Chapter Sixteen
Three months later
“You’ve been married for a while now, you know,” Claudia Renaldi said with a slight smile, her voice deceptively casual.
Rafe shot Cat a knowing glance and she bit back the laugh that wanted to escape. They both knew where this conversation was going. “Just about three months,” Cat said, her voice just as casual. “But it’s gone by so quickly.”
“I’m sure,” her mother-in-law murmured as she watched the two of them from where she sat across the kitchen table. “I’ve been wondering…when is there going to be a baby on the way? I’m anxious.”
“Good God, Mama. We’ve only been married three months,” Rafe muttered, shaking his head. “We’re not ready for babies yet.”
“Aw, but they’re so sweet. I love my grandbabies. And since Vince and his wife are so busy working, they can’t even get together and attempt to make them. You two will have to meet my ‘I need more grandchildren now’ need,” Claudia explained.
“Not going to happen,” Rafe said firmly, his arm circling around Cat’s shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. “Go pick on Matteo or Stasia. See if they can provide you with more grandchildren.”
Laughing, Claudia stood and left the table with a shake of her head, headed over to where Matteo stood with Gavin. They’d gathered at the Renaldi family villa, everyone together with the exception of Vince and his wife Amber, and they were sorely missed, as usual.
Cat loved spending time with the Renaldis. They were a large, demonstrative family who accepted her with open and loving hearts. Her mother was joining them tomorrow, and they were incredibly accepting of her as well. It felt good, to be a part of such a close family. Unlike her own fractured little family. What with her father essentially missing in action and her sister still at the facility, Mama was all she had left.
But at least Annalisa was doing better. Her mother seemed to be well too. Not so glum and wailing for her old marriage and no-good husband anymore, which was a good sign. Cat couldn’t help but wonder if the behavior had been spurred on by Annalisa’s encouragement.
Cat would probably never know.
“You all right?” Rafe said, his fingers smoothing along her upper arm.
She smiled up at him. “Yes, but I hate disappointing your mother.”
“We don’t disappoint her. I think she enjoys giving us grief over babies. She knows we’re not ready.” Rafe swooped in, offering a reassuring kiss. “Don’t let her nagging bother you.”
“I just want to make sure you’re okay with not having any babies yet.” She nibbled on her lower lip. “Are you?”
“How many times do I have to tell you? I like having you all to myself.” His grin was wicked and she lightly slapped his chest. “There will be enough time for babies. You’re still young. Aren’t you the one who said you wanted to really live and see the world?”
“I did.” She laughed when he pressed his damp lips to her neck, nibbling and licking her there. Pushing at his shoulders, he leaned away so his gaze met hers. “And you’ve shown me plenty, which I love you for. Someday, though, I want to have sweet little babies with dark eyes like their daddy.”
Those brown eyes turned darker at her words. “I want a beautiful little girl who’s the spitting image of her mama.”
They stared at each other for a long, heat-filled moment before Cat burst out laughing. “We’re disgustingly in love, aren’t we?”
Rafe nodded his agreement, his smile growing. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Neither would she.