Page 60 of Mafia Heir's Broken Vows

The rhythmic beepof the monitor is the only thing marking the agonizingly slow passing of time. I sit by her side, holding her hand through every contraction. She grips me like a lifeline, and I anchor myself to her—to us.

"Do you remember the first time we talked about kids?" she asks suddenly, voice thin but laced with humor.

I let out a quiet chuckle. "How could I forget? You told me you wanted a big family, and I thought you were out of your mind. But we were kids then."

Serafina smiles, her eyes squeezing shut against another wave of pain. "And now look at you. Two is big enough, okay, I don't want to do this again."

"Yeah, well, turns out I didn't know shit back then." I squeeze her hand gently. "I can't imagine life without Leo—and now her."

Her breathing slows, and she turns her head slightly toward me. "You're going to spoil her rotten."

I smirk. "Damn right. She'll never have to wonder how much she's loved."

Serafina's eyes glisten. "You're already a better father than you realize."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut—but in the best way. I've lived my entire life trying to be the man my father wasn't. And now, with Serafina and our kids, I finally have the chance.

"You're breaking my hand."

Serafina breathes deeply, her expression softening despite the pain. "It's your own fault; you did this to me." She is holding even tighter, and this time she screams.

It feelslike a lifetime passes before I hear it—that tiny, beautiful cry. It slices through the silence, sharp and raw, like the first breath of life itself.

Everything stops. My heart stalls, and for a second, I'm afraid it might never start again. The weight of this moment is crushing and breathtaking all at once. The doctor lifts our baby, and for a fleeting moment, I see her—tiny, fragile, alive. They lay her on Serafina's chest, and I can't move. I can't even blink, afraid that if I do, I'll miss something I'll never get back.

Serafina is crying now, tears streaming down her face as she holds our daughter close. "Alessandro," she whispers, voice breaking. "She's here."

For a moment, I can't speak. Words are stuck somewhere in my chest, caught between disbelief and overwhelming love.Finally, I press a trembling hand to my mouth. My knees feel weak and unsteady. "She's... she's perfect."

I lean down, kissing Serafina's temple, then our daughter's tiny head. Her hair is dark, like mine. She smells like new life, a scent so pure it almost makes me ache. She's everything I never knew I needed.

The nurse gently takes her to clean her up, and I watch every second, my eyes glued to her tiny form. I've seen death. I've watched men crumble under the weight of their sins. But this—this is life. And it's more powerful than anything I've ever known. When they bring her back, Serafina looks at me with a tired, glowing smile. "Do you want to hold her?"

My breath catches. This is it—the moment I've been terrified of and desperate for. I nod slowly, my hands shaking as I cradle her.

She's so small. So fragile. But she wraps her tiny fingers around my pinky, and it feels like the strongest grip in the world. That tiny hand anchors me in a way nothing else ever has.

"Hey, Piccola," I murmur. "I'm your daddy. And I swear I'll protect you. Always."

Serafina watches, eyes soft and full of emotion. "Do you have a name yet?" the nurse asks us.

I smile, looking down at the baby. "Amara. She's strong. Just like her mama." The name feels like a promise—one I'll spend the rest of my life keeping.

Later,Leo bursts into the room with Enzo, his eyes wide with curiosity and excitement. "Is that my baby sister?" he asks, practically bouncing on his toes.

I kneel, carefully holding Amara close. "Come meet her, bud. But be gentle."

Leo takes slow, deliberate steps forward, his little face scrunching up as he peers at her. "She's so small," he says, tilting his head. "How come babies are so tiny? I thought she'd be, like, bigger."

I grin, pulling him closer to my side. "You were just as small when you were born—smaller, actually. But she'll grow, and one day, you'll wonder how she got so big."

Serafina smiles from the bed, her voice soft but teasing. "Now you're the big brother. You have to look after her, Leo."

Leo puffs out his chest, standing taller. "I will. But I'm not changing diapers. My friend Mason says baby poop is disgusting, and you have to touch it to clean it up. I wipe my own butt."

Serafina covers her laugh with her hand while I shake my head, smirking. "That's a solid plan, bud," I say, ruffling his hair. "No diaper duty for you."

I glance at Serafina, her gaze warm and soft as she watches us. "Why don't I take him home for a bit so you can rest?" I suggest gently. "We'll come back later."

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