Page 122 of Of Lies and Shadows

“I needed to feel clean. The city… the funeral… it clings.”

“I know,” I say softly. “But you’re home now.”

I kneel a little to cradle her belly with both hands, reverent and awed every damn time. “Our home. Our baby.”

She brushes her fingers through my hair, tender and slow. “Let’s tell them tonight. Lucia’s been praying for a sister for weeks.”

I lift my gaze to hers, unable to stop the way my mouth curls. “Pizza night?”

She nods. “Pizza night.”

The scentof melted mozzarella and garlic fills the kitchen as I slide the last tray into the oven. Francesca moves beside me, barefoot, her damp hair twisted into a loose braid, cheeks still flushed from her shower.

She steals a piece of pepperoni from the counter, and I raise a brow.

“You’re growing a whole human. I guess I’ll allow it.”

She smirks. “You’ll allow it?”

I catch her around the waist and pull her into me. “Barely.”

The kids come thundering down the stairs like a stampede, Lucia wearing one of Francesca’s scarves as a cape, and Alessio holding two mismatched socks like weapons.

“Is it ready? I’m starving!” Alessio declares dramatically, flopping into his chair.

Lucia spins into her seat, her eyes wide. “Is there pineapple?”

“No,” Francesca says. “Because your father loves you.”

“Hey,” I say, mock offended. “Pineapple has no place on pizza. That’s not parenting, that’s just survival.”

We sit down, a strange little family that somehow fits. I watch them pass slices, steal each other’s olives, and bicker like only kids who trust deeply can. Francesca’s hand rests on her belly under the table, and I catch her eye.

She nods.

I clear my throat. “So. We have some news.”

Lucia freezes mid-bite. “What kind of news? Bad news?”

“Do I look like I’m about to give bad news?” Francesca asks gently.

Lucia squints. “You look glowy.”

“Glowy?” Alessio snorts.

Francesca laughs. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

I reach across and tug one of Lucia’s curls. “You know how you’ve been asking for a sister in your prayers?”

She nods slowly, suddenly suspicious. “Yesss…”

“Well,” I say, “we don’t know if it’s a sister yet. But there is a baby on the way.”

Silence for exactly three seconds, then Lucia screams.

“You’re having a baby?! Mama! For real? Like, in your belly right now?”

Francesca laughs, nodding. “Right now.”

---