Page 55 of Cayden

They all have the same shade of dark hair that’s the Caruso’s trademark. And I am already hopelessly in love with my beautiful nieces. I think they favor their mother. The boys – well, that is yet to be decided. Mother thinks they both look like you. She is going to be fine.” He added quietly.

“You have that on good authority, do you?”

“She’s strong and resilient.” A smile touched his lips. “I recall vividly the day you introduced her to the family. I could clearly see how nervous she was, but that did not stop her from liftingthat small chin of hers and facing mother head on. And that was no mean feat.”

A reluctant smile tugged at Cayden’s lips as he too recalled that crucial moment.

“We were still in Italy, and I wanted to tie things down before she left for the states. I persuaded her to meet the family because I wanted to marry her before she changed her mind.” He rubbed his hands over his face and blew out a breath.

“She stood. Such a tiny thing and she endured the glacial look from Mother’s face and bore up under dad’s interrogation.” He glanced at his brother. “You were very gracious towards her.”

“That’s because I had fallen a little in love with her.” He laughed at the look on Cayden’s face. “Still am, come to think of it.” He mused. “It is so damn easy to fall for her.

She has class, loads of it. She was not impressed by the luxurious surroundings, a little intimidated perhaps, but that meantnothing to her.” His lips tilted. “She loves you, completely and that was something I envied.”

Scooting forward, he clasped his hands between his thighs and absently followed a butterfly’s journey from one rosebud to the other. “I might joke around and talk about wishing I had met her first, and I do, but her coming into our lives, changed this family. She has changed all of us, even mother had to admit it.”

“Under extreme duress.” He laughed shakily. “I came out here to be alone – to just contemplate. I have taken her for granted. I was just thinking that she gave everything up for me without question. If given another chance…”

“When given another chance.”

Cayden slanted his brother a grateful look at the qualification. “When given a chance, I am going to love the hell out of her and show her how much she means to me.” As if on cue, his phone pinged. Taking a breath, he dragged it out and read the message. “She’s out of surgery.”

“Then let’s go.”

*****

The mood was a celebratory one in the private room. The three babies had been brought in to meet their mama, while the rest of the family erupted in excited conversation, all of them grateful that she had come out of the surgery successfully.

Their little Caleb Blake was still in the NICU, but according to the doctors, he was breathing a lot better.

After half an hour, the family were told that it was time to allow the new mother to get some much-needed rest.

“Son, you’re staying, I take it?” Alberto asked with a grin.

“I am a constant fixture until my wife is discharged.”

“That’s to be expected.” Marianne came around and leaning down, pressed a kiss on Blair’s cheek. “Well done my dear. You have made us so very happy with those wonderful babies. We will get things ready for when you come home.”

Her eyes moistened as she stared at the faces around her. “Thanks – all of you for being here.”

“Where else would we be?” Marching forward, Clive kissed her full on the lips, ignoring his brother’s glower. “We cannot wait for you to come home.”

Then it was Conail and then her dad, who seemed a little tired.

“My prayers were answered.’ He said with a heartfelt sigh as he kissed her forehead. “I could not bear to lose you.”

“Thanks dad,” she touched his cheek, “promise me you’ll go home and get some rest.”

“I can afford to do so now.” He kissed her again before glancing at her husband. “Please keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

They all filed out of the room and closed the door. Slipping out of his shoes, he climbed in next to her. “Finally.” He murmured with a heartfelt sigh.” Sliding his hand around her shoulders, he hugged her. “You gave me quite a scare.”

She snuggled, inhaling his subtle cologne and masculinity. His solidness had her closing her eyes in contentment.

“I never meant to.”

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