Epilogue II
DOMINIC
Five Years Later
I don’t notice the glitter on my suit until the elevator’s already carrying me down to the lobby. There it is on the sleeve, a smear of silver that catches the light. I try to brush it off, which only spreads it.
Sofia glances down to see what I’m doing and bursts out laughing.
“Don’t,” I warn.
“I didn’t say anything,” she says, hands up.
Our son, Antony, coos against her chest in his little carrier. He’s only three months old, and he never wants to be more than six inches from her. I understand the instinct completely.
“For the record,” she continues. “I’m the one who told you not to buy that craft kit.”
She steps closer and takes my sleeve between her fingers to inspect it.
“I fear this is a glittery suit now.” She sighs. “You might as well just embrace it.”
“How is this my life now?” I groan.
“You’re the one who couldn’t keep your hands to yourself,” she accuses jokingly. “I was fine with one kid, but your super sperm just couldn’t stop. Three kids under the age of five is your penance.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “As I recall, you were the one who couldn’t keep her hands to herself.”
She dramatically puts her hands over Antony’s little ears.
“Not in front of the baby,” she says. “He doesn’t need to know about his parents’ s-e-x life.”
I laugh as the elevator opens onto the private lobby. Marco stands there, hands on his hips, glaring at her.
“Sofia Marie Vieri,” he says in a stern voice. “Antony is staying with his nonno tonight.”
She clutches our son tighter. “You don’t understand how hard three kids are,” she says. “We’ll be fine with him.”
He shakes his head. “This is your first date since he was born. You don’t need him crashing it. Besides, Chiara is helping. She’s upstairs with Meredith and Matteo.”
Her lip wobbles as she looks down at our youngest.
“How did you get down here so fast?” I ask Marco.
We’d left him upstairs not two minutes ago.
“I took the service elevator.” He shrugs.
Of course he did. It’s been his private joke for years that it’s the only elevator he’ll ever use because he’s in the service industry.
“Now,” he says, holding out his hands. “Give me that boy.”
Sofia reluctantly unclips Antony and hands him to her father. Marco glances at me and winks. I mouth “thank you” back.
I was willing to indulge Sofia’s whims, but it’s nice to have the family support. Five years ago, this would have been unthinkable. As it turned out, Marco didn’t want to miss out on knowing his grandkids. Most nights, he stays in a guestroom. He refuses to move in, though. Stubborn old bastard.
Antony cries briefly at being separated from his mother, but the second Marco holds him against his chest, he calms right down. Sofia glares and hands over the chest carrier.
“Traitor,” she whispers to Antony.
I laugh and pull her away before she changes her mind about going on a date with me.
We slide into the car and head downtown.
We won’t stay out long, I’m sure. She hates being away from the kids if she can help it, and I don’t blame her.
They’re all pretty perfect. Meredith, our brave little warrior, named after Sofia’s mom.
Then there’s Matteo, our rambunctious second-born.
He’s a hellraiser, just like his nonno. Antony is easily our calmest so far, even at three months.
I’m curious how long he keeps that up. Pretty soon they’ll realize they outnumber us and stage a coup.
Sofia squeezes my hand, and I turn to look at her.
“You look like you’re lost in thought,” she teases.
“Just thinking about war negotiations with our children,” I tell her honestly.
She throws her head back and laughs. It’s my favorite sound in the entire world.
“They may outnumber us, but we have Rafe, Maya, Chiara, and my dad on our side. Not to mention all the guards. They’ll never stand a chance.”
“Don’t count on the guards,” I warn her. “They’re all completely loyal to Meredith. They’ll turn on us in a second.”
She laughs and lays her head on my shoulder.
“I think we can handle it,” she replies. “As long as you and I are on the same team, there’s nothing we can’t overcome.”
I smile and wrap my arm around her. She’s probably right. She’s been right about almost everything since the day I ran into her in the hallway of my office. She’s changed my entire life, and all for the better. There’s no one else I’d want on my team.
The End