Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56365 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
“You’re pregnant?” I gasp.
“Our happily ever after just got a whole lot more interesting.”
As we lean in for a kiss, even if they’re not quite sure what’s happening, everybody applauds with even more excitement.
EPILOGUE
ROSA
Five Years Later
Ithrow Chessie in the air, catching her in my arms, feeling so strong I can hardly believe it. My grandniece giggles as I hold her, then I throw her again.
“Flying, flying,” she giggles. “Rosa makin’ me fly!”
Elena sits on the plush armchair, her hand resting on her pregnant belly, her eyes fixated on the screen as she watches the preview copy of her debut movie. After a run in theater, she’s finally making her way onto the big screen.
“I think Mommy needs some Chessie cuddles,” I smile, putting her down.
Chessie traipses over to Elena. My heart warms when I see how carefully my grandniece cuddles up next to her mom—so cautious not to bump the bump that will become her brother or sister.
I sit down next to Elena, taking her hand. Since Dario’s doctors put me on track for recovery, I’ve started lifting weights, taking so much pride in being able to do things. It’s a miracle. Every day, Dario proves how much he loves Elena and how dedicated he is. If I ever had any doubts, they’re all gone now.
“You don’t need to be nervous,” I say. “You always do an incredible job.”
Elena smiles at me. Her pregnancy glow makes her look even more magnetic and vivacious. “You sound like Dario.”
“Well, he hasn’t been wrong yet.”
Her smile widens. “Sometimes, it’s still crazy to hear you say stuff like that.”
“Daddy the bestest!” Chessie beams.
“Look at this life you’ve built together,” I say, gesturing around their spacious, homey living room. “Look at little Chessie and another one on the way. Isn’t an aunt allowed to be wrong?”
“Am I late?” Dario walks into the room, sitting on his wife’s other side. Seeing the way he makes Elena light up just makes my day.
“No,” Elena says, leaning across for a kiss. “You’re right on time.”
EPILOGUE
ELENA
Ten Years Later
“What are they doing out there?” Dario says, walking up behind me as I stand at the kitchen window, looking out at the yard.
I’ll never tire of my husband walking up from behind and wrapping his arms around me. I’ll never tire of how firm, strong, and mine he feels. I’ll never tire of the love that constantly blazes between us, getting hotter every year.
No matter what happens—no matter how many movie roles I land or how many charities Dario starts and grows through the Family—we never lose the core of who we are. We never lose the essence of us.
“Chessie’s going to be a director,” I whisper.
“Going to be?” Dario says, his breath tickling over my neck. “It looks like she already is.”
Chessie sits in her “director’s chair,” gesturing to Bella and Vanni. The twins march up and down the garden, apparently doing some kind of soldier scene. As I watch them perform their play, heat swells in my heart, love expanding until it’s pressurizing every part of me.
“Sometimes, I can’t even believe they came from me. They’re too perfect.”
“For me, it’s the opposite,” Dario says. “I see how perfect they are, and that’s how I know they came from you.”
I turn, smoothing my arms around his shoulders, looking up into his love-filled eyes. The silver, just a few specs when we met, has multiplied recently, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. “I love you so much. I love our babies. I love our real marriage.”
He smirks. “You don’t miss the fake one?”
“Now, who’s getting sassy, huh?”
As we kiss, our children laugh from outside, and I know in my heart that this is where I was always meant to be, by his side as his Mafia Princess.
THE END