Page 54 of Stolen Dove

“Mommy’s having another baby?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” Dove tells our youngest son, Miguel. “Now let’s sit down and eat. Mommy’s hungry.”

“That’s because you worked up an appetite,” Giada says. She and Santino made the trip with their children too. It’s a fucking good life.

“I’m betting you did too.”

“I do have another baby to feed.” She winks at Dove. They almost seem to be pregnant at the same time. I’m just happy to see how close they are even thousands of miles apart.

“Thank you all for coming to celebrate this special occasion. Ten years ago, I met my queen, and stole her away from the world. Earning her love has been the joy of my life.” I turn to her with my glass in hand. “I’ll forever be trying to prove my worth to you, Dove.”

Tears fill her eyes as I drop my head and kiss her lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, Victor. Forever.”

“Gross,” my middle boy Jose says. He’s a little brat, and I know he’s going to be the one in trouble because he’s always trying to test me, but I love the little man.

With a wink to him, I pull Dove in my arms and kiss her harder and deeper. I’ll always win that one. Everyone laughs and then I help Dove into her chair and take my seat next to her.

All the kids will be in bed after dinner, but we wanted to have them here to celebrate our happiness even if they don’t understand the significance of this day. I want them to know that I’ll always love their mother.

Throughout dinner, I steal glances at her and wonder how the fuck had I gotten so lucky. I had no idea what that day ten years ago would bring, but I never could have imagined it was the start of my empire. Nothing even compares to the family I’ve made with Dove.

THE END