“Then I guess there isn’t anything else to say, except I love you. And I’m here if you need me.”
They hugged. And though everyone else wore serious expressions, Stefano couldn’t help but smile—his first genuine smile that day. He was so happy for Jules to speak up for herself. Now it was time that he did the same thing. Whether his brother witnessed his groveling or not, he was speaking his heart, here and now.
He cleared his throat. “Jules, can I speak with you?”
She spun around, and her expression was perfectly serious. “Not before I have my say.” She pointed a finger at him. “And I’ve made a decision about you.” She poked at his chest. “I’ve decided that you are stubborn and irritating, but that I love you, anyway. And I’m not giving up on you because I think you love me, too.”
The way she gazed at him, it was as if she could read his every thought. And though not so long ago that would have scared him, now he found comfort in someone knowing him so well.
Stefano wrapped his hand around hers and pressed her palm to his pounding chest. “Thank you for being so insistent and giving me a chance to come to my senses because I do love you. I love you with all my heart.”
“You do?”
“I do.”
She smiled broadly. “Just remember those words because you’ll be saying them again soon.”
“I can’t wait.” He could already envision their future, and it was going to be a happy one. He’d never again become disconnected. He’d make Jules’s happiness and their marriage his top priority.
Jules leaned up on her tiptoes as he leaned down. Their lips met in the middle. The empty spot in his heart flooded with love. He wrapped his arms around her and swung her around in a circle. He never planned to let her go.
EPILOGUE
One year later...
“IT’S OFFICIAL.”
Jules smiled up at her very sexy husband and gave off a squeal of excitement. The noise of the family picnic in the background covered up her excitement. She’d never been so happy in her life. She almost had everything she wanted. Almost...
Stefano gathered her in his arms and swung her around as his lips pressed to hers. It didn’t matter how many times he kissed her, her heart still fluttered with excitement.
“And what’s going on over here?”
Stefano set her feet back on the ground. She straightened her purple top and black miniskirt. When she glanced up she found Lizzie looking expectantly at both of them as she rested a hand over her expanding midsection.
“Your sister is now an official Italian citizen,” Stefano said proudly.
“Is that so?” Lizzie radiated with a motherly glow. “Well, if you two aren’t careful with the celebrating, you’ll end up like me. Swollen ankles. And a backache to boot.”
“And you look so miserable,” Jules teased her, knowing full well that Lizzie was absolutely thrilled with her handsome husband and their impending bundle of joy.
“What can I say? I’m deliriously in love.” Lizzie grinned.
“Are you talking about me?” Dante sauntered up and put an arm around his wife’s expanding waist, pulling her close.
“Don’t worry,” Jules spoke up. “We’ve got an announcement to make, too.”
Lizzie straightened. Her eyes widened. “Jules, are you preggers?”
She shook her head, sending her pigtails swishing back and forth. Both Dante and Lizzie sent her a puzzled look. When she just grinned at them, they turned to Stefano for answers.
He smiled and shrugged. “She’ll tell you.”
“Well, tell us—we’re dying to know.”
Stefano’s arms slipped over her shoulders. She loved the feel of him next to her. He was her best friend. Her lover. Her soul mate. With him by her side anything was possible.
“We’re going to be parents, too.”
Lizzie’s forehead wrinkled. “But you said you aren’t pregnant.”
“I’m not. We’re going to adopt some of the older kids that need a loving home. We have this big place and think it would be nice to share it with some children that don’t have a home.”
Lizzie’s eyes filled with tears. “You found a way to help kids like us, after all. You are amazing. Both of you are amazing.”
Jules gazed lovingly into her husband’s eyes. They were amazing together. And Jules couldn’t think of anything better than living and working next to Dante while opening their hearts and home to some less fortunate children. Their journey was just beginning, and she knew that it wouldn’t be all roses. There’d be a few thorns along the way, but together they’d work their way past them.