Page 120 of Maddest Temptation

I smiled at him. “Not me,” I confessed. “I need to tell you something,” I confessed. “I learned it a few days ago,” I explained.

Vitelli eyed me suspiciously, but I couldn’t stop grinning. “You’re making me nervous,” he teased.

“Francesca is pregnant,” I said happily.

“No fucking shit.” His jaw dropped.

I nodded. The doctor had told me when she came out of surgery two weeks ago. Imagine my surprise when I learned she was with child. My child. Fear had gripped me harder than before, but the doctors assured me the child would be okay, both of them would.

I wanted to desperately tell Francesca.

“Cassio,” Vitelli shook his head. “How, I mean… you, a father, you didn’t even want to marry.” I knew where he was coming from.

“I love her, Vitelli. I want everything with her.”

He chuckled and slapped me on the back. “Well, congratulations then.”

When Marco and Francesca ended their private conversation, we entered the room again, and I sat beside Francesca while she leaned into me, and I held her close.

“I never thought I was going to have this,” she repeated the words from earlier, and as I looked around, I understood.

A family…her own family, one that would love her no matter what.

Vitelli must have heard it because one look from me and he understood what I was silently asking. He escorted everyone out promising they’d be here early tomorrow.

When it was just the two of us, Francesca grabbed my hand. “You’re nervous,” she said, reading me easily.

“I have something to tell you,” I said.

I hadn’t planned on doing this. It was usually the other way around; I didn’t know how to break the news to her. Why was this so nerve wrecking? It was good news, yet I was terrified.

“What is it, Cassio?” She sat up slowly. There was fear in her eyes and that was the last thing I wanted.

I took a deep breath and exhaled. “You’re pregnant.”

Silence.

“I’m sorry, what?”

“You’re with child, Principessa, my child. Our child.” I couldn’t help smiling at the thought that she was pregnant with my kid. Mine.

“H-how?”

“Francesca,” I chuckled. “I think the amount of unprotected sex we had is explanation enough.”

“Oh God.” She dropped her head into her hands.

Why wasn’t she happy?

“Principessa.” I lifted her head, so she was looking at me. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m pregnant, Cassio,” she said simply.

“Yes.” I agreed.

“I’m not cut out to be a mother,” she pointed out, then her eyes widened. “Cassio, I was shot.” They widened so much I thought her eyeballs would fall from their sockets. “I take heavy medication. I used drugs. GOD.”

“Francesca,” I cupped her cheeks. “Calm down. Our daughter is fine, she’s healthy and safe.”

---