Ch. 296..300: Fall For My Ex’s Mafia Dad Chapter 296-300 [Finale]

Chapter 296

I'm a little dazzled by the light the moment I walk into the little Bianci family chapel from the darkness outdoors, because the entire place- The entire place, absolutely every surface, is covered in candles.

My steps stutter for a moment as I gasp and look around at all the beautiful firelight, which casts a romantic golden glow throughout the entire room. The violinist from the band plays softly, a song I don't recognize but which is sweet and soft as I take my first steps down the aisle. As soon as my eyes adjust, they immediately, instinctually find Kent.

I mean, not like it's hard. Kent draws attention like gravity, like the moon pulling the water from the sea, making it reach for him. And like the tides, I move towards him without thought or intent - simply because at his side is precisely where I want to be. Kent stands to the right of the altar, his hands clasped neatly before him, his face solemn.

But as his eyes sweep over me, that solemnity cracks as something passes over him. Kent exhales once, deeply, and looks almost...devastated as he takes me in. My brow creases with worry, but he just shakes his head, smiling a little at me in awe. And then I blush, and bite my lip, because I realize that Kent isn't upset - he just really thinks I'm beautiful. Joy rushes through me for the millionth time today as my dad leads me up the aisle, my eyes locked on the man who will soon be my husband. The man who already is, in my heart at least. Which is all, I think, that really matters

When we get to the end of the aisle my dad unloops his arm from mine and gently takes my hand, passing it over to Kent's. "Deal still stands" my dad says, his voice low with warning. "You protect her, all right?"

"I swear it," Kent says, dead serious as he meets my father's eyes and takes my hand in his. "My life before hers."

Dad smirks a little but then he nods and steps away, taking the seat reserved for him at the edge of the aisle next to Alessi, who I grin to see has Titus scooped into his lap.

I smile at Kent as I move to stand across from him, my hand in his, only glancing down to check on the baby - but I laugh because Dominic actually has the gall to have fallen asleep. Kent, curious, looks too, and he laughs as well. And then were both laughing, lost in each other as the priest I barely noticed begins to speak.

The mass is short, and I hardly pay attention not least because I don't understand the language - the mass is, I think performed in Latin. But I do as I'm instructed at every turn, kneeling before the altar, eating a little bread, drinking a little wine, the whole time just staring at Kents gorgeous face, looking into his eyes.

And he, in turn, stares right back at me.When the time comes for the vows I jump, a little, because the priest suddenly starts speaking in English. The whole church laughs a little - warmly, I know - at my surprise. And the priest smiles at me.

"It is time for the vows," he says, the corners of his eyes crinkling with you. "I have been told you have written your own?"

My eyes go wide as I snap my gaze back to Kent - because absolutely no one told me this.

Kent bursts into laughter, shaking his head at me. "It's all right, Fay," he murmurs. "I had some things I want to say - you don't have to

"Well, that's not fair!" I hiss back, taking a step towards him. "Why didn't you tell me!? I could have -"

But Kent just murmurs my name and smiles at me, shaking his head as he cups my cheek in his palm. And I sigh and step back, letting him get on with it.

Kents face turns serious again as he takes a deep breath, studying my face like he could memorize every line of it.

And then, he begins.

"I take you, Fay," he says, "as my wife." His voice ringing clear through the little chapel as he reaches into his pocket and produces a set of gold rings, one much finer than the other. I gasp when I see them because - I mean, I don't know, I already have one beautiful ring, and Daniel and I never exchanged wedding rings beyond that.

But Kent, I guess, likes to do things like the book.

"I swear to love and to protect you, to cherish you, to spend every waking moment of my life bringing you joy," he continues, and I raise my eyes back to him as he takes my hand and slips the little gold ring onto my finger. "I will treasure you until the day I die. And if there's a world beyond that, then I'll wait for you there, loving you into eternity."

My throat grows thick with emotion as I stare into his eyes, as I realize that he means every word of it - that none of it is sweet sentiment and all of it is Kent's secret heart laid bare.

"I intend to spend every moment of the rest of my life," he murmurs, stepping closer to me, "making my love for you abundantly clear, if you'll let me."

"Oh, I'll let you," I say softly, the words stumbling from my mouth before I even realize that I'm speaking, and a laugh rolls through the church when people hear them. I blush, looking around, but everyone smiles at me - I think realizing how swept away I am in it all. "And now, the bride?" the priest says, turning to me expectantly.

Ilook up at Kent for a long moment before I speak, and then when I do my words come directly from my heart. I have no other choice, I suppose - it's not like I had any warning to prepare something.

"I think I've been in love with you for longer than I was prepared to admit, Kent," I say quietly, looking up into his face. His expression shifts, just subtly, but I can read him well enough now to know that my words have hit him straight in his heart. "And I think we both worked very hard to construct obstacles to make that love impossible, because we live in a world that denies that two people like you and me - so separated by time and circumstance - could be together. But eventually," I smirk here, willing him to remember our journey just as I do, "we were forced admit the truth."

I take Kent's hand in mine, curling my fingers around the ring still sitting in his palm.

"The truth that we were born for each other," I say quietly, raising my eyes again to his. "Whatever souls are made from in this world, yours was made to curve around mine at every turn. You are my match, and my sweetheart, and my friend. My husband, in every sense of the term. You have been that to me before this ring, as you'd be without it."

