Epilogue

One Year Later

We made it to the beach in Italy where we eloped. And with Il Fiore Raro in the shockingly capable hands of Elena and Marie, we stay there for weeks. I think it might have been months if I hadnt kept getting sick every morning, and Dominic hadnt woken me up one sunny day with a pregnancy test in his hands. Take this.

I did. And it was positive.

Our daughter, Bella, was born a month ago, and its been non-stop since then. Dominic has been spoiling her rotten, and Im sure shell be the most pampered child in existence. Shes already well on her way.

Today is the first time weve left her behind—with my mother, of course, who came to stay with us for a few months after Bella was born. I hate leaving my baby, and I can tell Dominic is on edge about it too, but Mom and Elena schemed to send us both to a couples spa for some much-needed relaxation time.

Youre both wound up so tight youre about to snap, Mom insisted, all but shoving me out the door while Elena held the baby. Its just for the afternoon. Go!

Dominic, of course, booked a private suite at the spa. Its a gorgeous place, and the staff is absolutely wonderful. I feel the tension easing out of my body by the minute, and Dominics shoulders finally relax as I snuggle close to him in the private thermal pool.

Mmmm, I hum, leaning against his chest. I could get used to this.

He chuckles, his hand stroking over my bare stomach. I can afford for us to come here every week.

Good because Im going to demand it, I tease, looking up at him. His dark eyes are soft, and his mouth is relaxed, and Im so happy to see him at ease.

His lips find mine, and just like always, my entire body lights up at his touch. Weve got weeks to go before we can be physically intimate again, but its been an incredible bonding experience to learn how to be intimate in other ways. Dominic is secretly a romantic, and seeing him dote on me and Bella has made me love him even more than I thought possible.

He pulls away and brushes the hair back from my face. Happy?

So happy, I respond.

Good, he whispers.

Dominic kisses me again, and I sink into the embrace, feeling more relaxed and blissful than Ive ever felt. But I bet Ill be thinking the same thing sometime soon—Dominic always has something up his sleeve.

Whatever the future holds, I look forward to it.