Chapter 203 Two Hundred & Three
Chapter 203 Two Hundred & Three
Two years.
It’s been two years since Elara almost destroyed their lives. The wounds had healed, the chaos had ended, and life had slowly settled into something warm, steady, and full of love.
Raven hummed softly as she set the table for the family dinner, her hand resting gently on her heavily pregnant belly. The smell of roasted chicken and fresh bread filled the kitchen. Ganni, now nine, darted in and out of the room, helping where he could but mostly just bouncing with excitement.
“Careful, Ganni,” Raven said with a smile, ruffling his hair. “Don’t knock anything over. We want this dinner to stay on the table, not on the floor.”
“I won’t, Mummy,” he said, grinning, though a small plate wobbled in his hands.
The doorbell rang, and Raven laughed softly. “That must be everyone.”
Soon, Giovanni walked in, his arm looping around her waist, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. He rested his hand on her belly, rubbing softly. “How’s my babies?” he whispered, leaning close.
Raven smiled up at him, her eyes shining. “Healthy and happy,” she said. “Just like their father.”
Gabriele, Bianca, Valeria, and their parents, Alessandro and Isla, arrived one by one, filling the house with laughter and chatter. Ganni ran to greet each of them, tugging at their hands and showing off his new skateboard tricks.
Giovanni wrapped his arms around Raven from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder. She leaned back into him, smiling, feeling the warmth of their family, the safety of home, and the joy of knowing their life, though scarred, was full of love.
The dinner was simple, cozy, and perfect. No chaos, no danger….just family, together, and happy.
Raven leaned against Giovanni, her hand resting on her belly. “You know,” she said softly, “I can feel the baby moving already. I think they both like you more and it's not fair.”
Giovanni chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Well, they’re lucky. They’ll have the best dad in the world.”
Raven tilted her head, smiling. “And the best husband too. You’ve been spoiling me too much lately.”
“Just making up for lost time,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You deserve it, all of it.”
She laughed softly, resting her head on his shoulder. “I don’t think I could ever get enough of you.”
“You won’t,” he said, smiling down at her. “I’ll make sure of that every single day.”
Ganni, standing nearby, grinned. “Daddy, are you talking about the baby or me?”
Both Raven and Giovanni laughed.
Gabriel, leaning against the doorway with a mischievous grin, pointed at Raven’s belly. “Careful, you two. You don’t want to add another one to that.”
Everyone burst out laughing, Raven playfully nudging Giovanni. “See? Even Gabby thinks you’re doing too much.”
Giovanni kissed her forehead, whispering, “I can't help it... I only have eyes for you, always.”
Raven blushed, resting her hand over his on her belly. “And I only have eyes for you… and our little one.”
The room was full of laughter, love, and warmth. The chaos of the past felt like a distant memory, replaced by this perfect, quiet happiness.
The family was just settling down, everyone chatting and laughing, when Raven suddenly froze.
“Uh… Gio?” she said, her hand clutching her belly. “I think… I think it’s time.”
Giovanni’s eyes went wide. “Time? Like time time like.. Now?”
“Yes! I… I can’t wait!” Raven exclaimed, her face a mix of excitement and panic.
Ganni looked confused. “Wait… what do you mean, Mom?”
Gabriel jumped up, knocking over his chair. “Wait, wait, wait… You mean now? Like… baby now?!”
Raven groaned, swaying slightly. “Yes! I… I need to go to the hospital…now!”
Giovanni grabbed her hands, trying to stay calm, but his voice shook. “Okay, okay… breathe, breathe, baby… We’ll get you there.”
“Breathe, darling,” Isla said, rushing over. “Long, slow breaths. You can do this.”
Alessandro, was already fidgeting. “Where’s the car?! Someone call an ambulance!”
Bianca and Valeria ran around helping, but mostly bumping into each other. “Which bag has her stuff?!” Bianca shouted.
Ganni tugged at Giovanni’s sleeve. “Daddy… what do we do? Mummy making weird noises!”
“She’s about to have a baby, Ganni!” Giovanni said, trying to sound calm, but his panic made him almost lose his balance.
Gabriel, pacing, muttered, “I knew this would happen during this dinner. I had that strong feeling today. I should have trusted my gut and stayed home.”
Raven laughed despite the contractions, gripping Giovanni’s hand tightly. “Gio… don’t panic. You’ve got this… damn.”
Isla rolled her eyes. “Yes, breathe, darling! We’ve done this before. Just stay calm.”
Alessandro, still running around, grabbed a napkin. “I don’t care about whose is calm! We need… towels! Water! A wheelbarrow?!”
“Wheelbarrow? Really, Dad?”Gabriele rolled his eyes
Ganni tugged at Raven’s sleeve again. “Mommy… is the baby coming out here?”
“No, sweetie!” Raven groaned, laughing between contractions. “We’re going to the hospital! But hurry, or maybe it will happen here!”
Giovanni helped her to the car, ducking as Raven winced and laughed at the same time. Gabriel jumped into the driver’s seat. “Move it, people! I refuse to deliver a baby in the driveway!”
Raven looked at Giovanni, laughing and groaning at once. “I told you I can’t wait… this baby is in a hurry!”
Giovanni held her hand tightly, whispering, “I’ve got you, love… We’ll make it. Just… just breathe.”
Raven looked at him, smirking through the pain. “Better hurry, daddy. They're...impatient!”
The family erupted into chaos behind them…Ganni bouncing nervously in the backseat, Gabriele yelling instructions, Alessandro carrying towels, and Isla coaching Raven through her breaths like a pro.