The next morning, Isla woke up to the soft coos of Leo beside her. She blinked away the drowsiness, her heart instantly melting at the sight of her baby boy staring up at her with his big, innocent eyes. His cheeks were still slightly flushed, but the pain that had twisted his tiny features last night seemed to have faded.
“Good morning, my love,” she whispered, running her fingers through his soft curls.
Leo babbled, kicking his chubby legs, his tiny hands reaching for her. Isla let out a breath of relief-he was already looking much better.
Just as she was about to pick him up, she felt strong arms wrap around her waist from behind.
“Morning,” Dante’s husky voice murmured against her ear.
She leaned into him, sighing. “Morning.”
His lips brushed her temple as he looked down at their son. “How’s our little prince doing?”
Isla smiled. “Better. He’s still warm, but he’s smiling. I think the medicine is working.”
Dante exhaled, his tension easing as he bent down to kiss Leo’s forehead. “You scared us, piccolo.”
Leo gurgled happily, reaching out to grab his father’s nose. Dante chuckled, allowing the baby to tug at him.
Just then, a small thud echoed, and Amara came rushing into the room, her hair messy, still dressed in her bunny-printed pajamas.
“Leo!” she squealed, climbing onto the bed to smother her brother with kisses.
Leo let out an excited giggle, his tiny hands slapping against Amara’s cheeks.
“Ow, baby! Be gentle!” Amara pouted, rubbing her face dramatically.
Dante smirked. “That’s what you get for waking up and attacking him first thing in the morning.”
Isla laughed softly at their antics. It was moments like these that made everything worth it-the sleepless nights, the stress, the worries.
A Day of Rest and Recovery
Dante insisted that Isla and Leo stay in bed to rest for the day. He ordered the maids to bring breakfast to the room and refused to let Isla lift a finger.
“You’ve been worrying too much,” he said, feeding her a bite of pancake. “You need to relax.”
Isla chewed slowly, narrowing her eyes. “You do realize that I’m his mother, right? It’s my job to worry.”
Dante smirked, wiping a bit of syrup from the corner of her lips with his thumb. “And I’m your husband. It’s my job to take care of you.”
Heat crept up Isla’s cheeks as she swallowed hard. No matter how many years passed, Dante still had the ability to make her heart race with just a few words.
Leo, oblivious to the romantic moment, suddenly reached for Dante’s plate, grabbing a piece of toast.
Dante gasped in mock horror. “Did you just steal from your father?”
Leo babbled in response, stuffing the toast into his tiny mouth.
Amara burst into laughter. “Leo’s getting bold, Papa!”
Dante groaned dramatically, leaning back. “He’s turning into a troublemaker already. First, he makes us lose sleep, and now he’s stealing my food.”
Isla giggled. “I wonder where he gets that from.”
Dante pointed at Amara. “From her.”
Amara gasped. “No way! I’m an angel!”
Leo clapped his hands, as if agreeing with his sister.
Dante shook his head, muttering, “Two against one. I see how it is.”
An Overprotective Father
Later that afternoon, Isla took Leo outside for some fresh air. She sat on the patio, rocking him gently while Amara played with her dolls nearby.
Dante watched them from the doorway, his arms crossed.
“You’re staring,” Isla teased without looking at him.
He walked over and sat beside her. “I can’t help it. Seeing you with them makes me realize how lucky I am.”
She turned to him, warmth filling her chest. “You make me happy, Dante.”
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “And you, mi amore, are my everything.”
Just then, Amara ran up to them, bouncing with excitement.
“Mama, Papa! I made a new friend!”
Dante immediately tensed. “A friend?”
Isla raised an eyebrow. “That’s great, sweetheart! Who is it?”
Amara pointed toward the garden, where a little boy stood, nervously fidgeting. He had curly brown hair and wide green eyes.
Dante’s frown deepened. “Who is he?”
Amara rolled her eyes. “Papa, relax. His name is Theo. He’s our neighbor’s grandson. He’s really nice!”
Dante didn’t look convinced.
Isla nudged him. “Dante, he’s just a child.”
Dante sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t trust people easily.”
Isla chuckled. “You didn’t trust me at first either.”
Dante smirked, pulling her closer. “And look where that got me-a beautiful wife and two perfect kids.”
Isla laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Exactly.”
Dante sighed, watching Amara drag Theo to introduce him.
“I swear, if he makes her cry even once, I’ll-”
“Dante.”
“Fine, fine. But I’m watching him.”
Isla shook her head, smiling. Their life was chaotic, full of laughter, love, and a little bit of drama, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dante leaned back against the chair, his eyes never leaving Amara and Theo as they played in the garden. Isla sighed, resting her head on his shoulder.
“You’re being too protective,” she murmured, tracing circles on his hand.
Dante scoffed. “I’m just being a responsible father.”
Isla giggled. “You mean an overprotective one?”
He turned to her with a smirk. “I have every right to be. First, it’s a playmate, then a best friend, and before I know it, she’ll be asking to go on dates.”
Isla laughed, pressing a kiss to his cheek. “Relax, Papa Bear. She’s just a child.”