Sofia smiled widely. “But I feel as if we’ve arrived. Our relationship is great. I don’t have any doubts, do you?”
“About us? Never. Nor do I have any doubts that you’ll be a great mother. I can’t wait to have kids with you.”
“So, we’re going to start working on kids?”
I chuckled and let my hand run down Sofia’s belly. “You make it sound as if it’s hard work.”
Sofia grinned. “Sometimes it is, but it’s always worth it.”
Sofia waited for me in the foyer when I came home, looking ready to burst. Our dog Poof, looking like a bouncing fluff-ball as he greeted me, was at her side as usual. Since she’d gotten the dog a year ago, he’d become very protective of her. Of course, given his size, his value as a guard dog was minimal, but he made Sofia happy.
Before I could ask what the matter was, she brandished a pregnancy test, her face breaking into a huge smile. I raised my eyebrows. “You’re—”
“Pregnant!” She rushed toward me and flung herself into my arms. Poof barked excitedly. I lifted Sofia off the ground, kissing her temple. It had taken us almost six months and I’d started to worry, so a weight now lifted off my shoulders. We’d become a family. I couldn’t wait.
She shoved an ultrasound image at me. I glanced down at the black-and-white image but had no clue what to look for. There was a big round shape with two smaller forms. “So, she confirmed your pregnancy? Everything is okay?”
Sofia pointed at the two smaller forms in the black circles. “Two.”
“Two,” I repeated, not sure what she was referring to. “You’re two months along?” I thought she was already in her third month.
Sofia gripped my arm. “Two babies! Twins!”
I stared at her. “You’re pregnant with twins?”
She nodded. “Identical twins.”
“Oh, wow.” I stared down at her still flat stomach, unable to believe that she harbored two babies inside.
“Yeah. It’s too early to see if they are two boys or two girls. I’m so excited.”
I pulled her against me. “Your family has it with twins.”
Sofia laughed. “It’s in our blood.”
“Apparently.” We stared at each other, and it still seemed impossible that we’d arrived here. “I love you, Mrs. Mancini.”
She grinned. “And I love you, Mr. Mancini.” She bit her lip. “Do you mind if I tell my parents? They’ll be ecstatic to hear we’re having twins, especially identical twins. Mom will probably want to go shopping with me for matching outfits right away.”
“Tell your parents, and I’ll tell my mother. She’ll probably want to go shopping with you as well. Those babies will be the best-dressed babies in Indianapolis.”
Sofia rolled her eyes, but I didn’t miss the smile she tried to stifle. I kissed her knuckles. “Next time I want to go with you to the doctor’s appointment.” That earned me a kiss before Sofia dashed off to call her parents. I watched her almost skip the steps in search for her cell phone. I loved her exuberance.
I called my mother. She hadn’t found another man since Dad had died, even though I’d encouraged her to give a new love a chance. There were a few nice widowers among my men and even among the Captains, but she had insisted on being alone. She was eager for grandchildren from me, so the name Mancini could live on and Dad’s genes could carry on.
“Danilo,” Mom said happily. “You just caught me before brunch with my ladies’ club.” Her ladies’ club consisted of the wives of the Captains and a few high-society ladies with links to the Outfit, and they met twice a week for brunch and gossip. I was glad she kept herself busy with brunch and social events.
“I won’t take long. Sofia had another ultrasound today.”
“How’s my grandchild doing? And how’s Sofia?” Her voice rose with excitement.
“They are doing well. The kids and Sofia.”
A moment of silence followed, then, “Kids?”
“Sofia is pregnant with twins.”
Mom laughed. “The Mione twin gene! I can’t believe it. How wonderful! Do you know the gender yet?”
“It’s too soon, but they are identical twins so they’re either two boys or two girls.”
Two months later, the gynecologist told us that we were expecting two boys. Sofia squeezed my hand firmly. “Are you happy?”
“I am, but I’ve been happy from the day I found out you were pregnant. I would have loved to have two daughters as well.”
“Then we would have had to keep trying until you got an heir, you know.”
I regarded her carefully. “You don’t want more than two?”
Sofia shrugged. “Two is a good number. I know many girls desperately want a daughter to dress up, but I think I’d be perfectly happy with two cute boys to dote on. I’m in no hurry to get pregnant with a third child.” She rubbed her lower back with an apologetic smile.
“I’d be happy with just two kids, but you’re still young, so if you ever change your mind, we can still give another child a chance,” I said.
After finding out the gender, everyone congratulated me. I could tell that they considered two boys a victory, especially the men. I was just relieved that Sofia wouldn’t feel pressured to give me an heir anymore.
I couldn’t wait to go hunting and hiking with my boys, to teach them all I knew about guns and show them how to fight. My dad had done all those things with me and I wanted to share that with my sons.
Danilo carried both boys in his arms while I held Poof by the leash. Those boys loved Danilo like crazy, and always wanted to be held by him when he was home. He had to work a lot, so it was only natural that they sought his closeness whenever
