Fragile Longing

Sofia was young and I knew she needed a few years before she’d be ready to have children. I was willing to give her the time she needed even if I couldn’t wait forever.

Shortly after her twenty-third birthday, Sofia bridged the subject again herself, surprising me. We’d had dinner at our favorite fine-dining restaurant and afterward taken a naked swim in the pool before making love in the shower. Now we lay in each other’s arms in bed, sated in more than one way and ready to fall asleep.

“I’ve been thinking about not taking the pill anymore.”

Surprised, I pulled back to look at Sofia’s beautiful face. Her cheeks were still flushed from sex and I loved that her skin always showed proof of our lovemaking for so long. “Do you feel ready?”

At thirty-three, I was definitely at an age where questions about my childless, especially son-less, state were coming up more frequently. Everyone felt as if they had a right to meddle. My mother was among them.

Sofia laughed, then shrugged. “Does anyone ever feel ready? Is there something like the perfect timing for children?”

“I guess not, but you’re still young.”

“We’ve experienced so much in the last five years, and I’m glad you gave me the time to get my bachelor’s degree. Some men don’t want to wait for an heir.”

“I wanted to make you happy and give us the chance to grow as a couple. I think a couple needs to be a family first before they can expand with kids.”

Sofia smiled widely. “But I feel as if we’ve arrived. Our relationship is great. I don’t have any doubts, do you?”

“About us? Never. Nor do I have any doubts that you’ll be a great mother. I can’t wait to have kids with you.”

“So, we’re going to start working on kids?”

I chuckled and let my hand run down Sofia’s belly. “You make it sound as if it’s hard work.”

Sofia grinned. “Sometimes it is, but it’s always worth it.”Sofia waited for me in the foyer when I came home, looking ready to burst. Our dog Poof, looking like a bouncing fluff-ball as he greeted me, was at her side as usual. Since she’d gotten the dog a year ago, he’d become very protective of her. Of course, given his size, his value as a guard dog was minimal, but he made Sofia happy.

Before I could ask what the matter was, she brandished a pregnancy test, her face breaking into a huge smile. I raised my eyebrows. “You’re—”

“Pregnant!” She rushed toward me and flung herself into my arms. Poof barked excitedly. I lifted Sofia off the ground, kissing her temple. It had taken us almost six months and I’d started to worry, so a weight now lifted off my shoulders. We’d become a family. I couldn’t wait.She shoved an ultrasound image at me. I glanced down at the black-and-white image but had no clue what to look for. There was a big round shape with two smaller forms. “So, she confirmed your pregnancy? Everything is okay?”

Sofia pointed at the two smaller forms in the black circles. “Two.”

“Two,” I repeated, not sure what she was referring to. “You’re two months along?” I thought she was already in her third month.

Sofia gripped my arm. “Two babies! Twins!”

I stared at her. “You’re pregnant with twins?”

She nodded. “Identical twins.”

“Oh, wow.” I stared down at her still flat stomach, unable to believe that she harbored two babies inside.

“Yeah. It’s too early to see if they are two boys or two girls. I’m so excited.”

I pulled her against me. “Your family has it with twins.”

Sofia laughed. “It’s in our blood.”

“Apparently.” We stared at each other, and it still seemed impossible that we’d arrived here. “I love you, Mrs. Mancini.”

She grinned. “And I love you, Mr. Mancini.” She bit her lip. “Do you mind if I tell my parents? They’ll be ecstatic to hear we’re having twins, especially identical twins. Mom will probably want to go shopping with me for matching outfits right away.”

“Tell your parents, and I’ll tell my mother. She’ll probably want to go shopping with you as well. Those babies will be the best-dressed babies in Indianapolis.”

Sofia rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the smile she tried to stifle. I kissed her knuckles. “Next time I want to go with you to the doctor’s appointment.” That earned me a kiss before Sofia dashed off to call her parents. I watched her almost skip the steps in search for her cell phone. I loved her exuberance.

I called my mother. She hadn’t found another man since Dad had died, even though I’d encouraged her to give a new love a chance. There were a few nice widowers among my men and even among the Captains, but she had insisted on being alone. She was eager for grandchildren from me, so the name Mancini could live on and Dad’s genes could carry on.