Page 114 of Lorenzo's Claim

“I don’t care whether you found out with me or not. I’m over the fucking moon! We’re going to have a baby!” I never thought finding out Anastacia was pregnant would hit me the way it did, but fuck, I had never felt anything like it.

“Yeah, we are,” she cried, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“So, no skiing for you tomorrow.” My protectiveness was already kicking in. “I’ll stay in with you, and you can take it easy.”

“Is it going to be like this for the next nine months?” she asked, her face a picture of amusement.

“Oh, abso-fucking-lutely.”

“Lorenzo, are you okay?” she asked, bringing me back to the present.

“I was just reminiscing.” I smiled, flinging my legs over the side of the bed.

“Wait there. I’m going to change,” I said. “I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”

“There’s no need. Tay is picking me up.” She rolled her eyes as her plump lips twisted up into a smirk.

“That sounds great, but you can let her know I’ll drop you where she and Robin are.” I crossed the room, watching as her fingers caressed her bump.

“It’s just brunch with the girls, and Tay is perfectly capable of driving carefully,” she tutted.

“I don’t care if it’s a trip to the end of the road. The only one I trust to drive you in this weather is me.” I gestured towards the window where the world outside was blanketed in a layer of ice, the sky threatening snow. “It’s too dangerous. One wrong move, and?—”

“And you’ll swoop in like my personal superhero?” she teased, unable to hide the affection in her voice. “You’re too protective, you know that?”

I cupped her bump just as one of our babies kicked my palm. “I’m not being protective. I’m just being practical. You’re carrying my children, Anastacia. That means you’re carrying my whole world. I’m not taking any risks when it comes to the three of you.”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. “Fine. But you’re going to make me late.”

“Better late than never.” I headed into the bathroom. “I’ll be five minutes. Wait there.”

But, of course, she didn’t wait. By the time I exited the bathroom, she was nowhere to be found. I pulled on a black turtleneck, followed by a pair of tailored trousers and my winter coat.

I hurried downstairs, already noticing Ana by the front door, her coat draped over her arms.

“You might need to put that on,Mi amore. It’s freezing outside.” I took the coat from her and held it open for her to slip her arms inside.

I had to admit, the past eight months I was way overprotective. It was inevitable, though. She was my wife,carrying our children. I couldn’t admire her more than I did. Her body was growing our beautiful babies, and she never once let me hear a complaint, despite the pain I knew she often felt. The day we found out it was twins was something else. We were blessed with a boy and a girl, and I vowed to myself and Ana that neither would be forced to marry. They would be equal and never treated differently.

Ana pulled open the door, the cold air seeping in and making me shiver. I placed my hand on the small of her back. “You should’ve let me get that.” I smiled.

“I’m not helpless, Lorenzo,” she replied with annoyance, though she leaned into my touch, feeling comforted by my presence.

Outside, the world was a winter wonderland, the ground slick with ice and the air biting. Red had already pulled the car up to the front door, leaving the engine rumbling softly. Ana started down the steps, her movements careful, but my voice stopped her.

“Hold on,” I called, my tone brooking no argument. Before she could protest, I was there, wrapping my arms around her. I lifted her into them effortlessly. She let out a laugh, surprised but not entirely displeased by my insistence.

“Lorenzo, I’m fine! I can walk!”

“Not on this ice, you can’t,” I said, my voice firm but gentle as I carried her to the car. My arms were a fortress around her, my warmth seeping through her coat. “You three are too precious to me.”

I settled her into the passenger seat, my hand lingering on her leg as I buckled her in. “You’re sure you want to do this? We can stay in. I’ll make you brunch, and we can spend the day together.”

She smiled, her hand covering mine. “I appreciate it, really. But I need this. A few hours with the girls will do me good.”

“Okay, but I’ll pick you up when you’re done.” I tucked her hair behind her ear as she looked at me with soft doe eyes. “Don’t forget, my mother is over for dinner this evening. Apparently, she has a surprise for us.” I smiled, wondering what she could possibly have planned.

I stoodin the doorway of the dining room, watching as my wife meticulously arranged the crystal glasses on the mahogany table. Despite almost being full term, she moved with practiced grace.

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