“You have a healthy baby boy,” Dr. Milazzo says as I slump back against the pillows, my skin soaked with sweat and breaths rushing over my lips from just giving birth.
Christiano’s tight grip on my hand begins to ease, and leaning over me, he presses a kiss to my forehead. When I started having contractions, he brought me to the Cosa Nostra’s personal hospital.
A tiny cry sounds up, and my eyes snap to where Simone, the nurse, is tending to our baby.
She wraps him in a soft blanket, and when she brings him to me, my heartbeat speeds up dangerously fast. By the time she lays the small bundle in my arms, the monitors are going crazy.
“Oh my God, Christiano,” I whimper as I look at our son. “He’s so small.”
“He’ll be the most protected child on this planet, princess,” my wonderful husband reassures me for the millionth time. Brushing his palm over my damn hair, he leans closer as he takes hold of our son’s tiny hand. “Thank you for giving me an heir. You were so brave.”
A tearful smile curves my lips. I can’t tear my eyes away from the scrunched-up little face of our baby, thinking I’ve never seen anything more beautiful in my life.
“Hi, Damian, I’m your daddy,” Christiano coos lovingly. “Welcome to the world, son.”
As carefully as possible, I hand our son over to him, so he can hold our precious bundle while the medical personnel finish with me.
By the time I’m moved to a luxurious private room, my eyes won’t stay open and keep drifting off.
Every once in a while, I hear Christiano talk to Damian, who’s making cute fussing sounds.
When I wake up, the room is empty, and not seeing Christiano or Damian, my heart sets off at a crazy pace.
An alarm starts beeping out in the hallway, then I hear Christiano snap, “Fuck.” He rushes into the room, and I notice the face of his watch is showing red as it continues to beep.
“I’m here, baby. You’re okay.” He quickly pushes a button on his wristwatch to silence it, then leans over me. “I’m fine. Damian’s fine. We’re here.”
“Sorry,” I whisper as my heart calms down.
“Don’t apologize,” he murmurs while hugging me. “We’re all safe. I won’t allow anything to happen to Damian. He’s with our fathers. No one can get to him.”
I nod, feeling much better. In my mind, our fathers are indestructible, and knowing they’re with our son, it eases my phobia.
“Can we come in?” I hear Dad ask.
“Yes.” Christiano moves back, and when I see our parents come into the room with proud and happy looks on their faces, a lump forms in my throat.
Dad comes to press a kiss to my forehead. “You did a good job, sweetheart. I want you to rest while we all watch over you, Christiano, and Damian.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
Mom sits down beside me, rubbing her hand gently over my stomach while my father-in-law moves closer. He carefully places Damian in my arms, saying, “I think he’s hungry.”
Our fathers leave, shutting the door behind them, so I’ll have privacy. Mom and Christiano help me sit up and fluff the pillows behind me.
As Mom helps me get Damian to latch onto my breast, and I feel him suck, a wide smile spreads over my face. “There you go, my little prince.”
“I like that,” Christiano says, his tone sounding emotional. “Our little prince.”
And the next heir to thecapo dei capititle.
Fear slithers through my veins, but I manage to keep calm.
A couple of seconds later, I’m filled with contentment because I’m able to breastfeed and provide nourishment for our son.
Soon, his sucking slows down until he falls asleep. “He’s so cute,” I whisper.
Christiano gently takes him from me so I can cover up, and as I lean my head back against the pillows, my eyes lock on my husband and son, and I’m hit with a wave of overwhelming love.
