Page 6 of Shiver

Once he’s inspected the whole house, he slides his pen back into his breast pocket and drops the arm holding the clipboard to his side.

“Everything seems to be in order. I’ll call you tomorrow when I’m on my way, and please make sure to have that car seat set up before I arrive. I’ll need to check that as well.”

“Sure thing. Thanks, Mr. Murphy,” I say as I walk him out.

“Call me Ted.” He starts to leave but stops just short of my porch steps before turning back around to face me. What he says next surprises me. “You’re doing a good thing here, Mr. De Laurentiis. Not everyone in your position would have made the same decision, but I think you’ll find that it was the best thingfor both of you.”

My brows pinch at that, unsure of who he’s referring to as “both” of us. Me and Gia or Me and Cici?

I work to smooth my expression before giving him a wave. “Thanks,Ted.I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch as he climbs into his blue sedan.

“Now to install that damn car seat.”

I sit on the couch, my legs sprawled out in front of me as I search for videos explaining how to set it up, and once I think I’ve got the idea, I drag the hunk of plastic out to my SUV.

***

Sweat drips down my brow as I stand back with my hands on my hips, taking in my handiwork.

It took me damn near an hour to install the fucking thing, but I did itwithouthaving to call my brothers for help.

Maybe I really can do this?Unlikely.

Chapter five

Luca

Friday, July 3, 2026

Ihear a knock at my door, and the nerves coursing through me leave me feeling unsteady. My heart feels like it’s banging against my ribs, trying to fight its way free of my chest.I never feel like this.I’m usually so confident, but not right now.ThisI know nothing about.

Maybe my so called “confidence” is merely a mask, and I’m finally being forced to let it fall.

I rush to answer the door, eager to get this moment over with. As I unlock it, turning the knob and yanking the door open, my mouth is agape at the sight in front of me.

Ted is standing at my door, holdingmy daughter.

She’s beautiful.

Her tan skin and dark, fluffy curls are in complete contrast to her light eyes.

My eyes.

I suck in a breath, unable to speak yet as the small child flutters her lashes groggily at me, taking me in and attempting to sort through the new information her little mind is being forced to process.

That thought alone leaves me with a bitter taste in my mouth. If Cecily had been honest about this, we’d all have been saved from so much frustration. I can’t fathom that this is really what she wanted.

“Now you see why I was so sure, huh?” He chuckles, adjusting Gia’s swaddled body in his arms.

I nod my head slowly, in a daze, but have the frame of mind necessary to reach for her. I want to hold her, comfort her, and show her all the love she’s had withheld the last few days. Maybe evenmonthsif Cecily had really not wanted her at all.

Ted gathers her up and places her in my arms. I clutch her tiny body to my chest, the yellow blanket with little white giraffes holding her snugly.

She peers up at me, meeting my gaze.Those eyes.One ice blue and the other sage green. She’s all mine. This I know for sure.

It’s as if something changed in me at a cellular level the moment she was placed in my arms. Some fatherly instinct fighting to be let free.I love her already.

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