“Congratulations, you’re nine weeks pregnant, Olivia,” the doctor says across the desk. “The heartbeat is strong, and everything looks to be in perfect order. Your baby is fit and healthy.”
Enrico’s broad smile beams over at me and he grips my hand tightly in his.
We are at the obstetrician, and it’s been a rough morning.
Enrico and I have hardly spoken. I’m stressed out after last night’s activities, while he’s been avoiding the subject. He thinks it was a false alarm-that I’m imagining things. They searched the entire house and found nothing.
But I know what I heard.
“You will have your baby by Christmas. Your due date is on the 15th of December.”
Enrico leans over and kisses me softly. He’s this big important man with all the money in the world, but when it comes down to it, nothing is more important to him than becoming a father.
“Congratulations, baby,” he whispers.
I smile proudly. My heart is so full that it feels like it’s about to explode.
“Your next appointment will be scheduled in four weeks.” The doctor looks between us. “Do you have any questions?”
Enrico’s eyes flick to me, and I know he has a million. “Is there anything particular that we…” He pauses as he searches for the right wording. “Shouldn’t be doing?”
I can think of a few. Not being killed as I sleep is number one.
The doctor smiles, understanding the true meaning of his question. “No, carry as normal. Sexual activity is natural and completely fine. It won’t hurt the baby at all.”
“Oh.” Enrico’s shoulders drop in relief. “Can she eat everything?”
“I would avoid raw seafood and soft cheeses, and of course alcohol and recreational drugs.”
“Of course.” Something tells me he is going to micromanage this pregnancy with strategic precision. “Okay then.” Enrico stands and shakes the doctor’s hand. “Thank you. We’ll see you in a month.”
He takes my hand and we walk out through the swanky surgery. When we make our way to the car, I try my hardest to not notice the bodyguards. I’m still on edge.
Enrico opens my door and I get in. He walks around to the driver’s side and slides in beside me.
“We’re going to be parents?” He smirks as he starts the car.
I hunch my shoulders up. He looks over and we smile goofily at each other.
No matter what else is going on in our lives at the moment, this right here is all that matters.
I can’t believe this is happening.
“I love you.” He kisses me softly and I melt into him. I can whine all I want about things that go bump in the night, but I could never whine about him.
He is perfect.
“Can we go out to lunch to officially celebrate?” I ask.
“I’d rather go home and celebrate.” He kisses me again.
I know this kiss, it’s an emotion overload kiss. The type he gives me when we have to be close.
“Lunch first.” I smile.
He exhales heavily.
“Everyone’s looking at us.”
“Who cares? I’m having a baby. I’ll do whatever I fucking like.” He forces himself to refocus. “Lunch… then the afternoon in bed.”
“I’m not quite sure that pregnant women spend the afternoon in bed doing rude things, Mr. Ferrara.”
He gives me the best come fuck me look of all time. “Mine does.”
He pulls out into the traffic and we drive for a while.
“We will have to bring the wedding forward.”
My eyes flick over to him in question.
“I don’t want anyone to know until we are married. I don’t want them to think this is a shotgun wedding.”
“Okay.” I think for a moment. “I wish it happened a little later. I know the timing isn’t that great.”
He gives me a heart-stopping smile. “A child is a gift whenever it arrives.”
I smile over at my gorgeous man; how did I get so lucky? “Thank you for being amazing.”
“Thank you for being mine.”
* * *
Enrico raises his wineglass with mine. “To us.”
“To us.” I smile. “Although a toast with mineral water doesn’t seem to pull the same punch.”
He chuckles. “Get used to it.”
My phone buzzes on the table. “Hello,” I answer.
“Hello, darling,” Giorgio sings.
“Oh, hi.” I cringe. “I’m so sorry I had today off. I… I had to go to the doctors.”
“That’s okay, darling. I was calling to tell you that they have found asbestos in the building. You will have to work from home for a week or two.”
“What?” I frown. “Really?”
“It wasn’t in the building, just in a wall structure that had been added over the years. It’s being removed this week.”
“Oh.”
“It will be completely safe to return.”
“So, I’ll just work from home tomorrow?” I ask.
“Yes, unless you would rather have some time off. I can arrange that, too.”
I frown over at Enrico. He frowns back in question. “Did you tell him?” I whisper.
He shakes his head. “No,” he mouths back.
“Okay, that’s great. I’ll call you tomorrow, Giorgio.”
“Goodbye, sweetheart. Have a nice day.” He hangs up.
“Jeez.”
“What?”
“They’ve found asbestos in the building. I have to work from home for a few weeks.”
“Oh.” He picks his drink up and sips it, not saying anything else.
I stare at him. He can’t lie for shit. “Did you organize this?”
“No.” He rearranges his napkin on his lap.
“Enrico.” I gasp. “I have to work.”
“And you can… from home.” He takes my hands over the table. “My guards are super busy at the moment and it’s easier if you work from home for security reasons. Giorgio didn’t mind at all and, well, I just thought that now might be a nice time to bring your mother over.”
I frown. “What?”
“I haven’t met her yet. She can come to the engagement party next weekend, and you can tell her about the baby in person. You don’t want to do it over the phone, do you? As soon as she knows, we can tell everyone else.”
I sit back in my chair in shock. “Really?”
“Yes, I want to get to know her, and who knows?” He shrugs. “We may convince her to move to Lake Como for a while. I can get her a house of her own on the lake so she will be close while you’re pregnant.”
I put my hands over my mouth. “That would be so amazing,” I whisper. “You are so thoughtful. Thank you. I’ll call her tonight.” I take out my pad and paper and write the words.