“I don’t think I can take any more news.”
“Don’t worry, it is good news.”
“Can you tell me now?”
“Let’s sit down.”
“Ok.”
He took her hand and led her over to the sofa. “I took the offer with the brokerage firm.”
“Oh Dante, that’s great.” She wrapped her arms around him. “I know you wanted that. How did everyone take it? Have you told your family?”
“I spoke to Don Calo, and he gave me his blessing. I haven’t spoken to my dad yet. I know he will take it hard.”
“I can understand that.”
“I know you had some valid concerns with regards to my previous job, but now that that is over, are you ready to make this a real marriage?”
“Dante, that is good, but I’m still not comfortable with your past. They are still your family, and there is still the threat of you going to jail. What will I do if you’re gone? I don’t have a job to go to and support myself right now. I have nothing.”
“You have me. Anyway, I’m going to beat the charges. Tony and I have something in the works. It looks like I was set up and false information was leaked.”
“Ok, but I don’t know if I want to be part of your family.”
“Madison, we’re married. You already are.”
Madison touched her neck. “I guess you’re right, but it’s not for real. And if you already have something worked out, there is no need for me to stay here and I can go back to my apartment.”
“And our marriage?”
“We can stay married I guess, but we don’t need to live with each other.”
“But Sabrina isn’t in jail. She could still come after you.”
“I guess that’s true. Ok. I guess I have to stay.” She turned to go. “But there was that guy you were going to have be my bodyguard? Can he just watch me?”
“He can, but I’d feel more comfortable with you here.”
“And I’d feel more comfortable at my place.”
“Madison, there is something else I wanted to tell you.” He took her hands in his. “I love you.”
Her face softened. “Oh Dante, I love you too, but it doesn’t mean we have to live together. I know we’re married, but you want the wife and kids and I don’t know if I do. My mom has taught me one thing, and it is that love is finite, and there isn’t enough for everyone. I don’t want to stop loving you, but I also don’t want to bring a kid into the world that I can’t love, or can’t provide as much love as they need.”
“Ok, I guess I understand your feelings, but there is enough love for everyone.” He pulled her into his arms.
“That might be true, but it also might not be true.”
“But if you love me, why don’t you want to stay?”
“I don’t know.”
Dante seized on her confusion. “I love you, and I want to be with you. I understand you didn’t plan on being married, but now that we are, is it such a bad thing?”
“Well, no. I guess not. But kids?” She looked up at him. “You want them.”
“I do, but I want you more. If you decide you don’t want kids, then I will respect that, but I don’t want to live my life without you.”
