Babel Novel
159
Mia
Apart from the days Luca and Raven were born, this has been the most incredible day of my life. I almost cried when I saw Lorenzo and our son waiting for me at the end of the aisle. And then Lorenzo turned and looked at me, and his face... I wipe away a tear as I recall the amount of happiness and love in his eyes. Since the night he gave me his collar, I have never once doubted his love for me, but to see it so raw and primal today nearly made my knees buckle before I reached him. This day has been difficult for him in some ways. Unlike mine, his first marriage was a happy one. Anya was the love of his life, or at least she was a love of his life, because I know that I am too. He used to feel guilty for loving me, but now he sometimes feels guilty for still loving her and I wish he wouldn't. His loyalty and passion are two of my favorite things about him.
Someone places a glass of champagne in my hand, and I accept it with a smile. As soon as their back is turned, Lorenzo switches it out for his empty one, giving me a knowing wink. At eight weeks pregnant with our third child, alcohol is definitely off limits for now, which is fine at this huge wedding reception, but later, when it's just close family in the kitchen, it won't be so easy to hide. Apparently, an intimate get-together in the kitchen with just the siblings, and Max and Kat of course, is a Moretti family wedding tradition.
Looking around, I can't help but sigh at the sight of people dancing and laughing, Raven and Luca playing with their cousins while Joey, Max, Dante, and Kat keep an eye on them for the evening. Lorenzo Moretti isn't a dancer, but he happily took the floor with me for our wedding song, and now I'm content to sit beside him with his arm draped around my shoulder. As long as he's by my side, I'm happy and at peace. It's hard to believe that a man so dangerous and violent is the man who makes me feel safer and more cherished than I ever have in my life.
"You feeling okay, sunshine?" he asks, searching my face with narrowed eyes. "Never better," I assure him.
"Good, because I have a surprise for you." He takes my hand and pulls me up from my chair and the music stops abruptly. Lorenzo grins down at me, but I'm too confused to smile back. Then the opening bars of "Bright Side of the Road" play, and I swear my heart actually skips a beat.
Lorenzo gestures to the dance floor. "Will you dance with me, Mrs. Moretti?"This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
"This... it's..."
"Our song." He guides me toward his siblings, our children, and our nieces and nephews on the dance floor and wraps his arms around my waist. I giggle when he dips me, and when he pulls me back up and we begin dancing, a dreamy sigh falls from my lips.
"You hate dancing," I remind him.
"But I'd do anything for you, sunshine." He gives me a soft kiss on the lips.
"Daddy!" Raven demands, pulling on the leg of his suit pants.
He rolls his eyes and scoops her up, keeping one arm around my waist as he rubs his beard against her cheek, making her giggle. Luca sidles up to me, curling his little hand in mine and shaking his hips to the music.
"He definitely got your rhythm," Lorenzo says.
"You have pretty good rhythm yourself," I reply with a wicked grin.
His eyes darken and then he winks at me. We dance to our song, surrounded by Dante and Kat with their kids, and Joey and Max with theirs, and Toni joins us too. When the chorus kicks in, we all sing along, even my Lorenzo. I place my free hand over my stomach, delighted over our family growing bigger. This must be a fairytale, right? No one could ever possibly be this happy.
Lorenzo presses his lips against my ear. "I love you, sunshine."
My smile widens. Yes, a person truly can be this happy. "I love you too."
I hope you've loved reading this book. Continue reading for the next book!