I took one of her hands, and she wrapped her fingers around mine. The other opened, her long fingers stretching out.
One. Two. Three. Four. Five on each hand.
I smiled when she kicked me—like she used to do. Scarlett had dressed her in an all-in-one outfit, the palest shade of purple, and I had a sudden urge to undress her just to see her toes and feet. Just to feel her skin next to mine.
“You remember me,” I whispered.
How could I have—? I couldn’t even finish the fucking thought. I brought her up, keeping her as close to me as possible, wanting to breathe her in, to kiss her. No one apart from her mother ever felt so right. She had belonged to me forever, too.
What was once lost was found. The blind could see.
“You tore your heart out for me so that I could hold it in my hands, my wife.” I spoke in Italian, my voice raw. “Thank you, my life. Scarlett Rose Fausti. You were always right. Always.”
Counting fingers and toes…watching her breathe…running my fingers through her hair…inhaling her skin. The beat of my heart sealed more vows.She is yours…
Her eyelids fluttered, her lashes long and black, and she yawned.
To say that she was perfect would have been a lie. I didn’t think there was a word for what she was. None of them were good enough.
“Come to me, woman,” I whispered.
Scarlett came to stand beside us, and I reached my free arm around her, bringing her closer. She kissed the top of my head and then fixed the baby’s hair.
The baby.
“Mia,” I said. “Mia Bellarosa Fausti.”
“My beautiful luck.” Scarlett smiled, touching Mia’s heart. “My beautiful rose if you say her name without Fausti.”
“She was born on the seventh, a lucky number. Rose is after her mamma.”
“I love it, Brando. It fits her. Her name is…perfect.”
We both became quiet, watching our daughter. Scarlett had been right. Again. She was our love in tangible form.
“Mia Bellarosa Fausti,” I repeated.
Mia smiled in her sleep.
I got the strangest feeling then that she knew I was watching over her, and she had smiled just for me.
* * *
“That’s not a bagel,” Mary said, staring at Mia. “That’s a chubby doll!”
The room laughed.
I’d had her for myself for only one night, but the time had come to share her with the world. If not, my wife got the feeling that our families were going to raid the house.
Oh, she has Brando’s nose!
Scarlett’s eyes!
She’s the most beautiful child I’ve ever seen.
All that hair! Look at it. It’s gorgeous, with a little swirl on her forehead.
She has a doll’s face.
