Page 136 of Primal God

“João will be fine.”

“How can you be sure?”

“I know my son. It may take him a while, but he’ll come around.”

I shake my head. “I still can’t believe this is happening. What if I’m not pregnant?”

“Then we’ll keep trying until you are.” He looks down at me. “That is, if that’s what you want.”

“It is. I’ve always wanted a large family.” More tears fill my eyes. “I love you so much.”

“And I love you,minha coração.”

27

Dimitri

I stand in the backyard near the pool. João is to my right, and Diego is next to him. Clara makes her way toward me, with Lilith right behind her, dressed in white. My damn chest swells. It’s been two weeks since I told her I loved her. Since then, I’ve learned two things. One, I cannot go one moment longer on this earth without making her my wife. Two, we are indeed expecting another child together.

I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.

I couldn’t be happier.

Lilith comes to a stop next to me, and I take her hand.

“You look beautiful,minha vida.”

And she does. She’s wearing a white gown that hugs the curves of her body. Her dark hair is pulled back. The only jewelry she wears is the engagement ring I gave her. Soon, our matching gold wedding bands will be on both our hands.

Fuck. How did I get so lucky?

The ceremony is short and sweet and to the point. We both agreed that we wanted nothing fancy. We just want to betogether. Before I know it, Lilith is pronounced my wife, and I give her a chaste kiss. I know João is still coming to terms with the marriage, and I don’t want to do anything to make him uncomfortable.

He shakes my hand after the ceremony. “I’m happy for you, Dad.”

“Thank you, son.”

He dips his head to the left, where Lilith and Eve are chatting.

“How did the twins take the news?”

“Well.” I smile. “Clara asked if she could call Lilith mom.”

It was a moment I’ll never forget. It confirmed that Lilith was the right woman for me, because she said yes, with no hesitation, but also reminded Clara and Diego that it was okay to miss Serafina.

“I’m glad. The twins have been through a lot. You’ve been through a lot, too.”

“All is better now, son.”

He shakes his head. “I still can’t get over how much Raquel looks like Isadora and even Clara at that age. I guess the Santos genes are strong.”

We still haven’t shared the news that we’re expecting to anyone, of course, but I can’t help but wonder what our new baby will look like.

I ask my son, “So, does seeing your old man get married make you want to ask your lady a question?”

“God, no. I love Eve, but we’re nowhere near being ready to settle down like that.”

I laugh. “That’s fair.”

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