She stands, wrapping her arms around my neck. "I love you too," she whispers against my lips. "So much it scares me sometimes."
I pull her closer, burying my face in her neck. "We'll figure it out," I murmur. "Together."
As I hold my wife in my arms, I realize this is what I've been missing my entire life. Not just a partner or an ally, but someone who completes me in ways I never knew I needed.
Someone worth everything.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
vittoria
I stareat the pregnancy test in my hand, heart racing like I just ran a marathon. Two pink lines stare back at me, confirming what I'd begun to suspect over the past few days.
I'm fucking pregnant.
I woke up this morning and waited for Cesare to leave our room before taking the test. Now I have my answer.
Damn.
A mixture of emotions crash over me: joy, excitement, terror. Cesare and I had talked about having children someday, but we hadn't been actively trying. This is unexpected as hell, but not unwelcome.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. How will Cesare react? Will he be happy? And what about his children? We've made so much progress lately. Will this news fuck everything up?
I hear the bedroom door open and quickly hide the test behind my back. Cesare walks in, looking tired but smiling when he sees me.
"There you are," he says, coming over to kiss me softly. "The girls want to do a final fitting for their dresses before the engagement party tomorrow."
I nod, trying to act normal. "Of course. I'll be right there."
Cesare studies my face, brow furrowing slightly. "Is everything alright, Tori? You look pale."
I force a smile. "I'm fine. Just a little tired, I suppose."
His eyes narrow. "Tori," he says, a slight edge to his voice. "Do not lie to me. What are you hiding?"
Fuck. I should have known I wouldn't be able to hide anything from him.
I take a deep breath and bring my hand forward, the test facing him. Those two pink lines are bright and unmistakable.
Cesare's eyes widen as he sees the pregnancy test. For a moment, he's completely still, gaze fixed on those two lines.
"You're pregnant?" he whispers, voice a mixture of disbelief and hope.
I nod, suddenly feeling nervous as hell. "Yes. I... I just found out. I'm not sure how far along I am yet."
Cesare takes a step closer, eyes moving from the test to my face. "Are you sure?"
"Pretty sure," I say, gesturing to the test. "But I'll need to see a doctor to confirm and find out exactly how far along."
There's another moment of silence, and anxiety grows in my chest like a living thing. "Cesare?" I say hesitantly. "Are you... are you okay with this?"
Suddenly, Cesare's face breaks into a wide smile that makes him look younger than ever. He's so fucking handsome. He closes the distance between us in two quick strides, pulling me into his arms and lifting me off my feet.
I wrap my legs around his waist as I drop the pregnancy test onto the bathroom counter.
"Okay with it?" he says, voice thick with emotion. "Tori, I'm beyond happy."
Relief floods through me as I wrap my arms around his neck. "Really?"
