A silent sob devours me, but it’s mended with a smile the second a reply appears.
Giulio: Lencia, I am going to regift you the entire world and this time we’ll be stronger than ever. This time we’ll make it right. We’ll fix it all. I appreciate you too, so damn much. Friday seems like a dream. Miss you. Sogni d’oro. xx
That night I don’t have any trouble falling asleep. I don’t wake up at odd hours. I sleep right through, dreaming of our entire bloodline.
United.
Returned.
Unbreakable.
Giulio
All my life before meeting Valencia, I never expected to feel a deep love like this. As she cradles Addilyn in her arms, a warmth spreads across my chest. The same warmth that appeared when I married the love of my life and when Oscar and Slonne were born.
Addilyn is ours.
Sinking onto the edge of the hospital bed, my slacks press against the crisp sheets. I kiss our newborn’s forehead and then turn to my darling. I could not be any prouder to call Valencia my everything.
Kissing her slowly in the midst of tears, I thank God that she’s safe. That they’re both okay after the anxious emergency cesarean. I haven’t stopped smiling since I heard Addilyn Giannotti’s first cries. I cannot describe the love I have for Valencia. She’s my best friend. The woman of my dreams. The one I know I can always trust and confide in.
Nothing will ever break us.
Nothing.
“I’m so proud of you.” The words escape me in a whisper. “You did it, amore.”
“Well, you made this possible too.”
“And don’t you ever forget it.”
She reacts to my wink in cute laugher. I love how she shuts those immaculate hazel eyes mid laugh. How her dark hair, which is tied in two French braids, cascades to her ribcage. How her courage has me honored to be her husband.
“I never will.”
“Good. I love you so much.”
“I love you more.”
“Impossible,” I murmur softly. “You are my air.”
Valencia’s soft lips press against mine, increasing the beat of my chest. Here is everything I ever wanted. Everything I ever needed. Family.
We pull away grinning.
“Amore, do you want to go to Daddy? I think you want to go to Daddy!” Lencia gently hands Addilyn to me and I cradle her in the solace of my arms. I’m mesmerized by her. After five years, I’d forgotten how little they are. Her hand clenches against my pinky finger and she stares up at me, seemingly mesmerized by this big world around us.
“Hello, my angel.”
Her big hazel eyes with specks of blue fill me with adoration. They’re a mixture of both of us. She has her mother’s cute little nose and full lips. Her hair, the cause of Lencia’s heartburn, is dark and soft with the slightest waves. She’s a happy, healthy baby. It’s all we asked for.
I love Addilyn.
I love Slonne.
I love Oscar.
I love Lencia.
I love us. Unconditionally.
“My sister’s going to tell the twins in the morning. They’re going to be over the moon.”
“I can’t wait for them to meet.”
“Me too. I can’t believe she’s ours.”
“I know.” My pointer caresses my daughter’s button nose. I can’t wipe away my smile and I don’t want to. “She’s our forever and nobody will ever be able to change that. Ever.”
I spring out of my bed, clutching my heart. Fuck. The bruises. I can’t catch a break. My sweaty palms rush through my hair, stabilizing myself from the memory of Addilyn. It’s not even 5 A.M., but I can’t lie here any longer. I opt to hit the home gym to ease my mind.
She’s ours forever and nobody will ever be able to change that. Ever.
Oh, how I wish I could take that March night back. I should have never left for London. I should have stayed with my family. I should have been there and confronted that face of evil.
Regret laces my memories. The same one that has been there ever since Valencia and I took off our rings. That night shut off the light inside me and slaughtered me whole. This morning that light flickers at the thought of Addilyn and my date with Valencia tonight.
Addilyn.
That memory of the first time I held her in my arms brings back everything to me. The feeling of her being ours. For six months I have accepted she’s dead, but that memory…
I miss her so much.
Have I been wrong? Has my lost faith in Addilyn been based upon a lie? I know why I believe it, but now…is it enough? We need Addilyn in our lives. Could it be true she’s…still with us?
Valencia.
I need to make it right with her tonight. Last night her text was so unexpected. My heart is rejuvenated reading those words over again. Knowing she wants tonight to come as fast as I do, that she wants this too, is an incredible feeling. Tonight needs to go perfectly as it may be the only chance I have at winning Valencia back.
I want all of her.
The longing in her eyes whenever she looks my way. The stolen glances we share.
Her gorgeous smile. The way she comforts me.
The strength.
The vulnerability.
The forever and always.
Her.
I will take the good from the bad, just like I promised on our wedding day. Valencia Giannotti, I vow to try harder and be the man you need. Because fuck, I need you.
After my workout, I take my thoughts to the shower. It’s there where the memories of Valencia deepen and manifest in forms I cannot comprehend. It’s her. It’s always been her and tonight I’m going to show her the exact reason why.
Steam fogs my vision and the water slides down my chiseled jaw to my body. It has me slick back my wet hair. I can feel my heart beating wildly for her. My hands tense against the wet tiles to the flashbacks of Lencia and I that cross my mind. They run
