The Moretti household had become a mix of endless joy and chaos ever since Leo’s arrival. With Amara and Leo teaming up, they were becoming little masters of mischief, keeping Isla and Dante constantly on their toes. But amidst all this, there was one thing that never wavered-their love for each other.
It was a rare peaceful evening. The kids were asleep, and the house was enveloped in a serene silence. Dante sat in the living room, sipping on his glass of wine as he flipped through some paperwork. Isla walked in, tying her silk robe loosely around her as she joined him on the couch.
“Long day?” she asked, resting her head on his shoulder.
“You have no idea,” Dante replied, chuckling. “Leo nearly destroyed my office today. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’s already conspiring to take over my empire.”
Isla laughed softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on his chest. “Sounds like a typical day in the Moretti world. But admit it, you love it.”
Dante smiled, wrapping an arm around her. “I do. I love them, and I love you even more.”
Isla’s cheeks flushed, but she rolled her eyes playfully. “You say that now, but you didn’t have two kids clinging to you all day.”
Dante leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. “I’ll say it every day, amore. You’re my world.”
Her laughter died in her throat, replaced by a quiet gasp as he kissed her neck softly. “Dante,” she whispered, her hands gripping his shirt.
“Hmm?” he murmured, his lips trailing lower.
“Shouldn’t we-” she started, but her words were cut off when his mouth captured hers in a deep, passionate kiss.
The heat between them was undeniable, a fire that had only grown stronger over the years. Despite the exhaustion and the endless responsibilities, they always found their way back to each other.
Interruptions and Mischief
Just as things were heating up, a loud cry echoed through the baby monitor. Both of them froze, their foreheads resting against each other as they sighed in unison.
“That’s Leo,” Isla said, already moving to get up.
Dante stopped her, pulling her back down. “I’ll go. You relax.”
She watched him leave with a soft smile, her heart swelling with love. He had transformed so much since becoming a father. The once ruthless businessman now melted at the sight of his children, and Isla couldn’t help but adore him even more for it.
Upstairs, Dante entered Leo’s nursery to find his son standing in his crib, holding onto the railing and crying loudly.
“Hey, piccolo,” Dante said softly, lifting him into his arms. “What’s wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”
Leo sniffled, resting his head against Dante’s shoulder. Dante swayed gently, humming a soft tune to calm him down.
“There we go,” he whispered, smiling as Leo’s cries turned into soft babbles.
But just as he thought the crisis was averted, a loud giggle from Amara’s room caught his attention.
Dante carried Leo down the hall and peeked into Amara’s room to find her sitting on the floor, surrounded by her toys.
“Amara, it’s bedtime,” he said, raising a brow.
“But Papa, I was waiting for you,” she said sweetly, her big eyes sparkling with innocence.
Dante sighed, unable to resist her charm. “Waiting for me for what?”
“To play!” she exclaimed, holding up a doll.
Dante shook his head with a laugh. “Alright, five minutes, but then it’s back to bed.”
He sat on the floor with both kids, playing along as Amara bossed him around in her pretend tea party. Leo clapped his hands excitedly, babbling as if he understood everything.
By the time Dante managed to get them both back to bed, nearly an hour had passed. He returned to the living room to find Isla fast asleep on the couch, her head resting on a cushion.
Dante smiled softly, crouching down beside her. “Even when you’re sleeping, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
Her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled sleepily. “You’re back.”
“Finally,” he said with a chuckle. “Your little troublemakers kept me hostage for a tea party.”
Isla laughed, sitting up. “Welcome to my world.”
Dante joined her on the couch, pulling her into his arms. “You do so much for this family, amore. I don’t say it enough, but I’m grateful for you.”
Her smile softened, and she leaned against him. “And I’m grateful for you, Dante. You’ve been my rock through everything.”
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying each other’s presence. But Dante wasn’t one to let a romantic moment go to waste.
He tilted her chin up, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. It was slow and deliberate, filled with all the love he felt for her.
“Dante,” Isla whispered against his lips, her voice laced with emotion.
“Hmm?” he murmured, his hands resting on her waist.
“Promise me something,” she said, pulling back slightly to look into his eyes.
“Anything,” he replied without hesitation.
“No matter how chaotic things get, we’ll always make time for each other,” she said softly.
Dante cupped her face, his thumb brushing against her cheek. “I promise, Isla. You and the kids will always come first. Nothing is more important to me than our family.”
Her eyes shimmered with tears, and she leaned in to kiss him again.
The Unexpected Visitor
Just as the moment was about to deepen, a sudden knock at the door startled them both.
Dante frowned, glancing at the clock. “Who could that be at this hour?”
Isla tensed, her mind racing. “Dante, be careful.”
He nodded, standing up and walking to the door. He opened it cautiously, his eyes narrowing when he saw who was standing there.
“Vincent,” he said coldly, his body instantly on high alert.
Vincent smirked, leaning casually against the doorframe. “Relax, Dante. I’m not here to start trouble.”
“Then why are you here?” Dante demanded, his tone sharp.
“I came to talk,” Vincent said, his smirk fading slightly. “About the family.”
Dante clenched his jaw, his protective instincts kicking in. He didn’t trust Vincent, not after everything he had done.
“Whatever it is, it can wait,” Dante said, starting to close the door.
But Vincent held it open, his expression serious. “It’s important, Dante. And it concerns Isla.”
Dante’s blood ran cold, and he stepped outside, closing the door behind him. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ll explain,” Vincent said, glancing at the house. “But not here.”
Dante hesitated, his mind racing. He didn’t want to leave Isla and the kids, but he also couldn’t ignore the possibility of a threat.
“Fine,” he said reluctantly. “But this better be worth my time.”
As Dante followed Vincent into the night, Isla watched from the window, her heart pounding with unease. She had a feeling that whatever was happening, it was only the beginning of something bigger.
And she knew, without a doubt, that their love and strength as a family would be tested in the days to come.