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I placed my hands over hers and turned my head to kiss one of her palms. “It will be. I just need you to be patient and trust me.”
“I do trust you.” There was not even one hint of uncertainty in her tone, and it humbled me, her love washing over me.
“We’ve run into a snag with Sophia’s adoption.” I hurried on to clarify, as her eyes filled with tears. “I’ll work it out, mia dolce. You will be her mother in every sense of the word. It may take a little time, that’s all.”
She sniffed and blinked her watery eyes rapidly, trying to dispel the moisture before it fell. “Why? What’s happened?”
I brought both of her hands to my lips and gently kissed each one. Guilt was rearing its ugly head and suddenly, I wished I played the white knight and could be him at that moment.
“The woman who gave birth to Sophia, she had no desire to be a mother. She didn’t even want to see her after the delivery. She was checked out and had disappeared before I’d even gotten Sophia home,” I explained. “We haven’t seen nor heard from her since.”
Gianna’s mossy-green eyes were filled with despair, and it about killed me. I was going to do whatever it took to get this taken care of as fast as possible. If I had to use every dark connection, call in every favor, so be it.
“She abandoned Sophia! Can’t they charge her with something?”
I sighed, “Yes, from what my lawyer told me today, it’s more than likely we could prove her guilty of non-support of a child in the second degree. Since we weren’t married, the mother is given the primary right to custody. So, by taking off and not supporting Sophia for a state specified period of time, without a lawful excuse, or signing parental rights over to me, she’s basically committed a felony.”
Gianna’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “I don’t understand, if she’s guilty of it, why haven’t her rights been involuntarily terminated?”
This is where the guilt started to pile up. I should have been looking into this the day I knew I would be keeping Gianna forever.
“Since she was with me, Sophia never entered the system. So, the state had no reason to go after the woman who gave birth to her. In order for this to happen, my attorney has to gather the evidence and present it to a judge. Even with my ability to expedite things, the process takes time. I’m so sorry, bellissima. I should have started this long before now.”
Gianna smiled softly, though the sorrow still clung to her. “It’s not your fault, Nic. How were you to know things would turn out this way with us?”
“I knew, Gianna. I felt you before I even laid eyes on you. I was against a young, single woman as a nanny for Sophia. I didn’t want to deal with crushes, or money hungry women looking to live off of my money and notoriety.” It wasn’t ego that had propelled those thoughts, it was experience. I’d been tired of fending them off. “Then the agency called, and the woman convinced me to at least meet with you. I was as shocked as anyone when I agreed.” I paused and gazed into her green pools, willing her to see the depth of my sincerity. “So, you see? You were mine before you ever stepped into my home.”
A sweet smile graced her face and she leaned forward to brush her lips over mine. “I love you,” she whispered.
She started to pull away and I chased her lips, sealing our mouths together, deepening the kiss until we were both shaking with need. I was just about ready to wrap her legs around me and take her against the wall when we were interrupted by a knock on my door.
I cursed and tore my lips away to glare at whoever had just put their life in danger. Enzo looked away, clearly uncomfortable and wary of my reaction. Smart man.
“What?” I barked.
His eyes darted to Gianna, before landing back on me with a meaningful look. I sighed in aggravation and gripped her hips to lift her off of my lap, and both of us stood. With one look from me, Enzo scurried into the hallway so I could say goodbye to my fiancée in privacy.
“Have fun, mia dolce,” I murmured through another kiss. “And, when you’re shopping, don’t forget about the wedding night.” I winked and laughed when she blushed yet again. “In fact, make sure to get enough for a whole honeymoon.” I shifted my head to the side, sliding our cheeks together as I brought my lips to her ear. “You might want to bring extras because I can guarantee I’ll have ruined plenty of lingerie by the end of our trip.” A tiny shudder wracked her petite frame, and I felt the muscles of her face lift with a smile. Mmmm, a whole week with my naughty temptress. I couldn’t wait.
