30. Gia

30

GIA

I stand before our Christmas tree, the colorful lights twinkling on the emerald branches. My simple white dress feels perfect for this intimate ceremony. There’s no need for elaborate decorations or fancy trappings when all that matters is the love filling this room.

The kids stand next to me and Max, their eyes wide with wonder. Daniella keeps smoothing her new party dress while Dario fidgets with his tie. Behind them, Nic stands with Bella, his arm around her waist. Though his jaw remains tight, I can see the acceptance in his eyes.

The officiant stands in front of the tree, his words legally binding my life to Max’s. It’s the best Christmas present ever. Actually, it’s Christmas Eve, so Christmas is early for me. Max was adamant that he wanted to wake up Christmas morning with all of us being a real family. I don’t need the marriage certificate to feel like a real family, but I find his sentiment and his choice of wedding days very romantic.

Max takes my hands in his, his dark eyes looking at me and only me. Suddenly, I'm that young girl again, falling in love with him for the first time. Only now there's no shame, no hiding, no guilt, just pure, unfettered joy.

"I've loved you longer than I dared admit." Max's voice cracks as he recites his vows. "You and our children are my heart, my home, my everything."

Tears blur my vision as I squeeze his hands. "You've always been my protector, my friend, my love. Now you're my future too."

When Nic steps forward to give his blessing, his words carry the weight of both brother and Don. "May you both find the happiness you deserve." He kisses my cheek, then clasps Max's shoulder. That simple gesture speaks volumes about how far we've come.

I never imagined I'd get this fairytale ending, the man I've always loved, our beautiful children, my brother's blessing. As Max slips the wedding band onto my finger next to my mother's ring, I feel like my heart might burst. This is real. This is happening. After all the years of longing and loss, we've found our way back to each other.

“You may kiss your bride,” the officiant finally says.

Max’s smile is wide as he takes me in his arms. His lips capture mine in a firm, full, loving kiss. I sink into it.

“Eww, kissing,” Dario complains.

“Eww is right,” Nic murmurs.

“Nic!” Bella chastises.

We have a small celebration, just family, but soon, Nic and Bella need to get back to their babies and Christmas preparations. Like last year, I’m hosting the feast tomorrow. Bella has a houseful of staff to help her, but since it’s the triplets’ first Christmas, I thought it would be nice for her to focus on them. And perhaps I want to finally rid the house of the bad juju from last year when Max spent Christmas looking out the window, hoping for escape from me.

Later that night, the house is finally quiet as Max and I play Santa and arrange presents under the tree. He's methodical about it, ensuring each gift is perfectly positioned, just like he approaches everything else in life. But there's a lightness to him now that wasn't there before.

He’s totally jumped into fatherhood and Christmas. He took the twins to see Santa, snapping a bazillion photos of them in Santa’s lap. He took us all out caroling, his deep voice joining our off-key rendition of Jingle Bells as we walked through the streets. Then there’s the million presents he’s bought for the kids. Yes, he’s embraced fatherhood and the holidays full-force.

"You've really embraced all this," I say, gesturing to the mountain of presents he'd insisted on buying.

"I have a lot of time to make up for."

My smile is bittersweet. I’m so happy he’s here, but when I think of the time he’s lost with the kids, I’m sad because I know he feels it too.

“Let me get the bikes,” he says, heading to the stairs that go down to the basement level. I shake my head. Where will they ride them? We have hardly any yard here in New York.

“Are you going to walk these to the park each time they want to ride, which could be all the time?” I ask when he returns with the pint-size bikes.

Max pauses as he sets the bikes by the tree. “I have a large yard. It has a playground and a paved area for basketball… perfect for bikes.”

We haven’t talked about where we’ll live. The last few weeks, we’ve stayed here because the kids are back in school and Max wanted to make sure things were okay with Nic. Plus, he had to deal with Benny, who started to gloat when he got his money, but then Nic and Max threatened him, and he ran off. Good riddance.

“Are you thinking we’ll live in Las Vegas?” I look up at him from where I’m stuffing the stockings.

