“Hello, my wife.”
I smiled, running my hand along his short beard. He was barely recognizable from the man in the warehouse so many years ago.
“Hello, my husband.”
“You looked very contemplative.” He ran his hand over my rounded stomach. “Our girl causing you some discomfort?”
I covered his hand with mine. “No, I was just thinking.”
“About?”
“When we got here.”
He leaned forward, giving me another kiss. “Only good thoughts now, Evie. Those days are long past. We’re all together and safe. Nothing is going to change that.”
“Oh, I know.” I hastened to assure him. “I was simply thinking how wonderful it is to have our whole family here.”
“Soon, there will be one more.”
I smiled. “Yes. Another daughter for you to spoil.”
He grinned. “Maia is so excited about going to school next month. I’ll miss her here every day. She has grown so fast. So have the boys.”
I chuckled. “You’re going to take her and Roza in the boat every day, Matteo, and pick her up. She’ll only be gone a few hours. It will be good for her to have other children to play with.”
“I know. I don’t have to like it, though. She’s my best little buddy.” He shot me a teasing smirk. “We’ll just have to keep having new ones so I don’t get too lonely.”
I shook my head in resignation. “Whatever you say.”
He stood, lifting me in his arms. He kissed me, the caress long, lingering, and filled with promise. “I thought you’d see it my way. I think we should go practice a little. Gianna and Vince are taking the kids out on the boat, and the house is empty.”
I smiled at him, cupping his cheek.
“Okay, Boss.”
He threw back his head in laughter and strode into the house, his mouth hovering over mine.
“That’s right, Evie. I’m the Boss.” He winked. “As long as you say it’s okay.”
I joined in his laughter.
We both knew there would only ever be one true Boss.
And he was mine.