“I know,” I repeated.
Then his eyes grew round. “Holy shit, you were pregnant when—”
“I didn’t know,” I whispered. “I had no idea.”
He looked horrified, and I stroked along his tense jaw. “I’m fine. It’s over. I don’t want to let him into this moment. Please.”
“Not happening again,” he growled. “Any of it. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
That made me laugh. Charly had been right. “Okay,” I agreed easily.
“I’m serious. I’m going to watch over you like a hawk. Between Theo and me, you’re going to take it easy and be safe. Understand? Anything you need. Anything you want. You ask, it’s yours.”
His words were all I needed. I knew without a doubt this pregnancy, my life, would be vastly different. Because of him.
“I’m so glad you asked me to marry you before you knew I was pregnant,” I confessed. “To know you wanted me with you before you knew I was carrying your child just makes it all the sweeter.”
He smiled and kissed me. “I’ve always wanted you. Right from the first time I saw your luscious ass bent over the back of your car, I’ve been yours, Tesoro.”
I grinned. “Is that a fact?”
“It is.”
Suddenly, he looked mischievous. “Theo is going to be ecstatic when we tell him about the baby.”
I groaned. “He’ll think you did it to please him.”
“I’ll let him.”
“He’ll ask for other things.”
“No, he’s a good boy. The baby will make him happy.” He winked. “At least until Christmas.”
He became serious. “I want to adopt Theo. If you’ll let me. I want him to have my name and to know he’s as important as this baby. As any of our children.”
“He’d love that. So would I.”
“I have a friend who is a lawyer. He said we could since, ah, his father isn’t around to object.”
“Then we’ll talk to Theo about it. I think he’ll be thrilled.”
“The night he told me he wanted me to be his dad…” He paused. “I liked the sound of it. A lot.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I want that.”
“I want it too.”
“Good. Then I’ll make the call.”
I looked around. “I can’t believe this is going to be our home.”
“Close to Mrs. Scott. To all the things that are familiar to you and Theo. I can walk to Brett’s place.”
“And he’s okay with you going?”
“He knew where this was headed, and it was only a matter of time. He and Chase are gonna do the roommate thing. That’ll open up the apartment for the next apprentice, or it can be a guest place for Maxx and Charly.”
“What about Kelly? There’s something going on between her and Brett.”
“I figured as much, but he doesn’t talk about it. I think her lifestyle precludes anything serious.”
“Things can change.” I pointed out.
He nodded, looking thoughtful. Then he caught my hand and kissed my ring. “Enough about them. Let’s plan our future.”
My heart ached with love for this man. For his strength and love. His tenderness and patience. His overbearing ways that surrounded me with warmth. I loved him for the way he loved me back. Loved my child.
“Yes.”
EPILOGUE
A year later
GABBY
The sun warmed my skin, the heat soaking in as I sat, enjoying a few rare moments of silence. My daughter nuzzled into my neck, contented and sleepy. I sipped the lemonade, enjoying the tartness, thinking about the last year.
Stefano’s offer was accepted, and two weeks later, we had possession of the house. We organized some painting parties, and with many hands, the walls were all fresh and inviting. Neither Charly nor I were allowed to paint, but we provided lots of food and we supervised. Rosa was with us, cooking up a storm. Chase insisted the reason we had so many people wanting to help was her lasagna. I had to agree.
The guys spent a week building the deck that Stefano had envisioned on the back. It stretched the length of the house, with two levels. He’d set up a large smoker and a barbecue outside the kitchen end, and Brett and Stefano spent a lot of time experimenting with the smoker, their faithful little sidekick Theo never far away. They were Theo’s two favorite people, and the feelings were returned to him fully. Chase was around a lot, and he and Theo were best buds as well. Maxx, Charly, and the kids were frequent guests, as well as Stefano’s family.
My family now too.
We were surrounded by love.
Drowsy and content in the sun, I smiled as I recalled our wedding day.
I had never seen Stefano in a suit until that day.
He stood, tall and proud. Intense as hell, waiting for me, his toes tapping in impatience. My breath caught as I looked at him—the way the deep navy suit jacket hugged his shoulders, skimmed over his broad back. He smiled at me, wiping a tear from his eye as I walked toward him, holding hands with Theo. It was only the three of us at the flower-covered altar. Theo wore pants and a vest, proud of his tie that matched Stefano’s.