Page 76 of The Agreement

"You've abused us, tried manhandling us, and even tried threatening us because we chose a path that none of you wanted. I agreed to take Valentina as my wife, however, I never said how. And all of you can rest assured that I love my wife and it will only ever be my wife for me." Vinny watched his father-in-law who seemed to relax a little after that statement. Did he think that because Val gave up her virginity prior to marriage he would have walked away? "But that also means something to each of you and you all need to figure out if it’s what you want," Vinny said. “If how we run things is enough for you to say, fine, and to deal with it because we don’t need you, any of you. Nor do we need parents who are controlling and rather risk life than risk happiness.”

"With this union," Val said, sitting up on the desk and crossing her legs, "comes the start of an empire like none of you have ever seen. If Joey fails to find his love," she said, raising an eyebrow, "I carry the next heir to the Constantini and De Luca thrones. Imagine actually uniting the families under one banner." She waited as the news sunk into their parent’s minds. First Sofia jumped up and then did Susana, both excited but Val shook her head, easily stopping any words from passing their lips. At this moment, she didn’t want to hear how excited they were about a grandbaby, because to her and Vinny, her next words and their parent’s next actions could strip that very title away from them, and Val didn’t even blink, her heart cold towards them at this moment. "This pushing stops now, this treating us as if we are nothing but pawns stops now. This is our world and this is our say. Either you agree to our terms or you risk losing not just your family, but your empires."

~ Chapter 58 ~

Sofia bristled at the tone and the implied words, but Val didn’t care. This was her life now, her world, her family, and her mother-in-law can get on a board, or she could fuck off, especially after the pain and annoyances she had caused, intentional or not. But either decision was hers and Val was over it. She was done playing nice with her in-laws, and she was well over playing nice with her own parents. Her mom glanced at her dad and both stood up, looking from Vinny to her. Finally, her dad opened his arms and embraced her.

“I’m sorry, Valentina. You’re a stronger woman than I ever gave you credit for. Your family is yours to protect and we won’t push anymore. We’re sorry for our actions and words.” She held him back and nodded. “You have to admit though, had I not bargained this, you wouldn’t have the amazing husband that you do.” With that, his eyes bounced from her to Vinny and only turned as Donatello cleared his throat.

“Don’t count your blessing on that one, De Luca,” Donatello said, standing up as well. “You are as much part of my family as I am of yours.” With that, Donatello held out his hand and Rafael took it before shaking Vinny’s hand. Once her parents stepped aside, her eyes landed on Sofia who had stepped in front of her.

“Your child will be loved,” she started but Val shook her head.

“My child is already loved, Sofia. It had an aunt that adored it before she was killed because you allowed someone else into our lives. You may not care for me, but I am your son’s wife and will be treated with the respect that title alone deserves.” Sofia cleared her throat and glanced at Vinny before looking at Val.

“About that, I am sorry, deeply. I hadn’t known Celeste was trying to kill you or that she was the one putting Vinny in danger. Believe me, I wouldn’t have allowed it nor would I have pushed for the union. I just didn’t…”

“You don’t need to explain your reasoning, Sofia, I can grasp it,” Val said, cutting her off. “You want what’s best for your son and at the time, it wasn’t me. But I won’t tolerate that course of action again.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I want to be a part of your lives like I want to be part of my grandbabies.” Val looked at Vinny who was struggling not to laugh as his mom was put in place. And it was written all over Sofia’s face just what Val’s words did to her. Val cleared her throat and gave a small nod.

“Very well. I wouldn’t dream of keeping you away.” Sofia smiled and then embraced Val before she embraced her son. Vinny walked all of them out, leaving Val alone to compose her thoughts and feelings. Though she put on a brave front that was a lot harder than she expected; in fact, she was half thinking everyone would tell her to shut up and walk out.

