"You'll do more than protect them. You'll cherish them. That child she's carrying is the future of both our families."
The weight of responsibility settles on my shoulders, but it doesn't feel heavy.
It feels right.
Like everything I've done in my life has led to this moment, this choice, this family I'm about to have.
"When can I see her?" I ask.
"After the business terms are negotiated. After everything is proper and official."
"How is she doing? Really? Is she okay?"
Something softens in Roberto's expression. "She’s unnecessarily worried about you. Worried about whether I'd approve the marriage. About what kind of mother she'll be."
She's worried about me. Even carrying my child, even dealing with morning sickness and fear, she's thinking about my safety.
"I want to take care of her."
"Then prove it. Show me that marrying my daughter to you is the right choice for everyone involved by being the man she needs you to be.” Roberto moves toward the door, then pauses. "One last thing, Mr. Lombardi."
"Yes?"
"If this child is indeed a son, if he becomes the heir we've discussed, he'll be raised to understand both sides of his heritage. Lombardi and Bonacci. He'll know his grandfathers, his uncles, his numerous cousins, his history."
"And if that creates conflicts for him?"
"Then he'll learn to navigate them. That's what leaders do."
"You think he'll be a leader?"
Roberto's smile is small but genuine. "He'll be the son of Damon Lombardi and Viviana Bonacci. Leadership will be in his blood."
After Roberto leaves, I sit alone in the empty room, trying to process everything that's happened.
Viviana is pregnant with my child. We're getting married. Our baby could be the key to uniting our families.
But more than that, I'm going to be a father.
There's a tiny person growing inside the woman I love, and that person is going to need me to be better than I've ever been before.
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it fills me with a sense of purpose I've never felt before.
I pull out my phone and call my father.
"How did it go?" he answers immediately.
"He said yes. Viviana's pregnant."
Silence on the other end of the line.
"Dad?"
"A grandchild," he says finally. "Jesus Christ, Damon. Do you understand what this means?"
"It means I'm going to be a father."
"It means you're going to be the father of the most important child in both our organizations. One day he will rule over a dynasty. When's the wedding?"
