The room suddenly feels like it's collapsing around me. He's leaving again. But this time, it's my fault.
"Luca, wait!" I lunge forward, grasping his arm.
He pauses but doesn't turn.
"I love you," I say, realizing he’s right. He’s given all of himself, and I’ve given hardly anything at all. “I've always loved you."
His body goes still.
"When you disappeared, it nearly broke me," I confess, my hand still gripping his arm. "I was so young, so blindly in love. I kept waiting for a sign, a call, anything. Even after I found out I was pregnant."
He turns, and the pain in his eyes makes my chest clench tight.
"Enzo saved me. Having him gave me purpose." I take a shuddering breath. "I did what I needed to survive. When you returned, all I felt was the pain from when you left. I can’t survive that again and I guess I’m trying to protect myself. But all I’m doing is hurting us more.”
He still doesn’t respond. Is it too late?
"I was wrong not to confront you. I should have demanded answers instead of assuming the worst. I should have trusted what we had enough to fight for it, especially when you’ve been so attentive to me and Enzo. It’s felt like a dream come true but also made me terrified of losing you again."
“You should have trusted me.”
“I know. I've hurt you. I've pushed you away when all you've done is try to reach me. I convinced myself it was safer that way.”
Luca's expression softens slightly, but he remains silent, waiting.
I realize I’m not saying the words he needs to hear. "I love you. I want to be with you. I want Enzo to be with you. I want us to build something real in Chicago, in New York, wherever.”
Finally, I see his features relax. “Are you sure? This won’t work if you still don’t believe in me.”
I nod vigorously. “I’m positive. One hundred percent.” I glance down at my belly before returning my gaze to his. “But there is a condition.”
He tenses, and I understand why.
He’s preparing to hear something that might keep us apart.
I hope it doesn’t.
“One more person needs to come with us.”
Luca's brow furrows in confusion, his eyes searching mine.
"I'm pregnant."
At first, I see confusion in his eyes.
But then, there’s joy. His hand presses against my belly.
"A baby?" His voice is thick with emotion.
"I just found out. I took the test and… I was terrified.” I admit, wanting to be transparent with him from now on. “Not of having another baby, but of doing it alone again. When I heard you talking about Chicago, I thought history was repeating itself."
For a moment, I think he might get angry again, and rightfully so.
I’ve been unfair to him.
Instead, he pulls me against him, his arms encircling me.
His lips find mine in a kiss that's both tender and desperate.
