2 weeks laterTwo weeks have passed since Alejandro, and I spoke. To this day, neither my father nor I know where he's gone. Also, we haven't talked about what happened. I don't know how to reestablish my relationship with my father since my mother was not the love of his life but Elena."Ready?" Lucas asks me as he walks over to me.I look him over from head to toe and notice his excitement. Today, I have to go back to the doctor for the monthly pregnancy checkup, which means we will see our baby again. I smile at him, nod, and take my bag. "Yes." I reply, trying to put on my best face."Let's go then," he indicates and, without further ado, takes me by the hand so we can leave the house together.I like seeing him in this loving and overprotective role; It is a facet that suits him wonderfully. Although everything around us seems to be in chaos, ours continues to be unique in its own way.He helps me into the car, then climbs in on the driver's side, and inevitably I stare at him. H
We have been sitting on a park bench with a sea view for more than an hour. We are both in complete silence, watching the sunset, and I guess we are thinking exactly the same thing. We have been speechless since we left the doctor's office with the news that we are having twins.In my case, I am terrified. Having a baby seemed like a huge responsibility, and it scared me, but now with two, I just want to run away."Are you scared?" Lucas asks me, finally breaking the silence, and for some reason, his words make me laugh.Is it the nerves or that seeing him the same or more scared is funny?"Fear? No, I'm panicking!" I admit, and now he is the one who laughs."I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one panicking here. Having a child already made me aware of our great responsibility. I was mentally preparing to be the best version of myself, the one our son or daughter deserved, but two? They will cry simultaneously, we will have to change their diapers at every moment, and both of them w
The sun has almost completely hidden below the horizon. The nerves start to play against me, so I take a deep breath to calm down. However, when Lucas arrives at the restaurant's valet parking, my body reacts immediately because it knows the time to tell the truth to my father is drawing near."Ready?" Lucas asks, looking me in the eye as the guys who work at the valet open the car doors for us.I shrug my shoulders. "I guess so; let's go," I answer and get out of the car while he does the same. We meet on the way, and he chivalrously takes my hand, and we enter the restaurant.This place, modern, elegant, and full of life, with one of the city's best chefs, is my father's favorite restaurant. He comes here so often that his favorite table is already set aside, right on the patio of the place. So, just by saying he is waiting for us, the woman at the reception leads us there.I see my father sitting at his table by the sea as we come outside. In the background, I can see the tall skys
That night:Sleeping is an impossible task for both of us. Lucas and I have been tossing and turning in bed, trying to fall asleep, but between all the news and the confrontation with my father, it's not something we can do.I hug my pillow, intending to close my eyes to get some sleep, but his arms around me and his face resting on my abdomen make me smile. "What are you doing?," I ask softly."I love you, you know?" he asks, and I look at him."Of course, I know. I love you too," I reply and move on the bed to rest on my back.He settles better on my abdomen, delicately lifts the top of my pajamas with his fingertips, and then begins drawing imaginary circles with them. "Bella," he tells me in a whisper, making me stare at his ocean blue eyes."What?" I ask before his imminent silence."I can't stop thinking about your father's reaction and he doesn't even know the whole truth," he says. "I can not stop feeling guilty for everything I did. If our babies were girls, I would also kill
A few days later:It could even be said that we have dedicated these last few days to ultimately reconciling as a couple and creating memorable moments between the two of us. Perhaps many times, those ordinary moments do not seem so special. Still, for us, even the kitchen has become an adventure lately. My father is still distant from Lucas, and I think he will stay that way for a few more days. We know this could worsen if we fully decide to move to Italy with our children.On the other hand, tonight is not just any night; my in-laws have arrived from Venice and will come to dinner with us. My father has decided not to be part of this dinner so that I can spend time with my in-laws. However, tomorrow he will have breakfast with us at our favorite restaurant to make the official presentation between families. I know that they met before when my father went to Italy to pick me up, but this will be different since we will soon have a new wedding; this will be the real one."Do you thin
"It hasn't gone bad with my parents, has it?" Lucas asks me as we walk into our room to finally rest.It's already past eleven at night, and Luca's parents have only been gone for about half an hour. I go to the walking closet, look for a nightgown and return to the room to leave it on the bed while I undress. "Their reaction has been much better than I expected," I explain as I reach my back to try to unzip the dress, which is honestly quite complicated.Lucas comes behind me and, taking my hands, tells me. "Let me help you," he murmurs, and I immediately smile."That's nice, thank you very much," I thank in a flirtatious tone. "I thought your parents would ask us a thousand questions and put up some kind of obstacle for our wedding. Fortunately, they didn't," I explain, trying to concentrate despite Lucas's fingers grazing my back as he unzips my zipper."Hey," he whispers, wrapping one of his arms around my waist, "I've been thinking that my parents knew perfectly well that you and
After showering and getting ready, I finally leave my room and go downstairs to attend to Alejandro, my half-brother. Upon entering the room, I realize that my fiancé is a true gentleman and has treated Alejandro as he deserves."Good morning," I say while approaching them.Lucas and Alejandro's eyes focus on me, smiling at me differently. Lucas's is unique, and it lowers my defenses ultimately. Alejandro's is a little more forced, and I guess he still doesn't know how to behave in my presence."Can I serve you breakfast, Bella ?" My fiancé asks me, and I nod as I walk over to Alejandro's side, and he stands up."Good morning, I'm sorry I came so early," he apologizes and greets me with two kisses."Don't worry; I admit I didn't expect you," I confess. I think it is important to speak honestly to Alejandro and tell him how I feel about him; I won't try to sugarcoat the situation."I know. To be honest, I wasn't planning on coming; but I can't leave this way either," Alejandro tells me
[HOURS LATER]There is the sound of the house doorbell, and I immediately get incredibly nervous. Lucas gets up to open the door, and I don't know if the first to arrive are his parents or if mine will come first. I exchange glances with Alejandro and notice that he is just as or more nervous than I am."Good pomeriggio!" I listen to Carlo, who, seeing me next to Alejandro, falls silent. They both exchange glances, and I can swear that it is not the first time they have seen each other. Perhaps they also knew Alejandro Ferrara, the successful yacht salesman. "You?" his father asks as he walks over to us.Laura and Lucas approach us, but realizing the situation, they remain still. "He..." Laura tries to say."I don't understand what you're doing here." Lucas's father says.Lucas approaches his father and puts one of his hands on his shoulder. "We have to tell you some things about who Alejandro is and what Lucía was really doing," he tries to explain. "Have a seat, will you?" he propos