Pulling her in close and running his hands through her hair, he answered, “You’re a wonderful writer, Aria. Doesn’t surprise me at all. Besides, Dante’s character is quite charming, don’t you think?”
Throwing her head back and laughing, she answered, “Yes, dear, I’m sure he’s the reason why it’s so successful.”
Their travels spanned the globe as they visited New Zealand, Australia, Croatia, Switzerland, Bora Bora.
Alex didn’t want their honeymoon to be spent on planes and trains so wherever they went, they tried to stay long enough to take in the local culture of each place. Aria loved meeting people and hearing their stories as she fell in love with each new place.
Almost eight months into their trip, they were exploring Brazil when Aria felt like something was off with her stomach. Seeing her discomfort, Alex asked if she was alright.
“I think so. I just feel kind of queasy. Might have been the seafood last night at dinner.”
Alex went to make her some toast and ginger tea to help settle her stomach. After a while, the feeling passed. She hoped it was a one-time thing.
A few days later, the same thing happened, but this time she barely made it to the bathroom in time to lose everything she had eaten. Holding her hair back, Alex's concern grew.
“This might be more than an upset stomach. Maybe it's a stomach bug. Let me find a doctor nearby,” he said as he made some phone calls.
Waiting until she felt well enough to leave the house they were renting, Alex drove them to a medical facility. They were taken in and Aria was thoroughly examined. The doctors wanted to do some blood tests to rule out anything serious.
Walking in with her medical file in his hands, the doctor closed the door.
“Mrs. Rossi, I'm happy to report that there is nothing seriously wrong with you,” he said once seated in the chair near the desk in her room.
Both Alex and Aria let out a huge sigh of relief.
“So, what is it, Doctor? What should we do about her condition?” Alex asked.
“Well, there's nothing much to do about her condition for quite a few months now,” he said cryptically.
“I'm sorry. I don't understand,” Aria said.
Maybe it was his broken English, but she was confused.
“When you told me that you were on your honeymoon, I had the nurse administer a pregnancy test just to rule out that possibility, too.”
“Pregnancy test?” Alex repeated.
“Yes, Mr. Rossi. Your wife is about four to six weeks pregnant as far as I can tell.”
“A baby?” she asked.
“A baby, Aria,” Alex whispered with his eyes shining.
Holding each other and talking excitedly about their plans in between kisses, they left the clinic, making plans for them to fly home.
A few days later, they made their way back to Positano, their families and friends ready to celebrate with them.
Seven weeks later, Alex and Aria found out that they weren’t going to have one, but two babies. A boy and a girl.
“I told you my dream would come true someday,” Alex said as they ate dinner celebrating the news of the twins.
“I hope that our son looks just like his daddy,” she said as she pushed her fingers through his hair.
“And that our daughter looks just like her mommy.”
They got their wish several months later when their twins were born on a warm July day.
They lay quietly on their bed in their new, much bigger home near the sea a week after the twins’ safe delivery. In awe and wonder, Aria watched their daughter hungrily feed from her breast.
