Morgan DeLuca was mine as much as I was his. He wasn’t a selfish man, not the prick I’d thought he was when I met him a year ago.
At first, I’d wanted him for his looks, but when I’d really gotten to know the man, understood what made him tick, I hadn’t been able to resist the pull he had over me.
How could I say no to a man who had rescued me twice? I loved him more than anyone, and I would be forever in his debt for everything he’d done to make me whole again.
His kindness and patience helped me get through the darkest days, and he still walks the journey with me now when I wake up screaming in the middle of the night.
“We did it,” he said as we entered the church bridal room hand in hand.
“We did,” I said, looking at my husband and smiling.
My husband.
It sounded foreign and perfect at the same time.
“Mrs. DeLuca,” he whispered as he drew me against his body.
“Husband,” I murmured against his lips.
“Look at them. Think they’ll make me a grandbaby tonight?” Fran asked as she walked into the tiny bridal room, interrupting our kiss.
I could feel the pink creep across my face as she spoke with Mrs. Gallo.
“If you’re lucky, Franny. If you’re lucky,” Maria told Fran.
Morgan released my lips, turning us to face them. “Ma, seriously. What’s the rush?” he asked as he shook his head, pulling me tighter against his side.
“I’m not getting any younger,” Fran complained as she tapped her foot. “Just one.”
“One too many,” Morgan said, glancing down at me. “You want a baby right now, princess?” he asked, begging me to say no.
“Whatever Fran wants,” I replied, giving him a gigantic smile.
“Suck-up,” he whispered in my ear.
“That’s my girl,” Fran said, coming toward me. “Call me Ma.”
“Ma,” I whispered as my insides warmed.
“Just give her what she wants,” Mike said as he entered the room. “Ma never shut up about it until Joe and Suzy got pregnant. Trust me,” he added as he placed his arm on Morgan’s shoulder. “Takes so much heat off you. It’s amazing. Totally worth it.”
“Says the man who won’t change a diaper.”
“I’m not crazy, woman,” Mike replied, giving me a wink.
“Let’s leave the kids alone so they can start on the baby as soon as possible,” Fran said to everyone, trying to corral them out of the room.
“Ma, it’s a church, for Christ’s sake.”
“Coming from your heathen ass, that’s rich, Morgan.”
“Mrs. DeLuca, let me escort you out and let the kids have a few moments,” Johnny said as he grabbed Fran’s hand and looped it into the crook of his arm.
Fran stared up at Johnny. “Anywhere you want to go, handsome.”
Johnny took Fran out the door. He winked at me before leaving us alone.
“Don’t egg her on, Race,” Morgan pleaded with me, putting both arms around my back and smashing me against his chest.
