“I’m probably already six or eight weeks pregnant, so seven months. I’ll have to tell my family. We’ll need to prepare so much.”
Cristiano is still kissing my belly, and I don’t think he heard a word I said. “I’m going everywhere with you, and we will have six bodyguards. No. Twelve. All the best doctors. A fleet of midwives. You can make a wing of the house into a nursery for the baby and a bedroom for Leon. I’ll massage your feet and lower back. If you have cravings, I’ll start a war for the last jar of pickles in the city. You’re not lifting anything ever again. Are youhungry? Do you need anything from the kitchen? You’re coming with me. Because I mean it, Mina. Never. Out. Of. My. Sight.”
I gaze down at him, bewildered. “I thought you promised to be less crazy from now on.”
“When the hell did I promise that?” He kisses his way up my body and cradles my head in his hands. “I never promised that. I’m going to be ten times as fucking crazy now, Mina.”
So he didn’t. I’m the object of this man’s obsession, and for the first time in my life, the thought is thrilling, not frightening. A smile spreads over my face.
He kisses me hard, and hot sparks shoot through my body.
“Can we tell Leon who I am now?” he whispers.
My stomach swoops with excitement. Leon is going to be so happy when we tell him that Cristiano, the man he so adores, is his father, but I temper my happiness with caution.
“You will be careful when we tell him, won’t you? I don’t want to overwhelm him. You come on so strong, Cristiano.”
He crosses his heart. “For our babies, I am the sanest man on earth.” His teeth nip my ear. “I’m only crazy for you.”
I smile and tip my head back so he can kiss my throat, which he does with passion. “All right. Let’s go and tell our son about his father and the new baby.”
We find Leon in the guest bedroom where he’s been staying. He’s sitting on the plush carpet in his robe, a fleet of toy trucks spread out around him. He’s making engine noises as he pushes a red fire truck across the floor.
“Mama! Cristiano!” His face lights up when he sees us in the doorway. “Come play with me?”
Cristiano and I exchange a glance. My heart is pounding so hard I can feel it in my throat.
We settle onto the floor with him, Cristiano moving carefully because of his still-healing injuries. Leon immediately hands him a blue pickup truck.
“This one’s yours,” Leon announces. “We’re building a city.”
“A city?” Cristiano takes the truck. “That sounds perfect.”
I watch them for a moment, Leon chattering away about where the roads should go, which buildings need to be taller. Cristiano listens intently, asking questions, making suggestions. They already fit together so naturally.
“Leon, baby.” I reach out and take his hand. “Cristiano and I have something to talk to you about.”
Leon looks up at me with those amber Montoni eyes. “What is it, Mama?”
I take a deep breath. “Do you remember how you noticed that you and Cristiano have the same eyes?”
Leon nods eagerly. “And Adora too! The pretty lady.”
“That’s right.” I glance at Cristiano. He’s watching Leon with such intensity, such hope. “You have the same eyes because you’re family. Cristiano is your papa, Leon. He’s always been your papa.”
Leon blinks. Looks at me. Then at Cristiano. Then back at me.
“Cristiano is my papa?”
“Yes, baby.”
“But…” Leon’s brow furrows. “Where was he? I never met my papa before.”
My chest tightens. This is the moment I’ve been dreading.
Cristiano takes over for me, and I feel a surge of gratitude. “When you were a baby, I had to go far away for a while. But I came back as soon as I could, and now I’m never leaving again.”
Leon turns to Cristiano, studying his face. “Did you miss Mama while you were away?”
