Page 209 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

When Mia had discovered that the Aguila brand had little social media presence, she’d realised therewasa need she could fill. When Santos’s sister, Marina, flew in for a visit she was wildly approving, as well as fun to be with—Mia had been grateful to make a new friend. And when Evalina had returned after several months, they’d both agreed to put the past behind them, and they now respected and liked each other. It was, Mia had decided, a relationship that would continue to grow.

Once the socials had taken off, Mia had turned to other ideas, including events to support the Aguila staff and make them feel more like the extended family Santos had said they were. She’d invited every member of staff over for a social occasion at some point during the year to get to know them, as well as to practise her now nearly fluent Spanish, and she’d also run some extended learning and cultural days.

Today’s garden party was the latest initiative, a way to include the many children on the estate. It was set to start in twenty minutes.

‘Does everything look all right in here?’ Santos asked as he strolled into the courtyard. He looked devastatingly handsome as always in an open-necked blue shirt and linen trousers. Mia smiled to see him, her heart giving that familiar little leap of love and excitement.

‘Yes, I think so.’

He came to stand behind her, sliding his hands around her waist. ‘You’ve worked hard on this,’ he murmured against her hair.

Mia leaned back against him, savouring the moment. ‘It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed it.’ As his hands rested on her hips, she thought with a little thrill of joy that now was as good a time as ever to share the news she’d learned that morning but had suspected for a few days.

‘And it’s good practice, you know, to spend time with all these children,’ she told him. ‘Rosaria in accounts had a baby just six weeks ago—I might need to practise my cuddles.’ And, just in case he didn’t get it, she put her hands over his and guided them to her still-flat stomach.

For a second, Santos tensed in surprise and then he slowly turned her round to face him. He looked dazed, which made Mia smile. ‘Do you mean...?’ he asked, and she nodded.

‘I’m pregnant, Santos.’ And this time she felt ready—more than ready. She’d gone off birth control three months ago, after they’d both decided it was time to try again.

‘Mi querida...’He kissed her gently. ‘How are you feeling? Are you all right?’

She laughed as she kissed him back. ‘I feel fine. It’s early days, though, and you know nothing is certain.’ For a second, they were both sombre, remembering the baby they’d lost. ‘But I feel good,’ she assured him, twining her fingers through his. ‘I feel happy and hopeful. This is exactly where I want to be.’

‘And it’s exactly where I want to be,’ he murmured against her lips before he pulled her close for another kiss.

The last two years had held their challenges as they’d both learned not just to break old patterns but to create new ones. To trust each other with the little things as well as the big ones. To grow in love, and what that meant, living it out day by day. But Mia knew they were getting there, and in the meantime they were both enjoying the journey, savouring absolutely every moment.

As Santos deepened the kiss, Mia gave herself up to it—and to him, so thankful for how he’d come to find her and had fought for her in a way she’d never been fought for before. And had won her, she thought with a smile, as reluctantly she broke the kiss.

‘I think,’ she told him as she heard the delighted squeal of a child, ‘Our guests are about to arrive.’

Santos smiled back and, hand in hand, they went to greet their guests—and their future—together.

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