“We hiding!” Giovanni announces proudly, diving behind Dad’s chair like it’s the most clever hiding spot in the world.
“Hiding from what?” I ask, scooping Arianna up and settling her on my lap while she immediately starts playing with my wedding ring.
“Mama!” they both yell in unison, dissolving into giggles.
Sure enough, Bella appears in the doorway a moment later, her hair escaping from its ponytail and her cheeks flushed from chasing toddlers around the compound. She places a hand against the door, taking in deep breaths.
“Sorry,” she pants, leaning against the doorframe. “They’re supposed to be napping, but apparently hiding from Mama is more fun than sleeping.” She eyes the children with a look so severe it makes me want her to join me at the next Family meeting.
One glare from Bella and even the most hardened don would be groveling at her feet.
“No nap!” Arianna declares firmly, snuggling deeper into my arms. She juts out her lower lip and crosses her arms. “Stay with Banca!”
Looking at her little face—so trusting, so full of love—something inside my chest squeezes tight.
She has no idea how complicated our family is, how different our world is from the one most children grow up in.
To her, we’re just the people who love her unconditionally and always will.
Perfect innocence,Sophia’s voice observes gently.
Worth protecting at any cost,Giuseppe adds with uncharacteristic tenderness.
The future we’re building,Matteo’s voice concludes with satisfaction.
The voices have been quieter lately, more collaborative than competing.
Like they’ve finally figured out that they’re all working toward the same goals—protecting what matters, building something lasting, ensuring the family survives and thrives.
Or maybe it’s because I’ve finally figured out how to balance all the different parts of myself without feeling like they’re tearing me apart.
“Actually,” I say, my heart suddenly racing as I realize this is the perfect moment, “since we’re all here, there’s something Alessandro and I want to tell you.”
Everyone goes still. Even the twins seem to sense that something important is happening, their chatter fading as they look around at the adults with wide, curious eyes.
I glance at Alessandro, who nods encouragingly, his hazel eyes warm with love and excitement. We’ve been keeping this secret for two weeks, waiting for the right moment to share the news.
“We’re pregnant,” I announce, my heart hammering. I’m not sure why I’m so scared to tell Dad and Bella.
Maybe it’s the fact that I’m announcing that Alessandro and I are having unprotected sex—alotof sex, to be honest—and that’s normally a line you don’t cross with your parents.
The silence that follows lasts exactly three seconds before Bella lets out a shriek that could probably be heard in New Jersey.
“Oh my god!” she screams, tears already streaming down her face as she rushes toward me. “Oh my god, Bianca! Really? You’re really pregnant?”
Her reaction startles the twins so much that Arianna starts crying and Giovanni scrambles out from behind Dad’s chair to hide behind Alessandro instead with Arianna joining him shortly after.
But I barely notice their confusion because I only have eyes for Dad.
He’s gone completely still, his face cycling through shock, joy, and something that looks like he’s trying not to cry.
His eyes—so much like mine—are bright with unshed tears, and his mouth is slightly open like he wants to speak but can’t find the words.
“Dad?” I whisper, suddenly needing his approval more than anything else in the world.
That breaks his paralysis. He’s across the room in three quick strides, pulling me up from the chair and into his arms so tightly that I can barely breathe.
But I don’t care, because he’s shaking slightly and I can feel the dampness of tears against my hair.
