Page 69 of The Marriage Contract

Irise to my feet, clapping my hands so hard they almost hurt. Beside me, my mother and father join in on the standing ovation. On the other side, Giulia and Rosa are also clapping, though Rosa can’t stand yet. However, she has far more energy than just a month ago. The small theater is filled with admiration for the play’s first production, and I know that most of it is because of my woman’s performance.

“Wasn’t she amazing?” I beam, turning to my mother and father.

My father, who’s noticeably less grumpy now that his land grab is complete, is smiling from ear to ear. “Fantastic, son!” he yells over the clamor.

“Wasn’t she great?” I grin, turning to Giulia.

Elena’s friend smiles at me, nodding. “She always has been, but that was next level!”

The curtains close, and the actors walk onto the stage to take their final bow. Elena looks gorgeous in her fifties-style dress,her hair styled as if she just stepped out of an old-timey magazine advert. She nailed the whole thing right down to the accent.

I think that’s it. I’m ready to go backstage, but then Elena steps forward with a microphone. A hush falls over the theater. She looks right at me.

“Dario,” she says, her sweet voice carrying.Hervoice, not the character’s. “Remember what we talked about when the rain made it hard to hear?”

My thoughts float to two weeks ago when we discussed the possibility of having a family. We haven’t been using protection.

“Would you be mad?”she’d asked.

“I’d be the happiest man alive.”

Now, she smiles—a secret smile just for me. “We’ve got our wish.”

I move down the row, then rush down the aisle toward my woman. Leaping onto the stage, I pull her into my arms. She drops the microphone and throws herself at me.

“You’re pregnant?” I gasp.

“Our happily ever after just got a whole lot more interesting.”

As we lean in for a kiss, even if they’re not quite sure what’s happening, everybody applauds with even more excitement.

EPILOGUE

ROSA

Five Years Later

Ithrow Chessie in the air, catching her in my arms, feeling so strong I can hardly believe it. My grandniece giggles as I hold her, then I throw her again.

“Flying, flying,” she giggles. “Rosa makin’ me fly!”

Elena sits on the plush armchair, her hand resting on her pregnant belly, her eyes fixated on the screen as she watches the preview copy of her debut movie. After a run in theater, she’s finally making her way onto the big screen.

“I think Mommy needs some Chessie cuddles,” I smile, putting her down.

Chessie traipses over to Elena. My heart warms when I see how carefully my grandniece cuddles up next to her mom—so cautious not to bump the bump that will become her brother or sister.

I sit down next to Elena, taking her hand. Since Dario’s doctors put me on track for recovery, I’ve started lifting weights, takingso much pride in being able todo things. It’s a miracle. Every day, Dario proves how much he loves Elena and how dedicated he is. If I ever had any doubts, they’re all gone now.

“You don’t need to be nervous,” I say. “You always do an incredible job.”

Elena smiles at me. Her pregnancy glow makes her look even more magnetic and vivacious. “You sound like Dario.”

“Well, he hasn’t been wrong yet.”

Her smile widens. “Sometimes, it’s still crazy to hear you say stuff like that.”

“Daddy the bestest!” Chessie beams.

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