"Our handiwork," I correct, accepting the glass and leaning into his warmth. "This was only possible because of what you built here first."
"What I built was control. What you built is community."
I watch Emilio helping Carlo set up a display of traditional fishing nets, see Franco explaining modern construction techniques to a group of fascinated tourists, notice how even Enzo's most intimidating associates are chatting amiably with village families.
The line between protection and community has blurred in ways I never expected.
"The tourism numbers exceeded our projections," I tell him. "Again. We're booked solid through Christmas, and I'm getting inquiries about Easter already."
"And the village?"
"Thriving. Three young families have moved back in the last month. The Rossi boy decided to study agriculture instead of leaving for university in Naples. Maria's granddaughter is opening a craft workshop next spring."
"No one's leaving anymore."
"Why would they? They have jobs, purpose, hope. They have reasons to stay."
Enzo nods, satisfied. The tourism initiative has been a success beyond our wildest expectations, but more importantly, it's given Monte Vento something to live for again.
"There's something else," I add, setting down my wine glass.
"What?"
"Dr. Castellano called this afternoon. With test results."
Something in my tone makes him go very still. "What kind of test results? Is something wrong? Are you ill?"
I turn to face him fully, taking his hands in mine, and watch his expression shift as understanding dawns.
"The kind that means we're going to need to start planning a nursery."
For a moment, he doesn't react at all. Then his face transforms into an expression of pure joy I've never seen before.
"You're pregnant."
He lifts me off my feet and spins me around, both of us laughing as the sounds of the festival drift up from below. When he sets me down, his hands immediately go to my still-flat stomach.
"How long?"
"About seven weeks, Dr. Castellano thinks."
"Are you happy?"
"Terrified," I admit. "And happy. And completely overwhelmed. How do we raise a child in this world?"
"The same way every parent raises a child. With love, protection, and the hope that we're giving them something better than what we had."
"Even with your... business?"
"Our child will grow up safe, loved, and surrounded by a community that will protect them because they're ours. They'll know their heritage, their culture, their place in this world."
"And when they ask what Daddy does for work?"
"We'll tell them the truth, in age-appropriate ways. That I protect our community. That sometimes protection requires difficult choices. That power comes with responsibility."
I lean against him, watching the festival continue below us. Children playing, couples dancing, families sharing meals under the stars. Our child will grow up knowing all these people, being part of this community we've built together.
"Will they resent us? For the complexity of it all?"
