Page 291 of Lorenzo

I had already built a family.

I had already imagined forever and watched it end.

Then Donatella Costa walked into my life with blue eyes, a German shepherd, a private investigator’s license, and absolutely no interest in making anything easy for me.

She did not replace what came before.

She is what comes next.

With her, I understand something I should have learned years ago: A life can be complete and still have room to grow.

And ours is definitely growing, I think, as I feel the curve of her belly press against me.

She laughs against my mouth, and when I finally let her breathe, she looks up at me.

“Husband.”

“Wife.”

“That sounds strange.”

“You will get used to it.”

“Yes, I will,” she says, finally agreeing with me.

I guess all I had to do was get her pregnant and marry her.

Hours later, after dinner, speeches, dancing, and enough food to prove once again that my family has no concept of moderation, I find Donna outside on the terrace with Mocha beside her.

Her shoes are off.

I smile as I approach.

“I wondered where my wife had disappeared to.”

“I needed five minutes without someone touching my stomach.”

“That bad?”

“No one has any boundaries, apparently.”

“You married into this willingly.”

“I was clearly tricked somehow.”

I chuckle as I walk up behind her and wrap my arms around her. She leans back into me.

For a few minutes, we simply stand there while the noise from the reception carries through the doors behind us.

Then Donna reaches for my hand.

“Here.”

She places it against her stomach. A few seconds later, something moves beneath my palm.

My smile widens.

“I think someone's enjoying the wedding,” I murmur.