I quietly turn his hand over, slipping the ring onto his broad finger.

"But," I say with a happy sigh. "I like the way it looks. So, I think you should keep it on."

Kent laughs a little, smiling at me.

"I marry you, Kent," I say, stepping close and tilting my chin up as I smile at him. "Not because we needed to, but because I want to. And I promise to love you, and protect you, and cherish you for all of the days of my life too - into whatever is beyond." Before the priest can say a word, Kent dips his head, and he seals our promise with a kiss - long, and sweet, and deep.

A cheer raises around us but Kent and I ignore it, lost in each other as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close. It only ends when I laugh because Dominic finally wakes, letting out a little cry of protest - probably from being just mildly squished between us, his two parents who love each other as desperately as we love him.

Kent laughs too, murmuring comforting things to our little boy even as he keeps an arm around me, pulling me close to his side. And then he turns to the room and throw up a hand, shouting something in Italian.

Everyone shouts and cheers back, throwing up their own hands and getting quickly to their feet, cheering for us and gesturing towards the empty aisle.

"Come on, little bride," Kent murmurs, pinning me close to his side and looking down at me with happiness sparking in his eyes. "Are you ready for an Italian wedding party?"

"If it involves more Italian pasta," I say, a little honest at this point, because everyone kind of forgot to feed the bride all day, "then count me in."

Kent laughs, brushing his finger along my jawline as he grins at me and starts to lead me back down the aisle towards the door. "You're going to be shocked at the amount of pasta. Borderline appalled." "Let's do it," I say, my eyes narrowing a little at him even as I smile as everyone around us continues to cheer. "After everything I've experienced in this world? I'm not sure I can be surprised anymore." "Well then," he murmurs when we get to the door, his face close to mine. "I'll just have to spend the rest of my life thinking of new things to surprise you with."

"Good things," I clarify, my voice low with warning.

"All good things," he laughs, kissing me again. "Starting with the mountain of food and wine you're about to encounter. Seriously, Fay, prepare yourself - Nonna did not cut any corners for her favorite boy." "Oh?" I say, raising my eyebrows as we hurry into the candle-lit night, "and Alessi is not her favorite boy?"

"Oh come on," Kent says, smirking at me. "Aless...is at best her close second."

And, laughing my little heart out with joy and happiness, I let Kent sweep me up into his arms, carrying me and the baby down the path towards our reception.

Chapter 297

When we come back to the house, I realize that many people have been working over the past hour or so that we've been in the church to absolutely transform the area behind the house into the most beautiful space. I gape as Kent sets me gently on my feet, trying There are long, long tables all lined up under the open sky, all beautifully set for what promises to be an amazing dinner.

to take everything in.

But beyond those are tall, round cocktail tables for people to mingle, and beyond that a dance floor with a stage where I'm shocked to see a full band setting up.

"Kent," I breathe, shocked, staring up at him. "This is - this is insane -"

"Better than your wedding to Daniel?" he asks, raising a brow and smirking because he knows he's got his son beat, hands down.

I burst out laughing, smacking Kent in his chest. "I'll have you know that I was very fond of my first little wedding -"

"You wore a short dress, Fay," he says, his voice low and full of contempt.

"It was cute!"

"You were adorable," he concedes, even as he rolls his eyes, leading Dominic and I to a little white tent, "but it wasn't a wedding gown."

I laugh, letting myself be shepherded along, but I gasp a little when I enter the little tent at the edge of the party because someone has been very thoughtful here. While most brides and grooms get a little table to themselves, someone has taken care to arrange a whole tiny room for us. Theres a table at the front, of course, so we can enjoy the party, but the back is very sweet and private.

The whole area is covered in flowers and candles, of course, but to the back of the tent theres a little bassinet, so Dominic can sleep when we want to put him down, and a little changing table, and a couch I can sit on when I need to feed him. And even as I look towards the entrance again, I see that the tent's flaps can close, so we can have privacy.

"This is so nice!" I gasp, undone again by the thoughtfulness and generosity of my new family.

"Comes with champagne too," Kent murmurs, moving to a chilled bucket in the corner and lifting the bottle out. He raises an eyebrow at me and I nod, so he pops it open. "And a dog, apparently," he says, glancing down at Titus when he trots in, looking for me. "I was promised a whole bottle of champagne upon the day of my son's birth, after all," I murmur, raising my brows significantly at Kent, "which did not appear."

"We were distracted," Kent says, smirking at me. "Also, I didn't have time to get you champagne because you didn't tell me you were in labor."

Haugh, waving a hand at him to dismiss it all, and Kent laughs too as he pours me some. We clink our beautiful coup glasses together, toasting our marriage, and I only take a tiny sip before putting it down and signaling for Kent to close the tent for a little bit. We take a moment then, the three of us, to be a little family.

I feed Dominic, who fusses unhappily for a moment as I get ready, and I lean back against Kent on the little loveseat as I do. And even though I can hear the party getting started outside - in full swing, really- I feel a little selfish but...honestly, I don't miss it. Everything, everything I want is right here in this tent. As much as I love my sister, and my dad, and Daniel and Jerome, and Gio...

I lean my head back against Kent's chest, and take a deep breath, and find that I am...completely content here with my husband and my son. And even my little dog, who curls up at the foot of the couch."I love you," I murmur to Kent softly.

