Song above for chapter: "Starlight" by Muse

FEDERICO

"Okay that's it!"

"You need to leave. Go to work, go have a night out with the boys, go golfing, go to a strip club, go do a hit on one of your enemies! Anything! Just go!" Elenora tells me exasperated.

She's been home from the hospital a little over two weeks now and I haven't left her side.

I think she's getting sick of me.

"You said you wouldn't get sick of me," I tell her, laying over her, listening to her heart beat with my eyes closed. I find myself waking up or falling asleep like this just to make sure she's here, she's alive, and with me.

"I'm not sick of you, Federico, but you need to keep living, keep working, doing the things that make you happy." Her nails scrape lightly on my scalp as she runs her fingers through my hair.

"Being with you makes me happy, mia patatina. And being with Matty, too, of course." (my little potato)

"Haven't you heard the saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder?" I can hear the smile in her voice.

I tighten my arms around her. "I think we've had enough absences throughout our relationship, Elenora,"

She sighs. "What am I going to do with you, Federico?"

"Love me, for me, till the end of time."

A smile lifts my lips when she erupts in laughter. "I do love you for you, mio polpetta." (my meatball)

I lift my head, resting my chin on her chest. "You know...I think I just need more convincing that you're really here, alive." I nuzzle my face into her chest and then bite her nipples that are standing at attention through my T-shirt she's wearing.

"I think my lips need more convincing, too." I lift the shirt and stick my head under it and begin kissing her stomach and up under her breasts, before covering one of her nipples with my mouth.

I moan when I get a taste of her breastmilk and her hands run through my hair, tugging on it. I lick and pull on her nipple with my teeth. "See, I figure, if my lips kiss every inch of your body, my brain will eventually get the signal and message that you're here, with me." I move my hand down over her thin lace panties, pressing my fingers over the top of her mound and she lifts her hips to press herself against my fingers.

I lift my head from under the shirt and begin kissing her neck; sucking and biting her sweet flesh, and my hand slips under the band of her panties, trailing my finger over her already wet, folds. I groan, envisioning tasting her already, but I change course and pull away, pecking her lips.

"You're right, though," I exhale for effect. "I should get out."

I sit up, turning away from her. "Luca's been rambling about Domani and I checking out that new club that opened and if you're up for me checking out a strip club..."

I suppress a chuckle at the sound of rustling clothes behind me. I run a hand through my morning hair and grab my watch to check the time, counting down to when she's going to stop me.

Three, two, one...

I'm pulled back on the bed and she comes over me, pinning my arms above my head. I'm pleased and amused to see she's completely naked now.

"You don't get to tease me like that and walk away, Federico Di Maggio." She kisses me and bites my lip, tugging on it, while simultaneously rolling her hips over me, rubbing her soaking pussy on my boxer briefs.

I fucking love this woman and I'm grateful every day we found each other. She flips her hair back to the side and kisses my neck and then my chest.

I groan as her nipples graze over me as she kisses me, leaning over to pull my boxers down and I help out.

"How's your shoulder and arm, baby?" I ask, panting as she trails kisses down my stomach and puts my cock in her mouth. She looks up at me as she sucks on it for a brief moment before she pops off.

"You know I like a little pain, Rico," She responds, licking and swirling her tongue over the tip. "I mean, I've love the sweet, tender love making we've been doing since I got home from the hospital, but right now, I need you to fuck me. Hard."

"I can do that."

I pull her up and throw her against the bed. "On your hands and knees, Elenora."

She rolls over and looks over her shoulder as I smack her ass and she lifts it up, readily. I stand at the end of the bed, and she pushes up against me impatiently.

I rub the precum on my dick against her glistening pussy, and then grip onto her hips as she comes down to her elbows and I slide into her in a smooth thrust; we both gasp at the amazing sensation.

I snake my hand into her hair and twist it into my fist, pulling enough to hear her hiss and moan as I plow into her over and over again.