“You okay?” Val looked up at Vinny who was leaning against the doorway and she shook her head. Before the tears could escape, though, he had his arms around her and her head buried in his chest. She wouldn’t have ever thought that Vinny would be her source of strength, her source of comfort. He was a man she disliked, very strongly in fact, and a man she vowed to stay clear of. She wasn’t sure if the universe was laughing at her expense now, but she didn’t care. She was quite happy here, with him, and in his arms.

“I’m okay now,” she mumbled against his chest and she could feel his smile. Yeah, not the way she would have started a marriage, but she wasn’t turning her back on it at all. They would conquer, they would overpower, and they would be happy and in love too.

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“Congratulations on your degree,” Susana said, pulling her daughter in for a hug. “I was wondering if you were going to be able to get it.” Val rolled her eyes as she pulled her full frame back from her mom and into the waiting arms of her husband. So, rather than the six months, it took to wrap up her degree, it took eight months, which wasn’t bad, at least not to her. On top of trying to finish off her classes, deal with the death of her best friend, and attend meetings that were of both the legal and illegal origins, she also had to attend birthing classes and appointments, so she was rather proud that it took only two more months rather than two years. But, of course, her mom, though Val loved her, would never say anything straightforward.

“I knew she would. And between that and her work in my office, I’m rather proud of her.” Val turned her gaze up to Vinny and smiled at him. Leave it to him to boost her ego when it was needed, even the face of their family, who could be a little snide with their comments at times.

“Thank you,inamorato(sweetheart),” she told him, giving him a quick kiss. “And I am ready to sit down and rest. This little one has been super active today,” Val mumbled as she rubbed her stomach. “It has not given me a rest all day.”

“You still don’t know what you’re having?” Sofia asked, looking at Val’s rounded tummy and Val shook her head. She and Vinny had discussed it and they wanted it to be a surprise. Besides, it wasn’t like she didn’t know what she was naming the baby, it was already picked out and Vinny approved of it. He even told her that it would piss his mom off that they weren’t naming it after their parents, so for her, it was even better. And they had asked about the names that the couple had picked out, but they stayed silent. And of all, it was for their enjoyment.

Sure, over the last few months things had gotten better with all of their parents, but there were still rough roads, still looks or small comments, but most were overlooked just for the grand picture of things. Val didn’t need more headaches; she had plenty dealing with both her husband’s business and the ones Joey asked her to be on, much to the annoyance of her dad. Again, to her, a win in her book.

“We want to be surprised,mama, so stop asking. Besides, it’s not like you have much longer to wait to figure out what the baby is,” Vinny told Sofia who let out an overly loud deep sigh but Val chose to ignore it. “We’ll see you for dinner later, right now I need to get Val home and rested for a bit.”

“Fine,” both mothers said, causing both Vinny and Val to shake their heads. They gave their hugs and kisses and parted from the group, Vinny leading Val to the car.

“You okay?” Vinny asked her as she winced while getting into the car.

“Just active is all. This baby has made today rather fun.” Val took her phone out of her purse, smiling at the lock screen that showcased the four of them from her wedding. She ran her fingernail over Luciana’s face and then paused. She sat her phone down for a moment and then gasped.

“What is it, Valentina?” She let out a gush of air before turning to look at Vinny.

“That hurt.” Vinny just blinked at her for it was obvious that whatever it was, hurt.

“What did?”

“The baby pushed, Vinny. Like against the stomach rather hard and that’s a first. Anyway, let’s go, I’m ready to rest. I think my ankles are twice their size right now.” Valentina shook her head and then picked her phone back up. “I need to take flowers tomorrow to Luciana, today was her birthday. And with all the excitement, I spaced it.” Vinny took her hand and laced their fingers together.

“That shouldn’t be a problem. I don’t think I have much going on.” She nodded and then squeezed his hand as another pain rocketed through her stomach. “What the hell?” he asked and her eyes opened wide as she glanced down, liquid flowing down her leg.

“My water just broke,” she told him.

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