Chapter 90

Matteo's Pov

I wake up early with a feeling of an unexplainable joy, and when I feel my wife's warm body molded into mine, her face looking relaxed and at peace as she clings onto me in her sleep, that unexplainable feeling of joy expands more at my heart. I gently brush a strand of hair out of her face, and she stirs, smiling.

That beautiful smile.

"Good morning," she whispers, her voice husky.

"Buongiorno, bella," I reply, my voice low and husky. I lean in, kissing her softly. She tastes like sleep and sweetness. And like me.

I linger on her lips, feeling my heart swell with love. I glance at her belly, rounding out her nightgown. Our little one is growing, and I can't wait to meet them.

"How are you feeling this morning, Tesoro mio?" I ask as I bury my face into the crook of her neck, inhaling a deep breath, my arms tightening around her.

She hums lovingly, the palm of her hand coming to rest on top of the back of my palm. "I feel so good, Matteo. A little tired, a little sore, but nothing I can't handle."

I snort a laugh, "I'm glad you're able to handle me as good, dear wife."

She chuckles underneath her breath. And for a moment, we both lie in the silence, huge grins stretching our lips, a feeling of contentment looming over us.

I break the silence. "Any plans for today?"

My wife hums, "I have an appointment with the doctor today."

"Oh!" I exclaim, "today's the day, isn't it?" I ask, my voice filled with excitement. Her antenatal checkup.

Mirabella nods, her eyes sparkling. "Our little one's going to be the star of the show."

I grin, throwing off the covers. "Shall we get ready, then?"

After a quick breakfast, we head to the hospital, hand in hand. I feel proud and joyful, watching Mirabella glow with pregnancy.

At the hospital, our obstetrician greets us and leads us to the exam room. I hold Mirabella's hand, my eyes fixed on the ultrasound screen as our baby's tiny form appears.

"Everything looks perfect," the doctor says, smiling. "You're doing great, Mirabella. But we still need to run you through some more tests, considering your ugly history with pregnancy and the near tragedy you almost encountered with this one."

She nods in agreement. "That wouldn't be a problem at all, We'll head over to the lab to provide them with whatever samples they might need."

"Good," the obstetrician affirms, still moving the doppler transducer around her tummy. "Would you like to listen to your baby's heartbeat?"

My breath shakes, "C-can we do that?"

"Of course you can if that's what you want of course." The doctor quickly replies.

Mirabella's hand tightens in mine when she feels me shake with a mix of excitement and nervousness. We're about to hear our child's heartbeat for the first time. It's not about that, It's about the fact that for the first time, I am going on this journey with her.

She's not doing this alone, and it makes me feel a sense of responsibility and fulfillment that I am able to be here for her.

A small smile tugs the corners of my lips. Mirabella quirks her brows at me, and I give her a subtle nod. She turns to the doctor, "we'd like that very much, please."

The doctor smiles and starts moving the doppler around as if searching for something in particular. And when she finds it, she stops. At first, there's silence. Then, a faint thudding sound fills the room.

The thudding sound draws a staggered breath out of my throat. Mirabella's eyes lock onto mine, tears welling up. I feel my own eyes burning as I gaze at her.

"That's our baby's heartbeat," the doctor says, beaming.

I squeeze Mirabella's hand, my throat constricting. We're really doing this. The sound is like nothing I've ever heard before. It's fast, steady, and strong. Our little one is fighting to be heard.

Mirabella's face crumples, and I immediately lean down, allowing her to bury her face in my shoulder. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as we both tremble with emotion.

"I'll give you both a moment to yourselves." The doctor whispers faintly.

"Are you alright, Mirabella?" I whisper, my voice shaking.

She nods, her body shaking with sobs. "I'm okay, are you?"

"I. . ." I am at a loss for words. "I. . . we are really doing this, you and I together."

She chuckles, "we really are."

Her teary eyes stare into mine and mine into hers. In this moment, I realize I am the luckiest man alive. With a beautiful, loyal, kind, and loving wife like Mirabella who has given me more reasons to wake up every morning with a smile on my face. A woman who has blessed me with a complete family; with two beautiful kids and one more on the way.

What else am I ever going to ask for?

What else do I need in my life except my family?

"You're crying, Matteo," her tiny voice brings my mind back from a daze.

I scoff, dabbing the tears from the corners of my eyes as I mutter, "stupid, stupid tears."

My wife squeezes my face, mimicking a cute face. "You're so cute when you cry, Matteo, you know that?"

I beam, squeezing her hand. "I'm just happy we're doing so well, bambi." I say, my voice filled with emotion.

She leans into me, her eyes shining. "I'm so grateful for you, Matteo. For this life we're building together."

I wrap my arm around her, pulling her close. "I'm grateful too, bella. Forever and always."

She giggles. I place a kiss on her forehead. "We should round up quickly, because I have a surprise for you."

Her brows shoot up excitedly, "You do?"

"Hmm," I hum a response as I help her get off the observation bed.

"What is it?"

I give my eyes a roll, "That'll ruin the surprise, baby girl."

"Matteo. . ." She grumbles.

I smile at her cuteness. "You really want to know?"

She nods affirmatively.

"Take a wild guess, princess."