Page 87 of Borrowed Bride

Emilia digs under her blanket, then she pulls out a small silver brooch in the shape of a butterfly. It matches the trinket attached to my wallet, and the decorations Emilia used to have in her greenhouse.

“Emilia…oh my God,” Gianna breathes softly, examining the jewelry and then immediately pinning it to her dress.

“Welcome to the family,” Emilia smiles.

Gianna throws her arms around her in a tight hug and my heart, which has already taken an emotional beating today, swells further at the sight of my wife and sister being so affectionate.

“Actually,” Gianna says as she straightens up. “Can we tell her?” She gazes up at me and I can’t say no to that face.

“Sure.”

“Tell me what?” Emilia asks.

“Well, since the old estate is in ruins and you’ve been living at one of the safe houses, Marco and I had a thought. We want the family to be together so we’ve set up space for you at the house for all your medical equipment and staff, and we’re even constructing a greenhouse so you can return to your gardening when you’re feeling up for it. We originally planned to tell you once construction was complete but honestly, I think this family has been apart long enough.” Gianna clutches her hands together. “What do you think?”

“I think the two of you know better than to get a sick woman excited,” Emilia scolds with a tear in her eyes. “You don’t need me cramping up your new life.”

“I do,” I say gently. “Emilia…all my life, you’ve been in hiding. I want you to live with us, to be a part of our family and to enjoy your last days, however many there may be, surrounded by people who love you.”

“Really?” My sister blinks up at me as a few tears fall, and she hastily wipes them away.

“No more hiding,” I say, clutching her hand. “Really.”

After thoroughly upsetting Emilia in the best way, we collect Freya and wander the party to say hi to all of the guests. Cherry and Tara dance together, arm in arm and tease that soon we will be nothing more than the dusty parents, in bed by ten. I tell them I welcome a life as peaceful as that. Fawn and Leo are equally happy for us and while there’s stillslightfriction between Leo and I, I’m happy to now call him a friend. They congratulate us and Leo reassures me that from here on out, life will be good.

I’m not sure I believe him but it’s sentimental all the same.

Then Freya begins to get cranky so we take her out on the patio where the cool night air is enough to soothe her overheatedskin and she falls asleep in my arms. As I hold her, rocking back and forth, Gianna jumps suddenly and grabs my hand.

“Marco.”

“What? What is it?”

With a wide grin, Gianna moves my hand over her belly where suddenly, I feel little bumps rising across her abdomen.

“The baby’s kicking?!” I gasp, lowering down to my haunches and caressing her belly, following the movements. “Oh fuck!”

“Language,” Gianna scolds with a laugh. “Our little bean wants to be felt this day too.”

“Hey bean,” I whisper at her bump, stroking softly. “Mommy and I can’t wait to meet you.”

“No, we can’t,” Gianna smiles. She touches my jaw and I rise to my feet, keeping an angle so that Freya doesn’t wake up. Gianna kisses me slowly.

“I love you, Mr. Barrone.”

“I love you too, Mrs. Barrone.”

37

GIANNA

“Darling?”

Nudging open the door to the kitchen, I walk through cradling my son, Emil, in my arms. Marco stands near the microwave, gently rocking our other son, Sanzio while waiting for the milk to warm up.

Yes, my second pregnancy had turned out to be twins, and that was a whole new whirlwind of challenges neither of us expected. While I’d struggled with milk when it came to feeding Freya, it was impossible with twin boys, so we’d made the decision to switch to formula, which is why most of our evenings look like this: a queue at the microwave waiting for milk to warm so we can feed our darlings.

“Hey love.” Marco smiles at me over the top of Sanzio’s head, gently nuzzling into him then he turns back to the microwave, locked in a game of making sure to stop the microwave before the ding. A noise like that will certainly knock the twins out of their slumber and we need them on their best behavior tonight. Because tonight, for the first time in months, we’re hosting a dinner party. It’s our attempt to feel like people again after months of childcare and I’m so excited I could scream.

---