for you Luca, I wanna show you off."
Luca smiled at his partner and blushed.
"You're right, and I want the same." He gave Alberto a confident smile which was reciprocal between the pair.
"Are you ready then?" Alberto asked eagerly.
"Ready as I'll ever be."
The duo took each other hand and hand and made their way to the kitchen. Massimo had taken on the role of cooking dinner for the night. He finished stirring the sauce that was in a pot on the stove. Giulia finished cutting the veggies for the salad and the Paguro family sat around the table happily making small talk with their two old friends.
Luca's face brightened when he saw his family. He immediately went over to greet them.
"Ciao Mamma!"
Alberto thought it was sweet how much love Luca had for his family. He loved seeing his boy's face light up and smile.
Lorenzo gave Alberto a pat on the back.
"How are ya son?" The old sea monster asked.
Alberto shyly rubbed the back of his neck and gave a deep chuckle.
"Not bad sir, and yourself."
"Well the doctor says I'm not dead yet!"
Alberto smiled at the old man's joke and turned his attention to Nonna Paguro.
"Signora Paguro, you don't look a day over 25."
"Aye, Guppy you're always flattering me."
Alberto knelt down and pressed a kiss to Luca's grandmother's hand. She smiled smugly at Luca. Luca gulped.
She knows.
Finally, Alberto made his way over to Luca's mother. She had always been a little bit harder on the outside, a bit more difficult to impress. But today, Alberto needed to impress her. Or rather win her over. He pulled out a Calla Lily from his pocket. He'd retrieved it from the garden this morning because he knew they were Daniella's favorite.
"For you." Alberto held out his hand offering Daniella the flower.
She looked him up and down. Alberto felt the sweat dripping down his temple.
Please let her take it. He prayed to the fish gods.
After what seemed like an eternity, Daniella took the flower from the young boy.
"My favorite." She gave him a soft smile.
Alberto bit his lip in victory.
Massimo brought over the pot full of sauce and placed it on the table. He then placed the pasta down, accompanied by Giulia who brought over the salad. She motioned for everyone to sit down.
"Aye, buon appetito!" Giulia said.
Alberto could see Luca looking for a chair. He stood back and let the Marcovaldos pick first as he often shied away in most situations. Daniella sat next to Lorenzo who sat across from Nonna Paguro. Giulia sat on the left of Nonna and Massimo sat on the right of her, at the head of the table. That left a chair for Luca next to his mother and a chair at the other head of the table for Alberto.
Alberto quickly beat Luca and pulled out his chair for him. Luca gave him a flustered smile while the undertones of pink on his cheeks grew red. This made everybody at the table give them a peculiar look, especially Nonna and Giulia. However, Alberto expected they already knew.
Everybody began to eat, talking of things they had missed, places they wanted to visit and the beauties of the world. Luca loved family dinners with everyone. He just loved his family in general, including the Marcovaldos. The dynamic was always perfect and he knew somebody would always have his back, especially Alberto. Luca grinned, life was good.
"So Alberto, the fishing season going well?" Lorenzo asked.
"Yes sir, especially the octopus, I'm always able to scout them out just right. Who knew humans would go crazy for the things?"
"Beats me!"
Lorenzo and Alberto gave a deep chuckle, reciprocating each others energy. Alberto thought Luca's dad was a cool guy, it truly helped that they had the same sense of humor.
Nonna Paguro kept giving Luca glances through out all of dinner. Luca and his grandmother often had conversations with their eyes, they understood one another very well.
Tell them, Bubble.
What if they don't see me the same?
I've known your mom and dad a long time, you're their only son, they wouldn't love you any less.
I hope you're right Nonna.
Luca placed his hand on top of Alberto's under the table as the other's discussed the fish market. Alberto wrapped his larger fingers around Luca's smaller ones so that the were intertwined. Before dinner, Alberto told Luca to motion to him when he was ready to tell everyone their news. He took this as Luca's sign.
