Epilogue II

Luca – Two Years Later

I sit on the floor of Niko and Elena's Long Island mansion at the base of a Christmas tree watching my son, Teodoro, or Teddy, as Aria likes to call him. He's about to turn one in January. I can't believe how big he's grown in the last twelve months. To see him emerge so tiny and delicate from Aria's body, it was like a miracle. Even now, I find it hard to believe that a man like me could be allowed to witness such beauty.

Today, he's twenty-three pounds of sturdy boy. The kid is walking, falling, bumping, rolling into everything. He's the delight of my life. Right there with Aria. She's sitting on the couch watching me and Teddy. I wink at her and wonder if it's too soon to pitch a second child.

"What is it about kids that they like the packaging more than the toy?" Lucia ponders as she watches her two-year-old son, Giuseppe, kick balled up wrapping paper around the room with the help of his father, Donovan.

"I like toys." Niccola, Niko and Elena's three-year-old son, is pushing a car around the room. His sister, Angelica, is sitting in Niko's lap as they look at a picture book.

Three years ago, if someone had said I'd be in this place, with these people, with a wife and son, I'd have called them pazzo, crazy. Yet here I am, and I'm so fucking glad to be here.

We arrived two days ago and have been staying at a penthouse we bought last year for when we come to visit, or when Aria wants to shop and see her friends on a whim. We'll stay through New Years and get home by January sixth to celebrate Epifania. In Italy, our Christmas season starts December eighth and runs through January sixth, something Aria was pretty excited to learn about.

A knock sounds on Niko's door, and Liam and Kate enter.

Their two-year-old girl squirms to get out of Liam's arms. "Play!"

Liam sets her down with a laugh. It's still a shock to me when he cracks a smile. I didn't know him well before, but when I had the opportunity to be around him when Lucia was battling her father, he always seemed so grim and serious. Aria tells me that's what the love of a good woman can do for a man. It makes me think of my father and his belief that a good woman is a man's source of power. I suppose Liam proves that. Aria proves it with me.

"Dinner is ready," Elena calls to all of us.

Aria shows up too from helping Elena and takes Teddy. As I follow them, Niko steps up beside me.

"Just thought you'd want to know, that import is all set."

I nod. "Good."

"No business," Aria and Elena say in sync. But Aria is smiling. She's happy that Niko and I don't just have a truce, but we're now in business together.

Moments later, we're around a large table. Eight adults and five children. It's noisy, but in a good way, filled with laughter and joy.

Growing up, my family was close, but my mother died when I was young, and much of the life in the villa died with her. Aria has brought that back to me. Now I have a large family. My business is thriving. My enemies are subdued at the moment. I attribute all of it to Aria, who saved me from a life without love and laughter. She"s my angel.

Later that night, Teddy is in bed, and Aria and I are exhausted in the happy way that holidays bring.

"Merry Christmas, Mio Angelo," I say as I pull her close.

"Merry Christmas, mio sexy man." Her hand slides down and cups my dick. All of a sudden, I'm not so tired. "I have one more package I want to unwrap."

My dick is at full attention. "It's all yours."

We undress, and she climbs over me, straddling me. "Is it too soon to make another baby?" I ask.

She laughs as she settles her pussy over my cock. For a moment, I can't focus.

"It's not too soon, but there is an issue with making another baby."

My hands go to her hips, holding her still as concern fills me. "An issue?"

She takes my hands and presses them over her tits. Instinctively, I squeeze. "The issue is that you've already knocked me up again, Papi."

It takes a moment for her words to sink in.

She laughs. "We're crazy. Two kids under the age of two?"

"Niko and Elena did it." Granted, they had twins, but still.

She leans over, her tits brushing on my chest. "Don't talk about my brother while I'm having sex with you. It ruins the mood."

I roll her under me, pulling her thigh up, opening her more and sliding in deeper. "Tell me what you want, Signora Conte."

Her eyes flash with heat. "Fuck me, Don Conte." She repeats it in Italian. It winds me up, and I start to move.

As we reach the end game, she presses her hands to my cheeks. "Ti amo, Luca."

The emotion floods through me like a tidal wave, making the moment even sweeter, sexier. I buck as my orgasm sweeps through me, and through her. We're one in a dance all our own, our bodies, our souls entwined. It's fucking perfection.

"Ti amo, Mio Angelo." My angel of mercy.