The morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the bedroom. Isla stirred, her hand instinctively reaching out for Dante, only to find his side of the bed empty. She frowned slightly, rubbing her eyes and sitting up. The soft murmur of Amara’s voice floated up from the kitchen, accompanied by the clinking of dishes.
Slipping on her robe, Isla padded downstairs, the scent of freshly brewed coffee guiding her to the kitchen. There, she found Dante at the stove, expertly flipping pancakes while Amara sat at the counter, her face smeared with syrup as she giggled.
“Good morning,” Isla greeted, her voice still laced with sleep.
Dante turned, his lips curling into a smile. “Morning, bella. You’re just in time. Pancakes are almost ready.”
Amara waved enthusiastically. “Mama! Look, Papa let me help!” She pointed to a misshapen pancake on a small plate.
Isla chuckled, kissing Amara on the head before moving to Dante’s side. “Smells amazing,” she said, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.
Dante leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Anything for my girls.”
Isla smiled, but a sudden wave of dizziness made her grip Dante’s arm for support. He immediately turned, his expression shifting to concern.
“Are you okay?” he asked, guiding her to a chair.
“I’m fine,” Isla assured him, though her face was pale. “Probably just didn’t sleep well.”
Dante wasn’t convinced. “You’ve been looking tired lately,” he said, crouching in front of her. “Maybe you should see a doctor.”
Isla waved him off, not wanting to worry him. “It’s nothing. I’m sure it’ll pass.”
But even as she spoke, a nagging thought lingered in the back of her mind.
—
Later that day, while Dante took Amara to the park, Isla found herself pacing in the bathroom, a pregnancy test clutched in her trembling hands. Her heart pounded as she waited, the seconds stretching into an eternity.
When the results finally appeared, she stared at the two faint lines, her breath catching in her throat. She was pregnant.
A whirlwind of emotions swept through her-joy, shock, and a hint of nervousness. She placed a hand on her stomach, a small smile tugging at her lips. Another baby. Their family was growing.
—
By the time Dante and Amara returned home, Isla had composed herself, though her mind was racing with thoughts of how to break the news. Dante’s protective nature was bound to kick into overdrive, and she wasn’t sure how he’d react to the idea of another child.
Amara burst through the door first, holding a bouquet of wildflowers she’d picked at the park. “Mama, these are for you!”
Isla knelt down, accepting the flowers with a grateful smile. “Thank you, sweetheart. They’re beautiful.”
Dante followed, his gaze softening as he watched Isla and Amara. “She insisted we bring these home,” he said, setting down a bag of groceries.
As they settled into their evening routine, Isla found herself stealing glances at Dante, marveling at how he balanced his commanding presence with his tender love for their family.
—
That night, after putting Amara to bed, Isla decided it was time to tell Dante. They sat on the couch, a glass of wine in his hand and a cup of tea in hers. She hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words.
“Dante,” she began, her voice steady but soft.
He turned to her, his brow furrowing slightly. “What’s on your mind?”
Taking a deep breath, Isla reached for his hand, placing it gently on her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
For a moment, Dante simply stared at her, his expression unreadable. Then, a slow smile spread across his face, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of joy and disbelief.
“You’re serious?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Isla nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. “Yes.”
Dante let out a soft laugh, pulling her into his arms. “Bella, this is incredible.” He kissed her forehead, his hand resting protectively on her stomach. “Another baby… I can’t believe it.”
Relief washed over Isla as she felt his genuine excitement. “I was nervous about telling you,” she admitted. “I didn’t know how you’d feel.”
Dante cupped her face, his gaze intense. “You and Amara are my world. This baby is a blessing, Isla. Don’t ever doubt that.”
—
In the days that followed, Dante’s protectiveness reached new heights. He insisted on taking over household tasks, much to Isla’s amusement.
“Dante, I’m pregnant, not helpless,” she said one afternoon as he tried to stop her from carrying a basket of laundry.
“I know,” he replied, taking the basket from her hands. “But you’re carrying our child, and I’m not taking any chances.”
Amara, oblivious to the reason behind Dante’s extra attentiveness, noticed the changes as well.
“Papa, why are you doing all of Mama’s work?” she asked one evening, her innocent curiosity making both Isla and Dante laugh.
“Because Mama needs to rest,” Dante said, lifting Amara onto his lap. “She’s taking care of something very important.”
Amara tilted her head. “What’s so important?”
Isla and Dante exchanged a glance, silently agreeing to wait a little longer before telling her.
—
One evening, as they tucked Amara into bed, she looked up at them with her wide, curious eyes.
“Papa, can I have a baby brother?” she asked out of the blue.
Dante chuckled, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “We’ll see, princess.”
Amara pouted but nodded, her little mind already imagining the fun she could have with a sibling.
As they left her room, Isla turned to Dante, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Looks like she’s on board with the idea.”
Dante wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. “Our family is growing, Isla. And I couldn’t be happier.”
For the first time in a long while, Isla felt a deep sense of peace. Their journey hadn’t been easy, but together, they were building a life filled with love, laughter, and endless possibilities. And with a new addition on the way, their story was only just beginning.