Page 114 of DeLucas After Dark

He chuckled softly, his breath warming my ear. "Only the best for my queen," he whispered, pressing a tender kiss to my temple. "I want this Christmas to be unforgettable for us."

We stood there for a moment, lost in the magic of the scene before us. The world outside ceased to exist; it was just the two of us, cocooned within our own little festive paradise. As Vito's fingers traced lazy circles on my hip, I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. How had I been so lucky to find such a loving and devoted husband?

"Let's get started on the gingerbread house, amore mio," Vito suggested, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You were pregnant and out of it last year. I've got a feeling this year's gingerbread house will be our masterpiece."

"Are you sure you're up for the challenge?" I teased, grinning up at him. "I seem to remember last year's being more of a… disasterpiece."

"Ah, but that was then," he countered, wagging a finger at me. "This year, I've been practicing my icing skills. You just wait and see."

We began preparing the gingerbread house, mixing dough and rolling it out, cutting shapes, and carefully placing them onto baking sheets. Vito's laughter rang through the kitchen as I playfully flicked flour at him for making jokes about my baking skills. The love between us felt soft and gentle, yet strong like a living entity that filled the room and wrapped itself around us like unbreakable armor.

"Vito," I said softly as we sat at the table, decorating our gingerbread house together, each delicate swirl of icing and carefully placed candy reflecting the love and care we held for one another. "Thank you. For everything."

He paused, gazing at me with those piercing eyes that seemed to see straight into my soul. "Nicole, there is nothing I wouldn't do for you and our family," he murmured, sincerity shining in his gaze. "You are my world, and I will always be here for you. Remember that."

As I looked into his eyes, I knew without a doubt that he meant every word. In that moment, surrounded by the warmth of our home and the man who had stolen my heart, I felt truly and deeply blessed.

"I still thank you, Vito," I whispered, my voice thick with emotion. "For rescuing me from my past and giving me this beautiful life."

The screeching sound of his chair, followed by Vito standing and coming to wrap me up in his embrace comforted me. He picked me up and my legs instantly wrapped around his waist. Vito pressed another tender kiss to the top of my head.

"You don’t have to thank me, amore mio," he murmured, "From the moment I laid eyes on you, I wanted to move heaven and earth for you. Once you became mine, I knew for sure that was my destiny. You are my everything, and I will always protect you – no matter what."

As Vito held me in his arms, I looked up into his deep brown eyes, feeling my heart swell with love. His rugged features were illuminated by the soft glow of the Christmas lights, making him look even more handsome than usual. Without a word, he captured my lips in a gentle kiss, his warm breath mingling with mine.

I melted into him, my body responding to his touch with a fierce passion that took my breath away. As he deepened the kiss, I felt his hands roam over my body, tracing the curves and contours with a familiarity that spoke of countless past intimate moments. Tingles of pleasure raced through me, and I found myself lost in the sensation of his touch, every nerve ending alive with desire.

Breaking the kiss, Vito leaned his forehead against mine, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "Nicole," he whispered, his voice husky with desire. "I love you so much."

"I love you more.” I looked into his eyes, and my past fears melted away, replaced by a sense of security and warmth that only Vito could provide.

He kissed me once more before placing me back in my seat and going back to his. I didn’t think anything more magical could happen, but as I watched him walk away, I noticed light snowflakes outside of the kitchen window. It was as if the world itself had decided to sprinkle us with the magic of Christmas.

"It's snowing," I said, barely able to hide the excitement in my voice.

Vito glanced at the sprinkles of snow just outside the window. “Perfetto, mia bella. It's like Mother Nature is giving us her blessing for little Antonio's first Christmas. Well, at least the first Christmas where he will understand what’s happening."

"That’s so true. Last year, he was a newborn, but this year he’s able to understand more of what’s going on, so every little detail matters this year. Like the gingerbread house that looks amazing by the way!” I beamed.

“I told you it would be a masterpiece,” Vito bragged. “It’s perfetto.”

“Gingerbread house down. Now, we've got a tree to decorate, lights to hang, and presents to wrap," I rambled off from my long Christmas to-do list.

Vito glanced toward the living room where Antonio slept in his playpen. “Well, let’s get started. Team DeLuca, ready for action!" he said as he flexed his muscles, making them bulge out of his black t-shirt.

We went into the living room and started decorating. Vito grabbed a box of ornaments from the corner and handed it to me. As I handed him a sparkling red ornament to hang, I couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly we worked together.

"Amore mio, do you remember the story behind this ornament?" Vito asked, holding up a small glass angel that seemed to shimmer in the soft glow of the Christmas lights.

"Of course," I replied, feeling a wave of warmth sweep through me as I recalled the memory. "It was the first decoration we bought together last year."

"Exactly," he said, his voice tinged with emotion. "It symbolizes the new beginning we found in each other.

"Vito," I whispered, resting my head on his chest as he draped an arm around me, "I can't believe how much our lives have changed since the first day I saw you in the grocery store. I never thought I'd find happiness like this."

"Me neither, mia bella," he murmured, kissing the top of my head. "But life has a way of surprising us, doesn't it?"

“It really does,” I agreed, pulling his lips to mine for a tender, lingering kiss to express the gratitude, passion, and promise of a future filled with everything we dreamed.

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