Luca took a deep breath and nodded to Alberto. Alberto cleared his throat to get everyone's attention and stop the chatter amongst the table.
"Uhh everyone, Luca and I have some news." He said.
Everyone immediately stopped talking and looked to Alberto, not knowing what to expect. Boy, this might be harder than he thought. The stare of his family was piercing as he was about to make himself vulnerable, which Alberto wasn't very good at unless it came to Luca.
"Well, Luca and I we're uh, well..." Alberto stammered.
Luca could see Alberto struggling to find the right words.
"Alberto and I are dating." Luca blurted out.
Alberto looked at Luca and he brought their clasped hands to rest on the top of the table.
Nonna Paguro and Giulia just gave each other a sly look. Danielle and Massimo looked shocked. Lorenzo just gave Alberto a pat on the back.
"Nice catch son, welcome to the family." Lorenzo said, breaking the silence.
Luca smiled at his dad and then turned his gaze to his mother. Alberto looked at Massimo, searching for any sign of emotion. It didn't help that he couldn't see the man's eyes.
Massimo's lips curved up into a smile.
"I expected nothing less Berto. I'm glad you're happy."
Alberto gave the man the biggest grin he could muster. Wow, what did he do to derive such a father?
"Mom?" Luca searched his mother's expression.
The others at the table also turned their attention to Daniella.
"Say something, caro." Lorenzo encouraged.
"I'm sorry, I'm just so surprised." She finally said.
Luca's stomach did a flip. Surprised? Was that good or bad? He loved his mother, he didn't want to disappoint her but he also loved Alberto.
Daniella loved her son more than anything. She wasn't surprised he was queer, she'd seen many signs as he was growing up. For example, NEVER taking an interest to other female sea monsters. She just didn't expect her son to be dating Alberto of all options. She truly thought they were friends and that was all. But regardless, she was happy for her son. Now that she knew, she could truly see the beautiful connection they had.
"I'm sorry honey, I'm just a little flabbergasted. But out of all people, I don't think there's anyone better for you." Daniella turned to Alberto. "You have my blessing Alberto, take good care of my son."
Luca gave his mother the biggest hug. Nonna burst out laughing.
"You're flabbergasted!? Where have you been, under a rock?" She laughed.
"Signora Paguro and I have known since they met." Giulia added as she fist bumped the elderly woman.
Alberto gave Luca a small kiss on the cheek.
"I'd say that was a success, tesoro." He whispered into his boyfriend's ear.
Luca blushed and kissed the top of Alberto's hand.
"I love you Beto, so much."
Dinner went on and soon the moon rose as the sun retired for the day. Stars dotted the violet night Italian sky. Luca bid his parents farewell and Massimo and Alberto cleaned up in the kitchen.
Luca and Giulia walked back up from the dock where Luca's parents had departed for the night.
"Hey Luca?"
"Yeah Giuls?"
She gave him a hug. "I'm really happy for you and Berto."
Luca hugged her back and smiled. How lucky was he to have such a supportive best friend, especially since she put her feelings aside for him. He couldn't ask for anyone better.
"I'm so happy to have you Giulia, you've made this all so much easier."
The two friends shared their hug under the moon light in the streets of Portorosso, where it all began.
Giulia finally pulled away and they continued to walk.
"What are you and Alberto planning on doing when we go back to school next week?"
Luca's heart dropped.
That's right, school. Luca hadn't told Alberto yet.
Dio mio, what was he going to do?
"I haven't told him yet." Luca answered.
"Luca, you have to."
"I know, trust me."
Soon enough, the reached the door. Luca opened the door for his curly haired friend.
And there he was, his beautiful boyfriend.
"Welcome home caro." Alberto wrapped Luca in a hug.
"Hey there Berto." Luca grapes Alberto face and pull his forehead down to his level so he could place a kiss right on his nose.
Luca couldn't lose this, he was actually happy. He'd never known happiness like his and he didn't want to go back. He didn't know what he was going to do.