"I love you more," he replies, and honestly - as ridiculous a statement as it is - I let him believe it, if it makes him happy. "You are my entire world, Fay Lippert."

"What about Dominic?" I murmur, looking up at my husband.

Kent shrugs, but I see the smile on his face. "He's good too.

But you were here first"

I laugh, resting back against him, not fighting him on it as I reach up and let my fingers play idly in Kent's hair while our little boy eats dinner and then falls back asleep in my arms.

As happy as 1 am, Nonna and Janeen don't let us stay away from the family forever. After about half an hour they burst into the tent, helping me fix my dress before shooing us out. Nonna offers to stay with Dominic, but I can't bear to be parted with him, so I just take my sleeping baby with me out into the party, letting him doze against my chest as we move around, greeting everyone and accepting their wishes for a long and happy marriage.

We dance, and we laugh, and we sing - but eventually I get tired, so Kent and I retire to our little table to eat and talk to whoever wants to come over to us. I'm a new mom, after all

- I don't think anyone expected me to have the stamina of a normal bride.

It's an incredible night. Kent didn't lie, not at all, about the food either. I'm shocked by the mountains of dishes that continue to follow each other, one after another, long into the night. After a few hours of it I just mournfully watch the waiters go by because I couldn't eat another bite if I tried.

And trust me, I want to try.

"It will all be here in the morning," Kent murmurs, leaning over to kiss my shoulder. "There will be leftovers for days."

"No there will not," I mutter, watching jealousy as a try of tiny lemon cakes goes by, "because I will eat them all tonight, when Dominic wakes up wanting to be fed. I'm going to carry him down to that kitchen and eat every single one of those." Kent laughs, shrugging and saying I should do what I want.

I'm the bride, after all.

The party goes for a long time until I, like Dominic, am dozing just a little bit. Luckily, Kent stays awake, his arm wrapped around me and keeping both me and the child steady. He only wakes me up once, tapping my shoulder and then lifting his chin towards the dance floor. "Thought you'd want to see this," he murmurs, and I turn my sleepy head towards the crowds of people dancing slowly to a soft love song. And my face breaks into a brilliant smile when I see Gio with his arms around Janeen, staring down into her face and talking softly with a little smile on his lips. She looks seriously up at him, which is a feat in itself. Janeen - she never does anything without a laugh.

At least, not until now.

"She's gone for him," I murmur with a sigh. "Poor doll. Do you think he'll ever feel the same way?"

"I think he already does," Kent murmurs, and I blink, turning to him in surprise.

"What?"

"Gio's a lot like me," he says softly, giving me a shrug. "He doesn't show his cards for a long, long time. But there are little ways to tell that he can't get enough of her."

"Oh?" I say, smiling at him. "Like maybe, for instance, she could be the only girl that gets to sleep in his bed night after night, when he made all his other girlfriends go back to their rooms? Or that he stays up all night staring at her, obsession in his eyes -" "The first half of that, I will concede," Kent says, grinning at me, "the second half, I maintain, is still you."

I laugh too, turning my focus back to Janeen and Gio. "So?

What are you seeing with him, Kent? What am I missing?"

"You're missing," Kent murmurs, "that he hasn't danced with anyone else all night. And it's not for lack of opportunity - his mother, she made sure to invite all of the eligible girls from the town for this, and every daughter from a good family from anywhere in Sicily." I look around, my eyebrows raised, noticing for the first time that there are a good number of beautiful young women around, shooting glances at Gio, and at Daniel, and at Jerome.

"Oh, all the poor girls," I murmur, my voice sorrowful. "Oh, they're going to break their hearts over these boys, and they've got no chance..."

Kent laughs at this and gives a little shrug. "They'll get over it. But Gio... Kent shakes his head and gives a happy sigh.

"He's not ready to tell Janeen how he feels. But for those of us who have the time and patience to sit back and watch, the writing's already on the wall."

"So, are we like, old and boring now?" I ask, curious, looking up at him. "Are we just dull married parents now, the kind of people people who sit back and watch the young people fall in love?" I make a little face, not liking that idea at all. "Well, considering that Gio and Janeen are older than you,"

Kent says, quirking his brow.

"Just because you're a cradle robber," I mutter, making Kent burst into laughter. I grin, because I'm just teasing - I don't really care that Kent is older than me. Honestly, I don't think I could have handled him in his twenties. Now, he's just right for me. "You're an old soul and I'm young at heart," Kent murmurs, his lips close to my ear. "Besides, I don't think we'll let each other get boring. I don't think it works that way with us."

"Better not," say, settling warmly against him. "I expect a rich, thrilling life, Kent Lippert."

"And I'll give it to you, Fay Lippert," he says, his voice again rich with happiness and promise. "Dominic too. You just wait and see - the best is yet to come."

And I smile as I lean back against my husband as he wraps his arms around me, because I believe absolutely every word of what he says.

Chapter 298

Two months later, were all gathered together again. And it is only with frustration that I see Gio and Janeen standing so close together that their arms nearly brush, even though they're still not together.

I roll my eyes, dismissing the problem for a moment as I move my eyes down to Dominic and pull his little bonnet further over his face to shield his eyes from the bright sunshine outside our town's little chapel by the sea.

"I still don't see why we had to put him in a dress," I murmur, glancing up at Kent, who stands next to me, looking very sexy in his tailored black suit. "But this sun bonnet we can definitely keep."

