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“Come on, let’s go see how your mother’s doing,” he says, gently pulling me toward the door.

“You’re walking without a cane.”

He laughs once. “For now. I think it’s the adrenaline.”

“Or maybe it’s my talent as a physical therapist.”

“Let’s call it both.” He squeezes my ass and beams at me. “I’m happy you’re home.”

“Me too.”

We leave the office together and go tell my mom the good news.

Chapter 34

Mirella

Six Months Later

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Villa Bruno this crowded before and I love it.” Elise stretches her legs as she tilts back her wine glass and takes a long sip. It’s late in the evening, the sun dipping down behind the hills, and the outside lights glow a soft, comforting orange. The day’s heat lingers in the concrete, and I feel lazy, tired, and happy, so damn happy.

I hold my hand up and stare at the ring. It’s white gold, big diamond in the middle, little diamonds scattered around. Elise told me what the style’s called, but I can’t remember. And it doesn’t matter.

Two weeks ago, Fynn slipped it on my finger, said Damn right I do, and kissed me. And now I’m his wife.

The thought’s surreal. Hard to imagine, really. But I am officially Mirella Bruno.

“If you keep on staring at that rock, it’s going to crumble and fall to dust, you know that, right?”

I snort and drop my hand. “You liar. You’re just jealous.”

“Jealous of you marrying Fynn? Hardly.”

“Jealous of the diamonds.”

Her eyebrows raise and she lifts her glass up. “Well, darling, I’ll admit it, I’m always jealous of a few million dollars’ worth of diamonds.”

I laugh as she drinks and winks at me.

“What are you two doing down there?” Karah’s voice cuts down from the house above. I look back and catch her silhouetted in front of the open sliding door, one hand on her hip, grinning. She’s starting to show, her baby bump just beginning to poke out from beneath her shirts, which she refuses to stop wearing. I did maternity clothes once and I won’t do them again. I’ll be in sweats and ill-fitting t-shirts until the day this kid comes out. I thought she was kidding at the time, but she really wasn’t.

“Drinking,” Elise calls back.

“Relaxing,” I add with a laugh.

Karah comes toward us, carefully descending the stone staircase, until she plops down in the chair next to me. “Have you ever tried being a mom while also being freaking pregnant?”

“No, darling, and I don’t think I ever will,” Elise says, gesturing at herself. “I’m too full of wine and regret to be a hospitable vessel for life.”

I wave Elise away. “I bet it’s exhausting. Kids don’t give you a break, right?”

“Never. It’s like he smells weakness and only wants even more attention.” She sighs and leans back. “And I give it to him, because soon this new baby’s coming, and he won’t be an only child anymore.”

“I’d be happy to help as much as I can.”

“Thanks, it’s okay, I’m just complaining. I have, like, an army of nannies to help if I really wanted.” She squints at me, smiling devilishly. “Now that you’re married, you might start thinking about having a kid.”

I groan. “Fynn’s already asking.”

“Well? Going to get pregnant?”

I feel heat grow in my cheeks. We haven’t exactly planned anything, but we’re not being careful, either. And we’re having sex pretty constantly. Like, all the time, basically. He doesn’t wear protection, and I’m not on the pill anymore, so sooner or later… well, it’ll just happen.

That’s a scary thought. Being pregnant is terrifying, and having a baby is intimidating, but I want to do it with Fynn so badly it’s like a constant ache inside.

“Eventually,” I manage to say.

Karah laughs and Elise only shakes her head.

Once the sun truly sets, we head up to the house together. Karah disappears to check on Emilio and I head to my room. “I’m going to see if Olivia needs some company,” Elise says, waving to me. “Not easy being a first-time Mom.”

“You know, Elise, you pretend like you have a black heart, but I think you’re a big softie.”

Elise rolls her eyes. “Under all this alcohol and misanthropy, who knows what’s going on? Ciao, bella.” She blows me a kiss and walks off.

I’m grinning as I head upstairs to the suite I share with my husband. Down the hall and around the corner, in the east wing of the villa, Mom has her apartment. She’s currently in town having dinner with some friends from her old job, but she’ll be back later and we’ll sit downstairs in the living room, have a little wine, and talk about the day. It’s strange, living with her again, but it’s good. Fynn and the boys have all welcomed my mother into the family with open arms, and the girls go out of the way to make her feel like she’s a part of the group.

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