Page 21 of His Mafia Lover

"Is it time, Uncle Aaron?" he asks, his voice wavering with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "Is Uncle Santino really coming home today?"

I kneel down to his level, cupping his face in my hands and pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. "Yeah, buddy. It's really happening. In just a few hours, we'll be picking him up and bringing him back where he belongs. Back with us, with his family."

Matteo's face splits into a grin, his eyes sparkling with joy. "I can't wait to show him my new room, and all the drawings I made for him! And to introduce him to Luca, he's going to love him so much..."

I chuckle, ruffling his hair affectionately. Luca, the rambunctious golden retriever puppy we adopted last year, has become Matteo's constant companion and partner in crime. "I know he will, kiddo. Uncle Santino is going to be so proud of you, of the amazing boy you've grown into while he was away."

Matteo's smile turns shy, a flush heating his cheeks. "I just want him to be happy," he says softly. "I want us to be a real family again, like we used to be."

Emotion clogs my throat, my heart swelling with love and pride. "We are a real family, Matteo. We always have been, even with Uncle Santino away. But you're right, it's going to be so good to have him back with us, to be whole again."

I stand, squeezing his hand in mine. "Now come on, we've got a big day ahead of us. Let's get some breakfast in you before Zia Gia gets here, yeah?"

As if summoned by her name, the doorbell rings, followed by the click of high heels on hardwood. "Where are my boys?" Gia calls out, her voice warm with affection. "I come bearing coffee and pastries!"

Matteo takes off like a shot, his laughter echoing through the house as he barrels into his aunt's waiting arms. I follow at a more sedate pace, my heart full to bursting as I take in the scene before me.

Gia, resplendent in a crimson sheath dress and sky-high stilettos, hugging Matteo close and peppering his face with kisses. Marco, grinning from ear to ear as he sets down a tray of steaming cappuccinos and flaky, fragrant cornetti. My best friend Logan, his arm slung around his husband Enzo's waist, their faces glowing with happiness and pride.

This is my family. The one I chose, the one I built with Santino. A little unconventional, a little rough around the edges, but so full of love and loyalty it takes my breath away.

"You ready for this, Shep?" Logan asks, handing me a coffee and clapping me on the shoulder. "Got all your welcome home surprises planned out? Rose petals on the bed, champagne on ice, the whole nine yards?"

I snort, shoving him good-naturedly. "I think we're a little past the rose petals stage, Lo. Right now, I just want to get my hands on him, hold him close and never let go."

Logan's expression softens, understanding shining in his eyes. "I get that, man. God, I can't even imagine being away from Enzo that long, not knowing when I'd get to touch him again, wake up next to him. You're a stronger man than I am, that's for sure."

I shake my head, sipping my coffee thoughtfully. "Not strong, just stubborn. Santino and I...we've been through too much to let a little thing like prison come between us. Our love, our family...it's worth fighting for, worth holding onto with everything we've got."

"Damn straight," Gia chimes in, her arm around Matteo's shoulders. "My brother is a lucky man, having you in his corner, Aaron. Having all of us. We're going to get him through this transition, help him build a new life. A better life."

I meet her gaze, seeing my own resolve reflected back at me. "Together," I say firmly. "As a family. That's how we'll face whatever comes next."

The drive to the prison is both the longest and shortest of my life, anticipation and nerves warring in my gut as the miles fly by. Matteo is a ball of barely contained energy beside me, his foot tapping restlessly, his fingers drumming on his bouncing knee.

When the razor wire fences and looming guard towers come into view, I feel my breath catch, my heart stumbling in my chest. This is it. The moment I've been dreaming of, aching for, for three long, lonely years.

The moment I finally get to hold my heart in my arms again.

We pull into the visitor's lot, the gravel crunching beneath the tires. Gia and Marco flank me as we head towards the release gate, Matteo clinging to my hand like a lifeline. The air is crisp and cool, the scent of changing leaves and distant woodsmoke carrying on the breeze.

And then, there he is.

Santino steps through the gate, a small duffel bag slung over his shoulder, his face tilted towards the weak autumn sunlight. He looks thinner, his cheekbones more pronounced, his inky hair shot through with threads of silver. But his eyes...god, his eyes are the same breathtaking shade of amber whiskey, deep and warm and brimming with love as they find mine across the distance.

"Daddy!"

Matteo breaks free from my grasp, tearing across the pavement and launching himself into Santino's open arms. Santino staggers back a step, a choked laugh escaping him as he catches Matteo, holding him close and burying his face in his curls.

"Matteo," he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. "My boy, my sweet boy. Look at you, you've gotten so big! I've missed you so much, my boy.”

Matteo clings to him, his face pressed into Santino's neck, his small shoulders shaking with sobs. "I missed you too, Daddy. Every day, I missed you so much. But it's okay now, because you're home. You're finally home."

Santino lifts his head, his eyes finding mine over Matteo's shoulder. The love, the longing, the sheer, unbridled joy shining in those beloved depths steals the breath from my lungs, sets my pulse pounding like a drum.

"Aaron," he says, my name a reverent whisper on his lips. "My heart, my love. You're here."

I'm moving before I make the conscious decision, my feet carrying me towards him like a compass needle seeking true north. "Where else would I be?" I murmur, my vision blurring with unshed tears. "I've been waiting for this moment, for you, for so long, Santino. So long."

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