"It's a christening gown," Kent murmurs, "you've got to stop calling it a dress, Fay." He shoots me a little glare as he looks around at our gathered friends and family - which, honestly, are mostly his friends and family, since I've still just got Janeen and dad. But I just smile and scrunch my nose at Dominic, who gurgles happily and kicks his feet as he looks up at me.

"You look pretty in your dress," I whisper to him, lifting him higher to press kisses on both his cheeks.

"Would you stop kissing my godchild?" Janeen says, sighing and reaching for him as she comes over to us, Gio close behind. "You've got lipstick on today, Fay, you're going to turn him all pink."

Haugh as I hand Dominic over to my sister and she licks her thumb, scrubbing at her nephew's cheeks. My baby has just gotten so damn cute over the past two months. I can't get enough of him, which means he gets kissed precisely like that every ten minutes. The photographer steps closer to us and, seeing an opportunity to get the godmother alone with the child, asks Janeen to step away with him. Janeen, ever vain, gladly goes. "Congratulations on the day," Gio says, smiling at Kent and 1.

"Oh, cut the crap, Gio," Kent says, dry. "Why the hell haven't you asked Janeen out yet?"

Gio's mouth falls open and he just stares between us, shocked.

"You're torturing her, Gio!" | laugh, stepping forward to give him a little shove on the shoulder.

"Oh, really?" Gio says, quirking an eyebrow at me and glancing over at Janeen, who is striking dramatic poses for the camera. "That, there, is a woman living a tortured life?"

"You're dodging the question," I say, tucking myself in against Kent's side and shaking my head. "Honestly, Gio, we all know you two are crazy about each other. What's holding you back?"

He sighs, and hangs his head, shaking it. "Janeen - she is..amazing. But she is also so free. I admit, I'm afraid that if I truly let myself fall for her.well. Does she have it in her to stay in a relationship for the long term, which is what I will want? If I get her, Fay.." he shakes his head again, looking over at my sister. "It will break me to lose her."

I nod a little, considering him, considering the truth in that concern.

"You're letting your fear win here, Gio," Kent says, his voice serious as he wraps an arm around me and pulls me close.

"I know how you feel, but...nothing ventured, nothing gained."

"Oh, like I was such a huge risk for you," I say, rolling my eyes up at Kent. "Considering I was on house arrest in your mansion and wasn't able to go anywhere."

"Hey," he says, frowning down at me. "I let you go visit your horse."

"Under armed guard!"

Kent laughs again, bending down to kiss me swiftly before turning back to Gio, who laughs along with us. "Come on, Gio," Kent says, dropping his arm from me and wrapping it around his nephew instead. "Let's go have a drink, we'll talk it through."

I smile as I watch the two of them walk away towards the little bar we've set up outside the church. Daniel and Jerome are there, chatting with my dad, Titus pounding excitedly around their heels. I tilt my head, considering that it's perhaps not precisely religious to have a bar at a baptism but... well. Jesus turned his blood into wine, so I'm not sure I think he's adverse to a little tipple.

My smile falters, though, as Don Bianci separates himself from his little group of family and slowly begins to make his way towards me. I mean, as much as I know that were on good terms now, he still makes me nervous. I shoot a look over at my sister, wishing she'd come to my side, but shes still posing for the camera with Dominic like a damn accessory -

I scowl and jump a little when I hear Don Bianci's voice at my side. "Congratulations, little Donna," he murmurs, and I do my best to smile back at him.

He laughs, smiling at me genuinely. "Do I make you nervous?" he asks, blunt.

I laugh, unable to help it. "Has no one bothered to tell you, in all these years, that you're a little terrifying, Don Bianci?"

He grins and shakes his head at me. "Well, considering what you accomplished, young lady, I'd say you should consider yourself formidable enough to stand up to the best."

"Standing up I can do," I say with a little sigh. "Small talk?"

He nods gently. "Shall we cut to the chase then?"

My face falls a little and I step closer, suddenly anxious.

There's a chase?"

"I wondered," he murmurs quietly. "If you wanted to know what...happened. With your mother."

I go a little pale as I stare at him. Because, on one hand, what the hell is he doing bringing this up at my son's baptism!?

But then again...this is a mafia family. This sort of thing probably happens at baptisms all the time. Maybe this is what baptisms are really for.

I refocus my scattered thoughts on the powerful man before me, considering what it is, really, that I want.

My mother. Of course I've thought of her over the past few months, cried over her, felt horribly guilty and terribly justified all at once. Considered thoroughly that she was the one who set up the dominos which lead to her fate - I was just the one who toppled them backwards, in the way she wasn't expecting. But still, as I stared down at my little baby who I love so incredibly much, just as she must have stared at me...

I just can't imagine a world, any world, in which Dominic would turn on me in the same way.

But...I mean, I did it to both my parents.

My guilt is very real. But so is my dedication to my real family - not those tied to me by blood (except Dominic, of course), but those who fought to be at my side

"Is she ever coming back into my life, Don Bianci?" I ask quietly, knowing that the real question lurks beneath my words. "Will she ever be able to hurt me again?"

His mouth twists up into a heartless smile. "No, Fay," he replies, his voice soft. "She's not coming back."

