“Congratulations, Mom and Dad,” Dr. Brown says as she stands. “You have a healthy baby boy.”
“Daniele,” Matteo and I say at the same time.
Matteo leans in closer, voice low and rough as gravel.
“Ciao, Daniele. I’m your papa.”
The words strainout of him like they weigh a thousand pounds. “And this… this is your mama. We’ve waited a long time to meet you.”
Daniele settles the moment he hears Matteo’s voice, his tiny body relaxing against my chest. A nurse drapes a warm cloth over him, but I instinctively lay my hand over his back, shielding him.
“I’ll always protect you,” I whisper into his damp hair. “For the rest of my life. I’ll protect you and love you. Always.”
He lets out a soft whimper and burrows closer. Maybe it’s the heat. Maybe it’s my heartbeat—the steady rhythm he’s knownsince he was nothing but a cluster of cells finding its way into this world.
Either way, he knows me. And I know him.
“Welcome home, Daniele Davacalli.”
Three days later…
I stare down at the little life I pushed into the world less than seventy-two hours ago. The rocking chair moves beneath us in a slow rhythm while sunlight pours into the nursery, warming everything it touches.
Valerio stands over us, staring at Daniele like he’s witnessing a miracle he can’t quite compute.
“I still can’t believehe fit inside you a few days ago.”
The great Davacalli soldier—stone-faced, feared, unshakeable—looks absolutely terrified. His eyes haven’t left Daniele once. It’s been endlessly amusing watching him turn into mush over a seven-pound baby.
“The beauty of nature,” I whisper with a small laugh. “Thank you for coming to see us. Well—mainly your nephew.”
We’re officially moved into the Davacalli estate now. Three weeks earlier than planned, but Matteo had everything ready and waiting. And truthfully, I love it here.
I breathe easier.I feel safe.
“He looks so… breakable,” Valerio murmurs, mesmerized. “Can he open his eyes?”
Matteo and I exchange matching, entertained looks. Seeing the big, intimidating soldier completely undone by one tiny human has been the highlight of my week.
“He can,” Matteo says, clapping a hand on his second’s shoulder. “But he’s blind.”
“Blind?”
I shake my head. “Not forever. Newborns don’t see clearly at first. Shapes, maybe shadows. But he hears everything. Especially voices he recognizes.” I glance down at Daniele, nestling against my chest. “Like Matteo’s. He loves the sound of his father.”
Matteo straightens just slightly—shoulders back, chin up—his whole presence threaded with quiet pride.
Valerio shakes his head,stepping back as if afraid to get too close again. “Congratulations again, boss. But I need to head out. A few loose ends to tie up. France is calling; I need to make sure everything stays on track.”
Their voices fade as I focus on Daniele, warm and heavy in my arms.
Matteo walks Valerio out. I stay in the nursery, rocking slightly as I stand. I move toward the crib intending to lay him down—then stop halfway.
Peace. That’s all I feel when I look at him. A stillness I’ve never known.
“You are my greatest treasure,” I whisper.
“How’s my boy doing?” Matteo returns, stepping close beside me. He brushes Daniele’s cheek with his pinky. Daniele squirms but doesn’t wake. “Perfect,” Matteo murmurs. “In every way. And you… you did incredible.”
