25. Epilogue

Afew weeks later, I'm sitting beside Vin on a comfy, cushioned rattan couch on the sunny back porch of his parents' Sicilian villa. Salvatore and Carmela Rossi are in their mid fifties and I can see where Vin and his siblings get their good looks from. The older couple is still striking and so full of life. Their energy and humor are contagious and their enthusiasm and zest for life makes me smile. When Vin and I are their age, I hope we're exactly the same way.

We've been out here, laughing for the past hour, and enjoying getting to know each other better. I'm so glad we came here to visit and I adore his parents. Of course, a part of me wishes Vin and my mom could've met. I've told him how much she would've loved him. He comes with me to the cemetery and we visit whenever I feel the urge to be closer to her. Although I know she's in my heart and always will be, I still like to sit beside her grave and bring her flowers.

And there are always plenty of fresh flowers to bring her because Vin brings me flowers every single day. He loves spoiling me and always puts my happiness and well-being above all else. I'm not sure what I did to deserve him, but I am so damn grateful.

After finishing some delicious limoncello, Carmella tells the men she wants to spend some time alone with her new daughter-in-law. Then she links an arm through mine and leads me forward, past a bubbling fountain and into the fragrant gardens.

"You, my dear, have brought love back to my Vincentius and I can never repay you."

A blush steals across my cheeks. "I love your son very much."

"Oh, I know. I can see it. You both glow with amore." She sends me a knowing look. "He wasn't always like this, as I am sure you are well aware. Vincentius had been deeply hurt before."

I nod and let out a soft sigh. "He told me about what happened and how his heart had been broken. It was hard at first—getting him to open up and tear down his walls—but I'm so glad he's finally let me in. I wasn't sure he would."

"Because Vincentius overthinks everything."

I burst out laughing. "He does!"

Carmella's next words, so very wise, make my chest tighten. "Trust the overthinker who says he loves you. Because he's thought of every reason not to."

And I know she's right. Vin fought his feelings for me, but now I have no doubts in his love and that he will always be there for me and with me. Forever.

As the week progresses, I enjoy my time thoroughly, but begin feeling strange. My stomach has been extra queasy and I even threw up the other day which I never do. I've also been getting easily exhausted and needing afternoon naps. Something feels different and I assumed I was getting sick, but by evening I'd feel back to my old self.

After throwing up again the next morning, I'm down on my knees, hugging the toilet bowl, and Vin stands behind me, holding my hair back and massaging my back.

"I think you should go to the doctor," he states, sounding worried.

"My doctor is in New York," I grumble. Sitting back on my heels, I swipe a hand over my face.

"We have doctors in Sicily, Hannah."

Out of nowhere, the nausea passes and when I start to stand up, Vin grabs my elbow and helps me up. "I'm already feeling better," I insist, but Vin shakes his head.

"I'm not taking any chances. Let's just see what the doctor says. Okay? Please. For me."

"Okay" I reluctantly agree, unable to tell him no. Even though I'm not a big fan of going to the doctor's office and being poked and prodded unless it feels like I'm on the verge of dying, I decide to do this more for Vin than myself.

I'm surprised when the doctor shows up at the house later that afternoon. "A house call?" I ask, completely dumbfounded.

"C'mon, Dr. Adami will check you out in our bedroom. He's been our family physician for as long as I can remember."

Trusting Vin, I place my hand in his and meet Dr. Adami. He's very nice and sets me at ease right away. After asking me some questions in heavily-accented English, he asks if he can take some blood. Even though needles aren't my favorite thing, I roll up my sleeve and squeeze my eyes shut, clutching onto Vin's hand as Dr. Adami fills a syringe.

After that's done, he tells us he's going to check my blood and will call us later with the results. Glad that's out of the way, Vin and I end up lingering in the bedroom, getting frisky up against the wall. Then over on the bed and then somehow we end up on the floor. At that point, I've exerted quite a bit of energy and I'm feeling drained again, so Vin pulls me into his arms and we lay down together on the bed.

Curling up against his warm body is relaxing…so very soothing…and I listen to our rapid heartbeats slow down and begin to beat in unison. I'm just drifting off to sleep when Vin's cell phone starts vibrating. He presses a quick kiss to my head and stretches an arm out, grabbing his phone off the nightstand.

"Hello?" he murmurs. I assume it's one of his brothers, but he doesn't say anything for a long moment. The minutes stretch by and I'm dying of curiosity. Then, Vin says, "Grazie," and hangs up.

"Who was that?" I ask.

"Dr. Adami." His voice sounds hoarse and I frown.

Oh, no, is something wrong? He looks so serious and I instantly assume the worst.

"Oh!" I pull back and sit up, eyeing him closely. "What's wrong? What did he say?"

Vin slowly sits up and his green eyes lock hold of mine, looking a little stunned. "Well, he said you're pregnant."

My jaw drops. "Oh, my God." I'm trying to get a read on him and I think he's just as surprised as I am. Granted, we have been having unprotected sex ever since our hot encounter in his car, so it shouldn't be too shocking. Still, the idea that I'm going to be a mother makes me so nervous and excited and, suddenly, I'm sweating because Vin hasn't said a word and I have no idea how he's feeling. "Vin…are you happy?"

"I've never been happier in my life," he says and clears his throat. "There's, um, more."

"More?" My heart sinks. "What do you mean?"

"He mentioned higher, ah, hCG levels than normal."

What does that mean?Panic fills me. "Is something wrong with the baby?"

"No, no he said those kinds of levels usually mean…multiples."

My brow scrunches together, not quite understanding what he's saying. "Multiples?" I echo. "I don't?—"

Then it hits me. Oh. My. God.

"Twins," he clarifies.

"Holy shit," I exclaim, feeling shell-shocked.

"Yeah, holy shit."

We both burst out laughing and then Vin pulls me into his arms and kisses me hard.

I instantly melt against him like I always do. We kiss for a long, passionate minute and then I pull back, staring into his bright green eyes. "I can't believe it."

"He said you'll need an ultrasound to be sure, but chances are pretty high there's more than one baby in there."

"The idea of one is crazy enough, but two?" He still looks a little shaken and I squeeze his hand. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I think my heart just exploded. I couldn't be more okay."

His words bring me so much joy.

"You're going to be a daddy," I whisper, cupping his face.

"Hannah…" He says my name softly, almost reverently, and leans his forehead against mine. "I've never known happiness like this before. I love you so damn much, Angioletto."

Vin lowers his hand and places it over my still-flat stomach.

"I'm going to love this little baby—I mean, babies—fiercely."

"I know you will," I say and press a kiss to his lips. Vin is going to be the most amazing father in the world. I have no doubt in my mind. "Should we go tell your parents?"

"In a little bit," he murmurs and begins kissing the side of my neck. "First, let's have our own little private celebration."

Sounds good to me,I think, and tilt my head, giving Vin better access. His lips are warm and soft and heat instantly floods me. Only Vin can do this to me and I get to spend the rest of my life with him.

I'm not sure what I did to get so lucky.

But, it's official. I love my life.