EPILOGUE
As I look down at the sleeping little girl in my arms, I can’t help but smile and realize this is really my life. I’m holding my niece and when I look around the clubhouse, which is where we’re holding Viola’s birthday dinner this year, I’m surrounded by the people who matter most to me. It does feel unbelievable at times, but it’s real. The weight of Viola’s little girl, my niece, reminds me just how real it all is.
When I talked to Viola about having her dinner at the club and why, she was all for it. I was a little worried she would feel a certain way about me stealing a bit of her thunder, but I think she likes the tradition of having big announcements made on her birthday. I’m glad she didn’t think I was trying to take the spotlight off her.
I just know it’s not always easy to get everyone who matters in one room. We all have lives which entwine together but are also separate. We make time for each other, but it’s become more difficult lately. Understandably so, but I still wasn’t going to let the opportunity in front of me pass me by.
Viola is the only one who knows what I’m about to tell everyone and from the look on her face, she’s dying to spill the beans. She looks pained and when she meets my eyes, her smile is strained and she’s practically bouncing up and down in her seat. If I don’t get the show on the road soon then she’ll blurt out the news.
I stand up and let out a small noise of surprise when Massimo is there and takes his daughter from my arms. The way he looks down at her, with so much love in his eyes, has my insides turning to goo. He presents himself as a strong man without emotions, but it all melts away whenever he looks at Viola or their little girl.
I hope my men are the same way.
I look over to find my dad and brother talking to my men and breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not going to say everything went smoothly when we talked to my family about me being with the Guidice brothers, but it didn’t go as badly as it could have. Everyone walked away alive, which was a win as far as I’m concerned.
I would have been pissed if there was blood shed just because I found my happiness.
When I woke up the morning after sneaking out of the house, I found there was a huge diamond ring on my finger and my men were wearing matching smug expressions. I rolled my eyes, not at all surprised when my men didn’t ask me to marry them. The ache of the punishment I received the night before was still very much present and I realized I didn’t care that they didn’t ask me.
After kissing me until I was breathless and I was ready for the day, they herded me into the car without saying a word about where we were going. I started to panic a little when we pulled up at the DSMC clubhouse. The feeling didn’t go away when they led me down to my dad’s office where he was already waiting with my brother.
I saw recognition flash across my dad’s face as he took us in but was surprised to see resignation on my brother’s features. When no one broke the silence, I started to fidget. Rocco put his hand on my lower back, offering me his strength, but it didn’t help a whole lot.
“I heard about what happened at The Sanctuary last night,” Dad finally spoke, “but I see that’s not why you’re here.”
“We’ll fill you in on those details, but you’re right, we’re not here about that,” Leo’s voice was calm and strong. “We love your daughter. She’s ours.” He took my hand and held it out into the middle of the room and my knees threatened to buckle out from underneath me. “Soon she’s going to be our wife.”
Dad closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again to look at my men. It was clear he was taking the measure of each of them while my heart was pounding in my chest. When his eyes met mine, they softened, and it felt like I could breathe again.
“Are you happy?”
That’s all he asked me. Such a simple question, but I felt the weight of it against my chest.
“Blissful,” I whispered and watched as a smile chase its way across my dad’s face.
He stood and walked around his desk before pulling me against his chest. “I can’t say I understand why you’ve chosen these men.” I opened my mouth to protest, but he kept speaking before I could get a word out. “They are good men, and I won’t deny it. I’ve known them for basically their whole lives.” He looked down at me to study my face as I blinked back tears. “It might take me a little while to come to terms with the fact that you’re not my little girl anymore, but if you’re happy then I’m happy.”
I buried my face in my dad’s chest and tightened my arms around his waist. “I’m happy, but if they piss me off, you’ll be the first person I call.”
Dad barked out a laugh along with my brother and my three men. When Rocco gently pulled me out of my dad’s embrace, he wrapped his arms around me and kissed the side of my head. “It’s a good thing you have his number in your favorites then, Tesoro,” he rumbled. “Because I’m sure we’ll piss you off more than you’d like, but it’ll always be because we want to keep you safe.”
I sighed and relaxed into Rocco’s arms and watched my dad look on with pride shining in his eyes.
Rocco wasn’t fucking wrong. I have called Dad a few times because my men have made a rage grow inside of me that I didn’t know I was capable of. Every time my dad has simply laughed and told me to go back to my men.
I thought he was on my side.
As I watch the most important men in my life laugh together, I know, deep down, he was. He was right too.
My men didn’t let me put off the wedding for long and less than six months later I was legally married to Leo. It was a beautiful event, even though it was stressful as hell to put it together. Not only did I legally marry Leo, but the ceremony included a commitment ceremony with Gio and Rocco.
I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I clear my throat and Leo’s attention immediately snaps toward me. I can’t help but smile as he elbows Gio and gives Rocco’s shoulder a squeeze. They immediately abandon their conversation and descend upon me, a mixture of emotions and questions in their eyes.
“I have an announcement to make,” I say loud enough to get everyone’s attention and my men stop a few feet away from me. I turn toward Viola first and give her a bright smile. “First, I want to say happy birthday to my best friend and sister,” feeling the weight of my engagement ring and wedding band on my finger, “which is now official and not just words.”
Viola giggles and nods, her eyes soft. “We were always sisters of the heart.”
I swallow hard, determined not to cry. At least not yet. “I asked Viola if I could borrow her spotlight and have her birthday dinner here because it’s not always easy to get everyone who matters in one place. She was gracious enough to not only allow it but encourage it.”
I take a moment to get myself together as I look around the room, my heart swelling with love. Rocco closes the distance between us and whispers, “Are you okay, Tesoro?”
I nod and then grin, my voice carrying. “I’m good. It’s just pregnancy hormones getting the better of me and making me emotional.”
The room freezes for a moment and then erupts in applause and cheers. Before I can soak it all up, my men are there surrounding me and touching me. I look into three sets of brown eyes and see awe, love, devotion, and acceptance.
It’s everything I ever wanted, but so much more as well.
When they kiss me, one after the other, I sink into it and feel their love and excitement.
“No corsets for you for a while,” Leo, who is the last to kiss me, murmurs against my lips.
I throw my head back and laugh while looking forward to when they can wrap me up in satin, lace, and strings again. Bringing our baby into the world is a good reason to wait, but there is something special about when they cinch me up and worship me.
As the congratulations from my family wrap around me, I’m thankful for being right where I’m supposed to be and with the men who make me whole.