AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Are we just handing out free kisses this morning?” Ren asks with a smile on his face.
“Have I ever charged you for them?” I laugh, rolling over to kiss him as well.
Matteo sits up and stretches his arms over his head while he yawns. His muscles flexing like that is just… Why is that hot? It really shouldn’t be. When he opens his mouth to speak, his voice is roughened from sleep, adding to the sex appeal. “We need to talk, Alessandra. Last night you brought up some things and you made some valid points. We need to decide whether or not we’re in this. For good this time. Where do you see our lives headed? It’s not like we’ve chosen the most conventional lifestyle.”
“All I really know at this point is that no matter what choices we make, I just want to be a part of your lives, however it is that you let me. We can go to college. We can skip it. We can buy a house or rent an apartment. We can be friends or lovers. It’s up to you guys now. You’ve always called me your queen. That makes you all my kings. Not only will I follow your lead when necessary and trust you to follow mine at times, but I will protect you, cherish you, and be wholly yours until the day I die.”
“As we’re yours. As of now, let’s just take it day by day and see where life takes us. We can live out our happily ever after without a plan and spreadsheet,” Noah cuts in sarcastically.
“I agree with Noah,” Cohen says. “ All I even care about is being together. This isn’t some young puppy love, teenage dream. This is the real deal and I don’t care where life takes us. I’ll just be happy to make decisions as things arise. We’re in this together, right?” he turns to Matteo, looking at him questioningly.
“Agreed,” he says, looking from Cohen to me. “It looks like you’re stuck with us now,” he smiles and opens his arms to me. I don’t hesitate. I crawl across the bed and wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him until I can’t breathe. This is how I intend to spend the rest of my life.
I knew that what seemed like the end of us was really just the beginning of our love story. I’m just glad I was right. These guys are my everything.
Epilogue
Alessandra
“How does it feel to be a high school graduate, sweet girl?” My mom runs up to me with arms wide open. A proud smile graces her beautiful face, and I feel blessed beyond belief that we get to celebrate this moment together. I walk into her arms and am immediately comforted by the warmth of her love.
“I won’t lie, mom. I never truly thought I’d live to see this day. I never thought I’d have a family that cared. I never thought I’d fall in love and grow a family.”
“Oh honey, I’m so happy for you.”
“Don’t get me wrong. I dreamed it would happen someday. I begged the Gods daily when I was little for a life like this; a mom who loves me beyond measure and a life beyond the nightmare I was living. I manifested it through hard work and sheer determination to survive. I’m proud of who I’ve become, which is more than I can say from how I felt at the beginning of the year,” I laugh, shrugging at the self-depreciation I’m showing. “I love you mom. Thank you for trusting me to grow into who I’m meant to be.”
“I will always have your back, Alessandra. Always,” she promises and I pull her back in for another hug.
“Bitch!” SB yells from a few parking spaces away. She’s taken her graduation gown off and her little baby bump is visible. I smile at how cute she is.
“How are you feeling, little mama? How’s my niecey doing after that long ass ceremony?” I ask as she walks up, reaching out to pull her into a hug.
“Um, terrible. Why would they make these gowns so suffocatingly hot? It’s rude. You should have the Headmistress fix them for next year,” she grumbles. “Babygirl is nice and cozy today though. She’s been kicking like crazy, which is an odd comfort…” she trails off, the look in her eye tells me she’s thinking about her daughter’s father. She wouldn’t let me track him down and threaten his life.
“Hey, you know that the guys and I always got you, right? We have your room and the nursery all set up with everything you wanted and maybe more than you’ll ever need.”
“I was thinking about that. Maybe I shouldn’t live with you guys anymore. You’re moving into your new home to start your own family and—”
“And you’re just as much a part of our family. We’re not letting you do this alone. We love you and we love that little girl. That home isours, as in all of ours, especially you and my niece.”
“If it matters at all, I’m excited to be her stand-in grandma.”
“There’s no ‘stand-in’ about it. You’ve been more of a mom to me than my own mom. When my parents kicked me out, you welcomed me with open arms. I love you and no matter what you’re my mom as much as Alessandra’s my sister. I’m so glad I’m an annoyingly pushy bitch at times, because if I hadn't forced my friendship on your daughter, my daughter and I wouldn’t have either of you. Not only would my life be terribly boring, but I’d also be missing out on the best people in the world.”
“I love you too Steph. I’ll thank god every day I got two daughters out of this whole crazy situation. Who knew that what started out as a devastating moment in history would become the most beautiful blessing for us all?”
“You got that right, mama Salvatore,” Matteo chimes in, wrapping his arms around me from behind. He nuzzles into my neck and whispers so only I can hear, “when are you going to let us put a baby in you. Stephanie’s giving us all baby fever over here.” He looks back at the guys with a loving gleam in his eye before looking back at me.
I turn in his arms and kiss his lips gently before whispering back, “what if I told you that one of you already has…”
