“Happy, Mrs. DiPietro?” Cristian asks, twirling us around the dance floor as our guests surround us, clapping enthusiastically with the odd wolf whistle and catcall mixed in.
“The happiest, dear husband.” The biggest smile spreads over my face. “That will never get old!”
Cristian grins, tightening his arm a little around my waist. “It feels like I’ve waited an eternity to call you my wife.”
“The road has been rocky, but it’s worth it to reach this point, this day. Imagining this kept me going during some of the darkest times, never believing it would happen, but I guess sometimes dreams do come true.”
Cristian kisses me to whoops and hollers from our friends, and I’m bursting with happiness and pride. Couples join us on the dance floor, but I barely notice because I’m too busy smooching my man. “I love you, and I love our life,” he says, sharing my joy.
As one, we turn and look at Elio and Yasmine dancing in a circle with Beatrice and Sabina. We sway in time to the music as we smile at our family. Cristian’s mother and sister have helped us a lot this past year, and I’m grateful. Things haven’t been smooth sailing. I had a lot of repressed emotions I needed to deal with, and Cristian and I had several issues to work through in our relationship. But we spent time in therapy and prioritized open communication and giving one another space when needed, and we built a stronger bond on an even deeper level.
He’s my rock. My best friend. My lover. My biggest champion and supporter. My partner in life until I draw my last breath. No matter what life has in store, I know I can handle it with Cristian by my side.
I’m continuing therapy because I still struggle with guilt over Mom. Visiting her grave was emotional on a whole other level. Walking through my childhood home and sharing stories with Cristian and the kids was nostalgic, heartwarming, and painful all at the same time. I hate how her life was cut short, but I want to honor the sacrifice she made by living my best life. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about her, and I know I will always feel her loss deeply.
She’d be thrilled I found a wonderful man who loves me openly and passionately, and I have an incredible family I adore and friends who mean the world to me, but I don’t know if I’ll ever be entirely free of blame. I guess I’m still a work in progress, but with Cristian’s support, hopefully, I can find a way to overcome the remaining hurdles I must face.
For now, I’m focusing on the good things in my life, and today is a day to celebrate and look to the future.
Three months ago, we decided to adopt Yasmine. She’s the little girl La Cosa Nostra rescued from the cartel. At ten, she’s much smaller than her half-brother in part due to the neglect she suffered during some of her formative years. Although medically there is nothing wrong with her vocal cords, Yasmine is nonverbal except when she wakes from one of her regular nightmares, and her screaming confirms her lungs are in working order, and it’s trauma that stops her from speaking.
PTSD is no picnic, and Yasmine’s only surviving relative—her grand-mère, an older woman who lives in a tiny town in northern France—was ill-equipped to give Yasmine the specialist care and attention she needs. When the opportunity arose, we didn’t hesitate to adopt her. Fiero and Valentina would’ve taken her in if we hadn’t, but they already have their hands full with four little ones at home. There was zero hesitation for Cristian or me. Yasmine belongs with us, and we haven’t regretted our decision even on very difficult days.
Elio is the most amazing big brother. There are only five months separating them, but in lots of ways, Yasmine seems so much younger. Elio is incredibly protective, and they formed a bond straightaway. Where one is, the other is almost surely to be found. Yasmine often shies away from touch, but she readily hugs her brother, and her obvious joy in his company is plain to see. We’re hoping in time, with more specialist therapy and unconditional love, Yasmine will be able to overcome the trauma and learn to find more joy in the world.
“I’ve never seen our son look as emotional as he did walking you up the aisle.” Cristian’s eyes grow suspiciously glassy.
“It was a precious moment. It’s a miracle I didn’t cry. I am so proud of him.”
Elio and I have rebuilt our relationship with ease. Sharing the photos I kept and the sketches I drew of him and Cristian over the years helped fill in the gaps in his memory, and I’ve enjoyed bonding with him again, albeit in a much different way.
News of his aunt’s and his nonno’s passing was hard for Elio as is the fact none of the Da Rosas are here today. Investigation cleared anyone else in the family of involvement, but no one blames Cristian for being wary. Bodyguards go with Elio anytime he’s visiting his maternal relatives, and though he’s curious, he’s accepted Cristian’s explanation about taking extra precautions because of everything that went down with the cartel.
Rodrigo Fuentes reconfirmed he has no beef with anyone in Cosa Nostra and no one has been following me, but the peace deal is tentative at best, and Cristian doesn’t trust any of them. Taking bodyguards with me anytime I leave our house is a small price to pay. I’d rather feel safe and Cristian feel reassured. Most of the time, I forget they’re there anyway.