"More." She demands and I let her hair go and grab her by the shoulders and pull her back, slamming into her; the headboard slams against the wall with each thrust.

"Oh, god," She moans.

"That's not my name," I say through my teeth, feeling myself already at the edge. "Say. My. Name." I demand with each hard thrust.

She moans my name loudly. "Fuck me, Rico!" She shouts. I let go of one of her shoulders and grab a hold of her hip as I continue to pile drive into her, even after I feel her clench around me and she screams my name with the orgasm that rips through her.

As I reach the peak of my own release, the fucking bed frame breaks and I have to fucking jump back as the legs give out before it comes smashing down on my feet.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I state, panting. "What kind of shit material are these fucking beds made from?"

"Obviously not Rico proof material," Elenora says, still laying face down. I smile as I come over her trailing kisses up her back.

I brush her hair back to the side so I can see her face and she's smiling with her eyes closed. I kiss her nose then her lips as I move her to lay on her side. I pull her to me and she nestles herself right in the crook of my neck and chest perfectly and she sighs.

I hold her, closing my eyes as I run my hands down her back. "I love you, Federico."

I tighten my arm around her and blow out some air. "I need to tell you something, amore." She tenses before she lifts her head to look up at me.

"It's not bad, at least I don't think it is." I reassure her seeing the worry etched on her face and pull her down on me again. I take a deep breath. "I'm giving the family over to Dante."

"Who?" She moves up on her elbow.

"I forget you don't know him by anything other than his nickname. Smiley. Smiley's real name is Dante." I inform her and her eyebrows pull together.

"Why not Domani?"

"I offered it to him first, but he turned it down. He said he goes where I go and considering how things are going between him and Clara, he'd rather not get more involved." I tell her running my fingers through her hair.

"What will he do? More importantly, what will you do?" She questions as she lays over me, tracing her finger over on my chest.

"Domani has a degree in business and you seem to forget I have mine in finance. And I ran most of the finance operations for the hotels I own."

A sheepish smile pulls at her lips. "I thought that was fake. You know, part of the whole ruse in the beginning. But I like hearing you're good with numbers." She grins at me.

"You can help our kids with math homework, because me and math," She shakes her head disgusted. "No bueno. It was getting to the point where I think Maya figured out things were getting a little too complicated for me. I was just doing the basic math with her before I moved out."

I chuckle. "So you're okay with it?"

"It's your choice really, but are you sure you want to walk away from what your father built, what you also helped rebuild and maintain all these years?"

"Aside from marrying you, I've never been more sure of anything, Elenora. All this life has ever given me is, enemies, death and darkness."

"It brought you to me," She replies.

I push her back and lean over her and kiss her. "And I'm grateful for that every day, but after what happened...if there's anything I can do to keep you and Matty safe from anything bad that could happen from this life, then I will do it."

"So...does this mean you're not going to go after Angela or Rosetta?" Her eyes meet mine tentatively.

I sit up and she follows to sit next to me. "That's different."

"Rico, Angela is not okay and Rosetta took advantage of her. She's been through enough don't you think?" She holds my hand in hers.

"Are you saying you've forgiven her? She almost killed you. She did kill you actually," I look at her surprised, trying to control my anger.

"I know how close it was, but she needs help, amore. And yes, I guess I'm saying I forgive her. She's not herself. She snapped. But Gabriel loves her, Rico. Don't keep repeating this never ending cycle of revenge and an eye for an eye crap. Not on Angela. Next to Domani, she's your longest friend."

"So you're saying to go after Rosetta?"

She shakes her head at me. "I'm saying if you're serious about walking away, then walk away from all of it. Rosetta is not worth it."

"I...I don't know how you can be so forgiving. I know I'm on the receiving end of your mercy, but Rosetta won't stop and if she does anything against you or Matty again, I don't think you could stop me from doing what must be done."

"If there's anything I've learned in the last year is the truth always comes out and she'll get what's coming to her one way or another. You keep saying you don't want anything to happen to me or Matty, but what about what could happen to you?"

