Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84219 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You’re so precious,” I whisper to Josh, brushing my palm over his white hair. “You’re going to be blond like your Aunty Sammie.”
Franco’s arm rests on the back of my chair, and I can feel his eyes on me.
I want a child with him.
Suddenly, a potent smell drifts from Josh, and I scrunch my nose.
“Christ,” Franco mutters before letting out a chuckle.
I stand up and walk to Wendy. “I think he needs a diaper change.”
She takes Josh from me and sniffs his butt before she says, “Yep.”
I return to my seat and let my eyes drift over my family. We already had Thanksgiving dinner and moved to the living room to relax.
Matt is talking to Dad about the latest sports while Mom watches them with a smile.
Franco leans closer to me and murmurs, “You looked like a natural holding Josh.”
A smile stretches around my lips. “He’s so cute.”
When Wendy returns, she hands Josh to Mom before taking a seat next to Matt.
Franco gets up, and Dad clears his throat and gestures to Matt to stop talking.
I frown at Dad, then my eyes widen as Franco drops to one knee in front of me.
“Oh my God,” Wendy gasps.
I lock eyes with Franco as he says, “I didn’t know there was a chunk of my soul missing until I met you.”
My heart.
“You gave me a chance for which I’m eternally grateful. You’ve shown me the true meaning of happiness. You’ve taught me to be patient.” He clears his throat, then continues, “I can’t live without your sass, your bravery, your strength. I want you to be the mother of my children and my wife.”
My chin begins to tremble as I stare deep into Franco’s dark eyes.
“Will you marry me?”
I suck in a deep breath and fight to control my emotions as I tease him. “I’ll have to think about it.”
With a chuckle, he pulls a small blue box from his pocket, and when he opens it, I see an oval diamond with a dainty leaf pattern.
Franco tilts his head, then asks, “How long do you need to think about it?”
“Not long,” I whisper. I stare at my man, memorizing everything about this moment. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He lets out a breath of relief as he pushes the engagement ring onto my left hand. Then he mutters, “Thank God you didn’t make me wait for weeks again.”
Leaning forward, I press my mouth to his in a sweet kiss, and as I pull back, Mom’s wiping tears from her cheeks while Dad keeps clearing his throat.
“Congratulations,” Matt says, breaking the silence.
Asking me in front of my loved ones shows how well Franco knows me. It was perfect.
We both get up and while Mom and Wendy admire the ring on my finger, Dad and Matt shake hands with Franco.
Milo comes into the room with a tray of champagne glasses, and as I take one, he says, “Congratulations.”
When everybody has a glass of bubbly, Dad toasts, “May you have a long and happy life together.”
Franco comes to stand beside me, and wrapping his arm around my lower back, he presses a kiss to my temple. “Do you like the ring?”
I glance down at the diamond and nod. “It’s beautiful. Thank you, Franco.”
Tilting my head back, I look up at him, and seeing the happiness in his eyes, I feel it flow through my soul.
He lowers his head and brushes a tender kiss against my mouth. “I love you, baby.”
I take his glass from him and set it down on the coffee table. Turning back to my man, I wrap my arms around his neck and hug the everloving hell out of him.
His arms engulf me, and with my mouth by his ear, I whisper, “I love you too, my mystery man.”
Epilogue
Samantha
Feeling nervous because I know how important tonight’s guests are, I check all the platters of food before I walk to the living room, where voices are rumbling.
I pause before the entrance and take a deep breath.
Via places her hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?”
I nod and give her a smile. “Don’t leave my side.”
“I won’t.”
When I step forward, she places her hand on my lower back so I can feel her.
The moment I walk into the living room, Franco’s eyes lock on me. He comes toward me and gives Via a nod before he wraps his arm around my waist.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Samantha,” Dario says.
“Thank you.”
My eyes dart to the only other couple, and Franco says, “Meet Angelo and Vittoria.”
“It’s nice meeting you,” I murmur, glad there’s another woman here tonight.
While Angelo looks as intimidating as the rest of the men, Vittoria gives me a friendly smile. Seeing her baby bump, the need for my own child increases.
Yep, I officially have baby fever.
I glance at Renzo, and knowing how important he is to Franco, I say, “It’s nice to see you again, Renzo.”