“I’m so glad we opened our home to Yasmine,” my husband says, pulling me out of my inner monologue. “I know we have more rough times ahead, but I already love her so much, and seeing them together confirms it was the right decision.”
My smile is automatic as I cup one side of his face. “Do you think we have room for one more?”
Cristian stops dancing, and his eyes pop wide as he stares at me. “Are you saying that you’re…we’re…”
It’s not often my husband struggles for words. Emotion swells my chest to breaking point as I nod. “I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.”
“Sloane,” he whispers, pressing his brow to mine. “I didn’t think my heart could get any fuller, but this is the best news ever. Oh my god.” Lifting me up, he swings me around, laughing, his joy contagious and obvious for everyone to see.
“Put me down, you crazy man, before you give the game away,” I say over my giggles.
“I love you so much,” he says, setting my feet on the ground. “You’re not the only one whose dreams have come true.” His lips meld against mine in a passionate kiss, and I cling to him, deliriously happy and so, so grateful we found our way back to one another, and we finally get the life we’ve both wanted.
“Ahem.” Rory clears her throat. “Can I steal a dance with the groom, or is that pushing my luck?”
“I think it might be,” I tease, slipping out of Cristian’s arms. “I’m so happy you’re here.” I pull my best friend into a big hug.
“I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
“I’m immensely grateful for everything you’ve done.”
“Ah, stop it. You don’t have to keep thanking me, and I’ve already cried buckets today. I know you’d have done the same for me.”
After I disappeared, Cristian reached out to Rory, and they met up. He told her everything, and she wanted to be involved. So, she packed up her life and moved to New York to head up the nonprofit organization Cristian established to search for missing children. She also worked closely with Cristian and Gia as they looked for me and the missing DiPietro children.
I don’t think I can ever repay her for everything she’s done for me and the relentless campaigning she did when Mom and I were kidnapped. She’s the very definition of a true friend, and I’m so glad we were able to resume our friendship as if the years apart had never happened.
I started working with the charity ten months ago, and we’re in the process of collaborating with Moonlight, a charity run by Selena Kennedy to support trafficking victims with healing, recovery, and reintegration into society. Nothing means more to me than helping other victims caught in similar situations. Selena is keen for me to speak to some of their clients. She feels my personal experiences will offer them much-needed hope and inspiration for the future.
“We’re glad to have you and Felicity in our lives,” Cristian agrees, pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“Speaking of your wife, where is she?” My eyes search the room for the feisty redhead.
“Oh, she’s around here somewhere. Most likely flirting with some poor, hapless man,” Rory says.
We all laugh. “I’ll check on the kids.” I peck my husband’s lips. “Don’t miss me too much.”
“Don’t go far,” Cristian says. “My arms already pine for you.”
“Oh my god. You are such a lucky bitch, Slo. Your man is so romantic.” Rory clutches her chest. “I think you need to give Felicity some tips, Cristian.”
I’m smiling as I walk off to check in with the kids and my mother and sister-in-law.
Gia nabs me then, pulling me aside into a huddle with Elisa. “Spill the tea, sister.”
Elisa’s eyes gleam with excitement as she stares expectantly at me. I’m so grateful they were able to forgive me and that we have a special friendship. Living close to one another means we see each other every day, and they’re the sisters I always wished I had growing up.
“What do you mean?” I feign nonchalance, but it’s already been determined I’m a crappy actress.
“Ha.” Gia loops her arm in mine. “We saw Cristian swinging you around with the goofiest smile on his face, and we have bets on what you told him.”
“You do, huh?”
“I think you’re pregnant.” Elisa lowers her eyes to my flat stomach, grinning. “And Gia thinks you promised him some kinky sex act for later.”
“Is your mind always in the gutter?” I tease, arching a brow at the gorgeous blonde.
“Oh, come on, you act like you’ve never had sex when you two can’t keep your hands off one another.”
“We have a very active sex life, but it’s still pretty much vanilla.”
I’ve confided in the girls about some of the issues I have with intimacy. Cristian and I have a lot of sex, but I’m still uncomfortable giving him blowjobs, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to experiment with anal sex. My husband tells me he’s extremely happy with our sex life, and he always checks in to ensure I’m enjoying it and comfortable, but sometimes, when I listen to my friends’ exploits, I can’t help feeling a little inadequate. Cristian reassures me, and I’m talking it out in therapy, but it’d be nice to let go fully of all inhibitions and give in completely to the pleasure my husband is so expert at delivering.
