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Just as I’m about to head home, Dad stops me.
“Alexis,” he says, a stern look on his face, “you know you’re not allowed to come here unless you bring my grandbabies with you.”
I can’t help but chuckle at his playful demand. Ever since Alice and Luca were born, Dad has been completely smitten. He insists on seeing them as often as possible, and I have to admit, it’s one of the sweetest changes I’ve witnessed in him over the years.
“Don’t worry, Dad,” I assure him. “I’m headed home now. Katie will be joining us for the barbecue, and you know how much she loves spending time with the kids.”
Ever since we rescued Katie from the auction all those years ago, we’ve kept in close contact. Her parents were initially horrified to find out their daughter’s “guardian angel” was the girlfriend—now wife—of the Iacopelli Crime Family’s Don. But they’ve come to accept it, especially since Damian seeds an armored car to pick Katie up whenever she wants to visit our mansion.
As I step into the back yard, I can already hear the joyful laughter of my children. Damian is attempting to grill some food while Edo shit talks about Damian's grilling abilities. Katie chases after Alice and Luca, her face alight with pure happiness as Nat hurries after them, ordering the children to come here so she can feed them a snack.
It comes as no surprise to anyone that Edo and Nat have finally gotten together after years of dancing around the topic. Their chemistry and close bond have been obvious to us all, but they’ve always been content to keep things professional—until now, that is.
Watching them together, it’s clear they’re a perfect match. Nat’s fierce determination and unwavering loyalty complement Edo’s calm, methodical approach, and the way they look at each other with such affection and trust. It’s really quite adorable.
What’s perhaps most surprising is that they’ve decided not to have children of their own. With Alice and Luca keeping them more than busy as the doting aunt and uncle, they seem perfectly content to pour their love and energy into our little ones.
I can’t help but smile whenever I see Edo and Nat playing with the kids, their faces alight with joy. They may not have chosen the traditional path, but the love and care they show is no less meaningful.
In a way, our children have become the shared legacy that binds our Families together.
My two whirlwinds of energy come barreling toward me, their little faces alight with excitement.
“Mama! Mama!” Alice shrieks, her tiny arms reaching up. Luca toddles along beside her, his chubby cheeks dimpled in a wide grin.
I scoop them both up, peppering their faces with kisses as they giggle and squirm.
“Hello, my darlings! Did you have a good day?”
Before they can answer, Nat swoops in, snatching Luca up and tossing him over her shoulder. “Alright, you little terror. Time for your snack,” she declares, eliciting more delighted shrieks from my son.
“Auntie Nat!” Luca protests, though the laughter in his voice betrays his mock outrage.
Nat grins mischievously. “A growing boy needs his nourishment, little man. Can’t have you wasting away on us, can we?”
As she carries Luca off toward the table, I turn my attention to Alice, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “And how about you, my sweet girl? Were you good for Daddy today?”
Alice nods emphatically, her big hazel eyes shining. “Uh-huh! I helped Daddy in his office, and then we had a tea party with Biscotti!”
I chuckle, picturing the scene. My fearsome Don of a husband, patiently sipping imaginary tea with our daughter and the dog. It’s a sight that never fails to melt my heart.
Katie approaches me as Alice runs off, a bright smile on her face.
“Alexis!” she calls out, rushing over to wrap me in a tight hug.
I can’t help but marvel at how much she’s grown in the years since I rescued her. At thirteen years old, she’s blossoming into a beautiful young woman, her features softening into graceful lines.
“Hello, Katie,” I say, affectionately smoothing a hand over her hair. “My goodness, look at you. You’re practically a grown-up now.”
Katie beams up at me, her eyes sparkling with joy. “I’ve missed you! And the kids, of course. Can you come to my soccer game next week?”
“Of course I can! I’ll bring the kids.”
Katie sneaks a glance at Damian who is throwing his spatula at Edo, a scowl on his face. “But don’t bring Damian, okay? The boy I like is going to be there, and Damian is… scary.”
I laugh. Damian and Katie’s father have gotten along in the years since Katie’s rescue since they both have a common goal—protecting Katie. Katie’s father loves the fact that Damian can make any boy disappear “like Jimmy Hoffa.”
Damian appears at my shoulder, a steaming plate of hot dogs and hamburgers in his hands. “I heard that, Katherine,” he says sternly, though his eyes show amusement. “And I resent the implication.”
