AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Trying to get rid of me, are you?” Luca scooped up his son and slung him head first over his shoulder, tickling him until the little boy squealed with delight.
I stood back and took in the wholesome picture they made. Despite his own guilt, Luca really was an amazing father, and I couldn’t help but imagine what the mansion would feel like with another little one in the mix.
But first things first…
After our confessions at Sofia’s engagement party, Luca and I decided our next step would be Leo. Nobody mattered more in this equation, and we wanted to do it right. So once we got back from Shanghai, we planned the ultimate fun day for him where we’d finally break the news—that we were together and he’d be getting a little brother or sister in a few months.
And that’s where my nervousness came from. Because there were no guarantees about how Leo would react. He was so used to being the only child; there was a good chance he wouldn’t want to share Luca with anyone, including me. Also, since I knew very well that Leo was Luca’s whole world, if his son didn’t want anything to do with me and the baby, that would factor into Luca’s decision of whether to be with me at all. To have this family he claimed to want back in the villa’s library.
But thanks to both Luca and Leo, I didn’t have much time to dwell on whatever doubts were plaguing my mind. We hit the games arcade, and I had the privilege of witnessing Luca turn into an actual child. His scathing competitive streak ran wild as he challenged Leo and I to every game they had.
“How can this place be the same after so many years?” Luca turned to me, smiling brightly. He’d just scored a fistful of tickets from a fishing game.
I nudged him with my elbow, my gaze darting to Leo at his knee. “Remember why we’re here. It wouldn’t kill you to, you know… throw a game or two.”
He frowned at me, waving the unending strand of tickets in his hand. “I didn’t get to where I am today by throwing a game or two.”
“Basketball!” Leo yelled, tugging on Luca’s shirt for him to get moving. “I bet I can dunk you, Papa.”
Luca flashed a mischievous grin and hurried after Leo. “Not if I dunk you first.”
“Oh boy,” I mumbled, following in their wake. “These two and their upside down way of speaking…”
***
“What does it say?” Leo scrunched up his nose as he peered at the menu.
Luca and I shared a knowing look. We’d taken him to a German restaurant for lunch upon my suggestion. I thought he’d get a kick out of getting to use what we’d learned in our lessons so far.
“It’s German, see?” I pointed out words I knew he’d recognize.
Leo’s face lit up, and he smiled widely at me. “I can read it!”
“Good, because you’re going to have to place our order for us,” Luca added, just as our waiter came up to the table.
I coached Leo through our order and watched him swell with pride every time the waiter nodded his understanding.
Luca leaned over and whispered in my ear, “You’re going to make a wonderful mother.”
I dipped my head, smiling shyly as a warm flush crept onto my cheeks. Mother. I would never have thought myself ready, but the more time I spent with Luca and Leo, the more I wanted to be. I wanted to be their family. To have a family with them. It felt easy. It felt like the most logical next step.
While waiting for our desserts, Luca caught my eye and gave a slight nod. It was time. I took a deep, steadying breath and nodded back.
“Leo…” Luca began, reaching across the table for his hand.
Leo looked up from the page he’d been coloring and hesitantly handed Luca his blue crayon. “Do you want to color too? I can get you a page. I saw where they pulled it out from.”
“No, that’s okay,” Luca said, stopping Leo from jumping up. “I don’t want to color. I want to talk to you.” He looked at me and then back at Leo. “We both… Scarlett and I want to talk to you.”
Leo’s questioning gaze moved between us. “Did I do something bad?”
“No, sweetie,” I cut in immediately, my heart going out to him. “You’re amazing, really. You’re the best kid I know.”
Leo visibly relaxed, a big smile replacing his earlier look of concern. “What is it then? Is it another surprise?”
“It’s the biggest surprise,” Luca replied. He took a breath, looked at me for final assurance, and then just dove straight in. “Scarlett and I… we are together.”
Luca and I seemed to hold our breath at the same time, watching Leo for his reaction. His face was oddly blank, like he was waiting for more.
