"Are you sure you're good to do this? We've been out a few hours already," Veronica says to me as we enter our third dress boutique. I lean my head onto Hugh's shoulder, linked to his arm.

"I'm fine. I'm okay," I reassure her as a woman strides up to us with a welcoming grin.

"Good evening, I'm Rosa. Can I help you with anything?"

Veronica smirks, pointing to me. "Well, this one is getting married. She needs the prettiest dress you have in this place. Like seriously, pull out the big guns."

Rosa smiles as I roll my eyes. "Come with me."

***

"You know, I could order something," I say, setting my hands down onto the island. He's got his computer in front of him, with papers covering the rest of the countertop. "You don't have to do everything, Matteo."

"I told you, baby. I got this. Everything is pretty much set. I don't want you to lift a finger."

"I'm not an invalid," I reply, with annoyance.

He looks up from his papers, breathing in. "I know you're not. But we're leaving tomorrow and I want you to be well-rested."

"Matteo, these past two weeks, you're up every morning with Charles. You have set up our entire wedding solely on your own. All while still having shows every three days. I am well-rested. You are not. I can see you're tired."

He looks down, smirking. "I like being busy."

"I know you do. But you don't have to take everything on by yourself. I don't start work again for another two weeks."

"Which is why you need the rest."

"Matteo."

"Emma, you had a miscarriage," he states, firmly, setting down his papers. "I'm not going to push that fact aside."

"And I am?"

He sighs, shaking his head. "I'm not saying that... but I need you to get better. I need you healthy. I'm not going to let what happened happen, ever again. You know, I wasn't there, Emma and it was my fault that you had been so upset, so sick... and that probably caused you to lose the baby. I so easily could have lost you that night, do you understand that?"

I stare at him, focusing on only one aspect of his words. "My miscarriage wasn't your fault."

"Our miscarriage, Emma." He gazes pours into mine. "It was ours. And if I had just- taken on some fraction of responsibility in this house instead of parties and extra rehearsals, you would have been okay. Veronica told me before I got on the flight, that the doctors were worried about how much pain you were enduring. She was hysterical, thinking you were going to die. And I still had hours to get you."

I walk to him, caressing his face. I had no idea he was even effected by this, especially not this much. "Matteo... I was fine. I am fine."

He turns on the bench, grabbing my waist. "Losing you, Emma, would be the end of me."

"I'm not going anywhere," I whisper, awed as he rests his head against my chest, pulling me closer.

***

I take Matteo's outstretched hand as we hurry through the terminal with my parents and Hugh and his date, who is also our photographer. Veronica and Cesar are already waiting by the plane. I tried to get Matteo to invite Doug or at least someone he knows, but he was completely against it.

"Are all of us next to each other on the plane?" I ask Matteo.

"We're going in a private jet, stopping in Miami and then off to Tortola," he whispers informingly, looking perfect in a white t-shirt and jeans.

I gape. "A jet?"

He smirks, leaning down to kiss me gently. Charles holds onto Matteo's shirt, perched on his other arm. "Only the best for you, baby."

I blush, biting down on my lip, practically skipping. We approach the door to exit onto the tarmac when a young woman smiles uncomfortably. There's a man that steps out in front of the door.

"Mr. Giordano?"

We slow. "Yes?" he answers with suspicion in his tone.

"Can you come with me?"

Matteo's mouth tightens in anger. I stare at him. "We are late."

"It won't take long."

Matteo turns, handing me Charles. I'm gaping. "Matteo, what's going on?"

"Something with my passport probably. Just go out there and wait with your parents."

"We'd actually prefer her to remain inside with the child," the man in uniform states, earning a glare from Matteo. "Could you have a seat, ma'am?"

I don't answer the man as he turns with Matteo. Watching them walk into a door not far down the hallway, I feel my heart through my chest. Okay, what the hell is going on?

Not even ten minutes later, Matteo reemerges alone. He's shaking his head.

I stand up, holding Charles close. "What is it? Are you in trouble?"

He shakes his head. "I just had to sign off on a form. They made a bigger deal out of it then it is."

He places his hand on my back, ushering us forward towards the doors again. I look back, confused. "Matteo, what form? That was an officer."

