Is this destiny?

It was time for dinner when Emma and Angelo headed inside.

As the two of them approached the dining room, Emma heard clamor. She assumed that the noise was from the staff members who were setting the table but when she stepped in, she realized that she was wrong.

Several tables were lined in succession, forming one long one that stretched from the dining room to the connected family room (where other furniture was pushed aside to make space).

There were more than fifty people seated and they all quieted down when Emma and Angelo appeared. Ryan and Sean were present as well and the twins gave encouraging smiles to their sister as everyone observed Emma with curiosity.

Emma remembered that Angelo mentioned a few guests, but this was definitely more than a few.

Angelo saw that Emma looked at him questionably and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly while explaining in a small voice: "I didn't plan to have such a big crowd, but when I said that you will be here, everyone was eager to meet you and…"

"It's not a problem.", Emma interrupted Angelo's explanation.

In truth, she didn't care if it's five guests or a hundred, and having so many people staring at her didn't faze her because as Charlie's wife, she was used to others looking at her. The difference was that Smiths looked at Emma with dull eyes and some with contempt, while this group appeared friendly (or at least not hostile) and if Emma's observation was right, some of them were happy to see her.

Angelo guided Emma to sit at the table. The chair at the head of the table and the first one on the right were available, obviously waiting for Angelo and Emma, while the rest of the table was packed.

Angelo sat at his usual seat (at the head of the table), while Emma sat on his right. Next to Emma was Ryan while Sean was on Angelo's left.

After a few seconds of silence, Angelo cleared his throat and stood up. "Since no one is talking, which is a rare thing… I will take this opportunity to introduce to you my daughter who graced us with her presence…" His eyes moved over their guests and he smiled while speaking: "This is Emma and it's her first time here, but I certainly hope that this is not last." Emma raised her hand, like a schoolgirl who is confirming her attendance in the class as Angelo continued: "Emma, the man next to Ryan is Giacomo. He helps us with handling finances…" The man stood up and bowed toward Emma and Angelo spoke again: "Next is Alonso…"

One by one, people stood up, and Angelo introduced them to Emma. Emma didn't remember all the names, but she noticed that everyone was smiling. She wondered if they are really so cheery or if those are just masks that they put on in front of De Luca family members (aka Angelo, Emma, Sean, and Ryan).

During the introductions, the staff arranged along the table a number of massive serving bowls full of steaming soup. Guests were glancing at the food, but no one reached for it.

After the last person was introduced to Emma, Angelo filled his bowl with soup, and after that others followed his suit. Emma found it interesting that everyone served themselves, other than her because Ryan filled her bowl with soup before she managed to get out of her chair to reach for the ladle.

"Do you like the soup?", Angelo asked when Emma tasted the steaming concoction.

"It's very good.", Emma praised it earnestly. The chicken broth soup was spiced up with herbs and it had vegetables, pasta, and delicate meatballs. It went great with freshly made bread and parmesan cheese on top. It was delicious, simple, and hearty, and Emma was thinking about asking for a recipe so that chefs at the Smith villa can include this dish as part of the menu they offer.

The mood at the table was lively with everyone chatting and serving themselves without holding back.

A number of the people at the table spoke English, so they were interacting with Emma freely. The topics ranged from weather to discussing food, and inevitable discussions about pregnancy. Most of the guests were men, but there were a few women present as well, and they all shared tips and experiences about handling babies.

"Am I imagining or are these people very friendly?", Emma asked Angelo in a half-whisper.

Angelo shifted in his seat before answering. "They are excited because they think of you as a celebrity." Angelo saw that Emma's eyebrows shoot up questionably, so he clarified: "Other than being my daughter and carrying my grandchild, when the incident with Bruno happened… he collected information related to you and after we found out about it, everyone read the files so…"

Emma's eyes flashed with realization. "They know about my past? How much?"

"I didn't want to show them, but they wanted to know why I punished Bruno, so I didn't have a choice…"

"How much they know?", Emma interrupted Angelo. She didn't care to listen to excuses.

"Uhm… mostly from high school onward. They know that you were working and studying and that you have a degree as a nurse and physiotherapist… That you moved from Seattle to Los Angeles… There are photos…", Angelo's voice trailed off.

"They all think highly of you.", Sean interjected when he saw that Emma's face darkened and that Angelo was on the losing end.

"Your file showed to everyone that you are hardworking and that you care about your family. Those are qualities that are appreciated here.", Ryan added.

Emma smiled. Hearing sincerity in their voices reminded Emma that Sean and Ryan were always her biggest cheer-team. "Thanks, guys."

"So… are these people from Nero Armi?", Emma asked Ryan who was on her right.

"Mhm…", Ryan confirmed with a hum. "Dad is quite pitiful, and he has no friends outside the organization."

Sean threw a piece of bread at Ryan. "Don't say that. We are all family here."

Ryan caught the piece of bread before it landed on his face and flicked it back at Sean with a smug smirk.

Instead of defending or dodging the incoming bread-projectile, Sean opened his mouth and the bread landed inside perfectly. Sean chewed on the bread with a cocky smirk on his face like he won some big competition.

Emma stifled a giggle when she saw that Sean and Ryan are goofing around. She didn't see this side of them in a long time.

Emma was lost in her thoughts for a moment. When she heard that Ryan and Sean are acting recklessly, searching for thrills, she assumed that because of their involvement with Nero Armi, Sean and Ryan changed their behavior. However, now the Ronin twins are relaxed and playful, and she suspected that maybe her previous guess was off. After all, if these people at the table are from Nero Armi and Sean and Ryan don't feel the need to change their easygoing and amicable behavior, then what is the cause of those changes?

Emma's curiosity was piqued, and she wanted to observe her brothers in a different setting.

"Hey, guys… can you show me around the town tomorrow?", Emma asked Ryan and Sean to what the duo readily agreed. She was surprised by the speed they named several spots worth visiting, and Emma guessed that they already thought about taking her out before she asked. Sean and Ryan spoke about a gelato stand and a pastry shop, and a town square with a fountain where youth gathers in the afternoon, and a scenic spot at the seashore which is great for strolling, and Emma's smile grew wider as their enthusiasm transferred to her.

The whole dining room was noisy and lively, and Emma loved every minute of it. She wished for Charlie to be by her side so that he can experience the atmosphere. It was the total opposite of the usual formal mood at the Smith family.

After she finished food, Emma was sleepy and excused herself.

Considering that she was pregnant and that she arrived from the US earlier that day, everyone was understanding. They wished Emma a good rest and expressed their hope to see each other again soon.

Even with these brief greetings, it took a while, and Angelo had to remind everyone to keep it short.

"Emma will be here for another two full days.", Angelo said.

"Will she attend the meeting tomorrow?", Giacomo asked and looked at Emma expectantly to what she only blinked. She had no idea what meeting Giacomo was talking about.

Angelo waved his hand, indicating to Giacomo to drop the topic. "She only arrived, and we didn't talk much. There are no guarantees for her attending anything, but I'm confident that Emma will visit us more often, and there will be chances…"

Emma's eyes darted from Angelo to Giacomo and she had a feeling that she is missing something important, but her jet-lagged pregnancy-brain was tired, and she decided to think about it later.

She quickly wished good night to the remaining few people who looked her way and left the dining room.

After arriving in her room, Emma sent a quick text message to Charlie before collapsing on the bed from exhaustion. It was a busy day, a good kind of busy, and the jet lag was killing her.

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