Chapter 60

Some time later

Gia took a long deep breath. Her hands tightened around the flowers in her hand as she stood at the entrance of the church. All eyes were on her as she took a step forward. She could hear the murmurs over the music and feel their gaze sweep over her skin. The long trail of her dress slowly moved along with her as she made her way down the aisle. When her eyes fluttered up, her heart stumbled inside of her chest at the sight of Daniel standing by the altar.

He couldn't look away from her. His eyes were made to admire her as she moved closer and closer towards him. The small smile on his lips did things to Gia's heart as she stepped up to the altar and took her spot.

The slow song on the piano slowed. A small pause fell over the church before a familiar tune picked up once again. Beside Daniel, Luca took in a deep breath and turned towards the church doors. All the guests rose from their seats and turned to the bride.

"Don't be nervous," Richard said to Daisy as she gripped his arm tightly.

"I'm not," Daisy lied.

"Your mother has done this multiple times," Richard teased. "She didn't give you any advice?"

"She said to sign a prenup," Daisy muttered.

"Sounds like Patty."

"Do I look okay?" Daisy asked.

"You look beautiful."

"White isn't my color," Daisy said. "I'm not even a virgin. What am I doing?"

"You can still make a run for it," Richard said. "I'll get the car."

"No!" Daisy shook her head.

"I don't think we'll get far in this town to be honest," Richard chuckled.

"We most definitely will not," Daisy sighed. "Now, let's go. Luca's waiting."

With a smile, Richard patted Daisy's hand. He stepped forward and felt her take one last breath before the church doors opened and Luca shifted his gaze towards her.

Like being set on sweet fire, Daisy felt all the blood rush up to her cheeks. She was stunned to see how hard she was blushing as she made her way down the aisle. Her eyes were locked with Luca. Through her veil, she smiled at him and caught the spark in his eyes.

I love you, he mouthed to her.

I love you too, Daisy moved her lips quietly.

"Here you go," Richard paused at the steps of the altar and looked up at Luca. "She's your headache now."

"Thank you," Luca shook Richard's hand before turning towards his wife.

Daisy wanted to lift the bouquet in her hands and hide. She had never in her life felt so shy and giddy. It was astonishing.

"Here, give me that," Gia stepped forward and took the bouquet.

"Thanks," Daisy cleared her throat. She reached down to gather her dress but Luca was already there. He took her hand and held the extra fabric of her dress as he helped her up to the altar. Gia quickly followed them up and fixed Daisy's veil to make sure she looked heavenly as her brother took his wife's hands before god.

"Dearly beloved," the pastor started. "We're gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony."

Daisy could hear her blood rushing past her ears. Her hands began to tremble and turn cold. Luca held her tightly as the pastor continued to talk.

It's okay, he mouthed to her. You're okay.

Daisy nodded. She felt the nerves running up and down her spine like electric current. Just when she thought she would surely lose her grip on reality, a small figure ran up the steps of the altar and dove in under her long veil.

"Theo," Gia gasped as the guest began to chuckle.

Daisy looked over her shoulder as Theo lifted her veil and smiled up at his zia.

"Come here," Gia laughed, trying to pull him away.

"Dad!" Theo ran towards Luca.

"It's okay," Luca laughed. "Come here."

Daisy's heart swelled up and her eyes began to water as the three year old walked over to Luca and wrapped his arms around his leg. He peeked up to look at her beneath the veil and flashed her a wide smile.

"You look beautiful, mama," Theo said.

"Thank you, my baby," Daisy smiled.

The pastor shook his head, laughing. For the rest of the ceremony, Theo stayed by Luca's side as his little brothers, Levi and Mason, watched from Carla and Dana's lap. The twins, although not identical, looked just like their father. Daisy loved their green eyes and crooked smiles. Seeing them and Theo eased her heart. She could breathe again without difficulty as Luca lifted her veil and stepped forward.

"Sunshine," he smiled at her.

"Hi," Daisy blushed again.

Raising his hand, Luca placed it against Daisy's cheek before dipping his head and kissing her soft lips.

"I'm yours," he whispered to her as he pulled back.

Daisy's eyes fluttered open, "You've always been mine."

__________________________

Some more time later

"How much longer?" Luca asked as he checked his watch.

"Five more minutes," Daniel said.

"It's taking forever," Gia groaned, dropping her head on the table. "I just want to know!"

"Babe, relax," Daniel rubbed her back as he kissed her shoulder and tucked her hair back to ease her. "You got this."

"What's the worst that can happen?" Daisy asked from where she sat on the sofa with a plate of cut carrots and watermelons. Her swollen belly made the perfect table for her to balance her plate on as she nervously munched on a carrot stick. "You can always try again. Remember that."