"Then no," I say, raising my chin and staring him directly in the eye. "I've made my peace with that woman. I don't want to know anything more."

He nods then, and I know that it is done.

"Everything all right over here?" I turn to see Daniel and Jerome approaching, coming to my rescue, Dominic in the crook of Daniel's arm. "I stole him back from Janeen," Daniel murmurs to me. "He was getting in the way of her Vogue photoshoot."

"Everything is perfect, Bianci says, smiling first at Daniel and then at me as I take Dominic back into my arms, glad to feel him again against my chest. "Congratulations, again, Fay. Though, he c***s his head now, "I was surprised to not be asked to be godfather. It is rather a first

- I believe that I am godfather to.." he looks around with interest, "pretty much everyone else here, under the age of fifty."

"Yes well," I say, smiling at him, "I thought Daniel deserved a turn."

Bianci nods to me and laughs. "Still, I will consider Domenico a special case," he murmurs, running a hand over my son's little bonnet. "He can come to me anytime in his life if he ever needs a...favor."

I nod deeply to Bianci, acknowledging the significant boon he has extended to my son. He nods back and then begins to walk back to Nonna's side as they head for the chapel.

"We're never going to him for anything, are we little baby!?" I say to Dominic in a light, overly cheerful voice, grinning at him. "Too many strings attached to the mafia world!"

"That's right, son," Daniel seriously to Dominic, continuing his long-dead joke that this is his baby, at least on paper. " You come to me for all your mafia needs."

"Your big brother will help you with your screenplay, Dominic," Jerome says, laughing and leaning forward to stroke a finger across Dominic's cheek, "not killing your enemies. Know where your family's strengths lay, little guy."

"Hey!" Daniel protests, laughing, "I think that over the past year I have proved...

But suddenly his words fade out as his attention is snagged by a figure leaning against the stone wall that rings the chapel, his hands in his pockets as he watches us.

Chapter 299

"Hey, gorgeous," Ivan says, his mouth turned up in a smirk as I cross the churchyard, beaming at him.

"Look who's talking," I say, laughing and reaching for him when I come close enough. Ivan wraps me in a hug, dropping a kiss to my cheek as I hold Dominic a bit to the side so he doesn't get squished between us.

"Let me see," he says, still grinning as I bring Dominic back around and turn him so that Ivan can peer down into his face. Ivan nods appreciatively, running a fond hand over Dominic's little baby head. "He's a good-looking kid, Fay," Ivan says, turning his grey eyes back to mine, a true smile on his lips. "But then again, with you as a mom..."

I laugh, shaking my head at him. "You shouldn't hit on me, Ivan. I'm a married woman now -"

"Oh please," he says, grinning. "Like that stopped me before." I laugh as he raises his chin towards the baby." What'd you name him?"

"After his father," I murmur fondly.

"I thought you already had a Lil Kent," Ivan says, laughing as his eyes find Titus still running around the yard, greeting all the guests.

"I know," I say quietly, looking seriously up at him now."

That's why we named him Ivan."

Ivan's face drops, his skin going ghostly pale.

I howl with laughter, my head tilting back on my neck, almost losing my footing as laugh so hard my stomach, aches.

"Don't do that to me, Fay!" Ivan shouts, bursting into laughter himself.

"His name is Dominic!" I say, shaking my head and wiping a tear away from my eyes. "And seriously, Ivan, how did you think that would have even happened - we never did more than kiss!"

"Well, I don't know," he sighs, exasperated and a little embarrassed to be caught off guard like that, sitting down on the stone wall for a little support. "You try being a guy in his twenties - we live in fear every day of showing up somewhere and someone telling us that a kid is ours!"

I sigh happily, sitting next to him on the stone wall. "I'm glad you came, Ivan. I mean, I want things to be sorted with us. But... also wanted you to meet the baby."

"Things are fine with us, Fay," Ivan says on a deep exhale, smiling at me. "I know that day was very dramatic but...'ve had some time to think now, and I've done my research - your Fiona was very helpful with that by the way -"

I nod, because she called me, of course, and updated me on what Ivan asked her.

"And," he shrugs, his mouth a little twisted. "I mean, it's hard to find out your whole life was a lie and that everything you've been pursuing since you were a kid is the wrong road. But..life goes on."

I nod, truly understanding him, though out of the corner of my eye I see a very large, very dark figure walking towards US:

"And are you happy?" I ask quietly, knowing we've only got a few more moments to ourselves.

"... very much want you

to be happy, Ivan."

He sighs, looking down at his shoes. "I'm not sure I'm there yet, Fay," he murmurs. "But...l think I will be."

I reach out, taking his hand, squeezing it. And he lifts his head and smiles at me.

"By all means," Kent says, his voice annoyed, "don't let me interrupt."

"No problem," Ivan says, raising his head and squinting in the sun as he smirks up at Kent. "Go back over there where you were and you won't be interrupting at all."

Kent seethes and I hide my smile at just how good Ivan is at getting under Kent's skin. Damn, but they were a great set of rivals.

"I will still punch you, Ivan," Kent says, crossing his arms."

Even if it does set a bad example for my kid."

"Well, it didn't seem to affect your first very badly," Ivan says with a shrug, peering around Kent to where Daniel is laughing with an arm around Jerome's shoulders. "So... maybe keep it up."

