5 Years Later

When I roll over onto my side at eight in the morning, the last face I expect to see is Shana Rossi asleep in the bed next to me. Waves crash on the beach outside my window that gives me amazing views of the Atlantic from our South Hampton home.

"Coffee?" Shana asks with her eyes still closed and arms folded across her chest. Just like her boy.

"On it," I tell her with a yawn and push myself up.

The bubblegum pink chef's jacket was her idea for our event planning and catering company where she wrangles clients from all walks of life.

"Don't forget we have the food and coat drive tomorrow. I promised the Boys' and Girls' Club cupcakes."

"You're delirious, Shay. That's what we finished making this morning. Get some sleep. I'll get coffee and the kids. I'm sure Less let them party their little hearts out."

She grunts and turns over, returning to her slumber. Having the full support of La Familia when she told the FBI about all of Peter's crimes shrank her stint in prison from ten-to-twenty to time served.

My body aches as I walk through our eight-bedroom house kicking toys and clothes out of my pathway into the living room where the most heartwarming scene greets me.

Alessandro's tall frame is stretched out on the sectional with Leonardo firmly planted to his chest in their matching pajama pants. Roman sleeps soundly with his arms folded across his chest and the game controller in his hand. I shut the TV off and move to Alessandro to pick up our not so baby boy.

The minute I touch him, Alessandro gasps awake, an arm around Leo and a hand reaching into the crease of the sofa.

"There had better not be a knife under that cushion, De Luca," I warn him.

"No, the Beretta is there," he says, sleep making his voice husky and sexy.

"Let me put him to bed," I whisper.

Alessandro shakes his head. "No, I got him. You shouldn't be lifting anything heavy, remember? Kathleen said to take it easy."

"I know what Kathleen said, and I'm fine. I'm pregnant, not weak."

"I'm sorry, mio dolce. There's absolutely nothing weak about my wife. I know because that left hook is lethal." He smirks, moving slowly to sit up so as not to wake Leo up. He kisses me and stands up. I swipe Leo's dark brown hair out of his face, kissing his little forehead, before reaching up to kiss Alessandro one more time. He heads down the hallway where I can see that his scar blends seamlessly into a massive tattoo of the grim reaper. The scar is the scythe's blade, and the reaper is an entire sleeve traveling down his arm.

Anita did a great job on it. Yeah, she quit teaching and dove into artwork. I can't believe this is my life. I poke my head into the guestroom where my mother sleeps soundly. Courtney is curled into her grandmother, and all is right.

With coffee brewing, I pull out stuff to start making breakfast for everyone. Alessandro comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and nuzzling against my neck.

"You're going to get me pregnant all over again," I moan and lean back into him.

"Mio dolce, stranger things have happened, and twins run in your family." He continues peppering me with kisses while I grab pots and pans to dirty a kitchen I"d just finished cleaning a few hours ago. When Alessandro moves away from me, I miss his touch.

"What happened to the rules, mio marito?"

"Oh, I am definitely going to finish what I started, as soon as we get everybody out of this house. Ren and Jinx can handle La Familia business, and my meeting with Dimitri isn't until later. He's looking forward to the proposed partnership for his next hotel. Dad will be here by ten to grab Roman and Leo. Lara and Pop are flying in later. Ma said she'd take Courtney to grab them from the airport for dinner."

"And Shana's taking the cupcakes into the city by noon. You have carved out a space just for us."

"I have." He nods proudly. "I've not broken the rules, but you have by questioning me. You promised to let me love you, mio dolce."

"And I will, Alessandro. I'll never make a liar out of you."

He crosses the kitchen, taking me into his arms and laying a kiss on me that threatens to make me forget we have a house full of family. Our family, La Familia, tangled together forever.