Bound By Blood Anthology

Aria headed over to me. Matteo got up and grinned at Luca who shook his head with an exasperated smile before he came toward me and put the flowers down on the bedside table. “Congrats, Gianna. Your daughter likes a spectacular show, just like her mother.”

It wasn’t said in a condescending way so I took it as a compliment. “Thanks, Luca.”

He nodded and walked toward Matteo who hovered next to the window, watching me and our daughter with that same disbelief he’d displayed when she’d first popped out.

“How do you feel?” Aria whispered.

“I don’t know,” I admitted.

She nodded. “It’ll take time for you to grow together.”

“I thought you experienced love at first sight.”

She hesitated. “I did, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t have to find it together. You have to get to know your daughter. That takes time. Don’t worry.”

“I hope you’re right. Have you heard anything from Lily?”

Aria grinned. “In labor. Maybe your kids will share a birthday.”

“This is all so surreal. I’m waiting to wake up any moment.”

Aria kissed my cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

I swallowed, hating how emotional I’d become and yet unable to change it.Matteo“Congrats on your daughter,” Luca said as he joined me.

I nodded, stunned. “I still can’t believe it.” I tore my eyes away from our girl whom Gianna cradled in her arm and looked to my brother. “What if Gianna and I are bad parents? You know us, we’re bound to mess up.”

“Oh yes,” Luca said. I gave him a look and he squeezed my shoulder. “Messing up is part of parenthood. You mess up, you try to do better. You fail, you try again. Sometimes your kids hate you, sometimes they love you. If they don’t occasionally hate you, you’re doing something wrong.”

“That sounds doable.”

Luca chuckled.

“I’m not sure I like that you’ve seen my wife’s pussy,” I said to distract myself from my worry.

Luca’s lips curled. “Trust me that sight won’t give me any kind of ideas.”

I chuckled. Then gestured at his bloody clothes. “I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen you like this.”

He glanced down at his ruined shirt. “Usually the prelude is more entertaining.”

I nodded. “Yeah, I don’t need another birth in my life.”

Luca’s eyes moved to Aria who had her arms wrapped around Gianna and was assuring her like Luca was assuring me. “You still working on kid number three?”

“Every day,” Luca said with a smirk.

“I suppose I can kiss sex goodbye for the next few weeks.”

Luca clapped my shoulder with a pitying look. “Make that the next couple of months.”

My shock made him laugh. “You’re laughing now,” I said. “Wait till I become intolerable because my balls are blue.”

Luca sighed. “Trust me, you’ll be too tired to be intolerable.”

“We’ll see.”

“Don’t take it as a challenge.”

“I love a good challenge.”

Gianna looked up with a hesitant smile and Aria hopped off the bed then walked over to us. “Go to your wife and daughter,” she said as she pressed up to Luca who gave her that adoring look few people ever got to witness.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I would have stayed glued to Gianna’s side if I hadn’t gotten the impression that she needed guidance from Aria first. Aria knew how to be a mother after all.

I stepped up to the bed. Gianna nodded toward the free spot beside her and I climbed into bed with her then wrapped an arm around her shoulder. Our daughter was still sleeping on her chest. Maybe sleep deprivation wouldn’t be our problem. She looked like an adorable, uncomplicated child. I reached out and gently took her tiny hand. So small, so vulnerable. “So her name?” Gianna asked.

I looked at the soft reddish-brown hair of our girl, at her rosy cheeks, trying to remember the names Gianna and I had discussed. “Isabella.”

The moment the name left my lips, I knew it was the right choice.

Gianna considered that, then smiled. “I like that. A lot.”

“So Isabella?”

“Isabella,” she said, then yawned and winced.

Aria stepped up to the bed. “Why don’t you put your daughter—“

“Isabella,” Gianna and I said at the same time.

“Isabella,” Aria said softly. “Why don’t you put Isabella on your chest, Matteo. That’ll give Gianna the chance to rest and you can bond with your daughter. Open your shirt.”

My fucking fingers still hadn’t stopped shaking. Aria pushed my hands away and unbuttoned my shirt for me. “Luca, your wife is undressing me.”

Luca gave me a condescending look. He knew Aria was his till the bitter end.

“Oh Matteo, when do you ever shut up?” Gianna groaned, but her eyes were soft when she looked at me. I knew it probably wouldn’t last forever but seeing Gianna’s softer, more emotional side had felt good, even if I still loved her tough side like crazy.

I flashed her a grin but it fell when Aria reached over me to pick up Isabella and put her down on my chest. I held my breath when I felt the small body against my skin. She was so tiny. I covered her back with my palm and linked my other hand with Gianna’s who leaned her head against my shoulder.