Page 76 of Broken Princess

I take a deep breath and look up at the tech. "So…?" I ask after a moment.

"Everything looks great," she says with a smile. "Your blood pressure was slightly elevated earlier, but that's to be expected with the stress of the situation. They'll want to check it again before you leave, but other than that, all is well. When is your next exam with your physician scheduled?"

"Oh. It was supposed to be next week, actually," I admit. In all the chaos, I forgot I'd scheduled it right after the honeymoon. "We were supposed to find out the baby's sex."

"Well, good timing," she remarks. "If you'd like, I can settle that mystery right now."

Lorenzo and I exchange a look and he shrugs. "It's up to you," he says in a nonchalant tone, even though I can tell he's dying to know and just trying to play it off like he doesn't care.

I take a deep breath and nod. "Let's do it."

The tech smiles and moves the wand around a bit before freezing the image on the screen.

"Well, congratulations," she says after a moment. "It looks like you're having a baby girl."

A girl...

My heart leaps into my throat at the thought of having a daughter, and I can't help but smile. Lorenzo is smiling too, but his eyes are glassy with unshed tears. He looks like he's going to pass out. I purse my lips, trying not to laugh.

"Are you okay?" the technician asks cautiously, as if she’s afraid he might actually faint. I have a feeling that's happened to her before.

He takes another deep breath, nodding slowly. "I'm good," he says, even though his voice is tight with emotion. "Just realizing I have a lot of karma to undo."

I can't help but laugh. It's true he's been every father's nightmare in the past, but there's no doubt in my mind that anyone who ever tries to hurt our little girl is going to be in for a rude awakening. I'm pretty sure he's going to end up being the most overprotective dad ever.

"We're going to be good parents," I tell him confidently. It's incredible to me to know that this fearless, domineering man who's looked death in the face plenty of times can be brought to his knees by something so beautiful. By our future together. "I know we are."

For once in my life, I feel like everything is going to work out. My pregnancy may not have been planned, and it certainly isn't conventional, but I have no doubt that our baby girl will be happy and loved.

Once the tech is done and she leaves us, Lorenzo looks down at me, stroking a strand of hair back from my face. "So, a girl, huh?" he says softly, his voice filled with emotion.

I nod, smiling up at him. "A girl."

"Our little girl," he whispers before lowering his head to kiss me gently. "Thank you, Amelia. Thank you so much."

I smile against his lips. "You had a little bit to do with it."

He chuckles softly. "Yeah, I guess I did."

I lean my head against his shoulder and rest my hand on my belly. "This still doesn't feel real."

"It is," he assures me, kissing my forehead. "It is."

I sigh deeply, letting myself enjoy the moment of peace before I get changed back into my normal clothes and walk with Lorenzo out into the waiting room. My heart feels lighter, but I'm still worried about Dad.

I know one thing for sure, though.

I'm not facing it alone.

CHAPTER 41

LORENZO

After a week of being in the hospital, Amelia's father is finally going home today. My range of caring about other people has always been pretty limited, but my love for Amelia has definitely expanded that sphere to the people she loves, Miceli included. No matter how bad things started out between us.

And I'm pretty sure he's still just tolerating me for Amelia's sake, but he took a bullet for me and I'd do the same for him in return. That has to count for something.

"I don't need help. I'm not an old man," Miceli grumbles as Amelia walks alongside him on the stone path leading up to the mansion.

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