“There is nothing wrong with vanilla,” Elisa says. “I often prefer missionary lovemaking to kinky fucking. It’s more intimate, and I always feel closer to Caleb after.”
Gia looks instantly remorseful. “I didn’t mean to imply anything. Ignore me.” Her lips twitch. “But I do think you’re deflecting, so out with it.”
I roll my eyes. “Having an intelligence analyst for a best friend is a pain in the ass sometimes.” I lean closer and whisper, not wanting anyone else to overhear. “You cannot tell anyone. We haven’t told the kids yet.”
“Confidential is my middle name,” Gia says.
My smile is radiant, like every time I think of the little human growing inside me. “I’m six weeks pregnant. I just told Cristian, and he’s over the moon.”
“This is amazing news.” Elisa hugs me. “I’m so excited and really happy for you, and well, I’m pregnant too!”
“You are?” Gia says, quirking a brow. This is obviously news to her too.
“No way, seriously?”
“Yes. I’m eight weeks along.”
I look to Gia to see if it’s a trifecta, but she shakes her head. “Nope, don’t look to me. We’re not pregnant, and it’s staying that way, at least for now. We have our hands full already.”
“I think Caleb would continuously knock me up if I agreed to it,” Elisa muses, and I don’t doubt he would. He’s like a big kid himself, and he’s always saying he wants at least ten kids. I never know if he’s joking or half serious because he’s the kind of guy who goes all out in every aspect of his life.
“You can’t seriously be going through with it,” an angry male says, claiming all our attention.
We turn around en masse as our husbands approach.
“What’s going on there?” Caleb asks, sliding his arm around Elisa as we look over at the heated conversation taking place between Tullia and Rowan a few feet away. We’re not the only ones who’ve noticed, either.
“I’ll kick him out if he causes trouble,” Cristian says, hauling me around to his front. His arms go around my waist, and he kisses my neck. “I warned him to be on his best behavior.”
“It’s not like we couldn’t invite Tullia’s fiancé. She’s my friend as much as Rowan is Cristian’s.”
“What I do with my life is none of your business, Rowan,” Tullia says, glaring at her former crush and best friend.
“Fuck,” Joshua says, looking at the corner of the ballroom. Tullia’s fiancé is storming across the room, looking like he’s ready to tear into the Mazzone heir. “Should we break it up?”
Caleb fails to hide his grin. “I say let them duke it out. What’s a mafioso wedding without a little drama?”
“A fight is not a little drama,” I say. “It’s the potential to turn into a full-scale riot.”
“That won’t happen. I’ll handle it, honey.” Cristian removes his arms from around me.
“No need,” Joshua supplies, lifting one shoulder. “Bennett is handling it.”
Sierra is racing across the dance floor after her husband as Bennett approaches his eldest son with a look of thunder on his face.
Cristian embraces me again.
“I wouldn’t want to be in Rowan’s shoes right now,” I say.
“Kids are always your responsibility, no matter what age they are,” Elisa says as we watch Don Mazzone argue with his son while forcibly dragging him away.
Tullia looks pained, nestled in the shelter of her fiancé’s arms, but her face quickly transforms into a scowl when Sofia dips out the door after the Mazzones. Tullia’s older sister is a fucking bitch, and I can’t stand her. I was opposed to adding her to the guest list, but Cristian insisted we couldn’t insult Fiero by not inviting one of his siblings.
Mafia drama is right.
I’ve been busy with wedding planning and haven’t had much time to catch up with my newly engaged friend. Something I plan to rectify when we return from our honeymoon.
“I told Caleb and Joshua,” Cristian whispers in my ear. “I’m sorry, I know we should’ve discussed it first, but I was dying to tell someone.”
I turn around and snake my arms around his neck. “It’s okay. I figured you would, and Elisa and Gia wheedled it out of me too.” Cristian’s hands land on my lower waist as we gently sway to the music. “You better not have told Rory.”
“I value breathing,” he quips before adding, “I knew you’d want to tell her yourself.”
“I do, but we should tell your mother, Sabina, and the kids first. But that’s all for now until the twelve-week mark, which is in six weeks,” I add before he can ask me how far along I am.
His lips descend in a slow, sensual kiss, and I melt against my husband, happier than I ever thought possible.
“You’ve made me the happiest man alive today, baby. Life doesn’t get any better than this.”
“It truly doesn’t.” I touch his face, tickling the fine layer of stubble on his chin and cheeks. “Thank you for making all my dreams come true, Cristian. I cannot wait to share the rest of my life with you.”
