Chapter 32
Brax
Four Months Later
Four months ago, my life shifted so sharply it might as well have snapped into a new spine. One day, I had a wife who woke up braced for ambushes and rituals, and the next, I had a woman who slept through mornings because she finally trusted the world not to devour her in her sleep.
Now, it's summer in Chicago. Humid air presses through open windows, sunlight flashes off high-rises, and Valentina moves through our new penthouse with a softness that still knocks the breath out of my chest.
Everything is different.
My name carries weight again with the O'Malleys. Luca and Valentina talk almost daily. Sometimes it's short, and often it's longer. At times, they get emotional, in arguments, or cry with laughter.
Finn's gruff exterior has thawed to the point he introduced her to someone as "my daughter-in-law," then muttered about not making a scene when she squeezed him so tight he coughed.
And tonight, every thread of our stitched-together family is coming together under one roof for one reason.
I asked them to.
But that's not the biggest thing on tonight's agenda.
I adjust my suit collar in the mirror and glance toward the bedroom doorway. "Minx? You ready?"
Her voice floats back, tart and amused. "If you rush me, I'm changing into sweatpants."
I laugh and lean a shoulder against the wall. "You look hot in sweats."
"You would say that if I wore a trash bag."
"You'd make it couture."
She mutters something in Italian I can't fully hear, then steps into the doorway.
My pulse jumps.
Her red sundress has thin straps, daintily placed over her shoulders, a fitted bodice, and a soft, loose skirt brushing her thighs. Her hair hangs in waves, her glossed lips match her dress, and her expression radiates steady confidence and happiness.
There were days I wondered if I'd ever see her this way.
I straighten, wiggling my eyebrows. "Wonder Woman better look out."
She lifts a brow. "It's a dress, Brax."
"It's criminal."
She snorts and reaches for her clutch. "Let's go before you start trouble we don't have time to finish."
I chuckle and offer my arm. She slips her hand into the crook of my elbow, and together, we take the elevator down and step into the warm summer evening.
Our driver pulls up. I open the door for her. She pauses before climbing in, her gaze sliding over me in a slow inspection. She says, "You're being suspiciously calm."
"Just enjoying my wife."
She narrows her eyes. "Hmm. I smell danger."
I laugh and pat her ass. "Get in, Minx."
She settles into the backseat, I slide in beside her, and the city moves past the windows as we head toward the restaurant.
We arrive within minutes and go directly to the rooftop, reserved for our party. My fingers graze the box in my pocket. My stomach tightens, not from nerves but from raw anticipation.
Valentina leans against me, shoulder to shoulder. The doors open, and everyone is already here. She tilts her head up at me. "You didn't tell me what this dinner is actually for."
"You'll see."
"That's vague."
"It's specific."
She side-eyes me. "Suspicious."
I grin. "Always." I place my hand on the small of her back. "Come on."
She steps into the open air, and the city stretches in every direction under a deep-gold sunset.
Hanging lights zigzag overhead, glinting off wineglasses and polished cutlery.
Cocktail tables line up near the edge of the roof.
Long tables covered in satin gold linen, floral arrangements, and place cards fill the rest of the space.
Zara has the twins on her hip. Kirill holds a very pregnant Fiona close to his side. Sean gives a chin lift. Finn wears a crisp navy suit, and Luca's in a charcoal one with a cautious smile.
I scan the Marinos and O'Malleys. Everyone who's anyone to us is here.
Hugs and cheek kisses start. Zara squeezes her until she squeaks. Luca holds her a beat too long, quiet but steady. Finn kisses her on the cheek and teases her.
My wife's overwhelmed but glowing, and she's never looked so happy or beautiful.
When the greetings settle, I slide my hand into hers. "Come with me."
Her steps falter. "Where?"
"To the front."
"Okay..."
I lead her forward. We reach the head of the rooftop, where the skyline frames us, and I lift both hands in the air and shout, "Time to be quiet!"
A ripple of laughter moves through the crowd, and conversations taper off. The twins babble loudly for another second before Zara and Sean shush them.
Valentina looks at me, eyes narrowed, head tilted. "What's going on?"
I lower my hands, take hers, and turn to face everyone. I announce, "Thank you all for being here."
The group quiets, leaning in.
I swallow hard, not from fear but from the weight of how much this woman matters to me. Then I turn to her.
"You popped into my life in a way I never saw coming. And you're the greatest thing that has ever happened to me."
She holds her breath, blinking hard.
I continue, "Every day since, you teach me how to be stronger and a better human being."
Her eyes glisten.
My pulse ticks hotter. I add to the crowd, "It's true. She's made me a better man than I ever planned to be."
"He's not lying," Sean calls out.
The crowd laughs.
I reach into my pocket. "I think it's time we do this right."
Her eyes widen.
I drop to one knee.
