Marriage Made of Secrets

Suor Chiara smiled and handed the second seat to Cesare. ‘And this is Antonio.’

Cesare glanced into the car seat and his eyes misted. She knew he was remembering Roberto.

‘He’s the quieter of the two, but he has a very strong will,’ Suor Chiara said.

Cesare gazed down silently at his son, then lifted a hand to brush the baby’s cheek. ‘He will grow into a handsome man, just like his uncle.’

‘No. Just like his father,’ Ava murmured to him.

He smiled at her, a smile so filled with love her heart turned over.

An hour later, the nuns left. Ava stared at Cesare and he returned her look with an equally bewildered expression. ‘Three children. Are we mad?’ he asked.

‘Quite possibly,’ she said, laughing. ‘So, shall we show them to their room?’

Inhaling audibly, he nodded. They picked up the seats and were barely in the hallway when an exclamation of delight sounded behind them. They turned as Annabelle flew towards them. ‘The babies are here!’

Cesare stopped and introduced his daughter to her siblings.

Annabelle lifted wide eyes to her. ‘Mummy, can I go show them my room? I’ll share my toys with them, I promise. So can I? Can I?’

‘That’s a brilliant idea, sweetheart. I’m sure they’ll love that.’

Annabelle whooped. Over the top of her head, Cesare’s eyes met hers. His smile blew her clean away.

‘I love you,’ he murmured.

‘Right back at you, caro,’ she echoed.