Like he's checking to make sure the baby is still there. While he can't, he touches it either way.
Like he can't quite believe it's real.
The doctor confirmed the pregnancy on Wednesday. A private physician who came to the compound, examined me in Bruno's bedroom while Bruno sat in his wheelchair and glared at the man like he was a threat to be eliminated.
Six weeks along.
Bruno didn't speak for ten minutes after the doctor left.
Then he pulled me onto his lap and held me so tightly I could barely breathe.
"This is really happening," he said into my hair.
"This is really happening," I agreed.
We stayed like that for a long time.
"Antonella!"
Lily's voice cuts through my thoughts. She's abandoned the napkin swans and is running toward me, her dark curls bouncing.
"Is it time yet? Is Bruno coming?"
"Almost." I crouch down to her level. "Valentino is bringing him back now."
"And we yell surprise?"
"We yell surprise."
"And then cake?"
"And then cake."
Lily beams. "I love cake."
"I know you do."
She throws her arms around my neck in a fierce hug, then runs back to Gianna to share the news.
"She's the only one matching your energy," Oliver observes.
"What do you mean?"
He gestures around the room.
I follow his gaze.
Pietro stands by the window, checking his phone with a frown. Nora sits on the couch beside him, one hand on her swollen belly, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. Lorenzo and Sophia arrived an hour ago, they're in the corner, speaking quietly, their expressions serious.
And Nico...
Nico leans against the far wall, arms crossed, face set in its permanent scowl.
"We're not children," he said when Kristen hung the first streamer. "This is ridiculous."
Kristen ignored him.
She's good at that.