Not tonight.
Not ever.
“Do you want me to check on her?” I ask softly, brushing my thumb along her hip.
Vasilisa looks up instantly, hope blooming in her eyes like sunrise. “Can you?”
“Of course.”
I kiss the side of her head. “I’ll text Enzo. His family’s close to her apartment, he can stop by and see if everything’s alright.”
Her whole face brightens.
Dio, she’s so easy to soothe.
So easy to love.
“That would help,” she whispers, placing her hand over mine. “Thank you, Santo.”
“For you? Always.”
She settles against me again, relaxed now, her fingers playing absently with the buttons on my shirt.
“I want to do our announcement soon,” she says quietly, her voice soft and full of this secret happiness she’s been carrying all day. “Before dinner maybe?”
My chest warms.
“Yes,” I murmur. “Whenever you’re ready, Dea.”
She smiles—the kind of smile that knocks air out of my lungs and leans her head on my shoulder.
I pull my phone from my pocket with my free hand and type quickly:
Check on Lila. Now. Her place. No noise, no teams. Just you. Update me.
I hit send.
Then tuck the phone away and wrap both arms around my wife, holding her close as guests chatter around us, her small body melting into mine.
“Let’s do the announcement now, hmm?” I ask her softly.
I watch her nod, her eyes bright with excitement, and I stand, helping her to her feet. My hand stays firm on her lower back, keeping her close as I guide her toward the center of the room.
“Everyone,” I call out, my voice carrying easily over the conversation. The room quiets immediately. All eyes turn to us, and I feel Vasilisa’s pulse quicken.
She steps slightly forward, her hand finding mine, fingers intertwining as she takes a breath.
“Santo and I have an announcement,” she says, her voice clear and steady despite the nervous energy I feel thrumming through her. “We wanted to share some special news with our family first.”
Luna is already beaming, hand pressed to her mouth. Nico stands beside her, his expression knowing but pleased. My men watch with curious eyes, glasses paused halfway to lips.
“I’m pregnant,” Vasilisa says, joy radiating from every syllable. “We’re having a baby.”
The room erupts in cheers and congratulations. Sergei, surprisingly, is the first to step forward, pulling Vasilisa into a bear hug that makes my protective instincts flare until I see her laughing, arms wrapped around his thick neck.
“Little Vasilisa having baby,” he says gruffly, his accent thicker with emotion. “This is good news.”
The others crowd around her, careful, respectful, but eager to offer congratulations. Luna squeals and rushes to her side, already chattering about nursery colors and baby showers. Pietro catches my eye across the room, raising his glass in silent acknowledgment.
