Right after Jack Romano kills in man in the line of duty, he finds out his bemoaned first love's wife has died in childbirth and his ex-lover killed himself, leaving their sickly newborn to Jack. Carlo Del Monte has been chasing Jack for nine months and sees the baby -- Isabella, Bella for short -- as an opportunity to get Jack in his house, as well as his bed, permanently. The two men set up housekeeping with the help of friends and Carlo's big Italian family. Then little Bella ends up in the intensive care since she lacks immunity to childhood diseases. Can Jack and Carlo find their way in this new relationship? As partners, husbands, fathers? Will the two be able to form a strong bond ... and an even stronger family?

Beau's Baby

“Yeah, little brother. We stopped and got Italian pastries at Caputos.” They sat around Carlo’s huge kitchen table drinking coffee.


“So, how did you two wind up with a baby girl? I know you’re not married yet unless I didn’t get invited to the wedding. Tsk, tsk, living in sin.” Alberto must be Carlo’s Bobby.


“I’ll let Jack tell the story.” Jack watched Carlo appraise him. He bet Carlo was wondering what he’d say. Jack always found that sticking to the truth was the best policy so he told them the saga of Beau, Jack, and Meredith.


Giuseppe said, “What a lying, cheating, bastard.”


The doorbell rang and Bobby and Keith walked in. “You must be talking about Beau. I’m Bobby Michaels and this is my fiancé, Keith Anderson. I was a teammate of Jack’s on the Ocean Township Soccer Team. We’re all very close.” There was Bobby, letting everyone know he has my back.


Mama said, “It’s good to have friends but where were you when this bastardotook our Jack for a ride?”


Chapter 20