Chapter 61
Leander’s birth
“Take the anesthesia, for God’s sake!” Gianni says, sweating beside me as he squeezes my hand.
“No, I want to be completely conscious when he cries for the first time. I’m going to record it as one of my memories. Now stop, or I’ll ask the doctor to throw you out.”
“Bella, not even you, the owner of my heart, could drag me out of this room. Now stop being stubborn.”
“No, I caaaaan’t. . .ahhhh, damn it!”
“Just a little more and we’ll have our big boy, Mrs. Andresano. Let’s go.”
Gianni looks at the doctor like he wants to kill him, but I couldn’t care less if they started a fistfight right now. The only thing I want is to see my son’s face.
I’ve been in labor for hours, and I swear to God my husband looks like he’s feeling the contractions with me.
“As much as I love the idea of carrying you inside me, it’s time for your debut, baby.”
I squeeze the hand of my Italian, the love of my life, and with every bit of strength left in me, I push.
And then, the miracle happens. I don’t see him yet, but I know I’ve just given birth to our first child.
I look at his father, who’s hypnotized, staring at the baby the doctor is holding in his arms.
When I hear that first cry, I cry along with him, thanking God for this new chance.
“He’s perfect, Elodie. Our perfect miracle,” Gianni says, covering my face with kisses. “We’re a family.”
“I became a flower in the end,” I say with a smile, even as tears keep streaming down.
I watch as the doctor places the baby in Gianni’s arms, and Gianni steps closer, laying him gently on my chest.
Leander is beautiful. Black hair, skin pale like his father’s. When he opens his eyes, they’re golden like mine.
“My boy. My Romani prince,” I whisper, overcome with emotion.
“My family,” Gianni says, kissing our foreheads. “You said you became a flower. I’ll never try to change you or suffocate who you are, my bold one.”
“I love you, husband. I know that. And I don’t mind growing roots, living anchored to the ground. You two create the oxygen I need to live.”