I smirk, squeezing Ivan's hand once more before standing and moving to Kent's side, tucking myself against him again. "No punching the invited guests, Kent," I sigh, smiling up at him. "Ivan's here as a peace offering. Yes?" I turn to Ivan as I say my last word. "Yes," Ivan says on a sigh, standing and walking towards us. "As fun as this violent tension between us is? I want it buried." Then, to my shock, he holds his hand out to Kent.

Kent takes a long moment to consider Ivan, this young man who organized his downfall, who worked very hard to put him in jail, who is the reason we can't ever go back to the United States.

But then Kent smirks, and reaches out his own hand, and gives Ivan's a hearty shake.

"Peace, then. Just don't try to hurt my kids, and stop hitting on my wife," he growls. I grin at this, enjoying myself.

"Sure, sure," Ivan says, moving his eyes to mine, making me laugh out loud.

Kent just groans and slips a possessive arm around my waist, turning me towards the chapel. "If you're done reconnecting with your ex?" he says, raising an eyebrow at me, "can we please go baptize our son?"

"Yes, sweetheart," I say, turning my face up to him and standing on my tiptoes, begging for a kiss that he gives me after a long sigh.

Ivan falls in on my left as we walk towards the church and all of our guests.

"Why's he wearing a dress?" Ivan murmurs, frowning down at Dominic in confusion.

I gasp, spinning my head to him with a broad smile. "That's what I said!"

The rest of the day goes beautifully. Janeen - who always liked Ivan - brings him eagerly to her side and chats amiably with him while the ceremony is set up. Gio, I can tell, is not particularly fond of this, but honestly- The boy could use a little jealousy, at this point.

And Janeen, perhaps intuiting the same, wraps her arm around Ivan's and leans warmly against his side.

I laugh, turning my attention completely to Kent and the baby now until it's time for the baptism itself. Then, my entire family gathers close and I pass Dominic into Daniel's arms while Kent stands on my right and my dad takes his position on my left. Janeen comes to Daniel's side, solemn for once, which makes me smile.

The baptismal font at this chapel is hundreds of years old, and outside the front of the church, which I really like.

Dominic is baptized in sunshine, under the open sky. And theres something about that which I think is just...lovely.

My family and I don't understand most of the ceremony, of course, as it is held in Italian. But one thing we do understand for sure are the words "Dominico Davide," which the priest says aloud while he pours holy water over Domenico's head from a seashell three times.

My dad gasps, turning towards me. My eyes are already on him, of course, because I was waiting.

"D-did he say David?" my dad asks, pointing to the priest.

I nod eagerly, wrapping my arm around his. "Dominic David, dad," I say softly as Dominic lets out a few little cries, clearly not liking the feel of the cold water on his head.

. "We named him for you."

My dad tears up, looking between Kent and I, totally moved.

"I am so honored," he says, putting a hand to his chest.

"We're honored," Kent says, putting a warm hand on dad's shoulder. "And Dominic is so lucky to have you as a grandfather."

My dad laughs, nodding and turning his attention back to the baby. "Well," he sighs, "I'm sure more fun than the other one."

Both Kent and I laugh, but Don Bianci - across the baptismal font from us - snaps his eyes up, perhaps not liking the joke as much as we do. But I just ignore it, because dad's right, frankly - and it's too happy a day to care

After the final blessing everyone applauds Dominic - he likes that, blinking and looking around at everyone with a smile on his face - and then the party begins.

Like all the other parties that I've experienced in Italy, this one goes long into the night. It starts at the chapel, with cake and a few toasts, but as the evening wears on we invite everyone to come back to the house with us to continue the celebration. Ivan, unfortunately, begs off at that point.

"Oh, no," I say, frowning at him, Dominic starting to get sleepy in my arms. "Ivan, we didn't even get to catch up -"

"Fay"" Ivan murmurs, a little quirk to his lips as he ruefully runs his knuckles down the length of my cheek. "I don't think I can catch up with you. If I do, I'm very much at risk of kidnapping you again, and I think that we both know that I got off easy on the last kidnapping."

I laugh, shaking my head at him, thinking that he's kidding but...

Well, the way he looks at me?

I sigh. "All right, Ivan," I say, pulling him into a deep hug.

Because as much as I am over him romantically and very much desire a friendship after everything that we 've been through...

Well, if he's not over me? Then I need to let him go.

"Take care," Fay," he says quietly, holding me for a little longer than he probably should

"You too," I murmur, hoping with my whole heart that he, does.

And then I watch quietly as Ivan walks away. I stand alone in the dark for a long moment with my baby sleepy in my arms, watching as he disappears down the road.

"You going to be all right with that one?" Jerome asks, quietly coming close to my side.

"Yeah," I say, smiling up at him. "He wasn't so bad."

"Well, he didn't try to imprison you," Jerome concedes, turning his head to the side.

And I laugh, because I forgot that Jerome went to jail too as part of Ivan's plans.

"Come on," Jerome says, "come back to the party before Kent explodes."

I do as I'm told, moving directly to Kents side and giving him a warm kiss. To his credit, he doesn't say anything about Ivan, letting me have my space with it. Instead, Kent just cups my cheek and tells me how much he loves me, how happy he is to have me at his side.

As we move towards the cars to go back to the house where a mountain of food is waiting, I frown and look around. "Wait," I say, pausing, "where is Janeen?"

