Page 218 of Bride By Coronation

Bridget returns to the bar and pours a tumbler of vodka. She hands it to me and then gives Fiona a glass of juice. She picks up her glass of wine and holds it out.

"To the baby."

"To the baby," we all echo.

"Salute!" Dante exclaims.

Bridget and Fiona say in unison, "Sláinte!"

"Za zdorovye," I add.

We clink glasses.

"How far along are you?" Bridget inquires.

"I'm six weeks. I was surprised, though, because I had barely been off my birth control. I thought it would take some time, but Kirill has super-strong sperm, huh, babe?"

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I gape at her.

"Jesus, Fiona," Dante mutters.

Bridget puts a hand over her mouth, stifling a laugh.

Fiona giggles, glowing, and beaming her smile at me.

So this is happiness.

We spend a long weekend at the Marino estate, and a day longer than we originally planned. Not once does anyone make me feel unwelcome or uncomfortable. Even Dante's father and brothers engage with me in conversation, as if there's never been any reason for us to be enemies.

Every morning, Fiona and her mom go for a walk on the estate. The Marino men, including Angelo, go to their home gym and invite me to work out with them. By the time the weekend ends, I can't deny I've had a great time and like everyone.

Fiona smirks at me when we get on the plane to return to Chicago.

"What's the look for?" I ask.

She leans closer, gloating. "I think you were a huge hit."

"Me?"

She nudges me with her elbow. "Duh." She smiles and curls into my chest, quickly falling asleep.

I spend the flight asking myself how I can go from having money and power but nothing of substance, to now having an incredible wife who loves me, a baby on the way, and in-laws who don't seem to hate me anymore.

It's a gift. Don't blow it,I tell myself.

I sit back in my seat, embracing my new life.

I might not understand how I got this lucky, but I know one thing.

There's one person on Earth I'd die for with no hesitation. And the best thing is, soon there will be one more.

33

Fiona

Two Months Later

Soft music plays in the background, and the chatter of the lunchtime crowd fills the air. I step in front of the hostess and then glance past her.

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