‘No, because you’re wrong. So wrong. I won’t come to care for you a little in time, because I’m already completely, hopelessly in love with you.’ Her mouth dropped open and he started walking towards her. ‘I’ve been fighting it for a while, maybe even since we first met. Fighting it, because I was so scared of loving someone again, letting myself get hurt. Left. And so I did what I thought I’d never, ever do and I left you instead. I convinced myself I was doing the right thing, the noble thing, but really it was just cowardice. You were right to call me a coward, Halina. Lina. My Lina.’
He took hold of her hands, drawing her towards him. ‘To hear that you love me...to know it and believe it... I wish I’d told you first. I wish I’d had that much courage. But I’m so honoured, so privileged, to be loved by you. I don’t deserve it. I know I don’t.’
‘Deserving doesn’t come into it, Rico,’ Halina said softly as she came into his arms. ‘Love is a gift, freely given, gratefully received. And that’s how it is for me.’
‘And for me. I love you so much. So much.’
‘And I love you just as much.’
He kissed her then, because he needed to feel her in his arms, against his mouth. Halina wound her arms around his neck, her pliant body pressed to his as the sun spilled through the windows, and the whole world sang.
EPILOGUE
Six months later
‘HE’S A HUNGRY little fellow, isn’t he?’ Rico gazed down at his son’s rosebud mouth sucking greedily at his mother’s breast. Halina stroked her baby’s hair and looked up with laughing eyes.
‘I don’t mind.’
; ‘As long as you’re getting enough rest.’
‘Plenty.’ They shared a loving smile as he touched her hand, still incredulous, and so incredibly grateful, that she was here. That they shared this rare and precious happiness.
The last six months had been tumultuous, with their quiet wedding ceremony taking place when Halina had been seven months pregnant. Her friend Olivia, wife to Prince Zayed, had come, as had her husband, and Rico had found he liked the man. Halina’s mother had come too, the first step of many to healing her fractured family.
After ten gruelling hours of labour his son, Matteo Falcone, had been born. Named after Rico’s father, because all this had taught him that everyone made mistakes as well as hard choices. He didn’t know which his father had made, but he knew he finally had it in his heart to forgive him. Because of Halina, and the light and love she’d brought to his life. The healing.
‘I think he’s had enough.’ Halina lifted their sleepy son up to him. ‘Do you want to hold him?’
‘Of course.’ Rico never tired of cradling his precious, tiny son. He marvelled that marriage and family had been gifts, treasures that he’d scorned, and he thanked God that he’d learned otherwise.
Now he balanced Matteo on his shoulder and gently jiggled him while Halina watched, a faint smile curving her face. She’d blossomed in the last few months through a difficult pregnancy, a tough labour, and then moving house to the villa outside Rome where they lived now, perfect for a growing family. Through it all she’d grown in grace and beauty, basking in his love for her, a love he’d never tire of showing and feeling...even when life was hard. Especially when it was.
‘What are you thinking?’ Halina asked softly, and Rico smiled.
‘How blessed I am.’
‘And I am, as well.’
‘Yes, we both are.’ He drew her up from the rocking chair and put his arm around her so they were together in a tight circle, the people he loved most in the world. His family. Their family. Together at last for ever.
* * * * *
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