Leona came in with a big bowl of spaghetti with tomato sauce. She’d cooked for once. Fabiano and her spent most of the time in the mansion now that Remo and Nino were hunting.
She said, “I don’t get it. Why do they have to catch her? They should be glad she’s gone. What does it matter if she starts a new life somewhere else? I get crazy mother problems, but maybe they should let it drop.”
Savio took the ladle from her and filled several plates. “Did your crazy-ass mother try to kill you? Burn you?”
Leona gave a small shake of her head, a blush taking over her throat and cheeks, blotting out her freckles.
“Then you don’t know shit.”
“Savio, don’t talk to Leona like that,” Fabiano snapped. They held gazes, both not willing to back down. Men and their dominance battles were something I’d never comprehend. It didn’t help that the tension had been mounting because of recent events.
Leona held up her hand. “No, it’s okay. It’s none of my business. I have no right to put my nose in your family matters.”
“You are family too,” Serafina said, trying to wrangle a bib around Nevio’s neck.
Savio sighed and nodded. “Fabiano is, so you are too.”
Fabiano inclined his head then touched his fiancée’s hip.
Leona blushed an even darker red and filled Fabiano’s plate, then her own. Greta and Nevio had already started stuffing their cute little faces with their food, the former wearing her bib without protest, the latter getting smashed avocado all over his clothes.
I ate a bite of the pasta, but I couldn’t really focus on food or anything but the thought that my period had been overdue for more than two weeks. Alessio was asleep in his crib upstairs. Pushing my chair back, I stood.
“What’s the matter?” Serafina asked worriedly.
“Nothing. I just need to go to the bathroom. Can you keep an eye on the baby monitor for me?”
All heads nodded and I handed the monitor over to Serafina who tried to catch my eyes, obviously concerned. Avoiding Fabiano’s suspicious gaze, I quickly moved into the guest bathroom and locked myself in.
I stared at the drawer with the pregnancy tests. Slowly I sank down on the toilet lid, considering if it was worth it. Should I take the test and risk having my hopes crushed, or just wait it out?
Taking a deep breath, I opened the drawer and took a test out. I wasn’t even sure how many of them I had used since Nino and I had started trying to get me pregnant. But this time was different. I had Alessio and in the few weeks since he’d become part of our family, I’d grown to love him so much. He was my son. Blood was completely irrelevant. Even if the test was negative, it wouldn’t be like the last times, because I already had a child to love.
Twenty minutes later I closed my eyes, dropping the second test to the floor and began to laugh softly. The same result as the first. A knock sounded.
“Kiara? Are you all right?” Leona asked.
I took another deep breath, washed my hands and opened the door. She scanned my face, then took in the two tests on the floor.
“I’m pregnant,” I whispered, and hearing those words the reality of the situation really sank in. For the first time a test was positive, two of them even. After all this time, all the tears and obsessing, I was finally pregnant. As if having Alessio, had set me free, had removed some sort of blockade.
“Oh, Kiara,” Leona said and hugged me tightly. “Will you call Nino?”
I shook my head. “I need to see a doctor first. Make sure it’s really true. I don’t want to crush his hopes if it’s a false alarm. He and Remo have enough to carry because of their mother.”
Leona gave me an understanding smile. “I have courses tomorrow, but I could skip if you need support.”
I squeezed her hand. “Thank you, but you shouldn’t skip. Savio’s taking me and Alessio to a pediatrician for a check-up tomorrow. There’s a gynecologist in the same building.”
Leona smiled. “Will you come back to the table?”
“Can you keep it a secret for now? Even from Fabiano?”
“I’ll try. I’m not the best at keeping secrets from him though. He’s just too attentive.”
“That’s not a bad thing,” I said with a laugh.
We returned to the table. Serafina, Savio and Fabiano gave me curious looks but I only smiled. Under the table, I pressed my palm to my belly, wondering if it was really true.
Serafina handed the baby monitor back to me. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Alessio was still stretched out on his back, sleeping tight. Would he soon become a big brother?
After Alessio’s check-up, which went well, Savio wanted to head down to the underground garage. I pressed the button for the floor below ours. “I still need to go to another doctor.”