My hand rests on my still-flat stomach, trying to imagine the tiny life growing there. It’s hard to imagine I could love this tiny little creature so much.
Now if only it could stop making me feel nauseous in the morning…
“Penny for your thoughts?” Alessandro asks, appearing behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist. He kisses my neck before placing his chin at the curve where my neck and shoulder meet.
“Just thinking about how everything’s changed,” I tell him, leaning back against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. “A year ago, I didn’t even know who I really was. And now…”
“Now you’re a kick ass underboss and a proven leader,” he finishes, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “And you’re going to be an incredible mother.”
“How can you be so sure?” I ask, turning in his arms to face him. As much as I love this baby, I worry that I’ll turn into Sophia. Outside of Bella, I’ve had zero good female role models.
His smile is soft and certain, a dimple appearing in his left cheek. “Because I’ve watched you love the people in your life. The way you protect Matteo even when you’re angry with him, the way you play with the twins, the way you’ve built something beautiful out of all the darkness you inherited.” His hands frame my face gently. “This baby is going to be so lucky to have you.”
“To have us,” I correct, rising up on my toes to kiss him.
The kiss is soft, sweet, full of promise and hope and the knowledge that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. When we break apart, Alessandro rests his forehead against mine.
“I love you, Mrs. DeLuca-Ricci,” he murmurs, kissing me again.
“I love you too,” I murmur against his lips. “All of you. This life, this chaos, this beautiful mess we’ve built together.”
“Even the complicated parts?” he teases me. “Like when you can’t figure out what we should eat for dinner?”
I playfully smack him. “Especiallythe complicated parts.”
Because that’s what love is, isn’t it?
Choosing someone not despite their complications, but because of the complete picture they represent.
Choosing to build something together that’s stronger than what either of you could manage alone.
As we settle into bed, Alessandro’s hand resting protectively over my stomach, I feel the three voices in my head finally, truly quiet.
The parts of them that live in me don’t have to define me. I can take Giuseppe’s strength without his cruelty, Sophia’s survival instincts without her betrayal, Matteo’s protection without his need to hide difficult truths.
This child will inherit the best of what came before while being free to become something entirely their own.
The DeLuca legacy will continue, carried by children who inherit power without losing humanity, strength without sacrificing love.
It’s complicated and dangerous and absolutely perfect.
Just like everything else in my life.
Just like everything else worth having.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
Bianca
One year later, I’m standing in Mario and Elena’s backyard trying to convince my five-month-old son that crying during wedding ceremonies is considered rude, even if you are technically too young to understand social etiquette.
“Come on, Romeo,” I whisper, bouncing him gently against my shoulder as the officiant drones on about love and commitment. “My half-brother is finally making an honest woman out of Elena. This is a historic moment.”
Romeo responds by grabbing a fistful of my hair and yanking hard enough to make my eyes water.
Alessandro, sitting beside me in his perfectly pressed suit, tries to hide his smirk behind his hand.
“He’s got your attitude,” he murmurs close to my ear.
