“Yes!” the women cheer.
Adriano gives Nina a thankful look. “I can’t wait to hold our baby for the first time.”
“Awww.” Everyone coos.
I continue opening gifts while conversations overlap around me. Once I’m done, Yuki keeps showing me tiny outfits she wants to steal because they’re so cute, and Nina snuggles upagainst Georgi’s side, while he rubs over her pregnant belly that’s starting to show.
Adriano keeps appearing beside me every few minutes like he physically can’t stay away for long. He showers me in forehead kisses and rubs his hand over my stomach.
Sometimes I catch him watching me with the same obsessive intensity he’s had since the day he decided I belonged to him.
‘I love you,’ I mouth to him before blowing a kiss.
He pretends to catch it mid-air and presses it to his heart.
Little Ricky comes over with a huge plate of food I can’t possibly finish, and orders, “Eat it all, boss lady.”
“Have you lost your mind?” I ask. “I’m not eating for a village.”
“It’s just a little of everything.”
“Little of everything, my butt,” I grumble.
“What’s going on here?” Big Ricky asks. “Is my son pissing you off?”
I point at the plate. “Look at what the Hulk over here expects me to eat.”
“But you’re eating for two,” Little Ricky argues.
I scowl at them, but the next moment Big Ricky comes to take the plate and hands me one that has everything I love.
When I smile at him, Little Ricky complains, “It’s the same amount of food!”
“Laurie can’t stomach steak, dumbass,” his father mutters.
“Oh.”
Adriano settles into the chair beside me, his thigh pressing against mine as his hand immediately returns to my stomach. I feed him every second bite while we watch our friends and family enjoy themselves.
The sun slowly lowers as the party shifts into something softer. The men drift closer to the tables, and when I glance over everyone, all I see is love.
I hear Gabriella and Samantha argue over who made the best dessert, but we all know nothing beats Mom’s cannolis. Dad comes to sit on my other side and places his hand on my shoulder. “So what do we still need to get for the baby?”
“Nothing. I think we have too much.”
“You sure?”
I give him a smile while leaning into him. “Yes, Dad.”
He looks at me with fatherly love that makes me feel protected. “How about you, my girl? How are you holding up?”
“I’m good. You all spoil me rotten.” I place my hand on top of Adriano’s and adjust his so he can feel our baby moving.
“Only the best for our daughter,” Dad murmurs.
Adriano
Across the yard, Laurie laughs at something with Nina and Yuki, and my attention locks on her instantly like it always does.