"We're taking Charles out of the country within the first months of getting him. They needed me to sign off on some documents since we haven't finished our visits by CPS."

He opens the door for us, exhaling.

"But we're okay to go?" I ask, nervously. He nods, rubbing my back.

"Yes, we're fine."

***

"This is incredible!" Veronica exclaims, gaping.

The entire wedding group is gaping, myself included. We're in a private resort. There are three cabins on our side of the beach. They're perched above water, making even the steps wet from the rush of the waves.

The water of the Virgin British Islands looks just like something you'd see on the wallpaper of a new computer, expect better. It's crystal clear. Lifting my hand over my eyes to block the sun, I marvel in shock.

"Matteo..."

"Do you like it?" he asks only me, pulling me close. I laugh, biting my lip.

"What is there not to like? It's perfect."

"I concur," my father adds, nodding. "I'm going inside. Which ones ours?"

Matteo turns, pointing to one of them and then another. "The blue one is for Jesse and Harriet. The other, the larger one is for V, Cesar, Hugh and Lonny."

"Jesse, let's check this out!" my mother shouts, champagne flask in her hand. My mother and father hurry towards their cabin. The rest of them do the same, looking truly carefree.

Matteo kisses me soundly, grasping my face tightly as Charles plays with the sand by our feet. "So you do like it?"

I grin. "What's not to like?"

Letting me go, Matteo reaches down, grabbing Charles off the sand. He squeals and Matteo grins wide, bouncing him on his arm. "You like the beach, bud?"

Oh, god. They're cute.

***

"To Emma and Matteo and their love story that will undoubtedly be written in the stars," Hugh toasts dramatically, raising his champagne glass in the air. The entire table clicks their glasses together, wooping, even my parents. I'm not surprised. They've been drinking like fish since we arrived.

I glance to my side, smiling happily as Matteo's hand rubs on the back of my neck. I lean into him, kissing him, losing myself in his mouth. For the first time in a while, I feel truly great. There's something about being near the water that lifts my spirit. He barely pulls back, smirking.

"Baby."

I grin at the word as Charles pulls on my dress, aggravated from his baby seat. "Mummy. Mummy."

Chuckling, I stand up, glancing around the very crowded restaurant on the deck. "I think the noise is getting to him. I'll be back," I murmur, picking him up. Charles and I make our way down the dock, towards the glistening water underneath the moon.

I bounce him gently against my chest, watching as his eyes slowly begin to droop, his head slowly begins to tilt, his hand slowly rises to his mouth.

He's comfortable in my aching arms and slowly drifts to sleep.

***

I hesitate by the doorway to Charles room, knowing Matteo is tucking him to bed. I can never help myself. I can't stay away. I poke my head inside.

Matteo is standing by the window, his wild hair tucked behind his ear. Charles is perched on his arms, head rested against his chest, dozing off. Matteo's holding Charles favorite book in his other hand.

"And the baby goat went to school, saying goodbye to mommy and daddy. He has many friends and plays a lot during recess. He learns that Apple starts with A and Zebra starts with Z. Apple. Zebra."

I smile, leaning against the door, watching them.

Matteo nods as Charles points to the picture. "Yes, that's a zebra."

"Zebra. It's... animal?"

"Mhm." Matteo goes on. "The baby goat gets good grades for learning and can't wait to show his grades to mommy and daddy. He knows how proud they will be of him. Baby goat gets off of the bus and daddy hugs him. He tells him how proud he is of baby goat."

Charles nuzzles into Matteo, clutching his shirt between his hands tightly. "You are daddy."

I feel the hairs on my arms stand up. What did he just say?

Matteo looks down at Charles face. "What... Charles?"

Charles' eyes are already closed. I hear Matteo release a shaky breath. He clears his throat too, obviously as emotional as I am.

He just called him daddy. He recognizes us as his parents.

Matteo turns slightly, catching sight of me in the doorway. I smile gently and he raises his brows, releasing a sigh, a happy one. He truly looks like a father right now, full of concern that he won't live up to the expectations of a children's book.

I turn, letting him have that moment for himself.