“Since Nic isn’t planning on killing me and it appears he’s happy with my work out there, I thought we might… if you?—”

“I think living in Vegas is a great idea.”

“You do?” He looks relieved.

“The kids loved it. I loved it. We’ve got space and room to grow.”

“To grow?” His smile widens.

I shrug. “Maybe. If you want more kids.”

He sinks to the floor next to me. “I want everything with you, Gia. Whether we have it here or in Vegas, I’m okay either way.”

“Vegas it is.”

A tug on my blanket pulls me from sleep. "Mommy! Santa came!" Daniella's whisper carries all the excitement of Christmas morning.

"Daddy! Wake up!" Dario bounces on the bed, and I feel Max stir beside me.

“I think the elves have invaded,” he murmurs.

I crack open my eyes to find both twins practically vibrating with anticipation.

Max wraps an arm around each of them, pulling them down between us. "What time is it?"

"The clock says six-one-five," Dario reports proudly.

“At least it’s not four in the morning. They got up that early one time,” I say, rolling out of bed.

“Why is it so hard to wake them for school, then?” Max asks, carrying each child like a sack of potatoes.

“Gee, I wonder,” I say as we enter the living area, the kids squirming to be let down so they can open presents.

Max sits cross-legged on the floor with the kids as they tear into their presents. His eyes light up watching Daniella squeal over her new art supplies, and he high-fives Dario when he unwraps racing car Legos.

"This one's from Daddy!" Daniella announces, holding up a wrapped box.

"And this says 'To Mommy'," Dario adds, pushing a small package toward me.

Max catches my eye over their heads, and I see all the love I feel reflected back at me. He's not just going through the motions. He's fully present, soaking in every moment with our children.

Later, as the kids build elaborate structures with their new blocks, Max pulls me against his chest on the couch. The Christmas tree lights cast a warm glow across the room, and the scent of cinnamon rolls baking fills the air.

"Thank you," I whisper to Max.

"For what?"

"For loving them as much as you love me. For making us a real family."

He kisses my temple. "They're part of you. How could I not love them?"

“They’re a part of you too.”

“It’s amazing. I never knew I had it in me to help create a miracle.”

His words make me swoon. How different this year from last. Last Christmas, I’d wanted to tell Max about the kids, but he’d avoided me. The holidays before that blur together in memories of formal dinners and stilted conversations, first with my father and then with Aldo. But today? Today overflows with laughter and joy, wrapping paper scattered across the floor and the kids' excited voices filling every corner of our home.

Max's arms tighten around me as Daniella shows off her drawing, a family portrait with all four of us standing in front of what looks like our Las Vegas house.

"See? That's where we're going to live!" she explains, pointing to the squiggly palm trees she's added.

My heart swells at how easily the kids have embraced this change, how naturally they've accepted Max as their father. There's no trace of the fear or uncertainty that used to shadow our lives. Instead, I see only possibility stretching out before us.

"What are you thinking about?" Max murmurs against my ear.

"How different everything is now." I turn my head to meet his gaze. "Remember when you couldn't even be in the same room with me?”

“A moment of madness. Temporary insanity.”

“And this year… Santa brought me all I ever wanted.”

He smiles. “You must have been a very good girl.”

“I was thinking it was you… being good.”

“Is it good that I’m thinking about unwrapping you later?”

My body tingles knowing the sensual delights he’ll shower on me. “That’s very, very good.”

He sighs contentedly. “I’m the one who is lucky and so grateful. I don’t deserve any of this, any of you, but at some point, I must have done something right, because here you all are.”

“I love you, Max.”

“I love you more, Mrs. Giraldi.” He pulls me into a kiss.

“Oh, God, they’re kissing again.” Dario slaps his hand to his forehead.

“Come here, you little munchkins.” Max rounds them up, giggling and squirming as he pulls them on the couch into a family hug. I close my eyes, savoring the moment. This is everything I dreamed of but never thought I'd have—a real, loving family. But with Max and the kids, my life is complete. Oh, sure, there will be bumps in the road. That’s a part of life too. But I know with Max by my side, life is going to be filled with joy and love. Every day will be like Christmas.