Page 167 of Sinful Sacrifice

I take Alessia on a tour of the ballerina-themed nursery. The furniture is pink, the wallpaper a ballet-slipper print, and stuffed ballerina dolls are set up around the room. Pippa oversaw the decor, and I was in charge of building everything. I’ll never forget the memories of the hours we spent in this room, getting everything perfect for Alessia’s arrival.

After the wedding, we decided to keep the news of the pregnancy between us. Pippa wanted time to process it and us to enjoy knowing it was our secret. We went on a second honeymoon to Paris for two weeks and then shared the surprise with everyone when we got home.

Since then, Alessia became spoiled.

Not only by us but also by our friends and family.

“I love you,” Pippa whispers before softly kissing Alessia’s head.

“So does your daddy,” I say, holding her tiny hand in mine.

I finish my tour, showing her the closet and her tutu onesie that says, My First Tutu. When we’re finished, we spend another thirty minutes picking apart which feature Alessia got from us.

She has Pippa’s nose.

My eyes.

Pippa’s cuteness.

I can’t wait to meet more of my daughter every day.

To be a father.

I gulp, shutting my eyes, wishing my family were here to meet her. But I know they’re looking down, smiling, and loving the new baby Bellini. I’ll make sure to share stories of them with Alessia as she grows up.

By the end of the day, we’re yawning and exhausted. Pippa carefully lays Alessia down to sleep, and we make ourselves comfortable in bed.

“I think I could sleep for a hundred nights,” Pippa says, blowing out a breath.

I turn to her, wrapping her in my arms, and hold her.

“Pippa,” I whisper.

She peers up at me with sleepy eyes. “Yes?”

I run my hand along her arm. “Thank you for making the sacrifice of loving me.”

---