Chapter 10 - Forever Moretti
Six months later.
Spring had finally arrived in Chestnut Hill, melting the bitter Pennsylvania frost and painting the rolling lawns of the Moretti estate in vibrant strokes of emerald, lavender, and gold.
The high stone walls still stood, and the security detail remained ever-watchful, but the oppressive, cemetery-like silence of the fortress was permanently broken.
Laughter filled the grand corridors now. The minimalist, severe furniture had been replaced with warm, comfortable velvet sofas, colorful toys were scattered across the Persian rugs, and the walls were covered with framed photographs of messy first birthdays, muddy garden adventures, and quiet mornings.
The Romano family was a distant, forgotten memory. In a single, ruthless night, Luca had systematically dismantled their empire, driving them out of the Northeast forever, securing absolute peace for our family.
I stood on the stone terrace, the warm spring breeze rustling the light fabric of my white linen sundress.
Down on the immaculate lawn, a blanket was spread beneath the shade of a massive, blooming magnolia tree.
“Avery!”
I looked down. Luca was sitting on the blanket, completely transformed.
The ruthless mafia boss who had once terrified me at Table Twelve was wearing a soft cream cashmere sweater, faded blue jeans, and no shoes. His dark hair was tousled by the wind, the scar on his jaw catching the golden afternoon light.
And beside him was Leo.
Now sixteen months old, Leo was a blur of boundless energy, wearing denim overalls and tiny white sneakers, clutching a plush stuffed bear under one arm.
“Look who decided he doesn't need to crawl anymore,” Luca called out, his face split into a broad, breathtaking smile that reached every corner of his eyes.
My heart leaped into my throat. I gathered the hem of my dress and ran down the stone steps onto the soft, cool grass.
The moment Leo saw me approaching, his gray-blue eyes lit up with pure joy.
He let go of Luca’s supporting fingers, wobbled dangerously on his chubby legs, found his balance, and took a step forward.
Then another.
And another.
“Mama!” he squealed in triumph.
I dropped to my knees on the blanket, holding my arms wide open. “Come on, little bird! You’ve got it! Come to Mama!”
Leo took four more triumphant, staggering steps across the grass before tumbling forward directly into my waiting arms. I scooped him up, spinning him in the air as his bright, bubbling laughter rang out across the gardens, before burying my face in his soft, sweet neck, blowing raspberries that made him shriek with delight.
“You did it!” I laughed, tears of pure joy misting my eyes. “You walked!”
A pair of strong, familiar arms wrapped around my waist from behind, pulling both Leo and me against a broad, warm chest.
Luca rested his chin on my shoulder, his lips pressing a warm, lingering kiss against the hollow of my neck—right where Leo had pressed his tear-stained cheek on the night our lives changed forever.
“He takes after his mother,” Luca murmured, his voice rich, contented, and deep. “Headstrong. Fearless. Moving forward whether the world is ready or not.”
I turned in the circle of his arms, looking into the eyes of the man who had given me a kingdom, a family, and a love that had defied death itself.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Moretti,” I teased, resting my forehead against his.
Luca reached into the pocket of his jeans.
He didn't pull out a gun. He didn't pull out a stack of hundred-dollar bills.
He pulled out a small, black velvet box.
My breath hitched. Leo clapped his hands, leaning over my shoulder to peer at the shiny velvet, fascinated.
Luca opened the box.
Inside sat a flawless, emerald-cut diamond ring, flanked by two deep-blue sapphires that matched the exact color of his and Leo’s eyes. It was breathtaking, timeless, and profound.
“Avery Whitmore,” Luca said, his voice dropping into that raw, reverent register that never failed to make my knees weak. “Six months ago, you walked into a restaurant expecting twenty-percent tips and an ordinary life. You walked into my darkness, took my broken son, and healed us both. You gave me back my soul.”
He took my left hand, his calloused thumb gently stroking my ring finger.
“You’re already the mother of my child. You’re already the ruler of this house. Now, I want the entire world to know that you are my wife. Marry me, Avery. Stay in my arms, and let me spend the rest of my life keeping you safe, happy, and loved.”
I looked at the ring, then at Leo, who was babbling happily, reaching out to touch the sparkling stone, and finally into the fierce, devoted eyes of the man I loved beyond reason.
“Yes,” I whispered, a tear of pure happiness spilling over my eyelashes. “A thousand times, yes.”
Luca let out a breathless, triumphant laugh as he slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly—a permanent anchor tying us together.
He pulled me into a deep, passionate kiss, his mouth claiming mine in the bright afternoon sunlight, while Leo nestled between us, his little arms wrapping around both our necks, holding his parents close.
The first time the mafia boss’s baby reached for me, I thought he wanted my necklace.
May you like
I was wrong.
He was reaching for a mother. And in saving him, I had found my home, my family, and a love that would outlive the stars.
