Page 120 of Lorenzo's Claim

“Well, good evening, Princess Bella.” I smiled.

“Papa, I need a prince, and Luca doesn’t want to be the prince. He said he wants to be the monster,” she huffed, folding her arms across her chest.

“Well, how many times have I told you? You don’t need a prince.” I laughed as I dropped to my knees before her. I took her hand in mine as I kissed her knuckles like a prince would do to a princess. “I’ll protect you for the rest of my life.”

“But I want a prince to kiss.” And there it was, the words every father dreaded.

“Kisses are overrated,” I huffed, knowing I shouldn’t lie, but for things like this, I didn’t have a choice.

“Make sure Mama doesn’t hear that,” she giggled, wobbling a little.

“Make sure Mama doesn't hear what?” As if on cue, Ana swanned out of the kitchen with a grubby Luca in her arms. His hair was a mess, and his clothes were covered in dirt. That was the day in the life of Luca. He spent most of it outside and then proceeded to track mud throughout the house.

“I think these two need a bath so we can decorate the Christmas tree. What do you think, Lorenzo?” Ana asked.

“Mama, can you bathe me, and Papa can bathe Luca?” Bella smiled sweetly as Ana handed over a mud-ridden Luca, which now meantIwas covered as well.

“Of course, then we can put your Christmas pyjamas on, decorate the tree, and enjoy a hot chocolate before bed.” I tapped Luca’s nose with my finger as he wriggled in my arms.

Within seconds, he was chasing his sister up the stairs—obviously to wipe his muddy hands all over her dress. She kicked off Ana’s wedding shoes that were, of course, too big and sprinted towards her bathroom.

“Do you think they’ll ever get easier?” I sighed.

“No, Lorenzo, I don’t.” Ana laughed.

She kissed me quickly before darting up the stairs to split the kids up. Halfway up, she called over her shoulder, “Sorry, I forgot, kissing is overrated.” She giggled, having no idea I planned on showing her later just how overrated they could be.

With the guysat the bar, we had the house to ourselves to decorate the tree with the kids. The twins wore matching pyjamas, I opted for sweats, and Ana pulled on a oversized sweater dress.

“I’ll do this side with Papa because he can lift me high, high up!” Bella beamed as she rushed to my side. Luca sat on Ana’s lap as they admired the decorations we had acquired over the years. Decorating the tree had become a family tradition since the kids were old enough to help. They loved getting new pyjamas and drinking hot chocolate, too.

I lifted Bella for her to hang decorations as her delicate hand held onto my neck.

“Relax, my little diamond. I won’t drop you,” I reminded her.

“I know.” She smiled as she hung the angel wings on the tree, the decoration Ana had purchased to represent her grandparents. It was the one item the kids took turns hanging. “Those wings are my favourite.”

“Mama?” Luca spoke from the other side of the tree.

“Yes, my angel?” Ana responded, turning to look at him.

“I love you lots, like infinity.” I could hear the smile in his voice as Bella whispered, “Aww,” in my ear.

“And I love you. More than you’ll ever know.” One thing about Ana, she might have been an incredible wife, but she was something else completely as a mother. These children were her world, just as they were mine, but there was something about watching Ana with them every day that warmed me to the core. She doted on them endlessly.“Me and Luca will go and make the hot chocolates. We’re trusting you with the tree.” Ana narrowed her eyes at me playfully.

“You got it, Mama!” Bella called as they left. Once they were out of earshot, Bella whispered, “Papa?”

“Yes, Bella?” I answered.

“Will I meet a boy who is nice to me like you are to Mama?” she questioned, her fingers twisting in my hair.

“You will when you’re old enough.” I smiled, but what my daughter didn’t know was there’d be no boys until she was at least thirty.At least.

“Did you love Mama when you saw her for the first time?” she continued to ask. This girl and her questions would easily send me to an early grave.

“You know, it was different when we met.” I paused. “But I wouldn’t change a thing. She’s the love of my life and always will be.” I touched the tip of her nose with my index finger as she did the same to me.

“Papa, you’re lucky to have Mama,” she giggled.

---