Romeo had resisted the urge to raze the Fattore mansion to the ground, instead renovating it with Maisie’s help and donating it to the local orphanage.
From the trauma of his childhood and the bleak landscape he’d anticipated his future being, he was now submerged in love and happiness so profound, it scared him sometimes. Not enough that he would fail to hang on to it with both hands.
He pulled his wife closer. ‘So, about my surprise?’ he pressed as he tugged at the strings of her bikini.
Breathtaking blue eyes met his as she captured his hand, kissed his palm, then laid it gently over her stomach.
His heart stopped, then raced with pure bliss. ‘Another baby?’ he murmured in awe.
Maisie nodded, tears filling her eyes.
Dropping to his knees, he kissed her belly, and the miracle nestled within. ‘Ciao, bella bambina,’ he whispered.
She smiled. ‘You’re so sure it’s a girl this time?’
‘I’m certain. She’ll be as beautiful as her mother. And she will go a little way to balancing out the testosterone you find so challenging.’
She laughed as he scooped her up and tumbled her into bed.
Laughter ceased, and desire took over. They expressed their love in the gentle kisses and furnace-hot lovemaking.
A few hours later, they dressed and joined their children and the Giordanos around the large dinner table.
Their news was greeted with hugs and kisses, after which Zaccheo raised his glass.
‘To family,’ he toasted, glancing at every face around the table until finally resting lovingly on his wife. ‘And to love.’
‘Sì, to family,’ Romeo echoed. Then his gaze found Maisie’s. ‘To my for ever,’ he murmured for her ears alone.