Epilogue Part Two - Lark

Saturday, September 16, 2028

W hen I head back downstairs, following the sound of the piano drifting through the house, my heart swells. Just like it does every time I see this man.

Lucia and Josie are seated on the couch, light smiles grazing their lips as they watch Gianni and Sammy sit side by side, their fingers sliding over the keys together.

Sammy’s come out of his shell over the years, as has Gi. They’ve formed a bond that has helped Gianni reignite his love for music while allowing Sammy an outlet for his creativity.

Once upon a time, that creativity had been dragging him around by the neck as he struggled with his OCD, but now, he uses it as a healthy outlet for those big feelings he doesn’t always seem to understand .

It’s something that Arielle, Dante, Gianni, and I have discussed at length and have loved experiencing.

And now, I can’t wait for Jeremy to experience it, too, when he’s old enough. For now, he and Gi enjoy spending a lot of time plucking away at plastic guitars and toddler-sized pianos.

The music stops as the song comes to a wistful end. Sammy’s bright eyes shoot up to meet mine. “Aunt Lark! I think I’m ready!”

A wide smile overtakes my face, my body lighting up with excitement. “You totally are! You’re gonna crush it, little man!” I agree excitedly, approaching him and Gi. I ruffle his hair playfully as he passes me to plop down on the couch beside Benny and Josie.

Gi’s arms wind around my hips, tugging me to him. I stand, tucked between his thighs, and my arms wind around his neck.

Those blue eyes shine up at me, and a small smile plays across his lips. “Wanna play a song with me, little red?”

My cheeks still occasionally flush when all of his attention is on me, and right now is no different.

I nod, sitting beside him. He brushes a strand of my hair behind my ear, the back of his knuckles lightly grazing my cheek as he does.

“How did I get so lucky?” he asks me quietly.

“I ask myself that question every day,” I whisper back, pressing a kiss to his stubble-covered cheek and then another to the top of his hand where a red lark bird is etched into his skin.

He turns his attention back to the piano, his fingers nimbly gliding along the keys as he starts a song that I find so familiar. And… the only song I know how to play. 1

My fingers move alongside his, missing a key here and there. My throat tightens, the feeling of excitement starting to well over.

Gianni kisses me softly when the music is finished and slides off the bench. He heads into the living room, sweeping Jeremy into his arms. Our little guy giggles; those big blue eyes, the same as his father’s, nearly glow at the sight of his daddy.

The doorbell rings, and momentarily, my thoughts are cut short as I shout, “I’ll get it!”

Gi smiles at me and looks over to Sammy and Benny. “Your parents must be here to get you a little early,” he tells them, and it takes everything in me not to blurt out the truth.

When I pull the door open, the whole family is standing outside, looks of confusion greeting me.

I had invited them all over tonight but didn’t want them to get any ideas about why, so I had sent the messages individually.

My dad and Shay enter first, followed by Kira, Madison, and Jade, as well as the entire De Laurentiis crew.

They head into the living room, sitting anywhere they can find the space, and they all watch me expectantly. I can already see the gears turning, and of course, the moment my eyes meet Gloria’s, I know she’s already figured me out. When I look to her right, I see Angelo’s small smirk, and he shoots me a fleeting wink. He’s easily the most quiet one in the entire family, but where he lacks in words, he makes up for in perceptiveness.

Much like his wife, Angelo always knows what’s going on with each of us, and I have a sneaking suspicion that he may actually be the one who feeds Gloria all of the hot gossip.

I send him a little wink back and turn my attention to Gi .

“Little red, do you care to tell us what’s going on?” he asks me with a raised brow.

The whole room fills with chatter, everyone complaining about having to wait to find out about what’s going on, so instead of answering, I race to the other room, grabbing the small gift bag I’d hidden.

I pull Gianni to the center of the room and plop down on the rug before handing him the bag.

He takes it tentatively, peering inside. He pulls the tissue paper out and then the tiny folded garment.

He unfolds it, and as he reads it, his eyes go wide before snapping to mine. A wide smile plays over his lips as he pulls me into his lap, crushing his mouth to mine and knocking the air out of my lungs.

The room erupts in cheers, and when we finally part, I see that Luca couldn’t wait. He’s standing, holding the onesie up for everyone to see the graphic: “Player #4… Loading.”

Everyone buzzes with excitement, and my joy skyrockets again.

1.

Leave a Light On (Talk Away The Dark) — Papa Roach feat. Carrie Underwood