Page 260 of Mine Again
“Aldo and Caterina were married at what was supposed to be their engagement dinner.”
He chuckles. “Improvisation at its finest.”
“And Maximo and Mia…” I pause, tapping my finger against my lip. So much of their story is still unwritten.
“Maximo Marcos and Mialina Accardi tied the knot a week later in a wedding only the Chicago Don could pull off on short notice. The bride did not vomit on the priest.” God, I miss Mari!
Luca leans closer, brushing his lips against mine. “And LucaCaruso?”
My chest swells. “Luca Caruso remains hopelessly obsessed with his wife, loving her fiercely forever. They live happily ever after in a secret offshore lair.”
“Correct,” he growls, cupping my face and kissing me until the television fades to silence.
I melt into him, my hands fisting in his shirt, my heart so full of love for this man.
“There’s one more line in the closing credits,” I murmur against his lips.
“Hmm?” He pulls me closer, his kiss deepening until the air between us is nothing but heat and want.
Panting, I force the words out. “The last line will read: Isabella Caruso loves her husband just as fiercely and will do so until the end of time.”
I feel his smile in my whole being as his mouth continues to claim mine, leaving no doubt that he feels the same. For a moment, I let myself drown in it, in him, in the forever we fought so hard to win.
But the knot in my stomach refuses to be ignored. I press my palms against his chest, breaking the kiss with a shaky breath.
My fingers rise to the butterfly necklace Luca gave me all those years ago and had sent back to us from Sicily. I put it on the moment it arrived in Chicago, surprised at how complete it made me feel.
Needing that comfort now, I roll the delicate charm between my fingers, nerves prickling.
“Luca.” My voice is quiet, but something in it pulls his full attention. His eyes search mine, like he already knows something is coming.
It could be nothing. Stress could explain it. The chaos we’ve lived through is enough to throw anyone off balance. But the possibility is there, whispering louder with every hour, and I can’t keep it to myself any longer.
My throat works as I swallow, my thumb still worrying the butterfly. “I missed a period. And I think…”Deep breath now. “I mightbe pregnant.”
For a heartbeat, dread flares. What if this isn’t what he wants?
But his eyes light up like I have handed him the stars. He sinks to his knees in front of me, his hands cupping my face, certainty blazing in his gaze.
“I know you are,” he says.
My lips part. “What?”
I don’t understand, but there’s so much certainty in his eyes that I almost believe it.
“How could you know? I haven’t even taken a test.”
He leans his forehead against mine, grounding me.
“Because Iknowyou. Every breath, every heartbeat, every shift in your body. I notice everything.”
He speaks quietly, reverent, as if sharing a secret.
“And you’ve been different these past couple of weeks. Your body told me even if you weren’t aware.”
My eyes widen, shimmering. “You’re serious.”
“Yes.” His thumb drifts across my cheek, then he lowers his hand to rest gently against my stomach. The gesture is so sweet my heart leaps before finding a faster pace.
