The sun warmsmy face as we sit at a charming little café in the middle of the town square. Mountains stand tall behind the buildings as if they’re reaching for heaven, not realizing they are already set in paradise.
After a month in Italy, my ability to speak the language of my ancestors is still atrocious. Leo’s been my saving grace, translating like he was born here.
“I could live here forever,” I say, tipping my head back to soak up a little more sun.
Life is slow here. There’s no rushing from one place to the next, no traffic jams or police sirens at all hours of the night. The quaint little village of Castel di Sangro, tucked in a valley between the lush mountains and Leo’s great-grandparents’ hometown, is exactly how I imagined the old country to be.
“We could buy a place and raise the baby here,” he says as he lifts the espresso cup to his lips.
I glance at him and shake my head. “I can’t leave my family. I need my mom most of all, especially with the baby coming.” I touch the tiny bump that’s finally starting to grow, making the pregnancy all too real.
“We can spend summers here at the very least.”
I nod, liking the idea, because I can’t imagine anything better than escaping the loud, harsh city for the green countryside so filled with history and peace.
“See that church?” Leo motions across the square to a three-story white building which has seen better days. “My great-grandparents were married there, as their parents were.”
I study him because Leo doesn’t make small talk or drop useless information unless he’s going somewhere with it. “That’s so sweet.” I smile, taking in the beauty of the old structure.
“I was wondering,” he says as he places his cup back on the table and grasps my hand. “What do you think about getting married there?”
“Okay,” I say quickly.
“Because the baby will be here soon, and I’d love to…” He pauses, and his eyebrows draw together when my response finally registers. “Wait. What?”
“I said okay,” I repeat, knowing he wasn’t expecting me to say yes.
Leo’s face relaxes as a smile spreads across his handsome face. “I thought I’d have to fight you on this.”
I shake my head, knowing it’s exactly how I want our family to start. Steeped in history and tradition, surrounded by love and joy. “It’s perfect.”
He stands up and takes my hand, pulling me into his arms. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world,bella.”
I peer up, staring into those sinful honey-brown eyes that captured me not that long ago. “I want us to be a family, Leo, in every sense of the word.”
He leans forward and presses his lips to mine, stealing my breath like he does every time he kisses me. I wrap my arms around his middle and hold him tight, wishing we could stay like this forever.
“How about tomorrow?” he asks.
“Tomorrow, what?”
His embrace tightens. “We’ll get married tomorrow.”
“That’s too soon. I need—” I start to say when he cuts me off.
“Your family is already on the way here. I have an appointment set for you at the dress shop in town, and the rings are already being made.”
I blink a few times, totally in shock. “How?”
He’s barely left my side this entire trip. How he had time to pull together a wedding, including flying my family to Italy, is beyond me. I’ve barely had the energy to make it to sunset every night without taking at least one catnap.
“While you sleep,” he says and brushes his lips against mine.
“Oh, well,” I mumble. “Tomorrow.”
I try to let that sink in. Tomorrow, I’ll no longer be Daphne Gallo, I’ll be Daphne Conti. I wonder how Leo would feel if I decided to hyphenate my name, but that conversation can wait until another day.
“A marriage license. We need one.”
