The thought fills me with a peace I've never known. I wonder if she feels it too.
"Would you like that?" I ask.
Her smile blooms. "You know I would.”
I clear my throat, suddenly feeling nervous. "I'll be working for Luca in Chicago. Still in the family business, just different territory. It's all I know, but I promise I'll keep it separate from our home life. I can take care of you both, and the Dante name will still protect you."
Her head turns back to look up at me. "That sounds nice. I don't need fancy things, Cristian. I just need you."
Relief floods through me.
"Turn over.” I motion for her to face me fully.
She shifts in my arms, her gray eyes finding mine, and I believe I see the love I have for her shining back at me. Even so, my heart feels like a fucking jackhammer in my chest.
I take a deep breath. "We can have this for the rest of our days. If you want."
A coy smile plays on her lips. "Cristian Bonetti, are you asking me to marry you? Because if you are, just ask."
I laugh softly. "Valentina Dante, will you marry me?”
Her smile is radiant. "Yes. A million times, yes."
I capture her lips with mine, pouring every promise I have into it.
When we finally break apart, breathless, I say, "I'll buy you the most beautiful ring in Chicago. Something worthy of you."
Valentina yawns. "I don't need diamonds or gold. All I need are you, our baby, and freedom.”
I hold her closer, knowing I've never heard anything more precious than those words.
"Sleep," I murmur against her ear. "I've got you now."
And for the first time since I met Valentina Dante, I feel like my life has a purpose beyond a job.
I have love.
I have a family.
She gave me that, even when I didn’t want it.
And now, I’ll move heaven and earth to give this amazing woman anything and everything her heart desires.
EPILOGUE
Valentina – One Year Later
Cristian winks at me from across Luca and Katerina’s dining room table.
I smile, not just at the man, but the father who holds our three-month-old son, Matteo.
"He's getting so big," Katerina says, sliding a platter of lasagna onto the dining table. "Those Bonetti genes are strong."
I laugh. "Three months old and he weighs a ton."
“Those are Dante genes,” Luca says, setting his and Katerina’s five-month-old daughter, Alessia, in the high chair.
“I’m big and strong,” Enzo, Luca and Katerina’s seven-year-old son says, showing his bicep.