Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Babe, I still don’t understand everything going on around us. It’s like one bomb after another has been dropped on us. How about we take it one day at a time? As long as we have each other, we can face anything.”
He turns to face me and palms the side of my face. His jaw working, he just breathes me in. We remain this way until he kicks off his shoes and settles back on the bed, taking me with him.
“In this room, in each other’s arms, we are safe. Nothing out there can change that,” I whisper.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
Chapter 44
The Dream
Carleen
I’ve been here for three months. I think I’m going stir crazy. Dario hardly ever allows me out of his sight, let alone this house. I’m seven months pregnant. I want to nest. I want to buy baby clothes and toys and set up a nursery.
Toni has sent me pictures of my place. It’s stunning. Everything I wanted and more. I can’t thank Gio enough for making sure the place got done. I have my eye on the room I plan to make the baby’s.
“Car, baby, come on,” Dario groans. I’ve doubled back three times to pee, and these overalls aren’t helping at all.
I look in the mirror as I wash my hands. My face is so pregnant. I reach to smooth a hand over my pigtails.
“You look adorable. Now bring your cute ass on,” Dario says from the bathroom doorway.
I turn to him and pout. “Where are you taking me? I don’t want to walk the beach again. Can we go into town or something?”
A cloud comes over his face. “No, you’re safer here.”
“Rio,” I whine. “Please.”
“No, my wife and child are not going to be in harm’s way. I have to keep a low profile while we’re here. I can’t flatten an entire town if something happens to you and that’s exactly what would happen.
“For now, we stay on the property where you’re safe. Baby, come on. I promise you’re going to like this.”
I fold my arms under my chest. “Okay, fine, but let me pee one more time.”
“And how exactly were we supposed to go more than a mile away, Pissy Patty?”
I snort. “You try carrying this little guy around with him sitting on your blander and then have jokes.”
“If I could do this for you, you know I would.”
I smile. I know he would. I’ve seen his face when my feet are swollen or my back hurts. He hates it and pampers me until I can get comfortable. I love him even more for it. He’s made this pregnancy so much better.
I know he’s going to be an amazing father. His forgiveness toward his own father proves that. Lucas and Dario seem to have become closer in the last three months. Although Dario is concerned with how Dante will take the news once he finds out. Apparently, they have to keep it from him a bit longer.
“Car?”
“Um?” I reply as I finish up and pull my overalls back up.
“Where’d this basket come from?”
I wash my hands and waddle back out into the bedroom. Sitting on the bed is a huge basket with baby things inside. A teddy bear, onesies, and other items for a baby boy.
“I don’t know where that came from. It wasn’t there when I went in the bathroom. Are you sure it’s not from Nonno or Lucas?”
“I’ve been with them both all day. It appeared just now. I didn’t hear anyone come in. I came out and it was here.”
“Babe, I don’t know, but it’s so nice. It’s sweet of whoever sent it.”
“But where did it come from?” he bites out through his teeth and goes to turn to storm from the room.
I throw my arms around his waist. My husband can be such a hothead. If I let this get out of hand, he will stew about this all day.
I want my darn date. I’m not spending another day locked in this house doing nothing. I’m so tired of online shopping. I know the delivery guys have had enough of me.
“Rio, baby, it’s a gift. Anyone from the staff could have brought it in. Aren’t you supposed to be taking me on a date? I want to spend time with my husband. Don’t make me beg,” I pout.
He looks up at the ceiling and blows out a breath. I can see on his face the war happening in his mind. I lift on my toes and peck his lips.
“Please.”
He looks down at me and runs his hands down my pigtails. “Only because you’re too cute for me to resist, but don’t open that thing until I find out where it came from.”
“Babe, the bear is not going to jump out and attack me.”
“I’ve seen worse. Don’t touch it.”
I groan but give in. I’m sure it’s a gift from Nonno or maybe Gio and Jace sent it. I’m not worried.