“We’re discrete.”
Grady and Marco, Giovanna and Fiorella’s bodyguards both burst out laughing.
“Discrete my ass.” Marco laughs.
“Omg. You’re supposed to defend me.”
“No, I’m here to protect you. There’s a difference and right now? No one’s attacking you so I’m doing my job.”
I laugh as I listen to them and look at Diego. He’s laughing and it seems like he’s enjoying his time here too. And even though I’m not saying it out loud, I’m sure the Mancini I like? He’s the best one. The next few hours gets busy again and I love it. All of a sudden it’s time to see my boys.
“Giancarlo is really cute. Is he always so friendly?” I ask as we start to close up the bakery.
“No, he’s usually pretty shy and he never really talks to new people. But he really likes you.” Rosaura smiles at me.
“I really like him too. I just want to hug and squeeze him.”
“We feel the same way about him.” She laughs.
It takes all of us almost an hour to get the pastries put away. I make sure to grab a few apple strudels for Gianluca. As I’m putting them in a box, I see all three of the mamà’s watching me and smiling. It’s a little weird.
We head back to the property. The first thing I hear when we get into the house is Giancarlo screaming. I don’t know why, but I run towards his voice and see Gianluca holding him and rocking him. The look on Gianluca’s face is heartbreaking. He looks like he wants to fix whatever’s making Giancarlo sad, but he can’t. Just as I turn to leave, I hear a little voice say my name and I feel a tug on my hand. I turn back around and see Giancarlo looking up at me.
“Can I have a hug?” he sniffles.
I look at his papà and he nods. So I pick him up and hug him.
“Did you have a bad dream?” I ask him softly.
He nods as he lays his head on my shoulder.
“I miss my mama.” He sniffles more.
I look at Gianluca as I hold his son tight. His sobs are breaking my heart, I wish I could take away the hurt he’s feeling. As I’m swaying with him in my arms, Gianluca gets up and wraps his arms around both of us. I’ve never felt so much love from someone before. The pain in his eyes is obvious and I hope Faith knows how much she means to them.
Gianluca
Watching my son take to Gabriela so fast is incredible. I haven’t been able to fully sooth him when he wakes up crying. No one has. But somehow she has, in one day, she’s somehow made him feel secure when no one else could. When I wrap my arms around them, I feel like my family is complete. She’s the piece we’ve been missing. And I’m not letting her go. I kiss the top of her head and hold them both tighter.
I’ve never wanted to be with just one person. It’s hard to know if a woman is with me because they really want me or because I’m Gianluca Mancini, third baseman for the Chicago Panthers. And now because the story’s gotten out about Faith and Giancarlo, there have been women claiming to have my kid too. It’s been a nightmare. But with Gabriela? I know she doesn’t want me for my fame. She doesn’t even seem to care that I play baseball. I just wish I knew if she felt the same way I do.
We hear my sister yelling to everyone that we have one hour to get ready and I chuckle.
“I love your sister. She’s so funny.” Gabriela laughs.
She hasn’t tried to leave my arms. I love holding her.
“I squishy.” Giancarlo giggles.
I look down at him and kiss his face. Then I take the chance and kiss Gabriela. I hear Carlo giggling as I pull back. Gabriela’s smiling at me. Thank god.
“Kissy.” Carlo claps at us.
“I think he likes me kissing you.” I say as I kiss her again.
“I like you kissing me too.” She smiles more at me.
“I KNEW IT!” Fiorella yells as she pokes her head in Giancarlo’s room.
