Chapter 236 Baby
Galdino's P.O.V.
I stare at Valentina in shock. Did she say she's pregnant? We haven't been using protection because we agreed we would see what happened. Now that it's real, I can't speak.
"Say something. Did you change your mind about wanting a baby?" I see the fear in her eyes and hear the uncertainty in her voice, so I say the first thing that comes to mind.
"Marry me." Valentina steps back and looks into my eyes.
"What?" I think she's holding her breath.
"I said, marry me. I'm so sorry I scared you, but I was thinking about keeping you, Enzo, Ari, Dakota, and the rest of our family safe. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you please marry me?" She throws her arms around my neck as she laughs.
"Of course, I'll marry you, but if you ever scare me like that again, I'm going to tie you up in the negotiation room and let Dakota loose on you." I look at Dakota, and she smirks. When I look at Ari, I feel bad. I have been a father to Enzo and have another child on the way, but I feel like a failure as a father when it comes to Ari.
"I'm sorry," I tell him as I walk over to where he and Dakota are sitting.
"Sorry for what?" he asks.
"For taking you for granted and not being the father you deserved. I was lousy to you. Now, I'm going to get a second chance with Enzo and this baby, but that's not fair to you. Can you forgive me?" When I think of all the things I could have done with Ari over the years and didn't, I feel like someone punched me in the gut. He stands and hugs me. It's the first time I can ever remember hugging my son.
"You don't owe me an apology. Grandpa was the same way with you, so you did what you were taught. You were still a good father, and I look up to you." I hug him tighter and close my eyes.
"Just don't be like I was when you have a son," I tell him.
"Are you kidding? Do you think I want my little ninja fiancée to kick my butt?" We both look at Dakota, and she glares at us.
"Little? Did you just call me little? It may be two in the morning, but don't think I won't make you go outside and spar with me so I can show you just how little I am." I let Ari go and stand beside Valentina.
"He's all yours. Good luck, Ari," I say as Valentina and I head for the door.
"Hey, I thought you were going to be a father to me," Ari says.
"Sorry, son. This time, you're on your own." Dakota laughs as I shut the office door behind me.
"What about the listening device in our bedroom?" Valentina asks as we go upstairs. Benny comes out of our bedroom and holds up the device.
"It served its purpose; the Tarasovich brothers don't need to hear anything else. Thanks, Benny." He nods as he passes us. As soon as we step into our bedroom, Valentina slaps my face so hard that I have ringing in my ears.
"If you ever pull some shit like that again, I'm going to kill you myself. I had just found out I was pregnant when I got that video. You're lucky that I didn't miscarry when I thought you were dead. Do you know what you did not only to me but also to Ari? He was crying, Galdino." I knew they would all be mad at me, but knowing that I made Ari cry hits me harder than Valentina's slap.