Chapter 116 Chapter: 116

Chapter 116 Chapter: 116
ANDREA

Six Months Later

The early afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of the kitchen, turning the marble countertops warm and golden. I was tidying up the kitchen, and Adamo was cradled to my chest in his carrier, sleeping peacefully.

He's the quieter twin, barely makes any trouble, unlike Alessia, who's always crying, and Adamo is calm and patient. Alessia is the total opposite; she's chaotic and impatient, especially now that she can move around the place.

She'd crawl her way to anything, destroy anything in her path, and cry if I so much as gasped over it.

Our living room was the definition of a new mom's struggles. Toys lay scattered across the rug in the living room. A baby blanket hung over the back of a chair. A bottle warmer hummed quietly on the counter.

And Alessandro was smack dab in the middle of it all. Seated on the couch, his long legs stretched on the floor, his white shirt creased, the long sleeves rolled up, Alessia balanced comfortably the way she likes it against his chest, cooing and babbling while he dozed off.

She'd been having one of her usual fits when he walked into the house an hour ago. He’d left the house at dawn and just got home. The instant he'd carried her, she quieted down, and now they're like this.

She's literally a daddy's girl, but then I can't blame her; Adamo is a mommy's boy, too. Not that Alessandro doesn't love them just as much. But he's always saying that Adamo is a man, and as a man, he should be strong to protect his sister.

I wiped my hands, then rounded up the kitchen island to where they both are on the couch. For a while, I just stare at the gorgeous man sleeping, the man who stole my heart and made my life complete.

My stomach flutters with something warm, Alessia, blue eyes fixed on my face as I quietly try to extract her so I can feed her, and her father could be more comfortable.

She gurgled in response, fist curling into Alessandro's shirt, her face twisted in displeasure when she realized my intentions.

And then it came, her very dramatic cry, which startled Alessandro awake instantly, and his hands tightened around her.

“What's wrong with my Alessia?” he asked, and well, it wasn't directed at me. He's asking Alessia, who's still crying, while he's shaking and consoling her.

“What did you do to her?” I rolled my eyes at both of them as I strengthened.

“What could I possibly do to her? She's just being overly dramatic. I was trying to pick her up, so you can sleep easy, but I didn't know I was interfering.”

“You are, and now you've made her cry.” I scoffed as I crossed over to the kitchen, where two bottles of milk were waiting on the counter.

I tested the temperature, and it was just right. I grabbed one and walked back, handing it to him. “You’ve spoiled her rotten, I swear I didn't do anything to her, I was only going to feed her.”

“Of course I have, she's my only daughter,” Alessandro replied without shame, brushing his nose gently against Alessia's soft, chubby cheek before feeding her the bottle, which she finally accepted.

“Just look at her," Alessandro said softly, pride shining in his eyes. "I've never known anyone as perfect as her,” his voice filled with love and admiration.

“And here I thought I was the special one.” The look he sent me was pure heat.

“She's my little princess, but you, Vixen, are my queen.”

I just smiled as I stepped out of his reach and went back to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. I watched them as I wiped the counter, my heart tightening in that painful, beautiful way it does when I'm watching the people I love more than anything.

I thought I knew what love was, but having Alessandro and my kids was a whole other level of love and contentment I never knew existed.

And Alessandro is the best dad in the world. Despite his busy schedule, he always spends time with us. There's nothing as satisfying as watching him play with both our children.

Adamo, moving against my chest, announces that he's awake. I took him out of his carrier, grabbed his milk, set him beside his dad, and handed him his bottle.

He set Alessia down on the floor after she was done drinking her milk.

I turned to grab my phone that suddenly started ringing, but Alessandro dragged me to him, balancing me on his lap.

He kissed the corner of my mouth. “You look tired, Vixen. You should get some sleep. Let Kayla and I take care of the kids.”

I smiled softly. “I did sleep, and you look tired too.”

“I had a long day, but I’m used to it; you, on the other hand, need the rest.”

“I thought I was low on your list of priorities; you care more about your kids than me,” I teased, my face blank.

But it isn’t true. Alessandro has never made me feel neglected; in fact, he's very considerate. For the first three months after I gave birth to our kids, he stopped going to work and just stayed with me.

Helping me with the kids and being supportive in every way he could. And his love and need for me have only intensified.

He grinned, his voice dropped to that deep husky tone that makes my stomach quiver.

“If you feel like you're not important, maybe I should remind you again just how much you mean to me. It's been a while since I got to play.” His hand slid around my waist, pulling me tight against his obvious sudden erection.

“Don’t think I don't know what you’re getting at,” I reply, trying to push him away. “You’re just looking for your best interest.”

“Damn right I am,” he murmured, chuckling. Then he let me go when Alessia crawled to him, using his leg as crutches. She stood up, and he picked her up and got up.

I'm taking you out later tonight. I’ll have Meredith come over so she can help Kayla with the kids while we’re out on our dinner date.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, not enthused.

He tilted his head as he walked toward me. He cupped the left side of my face softly. “What is wrong? You don’t want to go?”

“I do, I would love to unwind, but what if Meredith has a previous appointment? I don’t want to ruin her plans.”

Alessandro frowned, “Meredith would love to babysit the kids, she was the one who made the offer,” he said," And be honest, this isn’t about ruining Meredith's plans, it's something else, isn’t it?’

His voice softened. “ Was it the nightmares? Did you have them again?”

And this is why I fucking love Alessandro, he knows me so well. There’s nothing I can hide from him for too long. I hesitated just a bit too long.

“They’re nothing,” I said lightly. “It’s probably just hormones and sleep deprivation.”

Alessandro's jaw tightened slightly, but he didn’t push. I know he’s worried about me, which is why I don’t tell him about the dreams anymore.

That part of his life was over, and I didn’t want to be the one always to remind him of that monster’s death.

His grandfather’s death and Lorenzo's claim to the title of capo had closed every door that had ever haunted our lives. No more enemies hidden in the shadows. No more old men pulling strings from behind polished desks.

I just wish my brain would accept that truth and just forget everything.

It was hours later when Meredith arrived with a bouquet of roses and a big smile on her face.