Gasps rise.
Zara, Fiona, and Brenna squeal. Finn mutters a curse that sounds suspiciously emotional. Luca stands straighter, blinking hard.
I open the box, revealing a platinum band with several rows of diamonds. It's classy, elegant, and going to look amazing with her engagement ring.
My voice thickens. "Minx, you're the love of my life. You stole the air from my lungs and the sleep from my nights from the moment we met. And since we didn't get a real wedding the first time, I want one now, with rings and vows we choose and all of our family to celebrate with us."
She presses a hand to her mouth.
I grin. "Well, Minx, you want to marry me again?"
Her mouth opens…then shuts.
It happens several times, and my heart slams.
Why isn't she saying anything?
I arch my eyebrows. "Minx?"
She swallows hard. "I…um…yes, but—"
"But?" My stomach twists. "But what?"
"I have something for you."
The crowd murmurs.
I blink. "What?"
She opens her clutch and pulls out an envelope. She hands it to me. "Open it."
My chest tightens as I pull out a thin sheet of paper.
There's a black-and-white, grainy image. My vision narrows to a pinpoint. I gape at it, my heart racing, then look up at her. "Is this what I think it is?"
She nods, smiling.
Static rushes across my skin. I look from the picture to her, to the picture again. "You're pregnant?"
She nods again, slower this time, lips trembling as tears gather. "Seven weeks."
Happiness detonates inside me, along with a pinch of fear, but I'm sure it's what every father feels.
She adds, "I found out this morning and was trying to figure out how to tell you."
"Minx." My voice breaks. I stand so fast she startles. I cup her cheeks. "You're pregnant."
A tear slips down her face. "Yes."
Cheers fill the rooftop.
A stunned laugh shoves out of my chest. Then another. Then I kiss her hard, with echoes of clapping and hollers surrounding us.
Finn lifts his glass and mutters something about grandchildren, bloodlines, and finally, something being "done the right way."
I pull back, brushing her hair behind her ears. "You're carrying our baby."
Her mouth curves. "Yes."
"I'm marrying you again," I say, thick with conviction. "Not because of this." I hold up the tiny photo. "But because I want every version of the world where you're mine. So tell me you want to marry me again."
She nods, crying. "Of course, I'll marry you again."
The cheer that breaks out around us is deafening.
I slide the ring onto her finger as the city lights flicker across her skin. She stares at the band, then at me, eyes shimmering with something deep and raw.
For a few long seconds, I hold her while the people we love surround us in applause and shouts and toasts.
After the crowd settles and everyone moves in to embrace us, Luca steps forward. He rests a hand on my shoulder. "You'll be a wonderful father."
"Thank you," I answer quietly.
Finn pats my back so hard I nearly lurch forward. "Congratulations, kid."
Brenna pulls me tight to her. "I get to be a grandma!"
Zara cries into Valentina's neck. "You're going to be an incredible mom."
Kirill leans toward me and murmurs, "I knew you two would create chaos."
I grin. "Chaos is our brand."
Dinner becomes a blur of champagne, speeches, laughter, and stolen touches. Valentina rests a hand over her abdomen more than once, each time sending a shock wave through my chest.
When dessert arrives, she sits close beside me at the head table. Her fingers graze my thigh under the linen. She whispers, "You okay?"
"Not remotely. I need to get my shit together for this kid we're having."
Her eyes widen. "Me too."
"Nah. You'll be a pro," I assure her.
The rooftop quiets again as conversations slow. The moon hangs above the city like a gold coin. Soft music drifts from speakers.
I take her hand and guide her to the far side of the rooftop, where the lights dim slightly, and the city hum softens into a gentle pulse.
She steps into my arms without hesitation. I sway with her, one hand at her lower back, the other laced with hers against my chest.
She glances up. "What are you thinking?"
"That I didn't know I had a missing piece until I met you."
Her breath catches.
"You changed everything I understood about loyalty, courage, and devotion."
"You're killing me tonight, Brax," she says, tearing up again.
I grunt. "I can't wait to marry you again, raise our babies with you, and build a life no one can tear apart."
Her forehead presses to my chest. My heartbeat hammers against her cheek. I lower my chin to her hair and close my eyes.
The world narrows to the woman in my arms.
After a long moment, she murmurs, "You're going to be such a good dad."
Emotion punches through my ribs. I swallow hard. "Only because our kid gets half of you."
She huffs a quiet laugh.
I tilt her chin up and kiss her slowly, sealing everything we've survived and everything we'll build. When I pull back, all I see is the mother of my children and the love of my life.
Her voice catches. "We're really doing this?"
I grin. "Yep. But we've already done it. Now we get to enjoy it."
With the city below us, our families behind us, and our future kicking off inside her, I kiss her again. Love swells between us, but it's only the beginning of the future I plan to guard with my last breath.