Page 55 of Surprise Baby for the Mafia Boss

“I made you coffee,” he says. “Uh, decaf. I got it from the store downstairs. Caffeine isn’t good for the, uh, baby. Or so I hear.” He hands me the cup and I smile at him, feeling my eyes get watery.

Not only is this one of the few times that he has referenced the baby, but it also shows he’s willing and able to help me take care of this child. And he can—if he wants to—take care of me.

I take a sip of the coffee. “Not too bad, almost tastes like the real thing." I’m only half-lying, but I’ve never truly enjoyed the taste of coffee so decaf works just fine for me.

"And it won't keep us awake tonight. Bonus.” He smiles, happy with my reaction.

I think about how Luca’s smile used to be the one thing I aimed for whenever I was with him. I knew that you had to be special to get a smile out of him. But recently, he seems to smile at me so much. And while I enjoy it, I’m also so confused by it.

He seems to hate me one minute and then think I’m amazing the next. The rollercoaster of Luca’s emotions and attention is not something I’m feeling up for riding tonight. And I doubt he’s going to let me ride any other part of him.

“So… you wanted to talk?” I walk over to the softly lit, white and cream living room and sit down on the overstuffed couch, slipping off my shoes and criss-crossing my legs underneath me.

I feel comfortable in this apartment now, and relaxed with Luca. As long as he's not being a dick. It’s only been a few months, but already I see Luca as my new family.

That is, if he doesn’t banish me to the other side of the world by the end of this conversation. I did say in my letter that if wanted me to leave, I would do that for him.

I wasn’t lying, I will leave with this baby and start again, somewhere unknown, where no one will find me.

It’s not my ideal plan, but I would much rather escape than have to bring this baby up in a town where Luca Baldini, a king, is denying being the father of my child. Or, worse, have Luca try to take the baby away from me completely, hiring some slutty nanny to take care of my child while I’m banished from the Baldini mansion.

I shake my head just slightly, trying to stop the overthinking from taking over completely.

“I do. I need to talk to you. But I’m going to ask that you let me get it all out before you say anything.” He looks so serious.

I take a deep breath and nod my head. This is the conversation we both need to have, to heal and move forward as a family.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Luca

“Emelia…” I sigh, not even sure how to start this.

I want to let her in, but I need to know that she’s not just messing with my mind. I sit next to her, her hands clutched tightly around her coffee cup, ready to listen.

“I fucked up.” I look at her and shrug. “I never should have reacted the way I did when I found out you were pregnant. And everything afterwards…” I visibly cringe, thinking about my actions.

“I find it hard to trust people, which you know. But you showed me that I could open up, and when it felt like you had lied to me, that cut deeper than you will ever know. But I shouldn’t have let it affect me to the point that I treated you the way I did. That was unacceptable. And you were right, in your letter, Nonna would have been sad to see how things are going since she left.”

I take a sip of my own coffee before I continue. “You are carrying my child, and I want us to be able to do this together. I wouldn’t feel right if you were to leave and I had no idea of knowing how you or the baby were doing. Plus, Emelia you have been a godsend to me, supporting my every step. I can see us being an incredible force if we work together.” She smiles. I know she’s had the same thoughts.

“I do love you. We’ve had that conversation, and I will love this baby with everything that I have. But I need to know that you’re being one-hundred percent honest with me,” I say seriously.

“We can’t trust each other if either one of us is lying to the other.”

“I agree,” she says.

“So, tell me what you’re hoping to get out of this situation, and let’s find a compromise.” I look at her, opening the floor up for her to speak.

“Well, I am hoping that this child can grow up with both parents, in a happy home.” She looks at me, clearly unsure, but I stay silent to let her continue.

“I’ve always dreamed of having my own family, and I love you enough to know that a family with you will be all I’ve ever hoped for–and more! You’re right, we can do so much together. For the family, for business, and for ourselves. I just need to know that you are ready to love me and show it.”

“I am, Emelia. And I will do whatever it takes from now until the day I die to show you that I am so sorry for any hurt I’ve caused you. I don’t know if you can forgive me, but that is my biggest wish right now.”

“I can forgive you, Luca.” I see a tear slip from her emerald, green eye. “I’d much rather we start fresh and work on our future than keep worrying about the past.”

I agree with her, and we fall into a hopeful discussion about the future.

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