Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Dad holds up a bag when he walks in, and I look at him in confusion.
“I brought snacks,” he says proudly.
I can’t help but laugh. It’s such a thoughtful, and somewhat unnecessary, gesture. Maya comes to my other side and takes my other hand.
“How are you doing, babes?” she asks. “You’re absolutely radiant.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “I’m pregnant, not blind,” I tell her. “I saw myself in the elevator mirror. I look like I just finished a marathon with a beach ball under my shirt.”
“You’ve never looked better.” She smiles.
I roll my eyes, but I squeeze her hand and Dominic’s as another contraction hits. She hisses and tells my dad he’d better be the one holding my hand for the rest of the night.
The hours start to blur together, but the time finally comes for me to deliver my daughter. Dr. Greco is there, encouraging me to push and checking to make sure my perfect girl comes out the right way. I’ve kicked everyone out but Dominic because, by now, I feel like a sweaty, disgusting mess, and only the love of my life should have to see me like this.
Just when I think I can’t possibly push anymore, I hear a loud, piercing cry. Then my daughter is placed into my arms. She’s the most perfect creature I’ve ever seen.
“Oh, my God,” I gasp. “Dominic?”
He’s smiling down at her, his eyes as big as saucers. She’s only a minute old and she already has him wrapped around her finger.
“We’re going to clean her up,” Dr. Greco tells me, gently taking her from my arms. I’m reluctant to let her go. “Dad, would you like to cut the cord?”
Dominic looks to me for confirmation. I nod for him to do it. Then they take my sweet girl away. I try to watch, but I’m so exhausted. The nurses are pros, though. They wipe her off, swaddle her, and slip the tiniest little hat on her head. Then Dominic gently picks her up, cradling her in his arms.
It sends me into yet another fit of tears. He’s looking down at her like she holds the answers to all of life’s questions, and I believe that she probably does. He’s a completely different man now. I get it. I’m different now, too. She’s come to tilt our universe on its axis.
EPILOGUE II
DOMINIC
Five Years Later
I don’t notice the glitter on my suit until the elevator’s already carrying me down to the lobby. There it is on the sleeve, a smear of silver that catches the light. I try to brush it off, which only spreads it.
Sofia glances down to see what I’m doing and bursts out laughing.
“Don’t,” I warn.
“I didn’t say anything,” she says, hands up.
Our son, Antony, coos against her chest in his little carrier. He’s only three months old, and he never wants to be more than six inches from her. I understand the instinct completely.
“For the record,” she continues. “I’m the one who told you not to buy that craft kit.”
She steps closer and takes my sleeve between her fingers to inspect it.
“I fear this is a glittery suit now.” She sighs. “You might as well just embrace it.”
“How is this my life now?” I groan.
“You’re the one who couldn’t keep your hands to yourself,” she accuses jokingly. “I was fine with one kid, but your super sperm just couldn’t stop. Three kids under the age of five is your penance.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “As I recall, you were the one who couldn’t keep her hands to herself.”
She dramatically puts her hands over Antony’s little ears.
“Not in front of the baby,” she says. “He doesn’t need to know about his parents’ s-e-x life.”
I laugh as the elevator opens onto the private lobby. Marco stands there, hands on his hips, glaring at her.
“Sofia Marie Vieri,” he says in a stern voice. “Antony is staying with his nonno tonight.”
She clutches our son tighter. “You don’t understand how hard three kids are,” she says. “We’ll be fine with him.”
He shakes his head. “This is your first date since he was born. You don’t need him crashing it. Besides, Chiara is helping. She’s upstairs with Meredith and Matteo.”
Her lip wobbles as she looks down at our youngest.
“How did you get down here so fast?” I ask Marco.
We’d left him upstairs not two minutes ago.
“I took the service elevator.” He shrugs.
Of course he did. It’s been his private joke for years that it’s the only elevator he’ll ever use because he’s in the service industry.
“Now,” he says, holding out his hands. “Give me that boy.”
Sofia reluctantly unclips Antony and hands him to her father. Marco glances at me and winks. I mouth “thank you” back.
I was willing to indulge Sofia’s whims, but it’s nice to have the family support. Five years ago, this would have been unthinkable. As it turned out, Marco didn’t want to miss out on knowing his grandkids. Most nights, he stays in a guestroom. He refuses to move in, though. Stubborn old bastard.