Page 75 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins

“Can we take new toys?” Daniella clutches her stuffed unicorn to her chest.

“What about the other stuff?” Dario asks, looking a little lost. Like he can’t decide what he wants to take the most.

"Maria will ship the rest of your things." I need a moment to regather myself. “I’m going to my room to pack my bag. You two keep working, okay?”

“’Kay.”

I stop at the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face, trying to wash away the burning behind my eyes.

A soft knock at the door makes me jump. "Mrs. Cantore? The children are asking about their school books."

I close my eyes, willing for strength. I need to focus on now. On packing the essentials. On acting like all this is normal. There will be time for falling apart once we're home.

Once we’re packed, I help the kids put on their backpacks. I grab my purse and with Maria’s help, we roll our suitcases to the foyer. Marcus is there to load them into Nic’s rented SUV.

The door to Max’s office opens, and Nic strides down the hall, Max following him.

"Ready?" Nic asks, his hand warm on my shoulder.

I nod, not trusting my voice.

Nic shakes Max’s hand. “Keep me posted on Benny.”

“Will do.”

“Let’s get home,” Nic says with a grin and excited enthusiasm. I’m sure he’s thinking about getting home to Bella and the kids.

I should thank Max. I should have the kids give him a hug goodbye. But he’s rejected us. Rejected his own children.

“Come on, kiddos, let's get in the car.” I usher them out the door.

“Bye, Uncle Max,” Dario says weakly with a quick look over his shoulder.

“Bye,” Max says.

We step out into the bright Nevada sun. I take one last look at the house as Nic helps the kids into the back of the SUV. All those weeks of breakfasts and bedtime stories, of swimming and playground adventures, of stolen moments with Max, they feel hollow. Like a wish I wanted but never got.

I climb into the SUV after the kids, closing the door on this chapter of our lives without a backward glance. Some goodbyes are better left unsaid. I learned that from Max.

An hour later, the drone of the jet engines fills the cabin as my children play games on their tablets. Their earlier tears have dried, replaced by the distraction of technology, a mother's saving grace on long flights.

Nic slides into the seat across from me, loosening his tie. “Everything alright?”

“Sure.”

He studies me. “This thing with Benny, while it’s over, it’s a reminder that your safety, the kids’ safety, is at risk.”

Where is he going with this? “So is Bella and the kids’. Anyone connected to you.”

He nods. “But she has me. You have no one. Max plans to stay in Vegas. Must be the dry air.” Nic shakes his head as if he doesn’t understand why Max doesn’t want to return to New York. I wonder what Nic would say if I told him the truth. Max doesn’t come back to New York because of me.

“Anyway, I’m thinking maybe it’s time you consider getting married again.”

If I were drinking something, I’d have choked on it. "Are you serious? After everything with Aldo, you want to arrange another marriage for me?"

“No one like Aldo. But you and the kids need protection, Gia. The kids need a father figure. I’m spread too thin now to do it justice, and Max, well… he’s firmly planted in Vegas.”

“You want me to marry Max?”

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