Chapter 163: The End of the Beginning

GIOVANNI’S POV

|FIVE YEARS LATER|

"Papa, move faster! We're going to be late!"

I looked down at the small whirlwind tugging on my hand. My six-year-old son, Dante, who had apparently inherited both his mother's impatience and my intensity.

"Dante, slow down. The beach isn't going anywhere."

"But Mama said we have to leave at nine and it's…" He squinted at his watch. “… almost nine!"

"It's eight-fifteen," I corrected, crouching down to his level. "We have plenty of time. Now, remember what we talked about? How men of the De Santis family conduct themselves?"

He bobbed his head. "With dignity and purpose."

"Exactly. So no running around like-"

"Like a wild animal," he finished, reciting the words he had heard a hundred times. "I know, Papa. But can we at least walk with purpose to the car?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Nice try. But first, we need to make sure your mother is ready."

"Mama's always ready.” He pointed out. “You're the one who takes forever."

"I do not take…" I stopped, realizing I was arguing with a five-year-old. "Go get your beach bag. And make sure you packed your sunscreen."

Dante scampered off, and I stood, brushing off my shorts.

"He's right, you know. You do take forever."

I turned to find Arya standing in the doorway of our bedroom, and my breath caught the way it always did when I saw her.

She wore a flowing white sundress that showed off her sun-kissed skin and the prominent swell of her belly. She was seven months pregnant with our daughter.

Her hair was loose and wavy, falling over her shoulders, and she was smiling at me with that mixture of amusement and love that made my chest tight.

"You're beautiful," I said, moving toward her. "Absolutely stunning."

"I'm huge," she corrected, but she was still smiling.

"You're carrying our daughter and still glowing.” I reached her and cupped her face, kissing her softly. "Have I mentioned how much I love you?"

"Only three times this morning," she teased against my lips. "But I'm always happy to hear it again."

He chuckled. "I love you. I worship you. You're the most incredible-"

"Ew! Papa's kissing Mama again!"  Dante's voice cut through our moment.

We broke apart to find him standing there with his beach bag, his face scrunched up in disgust.

"One day," I told him, "you're going to understand that kissing someone you love is actually very nice."

"Never," Dante declared firmly. "Girls are gross."

Arya laughed. "You won't always think that."

"I will. Uncle Enzo says boys are better anyway." He defended.

"Uncle Enzo is married to a woman and has twin daughters," I pointed out. "I don't think that's what he meant."

"He said boys are less trouble." Dante shrugged. "That's why he's happy you're having another girl, Papa. To even things out."

Arya and I exchanged amused looks.

"Well, I think having a little sister is going to be wonderful for you," Arya said, moving to ruffle Dante's hair. "You'll get to protect her and teach her things."

"Like how to build sandcastles?" Dante's eyes lit up. "Can we build one today? A really big one?"

"The biggest," I promised. "Now, are we ready to go?"

He bobbed his head. "YES!"

My phone rang just as we were heading out the door. Enzo's name flashed on the screen.

I answered. "We're on vacation too, you know. This better not be work."

"It's not, relax." He said with a laugh. "Just wanted to let you know we made it to the resort. The twins are already terrorizing the pool staff."

"Sounds about right." I put the phone on speaker. "Say hi to Uncle Enzo, Dante."

"Hi Uncle Enzo! Hi Aunt Jasmine! Hi Sofia! Hi Gabriella!" Dante shouted toward the phone.

"Someone's excited," Enzo laughed. "Save some energy for the beach, little man."

"Enzo," Arya called out, leaning toward the phone. "Make sure Jasmine is resting. She looked exhausted at the gala last week.”

He huffed. "I'm trying, but you know how she is. Says she's fine, then ends up napping on the couch at three in the afternoon."

"Sounds familiar," I said, looking pointedly at Arya.

She swatted my arm. "I do not nap at three."

Enzo's laughter came through the phone. "Alright, I'll let you go. Have fun at the beach. We'll see you back home next week."

"Tell the girls we'll bring them shells," Arya added.

"Will do. Ciao!"

I ended the call and we finally made it to the car. The drive to the beach was filled with Dante's excited chatter about all the things he wanted to do.

I glanced over at Arya in the passenger seat. She had one hand resting on her belly, a soft smile on her face as she listened to our son.

Five years ago, I'd thought I had lost her forever. But we fought for it and now we had this.

The beach was very busy when we arrived. I set up the umbrella while Arya spread out towels and Dante immediately ran toward the water.

"Not too far!" Arya called. "And wait for Papa!"

He wasn’t listening. "I know, Mama!"

"He's getting so big," Arya said softly, watching him. "When did that happen?"

"I think it happened gradually and we just didn't notice because we see him every day." I finished setting up and went to grab coconut water from our cooler. "Here. You need to stay hydrated."

"You're worse than my mom," she teased, but she took the drink.

I settled beside her on the blanket, and we watched Dante play with his beach ball.

Arya leaned her head on my shoulder. "Can you believe it's been five years?"

"Some days it feels like a lifetime ago.” I whispered. “Other days it feels like yesterday."

She nodded against my shoulder.

“How are your parents doing?" I asked. "Have you heard from them this week?"

She snorted. "Mom sent pictures from Paris yesterday. They're having the time of their lives,” her lips curved into a smile. "Who would have thought that Dad would actually retire?”

When Robert had announced his decision to step away from the mafia business entirely and hand everything over to me, I was shocked.

But he was adamant, he wanted to spend whatever years he had left living without constantly looking over his shoulder.

Arya continued. "And Christabel is thriving at the boarding school. She’s very happy."

Everyone was happy. The Rivera threat was long gone and the other families had either allied with us or been absorbed.

Dante would grow up in a different world than I had. He would have choices I never did.

"Thank you," Arya said suddenly.

I blinked. "For what?"

"For everything.” She added sheepishly.

I turned to face her fully, taking her hand. "Arya, you gave me life. I should be thanking you."

"We can thank each other," she said, smiling.

"Deal. But know this," I put my hand gently on her swollen belly, "I will worship you for the rest of my life. You and Dante and our little girl. You're my entire world."

She kissed me, and it was soft and full of promise. When she pulled back, there was mischief in her eyes.

"You're it!" she shouted, tagging my arm.

Then she was on her feet, running down the beach and laughing.

My eyes widened in alarm. "Arya! Don't run! The baby!"

But she was already halfway down the beach, and Dante had seen her and was now squealing and running with her.

I stood, unable to help the grin spreading across my face.

My wife was running down a beach while very pregnant, laughing like a teenager. Our son was shrieking with joy, yelling for me to chase them

"I'm going to catch you!" I called, jogging after them. "And when I do, you're going to get the biggest hug!"

Arya looked back over her shoulder, her hair flying, and my heart felt so full I thought it might burst.

Five years ago, I was a broken man with nothing but regrets.

Now I was a husband and a father. And I knew with absolute certainty that this was everything I ever wanted.

This… was home.