"Didn't you see?" Kent murmurs, turning me a little and gesturing towards the side of the chapel in the dark. "Looks like he finally found his courage."

And my frown deepens for a second as I peer into the dark

- but then I burst out laughing. Because I see them now. I see the way that Gio has Janeen pressed up against the wall of the chapel, kissing her for all he's worth. And I definitely do not miss the way that Janeen kisses him eagerly back, one of her legs already hooked up over his hip.

"Leave them the Porsche," I say dryly, turning away and leaning against my husband's side as Titus runs eager circles around us. "I have a feeling they'll be here for a while."

Kent laughs and nods, his arm tight around me. "Come on, my little fawn," he says, pressing a kiss to my head. "Let's go home and celebrate our beautiful son."

Chapter 300

As I walk down the street towards the little Italian kindergarten, the whispers start around me, as they always do. I listen to all of them, a big German Shepherd padding quietly at my heels.

"Is that her?"

"Yes, that's the one - I heard she was her husband's mistress before he married her - that she killed his wife -"

"No that's not it - she was married to his son first."

"Turned the son gay, I heard -"

"I heard she killed her parents to get all of their money so he'd marry her, because his first wife was penniless and he went broke at strip clubs -"

"They've got gold buried beneath that vineyard of theirs -

American gold."

I smirk to myself, because it's all old news to me now. This happens to me pretty much every day - all the Italian women in the town speculating about how I, the red-headed American, landed my gorgeous older husband. Of course, they wouldn't say a damn word if they knew that I speak Italian now.

Which is why I don't tell them.

I let them whisper what they want to whisper, and I play the naive little American wife, and in exchange I know everything they wouldn't want me to know.

I tell Kent all of it, of course, usually while he cooks dinner in our little seaside villa - which we bought, actually, shortly after Dominic's baptism. And he smirks, and listens, but ultimately neither of us really care what they say.

A little growl slides from Titus as a man accidentally steps too close on the sidewalk. I glance down, grinning, to see my sweet dog's teeth bared as he stares at the man.

"Mi scusi!" the man says, his eyes wide and his hands up as he quickly moves away from us.

I just smile at him and wave hello as if I don't know what happened. But when he's passed us, I drop my hand to Titus's head, giving him a little pat to let him know he's a good boy. He really is the best dog - a perfect angel with us, and Dominic absolutely adores him. But Kent, of course, made sure that Titus is a guard dog outside the house, not a pet.

It's pretty much the only way he feels comfortable with me leaving the house by myself. I would protest that it's too much, but... well, I like having Titus close by.

The dog seats himself just outside the gate to Dominic's kindergarten as I step through. I nod warmly to the other mothers that stand there, also waiting. Some of them call hellos to me in Italian and English, which I return.

But really. I only have eyes for the door, which bursts open a minute later.

My face breaks into a huge smile as my eyes fix on Dominic, who comes running out the door with a big grin on his face, his too-big backpack bouncing as he runs for me.

"Mama!" he shouts, and I laugh and crouch, grabbing my dark-haired boy up into my arms and spinning him around just as soon as he comes near. "Mama, we did so many paintings today! I wanted to bring them home, but the teacher - she said they are too wet." "Probably a good idea," I say, nodding and balancing my baby on my hip. Or, well, he's not my baby any more, is he?

But no - that breaks my heart if I think about it too much, so I just smile and brush his dark curls out of his face.

"That is true," Dominic says, nodding seriously. "Papa - he will not like wet paint in the house."

"See? I knew you'd get it," I say, kissing him and putting him on the ground, "but you can bring them home tomorrow and tell me all about them tonight."

Dominic chatters then, telling me every instant of day as we walk from the gate. Titus falls in behind us without being called for. My son breaks his stream of words only to turn and say hello to the dog, reaching out to pat him. Titus eagerly licks his hand before Dominic turns back to me, chatting on.

I smile down at Dominic as we walk through the town, wondering passively if hes going to be an artist like Daniel.

Daniel and Jerome are gone for the moment - in Scotland, of all places, so that Daniel can get a Masters in playwriting. I grin, wondering if my big scary husband really does only produce artistic sons.

"Papa!" Dominic shouts, startling me out of my reverie as he drops my hand and darts down the road. I look up, a huge smile breaking out on my face again as I see Kent on the sidewalk just ahead. His back is to us as he speaks companionably with the butcher, a heavy bag of his purchases already hung over his arm.

Kent - he loves the butcher, who is much of a gourmand as he is. I honestly think it's his best friend here. And though the two men are about the same age, when my eyes flick over Kent's fit form, his full head of hair just barely greying at the temples, his broad shoulders?

Damn, did I get lucky. My husband is hot.

Dominic hurries along the sidewalk to his dad, and I laugh to see his backpack bouncing wildly on his shoulders. Kent turns when Dominic draws near, dropping into a crouch and gathering the little boy into a one armed hug, pulling him close to his chest and pressing a kiss to his hair.

One armed, of course, because in the other arm he holds a little red-headed baby, wrapped up warm in her blanket.

Kent says a few more words to our first born before standing up and reminding Dominic to politely say hello to the butcher. Dominic - who is not at all shy - chats amiably with the big man as Titus and I draw close.

"Hello, beautiful," Kent murmurs, taking my face in his hands and planting a warm kiss on my mouth. I kiss him back, leaning into him as I always do

"Hi," I say, grinning up at him. "I missed you."