"She's right," Luca said. "Don't stress about it."

"I am stressed about it!" Gia said, irritated. "Is it time yet?"

"No," Daniel checked his watch.

"You're kidding, right?" Gia complained.

"Babe, relax will y-" Daisy started when she heard the chaotic sound of her boys running down the stairs.

"Mom!" Levi was the first to call her. Being the youngest, he was just a bit more coddled by Daisy than the other two. Theo thought he was too big for any more baby stuff and Mason wanted to be just like his brother. Only Levi wanted his mother's constant attention.

"What is it?" Daisy called back.

"Mason and Theo won't let me play with them," the little boy came pouting as his brothers followed him.

"He's not listening!" Theo complained.

"We tried to play with him," Mason added. "But he gets mad whenever Theo and I do things together."

"I want to play with Theo but Mason keeps telling him to help him build his tower!" Levi stomped his feet.

"I need help!," Mason said. "I can't reach the top!"

"But I want to play with them!" Levi cried. "Mom!"

"Oh my god!" Daisy groaned. She struggled to sit up as the boys all complained and whined. "Levi, come sit with me. Mason, Theo, go outside and play in the yard."

"But I want to play with them," Levi cried, falling into his mother's lap.

"Boys," Luca slowly walked over to where the small army surrounded his beautiful pregnant wife. "Give mom some space."

"You can't get mad if I talk to Theo" Mason said to his little brother "He's my friend too."

"Yes, he is," Luca smiled. He sat down and Mason quickly climbed onto his lap. Luca kissed the top of his head before holding his arm out for Theo. "But you're also brothers and family sticks together. Right?"

Theo walked towards his dad and slumped down between Luca and Daisy.

"I know you both want to play with Theo," Luca said to Mason before turning to Levi. "But you can't make him choose between the two of you."

"Levi," Daisy ran her hand through the boy's curly hair. "Are you feeling a little jealous?"

Levi shook his head, "I want to play with Theo but Mason keeps taking him away and they always play together."

"Oh baby," Daisy frowned. "Do you feel left out?"

Levi nodded, "Yeah."

"Did you tell your brothers that?" Luca asked.

"No," Levi shook his head.

"Why don't you tell them how that makes you feel," Daisy insisted.

"Mason," Levi turned to his brother. "I want to play with Theo but you keep taking him away and I don't get to play with him and he doesn't get to help me with my legos."

"How does that make you feel?" Luca asked.

"It makes me feel angry," Levi said. "And sad."

"Is that why you broke Mason's tower?" Theo asked, crossing his arm over his chest.

Levi nodded his head.

"Levi," Theo sighed dramatically. "You can't do that. You have to be nice."

"And Mason," Luca looked at the boy on his lap. "You have to wait your turn. If Theo is helping Levi, you need to wait, right?"

"Yes," Mason nodded.

"Can we all play together now?" Daisy asked. "No more fighting?"

"Come on," Theo was the first to stand up. He took Levi's hand while Mason quickly jumped down from Luca's lap. "Mason and I can both help you with your legos. And then you can help with his tower."

"Okay," Levi said, rubbing his eyes.

"I give it ten minutes before they come running back in here," Daisy sighed.

Luca wanted to disagree when Gia suddenly shrieked. They all turned towards her as she grabbed Daniel's wrist.

"It's time," she said.

"Hurry up and look!" Daisy handed Luca her plate and pushed up to her feet. She slowly made her way over to the table as Gia shook her hands and looked towards Daniel.

"It's going to be okay," he assured her.

"I'm scared," Gia said.

"You'll be fine!" Luca came to stand beside his wife. "Just look at the result already."

Nodding, Gia slowly refreshed the computer screen.

Daisy and Luca held their breath as Gia's eyes scanned the screen. The tension in the room crackled like campfire before Gia's eyes lit up and she threw her arms up.

"I passed!" She yelled. "I passed!"

Everyone in the room let out a collective sigh.

"Congratulations!" Daniel pulled his wife closer and kissed her cheek. "I knew you could do it!"

"Congratulations," Luca walked over and kissed his sister's head.

"Ahhhh!!!" Daisy held out her arms as Gia got up from the chair and rushed over to her. "My bestie is a lawyer! You did it!"

"Careful," Luca said, worried for Daisy's belly.

"I'm fine," Daisy clicked her tongue.

Gia, keeping her brother's paranoia in mind, hugged her best friend from the side. They squealed in excitement as the boys came rushing from upstairs once more.

"What's going on?" Theo asked.

