Page 56 of Nanny for the Don

I wish I knew more, but he doesn’t offer details. And I don’t push. We both know how this works.

Before I can dwell on it, he kisses me again, deeper this time. My heart does this stupid little flip, and I am wrapped up in the moment. When he pulls away, we share this intense moment of eye contact. It’s like there’s so much between us that neither of us are saying out loud, but we both feel it.

Feelings. So many damn feelings.

I almost slip and tell him I’m pregnant.

The words are right there, about to fall out of my mouth, but I stop myself just in time. Now’s not the moment. He’s got too much going on, too much weighing on him, and the last thing heneeds is something else to worry about.

He catches my hesitation and raises an eyebrow. “What’s on your mind?”

I panic for a second, then quickly say, “Just… thinking about what to get you for Christmas.”

His smile is instant, and he pulls me in for another kiss. I smile against his lips, my nerves easing just a bit.

“How are the girls?” he asks as he pulls away.

“They’re napping,” I tell him, my voice soft..”

“I want to see them,” he says. There’s a tenderness in him when he talks about the girls that gets me every time.

We head upstairs together, and the girls stir in their beds. Nico leans down beside them, his voice soft and full of warmth.

Lucia tugs on his arm. “Papa, will you bring us Christmas presents when you come back?”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Christmas isn’t for a few more days, sweetheart.”

Giulia pipes up, grinning. “But we want presents now!”

Nico smiles, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Tell you what—if you’re good while I’m gone, maybe Santa will drop off an early present or two. But only if you’re on your best behavior.”

Their eyes light up, excitement bubbling over.. “Really?”

“Really,” he says, leaning in. “But you have to listen to Willow and Ms. M, okay? No sneaking around trying to peek at presents early.”

They nod eagerly, giggling at the idea of sneaking presents.

I watch from the doorway, my heart swelling with every word he says, every promise he makes. The way he talks to them, the love in his voice—it hits me hard every time.

The more I see him like this, the deeper I fall.

Nico says his goodbyes to the girls, giving them one last hug each, then as we’re heading out of the room, he surprises me by pulling me in for a quick kiss.

The girls, of course, burst into giggles, making faces like it’s the grossest thing ever. “Ewww, Papa, no kissing!”

I laugh along, but inside, my mind’s doing flips. Does this mean Nico’s ready to make whatever this is official? If so, I really need to drop the pregnancy bomb on him sooner rather than later.

Before he heads out, he turns back to the girls. “Be good for Willow, alright? I’ll be back soon.”

“Okay, Papa!” they chorus, waving at him with big smiles.

Nico gives me one last look that says a whole lot more than he’s saying out loud before he leaves. My heart’s still racing as I turn back to the girls.

“Alright, you two, I’ve got a surprise for you.”

They sit up, instantly curious. “What is it?” Lucia asks, eyes wide.

“I was thinking after your nap, we could go to the park. And guess who’s coming with us? My best friend in the whole world—my cousin Kendall.”

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