"It's been five minutes, Fay," he murmurs, smiling

I shrug, ignoring him and reaching for my little girl, pulling her into my arms. "And how is Princess Corina!?" | coo, running a hand over her bright patch of red hair as she fusses and turns her head towards me. She's only about six months old now, but I can't get enough of her my little twin. Dominic - he's a good mix of both of us, with his dad's dark hair and my pale skin and more delicate features. But Corina? She is all me.

I...

Kent was supposed to get that vasectomy the same day that I delivered Dominic in the hospital - had it scheduled and everything. But then when I had a home birth, it was never performed. And it never got rescheduled. And he never mentioned it, and neither did Honestly, I never thought about it much until one day - again - I realized that I was incredibly late on my period without noticing. But the reaction this time?

Well, no one got punched, which was less exciting.

But it was all joy, right from the start.

"I don't think this one likes me as much," Kent says, waving goodbye to the butcher and then frowning down at our daughter. "She fussed the whole time you were gone."

"I like you, papa!" Dominic says, wrapping his arms around Kent's leg and beaming up at him.

Kent laughs down at his son. "Well, we know that, Dom," he says, ruffling Dominic's hair. "Yeah," Dominic sighs, looking up at us. "But Corina only likes mama."

"Corina," I say, lifting my eyebrows and giving my little girl a kiss, "has good taste." "Yes, she does," Kent says, pulling me close for another kiss, a lingering one this time.

"Stoppp," Dominic moans, reaching up to tug on my shirt." Let's goooo, you're being gross."

I laugh and wave a dismissive hand at my child, kissing my husband. I have earned my right to kiss this man as much as I want, after all.

But eventually Kent breaks the kiss, cupping my cheek in his hand and nudging my nose with his, murmuring sweet things in Italian that I actually understand now. And I smile at him, and take his hand, and we follow our son as he runs down the road

We head to the outskirts of the little town then, intending to walk home today. It's a long walk, but it's a nice one, on a beautiful day like today. Titus stays close at my heel while Dominic runs ahead. I smile when he turns into the little café on the right, shouting "grandpa!" and throwing himself into my dad's arms.

My dad greets him with such genuine joy and excitement that it makes my heart swell with joy. They talk for a few minutes about Dominic's day before dad gives him a little nudge back towards the gate where Kent and I are waiting.

Dominic gives dad a kiss before running ahead again. My dad waves to us before turning back to his checkers, his glass of red wine, and the American sports that are always on the outside TV at this little café that caters to American expatriates in Sicily - mostly retired guys like him.

1 blow a kiss to my dad, and he pretends to catch it and put it in his pocket - as he always does - before making his next move on the board. I smile, linking my arm with Kent's and looking up at him as we start the long road home.

"Any word from Janeen?" he asks, looking down at me with interest.

"Yes, she finally got back to me," I sigh, rolling my eyes.

Janeen she's in Paris now, living with Gio in a little apartment by the Seine, dancing at Crazy Horse. Bizarrely, her schedule as a dancer lines up beautifully with his as an ER doctor. She hasn't bothered to learn French, but Gio is fluent, and Janeen has always found that a few smiles and sultry looks get her what she wants anyway

"And?" Kent urges, giving me a little nudge as I lose myself in my thoughts.

"And, she dropped her phone in the river after a few too many glasses of Pinot Noir," I say with a shrug and a sigh." But yes, she and Gio are coming home for Christmas.

They're booking flights today."

"Good," Kent says with a nod,

, "It will be good to have a full

house again." He looks ahead, vigilantly watching Dominic as we get outside the town, where there are fewer sidewalks and more country roads.

We walk all the way home to our villa, where Kent and I have started a little vineyard, hoping to turn out our first real bottles of wine this year. Turns out, the skills that are useful in planning jailbreaks and heists also translate well to the wine business, which gives us both a lot of joy. We're partners, after all, in life as in our business venture.

And we need something challenging - neither Kent nor I can really stand to be bored.

As we finally arrive at our house Dominic drops his backpack, starting to run through the long rows of grapes towards the stables, where Heathcliff knickers loudly, having seen his favorite boy. "I'm going to see him!" Dominic calls over his shoulder to US

"Be careful!" Kent calls, stooping to pick up the backpack before standing quietly with me. Together, we watch our little boy run through the grape vines, as I always imagined he would We pause for a moment, in the dying light of day, looking over our little world.

Our tiny, perfect world.

"Hey," I say, tugging on Kent's arm and making him look at me. I smile up at my husband while I hold my little baby girl warm against my chest. "Do you know how much I love you?"

"Oh," he murmurs, tugging me close and then letting his hand drift dangerously low on my back, making me grin at his intent. "I think I'm aware. But if there's any doubts, Fay, I'll let you show me." "Good," I say, standing on my toes and wrapping my hand in the fabric of his shirt, pulling him down so that his face is close to mine.

Kent studies me for a moment as he holds me close, his love for me plain on his face. "You're my whole life, Fay Lippert," he murmurs against my lips. "And god damn it, if my life isn't perfect." And then he kisses me, and I kiss him right back, this man who is my husband, my partner, and my best friend.

Absolutely everything to me, just as I am to him.

"I love you too," I whisper, smiling up at Kent under the warmth of the Italian sun.

The end