Matty begins crying through the monitor. "I'll go get him," I kiss her head and walk to the dresser to grab a pair of sweats.

I walk down the hall to where Matty's room is and open the door. His little head pops up from his laying on his belly position. He kicks his legs out and babbles when he sees me. I smile as I walk closer to him. "How's my little man, today?"

He babbles in response and I pick him up as he grabs at my face and leans in with his mouth wide open giving me a slobbery kiss.

"Someone's hungry." I walk to his dresser and grab a change of clothes. "Let's get you changed before we take you to mamma." I lay him down on the change table and he clasps his hands together lifting his hands up and down and kicks his little legs rapidly.

I grimace when I open his diaper and see he's taken one of his morning dumps. "I think your mom needs to make up for all the diapers I've changed recently."

The monitor crackles. "I heard that." Her voice floats through the monitor and I chuckle.

"Oops, I forgot about the monitor, Matty," I whisper smiling at him and he coos and blows raspberries.

I kiss his squishy cheek and carry him back to our room. Elenora walks out of the bathroom dressed in black leggings and an oversized sweatshirt with her hair brushed out, the curls loose and wavy; her face is freshly washed.

"You're so fucking beautiful."

She smiles and runs her hand through her hair. "Thanks, love." She gives me a kiss then takes Matty from me.

"Well, good morning, mio polpettino," She smiles at him and kisses his face. "You look so handsome in your outfit!" (my little meatball)

Matty babbles back and nuzzles his face into her chest and she chuckles. "Why is he so cute?"

"Because he's our baby.".

She looks over at me once she settles into nursing. "What about Ciccio and Mostro?"

"What about them?" I ask as I head to the bathroom to turn the shower on.

"Are they going to stay with Smiley?"

"You think those two would actually leave Matty or you, for that matter?"

"They're loyal to you, Federico," She responds. "But won't they be...I don't know...bored?"

I chuckle. "Funny you should say that, because that's exactly what I said, except I didn't say bored. I said useless."

I duck in time from getting hit with a pillow from the chair. "You did not say useless!"

"I did, but I meant like they would feel useless, but they both said there's no way, with following you around with your work and helping out with Matty," I shrug. "They already live here as it is."

"Good." Elenora smiles wide and I give her a quick kiss and then Matty. He pops off Elenora's boob to smile at me and I chuckle as I rub his hair down, but it sticks right back up. I kiss his head again before taking a shower.

When I come back out, Matty is on a blanket on his belly playing with some toys, while Elenora is doing yoga. Her ass is up in the air so I walk up behind her and slap her ass before squeezing her, pressing myself against her and she laughs.

"Rico!"

"What? You can't blame me, you're practically begging me, posing like this."

My phone chimes and I slap her ass again before I walk to the night stand and see a couple messages from Domani.

Dom: Rosetta's been spotted in New York.

Dom: Pictures of her meeting with the Gallos are from yesterday night.

I open the attachment and look over the photos.

"Everything okay?" Elenora asks. I briefly struggle with deciding if I should tell her or not.

"Rosetta's in New York, again, " I explain. "I need to have a meeting with the men about her; they can decide what they want to do with the information and then tell them to back off the search for Angela, Gabriel and Renzo. This way I can officially give the family over to Dante."

"Where are you going to meet?"

"At the Di Maggio hotel." I head to the closet to grab a suit.

"Matty and I can come since I'm having lunch with Mrs. Jones and Ruben," She tells me as she walks into the bathroom and then walks out with her small make up bag and sits at the vanity. "Plus, we need to get a new bed."

"Shit, I can build a better frame than what we've been getting."

"Really?" She smiles back at me through the mirror.

"Yes, really."

"The thought of you shirtless, working with wood does intrigue me." She laughs at her own words and I shake my. "But seeing as I'd like an actual bed to sleep on sooner rather than later, I'll still look at some bed frames today." She winks back at me.

***