Page 22 of Prince of Queens

"Gia," I say, my voice soft but determined. She looks at me, her eyes full of concern and something deeper, something that gives me the courage to continue.

"I know this is crazy. We've known each other for such a short time, and our families... well, it's complicated to say the least." I take a deep breath, ignoring the twinge in my side. "But last night, when I was lying there, bleeding and not sure if I was going to make it, all I could think about was you. About how I might never see you again, never get to tell you how I feel."

Gia's eyes widen, her breath catching. "Dominic..."

I push on, afraid if I stop now, I'll lose my nerve. "I love you, Gia. I know it's fast, I know it's insane, but I do. And life's too short to waste time pretending otherwise."

I shift slightly, reaching for something in the drawer of my bedside table.

"This was my grandmother's," I say, opening the small velvet box to reveal a stunning vintage ring. "She gave it to me before she died, told me to save it for the right woman. I've been carrying it around for years, waiting. And now I know why."

Gia's eyes are filled with tears, her hand covering her mouth. I take her other hand in mine, my heart pounding.

"Gia Romano, I know we have a lot to figure out. I know it won't be easy. But I also know that I want to spend the rest of my life with you, however long or short that might be. Will you marry me?"

For a moment, the world stands still. I can hear my heart pounding in my ears, feel the ache in my side, but all I can focus on is Gia's face, watching as a myriad of emotions play across it.

Then, slowly, a smile breaks across her face like the sun coming out from behind clouds. "Yes," she whispers, then louder, "Yes, Dominic. Yes, I'll marry you."

I slip the ring onto her finger, my hands shaking slightly. As soon as it's on, Gia leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that's full of promise.

When we break apart, both breathless, I can't help but grin. "You know this is going to cause quite a stir, right? A Romano marrying an Esposito?"

Gia laughs, the sound pure joy. "Let them stir. We'll face it together, remember?"

"Together," I agree, pulling her close again.

As Gia settles against me, careful of my injury but unable to stop touching me, I feel a peace I've never known before. Whatever comes next – the Colombians, our families, the whole damn world – we'll face it together. And for the first time in my life, I'm not just surviving. I'm looking forward to living, to building a future with the woman I love.

It won't be easy, but nothing worth having ever is. And Gia? She's worth everything.

Epilogue

Six Months Later - Switzerland

Gia

The soft glow of the setting sun reflects off Lake Como, painting the sky in shades of pink, orange, and gold. I stand in front of my easel on the terrace, my brush moving instinctively across the canvas, capturing the abstract beauty of the scene. It feels almost surreal, like I’m living in one of my paintings—this place, on our honeymoon, with Dominic.

After announcing our engagement, Dominic and I were floored by how our families agreed to put the past behind us and move forward. Dominic’s mom and sister charmed my parents like nothing I’ve ever seen. And the arrival of Sofia and Luca’s baby girl Ava has definitely given everyone a new perspective.

Speaking of perspective, I stare out over the lake, watching the last rays of the sun dance across the water as I make a few more brush strokes on my painting.

The villa is perched perfectly above the water, offering a view so beautiful it feels like a dream I haven’t quite woken upfrom. The villa that Dominic casually mentioned he, or I guess we, own. Apparently we have several properties in Europe, and Dominic has planned a honeymoon tour to visit them all.

I hear the sound of footsteps behind me, slow and deliberate, and a familiar heat spreads through my chest. I don’t need to turn around to know it’s him. His presence is magnetic, commanding the space even when he’s silent.

“You’ve been at it for hours,” Dominic murmurs, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. He’s closer now, close enough that I can feel the heat of his bare chest at my back. His large hand slides over my hip, possessive, claiming. "I’m starting to think you're trying to hide from me."

I smile softly, but keep my eyes on the painting. “Maybe I am,” I tease, dipping my brush into a fresh shade of crimson. "You can be a bit... distracting."

He makes a low, rumbling sound, his breath hot against my neck. "Distracting, huh?"

I lean my head back against his chest, feeling his warmth. "This place is unreal. Where will we go next?"

He chuckles softly, his breath brushing my ear. "Anywhere you want, Gia. We have homes on the Amalfi Coast, in Tuscany, Paris, you name it. And we can stay as long as you like. Isabella can handle the business back home, and Tony—" he chuckles slightly, "Tony will help her if she needs it. We have nothing to worry about."

"Isabella must be loving that," I say with a grin. His sister running the empire for him? A power move for sure.

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