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I can see from the way Aurora gets teary-eyed just how much this means to her. Given that her father ended up being such a bad person, we can all see how eager she is to form a new fatherly connection, and I'm very grateful to Father for giving her that opportunity.
"Are you almost ready to go?" I ask Aurora.
"Almost," she nods as one of the cats snakes around her feet. "But your father promised to show me one last thing."
"What's that?"
"Some of your childhood things that we still keep here," Father explains. "Aurora wanted to use your christening outfit for your son."
I'm touched beyond words that my wife and Father have connected in this way. I had my doubts about Father accepting Aurora into the family after what happened with her papa, but I couldn't be more delighted at the way it's all worked out.
Father leads us into the salon where we go through some of my childhood things. Aurora loves it and keeps several of the items for our own child, and I can tell how grateful Father is for her enthusiasm.
My heart fucking hurts when I think about him leaving us some day. I know he's sick, but I still don't know the details, and I can only hope he gets to see all his children happy in this lifetime. But I've already done my part there – all that's left for me to do is to encourage my siblings to do the same.
We say our goodbyes an hour later and our driver takes us back to our home.
When Father bought this villa for us, it was empty, but with Aurora's tireless work it's slowly becoming a home. And we're picking only the best for our family. Italian marble, hardwood floors, beautiful artworks and expensive furniture. But I decided to take advantage of the day we spent away to have some work completed on the nursery. I know Aurora has been nervous since her due date is getting closer and closer, and the room still isn't finished, but as I guide her to the room with a blindfold on, I'm just as giddy as she is to show her the final result.
"Here it is," I say gently, taking her blindfold off. "What do you think?"
She takes a look around the nursery and I can instantly tell just how emotional it's made her.
The room is a pale blue shade, with all the furniture finally placed inside – a mix of my things from my childhood as mementos, and some new features, the best money can buy.
"This baby will be the luckiest boy in the world," Aurora says softly.
I can't help but agree with her, and as I pull her into my arms and press a kiss against her pale blonde hair, she leans against me and exhales a sigh.
"I'm so nervous," she finally admits. "What if I'm not a good mother?"
I spin her around in my arms and furrow my brows at her. "Why would you think that?"
"Because of Papa," she admits brokenly, and I can tell this has been weighing on her quite heavily. "He turned out to be a bad man... What if I do the same?"
"We are not our parents, Aurora." I kiss her forehead. "You've already proven to be different by being more remorseful about the past than your papa ever was. And I for one know you'll be a wonderful, dedicated mother. Our son is lucky to have you and so am I."
She gives me a grateful smile, her eyes filling with tears. "How did I get lucky enough to end up with you?"
"You didn't," I smirk. "I took you because I wanted you, and I never gave you much choice, did I?"
"I'm glad you didn't," she admits. "And even when you hated me... I hoped you would one day change your mind."
I don't like remembering the time my wife spent in our dungeons, it's too fucking painful. Not because of what her papa did, but because it makes me feel like a prick for ever doubting her. I should have known from the start Aurora had nothing to do with the lies and deceit her papa forced her into. And through the past few months, I've realized just how much the Carluccis meant to my principessa.
Gustavo was more of a father to Aurora than her own papa ever was. She speaks of him highly, oftentimes remembering how he took care of both her and his daughter, never making any differences between them, even though she was technically just the help's child.
And as for Nicoletta... I've encouraged Aurora to speak about her. To honor her memory and remember as much as she possibly can about her childhood best friend. And she speaks about her freely now, remembering Nicoletta with tears in her eyes and a soft smile on her face.