"Zia passed her Bar exams!" Daniel shared.

"So she's a bartender now?" Theo arched his brow. "I thought she was in law school."

"Yes," Gia laughed, pulling the boy into her arms and kissing his cheeks. "I'm a bartender now."

"Ah, stop!" Theo complained, trying to get away from Gia. "Mason, help me!"

"Ahh!" Levi charged towards Gia but he didn't make it far as Luca scooped him up.

"How about we all go out to dinner?" He asked. "Let's go celebrate Zia."

_______________________

Some more more time later

"Levi, no!" Gia chased after the little boy as he tried to pop the giant black balloon. "That's for mom and dad!"

"But I want to know what's inside!" Levi dodged his aunt, his bare feet quick as lightning on the white sandy beach of Juliet Cay.

"Levi!" Theo grabbed his little brother. "Stop! It's a surprise."

Mason and Daniel watched from where they sat on the steps of the deck. They had identical look of disapproval on their face as the little boy ran around the beach trying to pop the balloon.

"I hope you and Zia are not having a boy," Mason said, turning towards Daniel.

"We're not having anything," Daniel said.

"Maybe a dog," Mason suggested. "My dad said I can have a dog when I'm six years old like Theo."

"What if I got you a dog?" Daniel asked. "You would have to keep it. You can't turn away a gift, you know."

"Wouldn't my dad get mad at you?" Mason asked.

"Your dad's always mad at me," Daniel laughed.

"I won't tell him about our plan if you don't."

"Deal?" Daniel held out his hand.

"Deal," Mason shook it.

"Alright, what kind of dog do you want?"

Mason knew it was an important decision. Unlike his brothers, he was a man of carefully assessed risks. Daniel watched the little boy's face scrunch up as he thought long and hard.

"Can I tell you after the party?" Mason asked.

"Sure," Daniel laughed.

"Great, thanks," Mason jumped up. "Don't worry. I won't ask for anything crazy."

"Don't worry about it little man," Daniel said.

"Worry about what?"

Mason jumped as Luca came out onto the deck. Luca immediately arched his brow as he watched his son's eyes widen.

"About having another younger sibling," Daniel said. "I was just telling Mace not to worry about the baby."

"Why?" Luca frowned and looked at his son. "Are you worried about the baby?"

"No," Mason stared at the floor. "I'm just scared mom won't have time for me."

"Oh buddy," Luca lowered himself to get down to face level with the little boy. "That's not going to happen. Mama loves you boys so much. And I love you boys so much. We will always make time for you. I promise."

"And if they don't, you can always move in with me and Zia," Daniel said. "You could be an only child with us."

"That doesn't sound too bad," Mason said.

"Stop giving him ideas," Luca laughed. He rose to his feet and took Mason's hand. "Let's go see if mama is ready to pop the balloon."

"Levi might pop it," Mason said with distaste. "He's always ruining everything."

"He's excited," Luca said. "Come on, go find mama."

As the little boy slipped out of Luca's hand, he stood back and let his eyes scan the beach. The beautiful sun painted the sky orange everywhere it met the blue sea. The air was warm and filled with the scent of Daisy's favorite flower. Luca filled his lungs and made his way over to his family as they all gathered and the guests eagerly waited for the gender reveal of their fourth child.

He couldn't take his eyes off of his wife. Her blonde hair had grown back and she swore it loose around her shoulders. Her skin was sun kissed and the pale pink of her dress melted against her smooth complexion. When Daisy looked over her shoulder and smiled up at Luca, he thought his heart might explode.

"Ready?" Daisy asked, handing him a small pin.

"Remember our deal," Luca teased. "We keep trying until we get a girl."

"Is this mod not enough for you?" Daisy asked, looking at their three sons running around them.

"I want so much more with you," Luca said, kissing her.

"Let's see what happens," Daisy leaned against him.

"Ready?" Gia asked, bringing the balloon closer. "Here we go. Baby Silvano! Boy or girl?"

"One! Two!" Theo counted down with excitement.

"Three!" Levi and Mason yelled as their parents popped the balloon and pink confetti exploded from all the hidden cannons around them.

"Yes!" Luca shouted with joy. "Yes! I told you!"

"It's a girl!" Mason and Levi jumped up and down trying to catch the confetti.

The sunset was met with joy and celebration as Luca and Daisy filled the night with fireworks for their new baby. A few weeks later when she was born, their family was complete. Baby Lily was surrounded by love. Her brothers hung on her every action. And a few years later when she turned two years old, Gia and Daniel introduced her to their new bundle of joy, baby Amalia Dimaggio.   

The End 

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There will be a third book :) Stay for the sneak peek