Page 118 of Modern Romance September 2026 Books 5-8

It would be easy to just say that everyone should do what I did, but I know that I’m an exception. I don’t feel prideful about it, even if I am proud. And what I’d love to be able to do is make a difference. Yes. Maybe I won’t be able to do all the things that I dreamed of. But this is a dream. This is so much more than I ever hoped for. And I don’t take anything for granted.

The store is beautiful, decorated for Christmas, lovely string lights overhead, everything pretty as a picture.

The displays are ornate and fabulous, whimsical and verging on magic.

This is the kind of thing I always dreamed existed. And I feel compelled to bring it back to where we live.

I want to make something beautiful and wonderful, not just for our child, but for us.

This will be our very first Christmas.

This will be our trial run.

It makes me giddy to think about it.

Then I find myself wondering what on earth do you get for the billionaire who has whatever he wants?

A question I pose to the personal shopper, and then I am directed to some of the most glorious lingerie I’ve ever seen in my life.

I’ve never had a lover for this kind of thing.

And I admit the idea of seduction like this makes my stomach flutter with nerves.

Not because I don’t want to, just because… I’m still wrapping my head around the idea that I’m with someone who wants me. Really wants me.

And I’m afraid. Afraid that he might reject me. That he might reject all of this.

I’ve never tried with somebody before.

Connection is such a strange thing. Something I still can’t take for granted.

Something I’m still figuring out.

But I buy it anyway. All the lingerie. Along with a truckload of Christmas decorations and a pre-decorated tree. All of which is going to be delivered to the flat directly. Before my gangster finishes with his meeting.

I’m ecstatic when the decorations arrive, and even though there’s an entire team of people helping get them put up, I participate. I’ve never done this before. I’ve never really engaged in whimsy, if I’m honest. And I feel a desperate need to do it now.

To make us both into this beautiful vision of a family that I have.

After everyone leaves, I go into the bedroom and change.

I want to be ready for when he walks in the door.

The lingerie is honestly shocking. The bodysuit all straps that give just right around my stomach so that it fits, but it’s essentially nothing but strings covering my body. And then I also procured a red robe with feather trim on the sleeves and the hemline. It’s like a lovely vintage housewife style, but infinitely more racy, and I like that.

There are white lights wrapped around everything. Garlands on the kitchen cabinets, above the doorways. The tree is gigantic with big velvet red ribbons on it. There’s a furry rug on the floor, designed to look cozy, and there are golden candelabras throughout, and I take my time lighting a candle in each and every one of them.

I turn the lights off, and the entire house is bathed in a warm glow.

I close my eyes, and I imagine. I imagine what it would be like to have our very first Christmas with our baby. Our little girl.

Tears fill my eyes.

I’m going to have a daughter.

I’m going to take care of her.

I cradle my belly, and I pray that Ciro appreciates this magic.