38.

                                    

                                          
In a stroke of surprisingly good luck, they found out that Sam accepted their offer that week, making plans roll full steam ahead. Bradley figured they were in a good place and the grand opening was finally something that wasn't elusive; rather, it was finally within reach. 
                          
Professional things were settling into place and personally, he knew he had much to do in the two weeks before he planned to propose to Stefani. That included speaking to both her parents and Gloria and in some way, getting their blessing. 
                          
He wasn't worried about his mother's reaction. She adored his girlfriend and he imagined the news she'd be an official part of their family would thrill her. Likewise, he felt that Cynthia would be elated by the news, as would his sister. The only person he held a little trepidation with disclosing his plans to was Joe. Despite Natali's reassurance that the older man respected him, there was still that undercurrent of uncertainty on how he would feel knowing Bradley wanted to propose to his daughter, who he'd been dating for barely a year.
                          
"Say he tells you he doesn't approve or that you're making a mistake," Natali had casually tossed out during a planning session at the restaurant, "are you going ahead with it?"
                          
He saw what she was getting at and he nodded, crossing his hands behind his head. "It would be nice to have his blessing, though. I know how highly Stefani thinks of him."
                          
"He thinks very highly of you, too, Bradley. Don't stress too much about it, okay? He and Stef don't see eye to eye on very much but they both respect the hell out of you. Just keep that in mind."
                          
It was he focused on when he Facetimed them late the next morning after both Lea and Stefani were out of the house. His heart pounded so fiercely in his chest he could almost convince himself that Joe and Cynthia would be able to hear it all the way in New York.
                          
The second he saw Cynthia's warm smile flash on screen, adjusting her glasses and sipping a cup of coffee, he felt himself calm. Joe appeared a little more skeptical, though his greeting was friendly. 
                          
"It's good to see you again, son. You look happy. Everything going well with the restaurant?"
                          
"Yeah, yeah," he swept a hand through his hair, "things are great. We actually just hired a dining room manger. The guy worked with me at La Serine and he's amazing...experienced and just an all around great man. We're lucky to have him on board."
                          
"Oh, that's wonderful!" Cynthia replied enthusiastically. "Isn't that great, Joe?"
                          
"It is," the older man agreed sincerely. "Sounds like things are really falling into place. I'm happy for you, Bradley."
                          
"Thank you," he offered, screwing up his courage, "uh, there's something I wanted to talk to you both about, if you've got a little time.
                          
"Of course we do. Actually," Cynthia leaned in toward the computer screen conspiratorially, "we figured something's going on for you to arrange a phone call."
                          
Her tone was knowing and it should have made his nerves dissipate but just the idea they possibly had an inkling of what he wanted to talk about with them threw him into an anxious, over thinking, tailspin.
                          
Spit it out, he advised himself, taking in yet another deep breath. Put it out there.
                          
"Well, first I want to say, there were a lot of changes in my life this past year. Good ones. And getting to know both of you has been wonderful. You're all amazing people and you treat my family, Lea, especially, like we're your family, too. Thank you for that."
                          
"So are you, sweetheart," Cynthia told him kindly, "I hope you know that."
                          
"I do and believe me, it isn't something I ever take for granted."