“It’s probably because he had to go hungry in the past. We need to show him that he’ll always get what he needs from now on.”
I nodded, unable to say anything. Alessio moved his lips, wanting the bottle again and I slowly slid it back in, making sure he didn’t choke.
Nino and I both stayed in the hospital with Alessio overnight, making sure he got everything he needed and was well protected. After initial protests, two nurses rolled in a bed for us to spend the night on … after Nino had a talk with them. I pushed it right next to the crib so I could watch Alessio while I lay in bed. Nino slid in beside me but he didn’t stretch out. With his back against the bars of the headrest, he kept vigil.
Alessio fidgeted a lot and cried a few times but always quieted when he felt our touch or got the bottle. I often caught myself lying awake, listening for Alessio’s soft breathing, trying to reassure myself that he was still there, still Nino’s and mine. Nino didn’t sleep at all. Whenever I woke, his eyes were open, keeping watch, protecting us.
“Sleep, Kiara,” he murmured eventually. “I’ll make sure you two are safe.”
I knew he would.
CHAPTER 23
KIARA
The next morning Alessio was released from hospital. Like Remo had said, nobody tried to stop us from taking him home. He was really our son; nobody would ever know him as anything else. Nino had arranged a baby seat for the SUV so we could transport Alessio safely, and I sat on the backseat beside it to calm our baby. He started crying the moment Nino started the car and eventually I managed to soothe him by singing for him and pressing my palm reassuringly against his chest.
Nino’s phone beeped once more. He’d been getting several messages since yesterday, and I wondered if some of them were from Remo, informing him about Alessio’s birth mother. Maybe it was selfish and cowardly, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what Remo had done to her.
Leona and Serafina had sent me several texts, congratulating me and I couldn’t wait to show them our son.
Our son. I still couldn’t get over how wonderful it felt to think that, to say that. It didn’t matter that he wasn’t our blood and it never would. He was ours.
Nino opened the gates with a press of the button and drove up the driveway toward the mansion. “This is your home, Alessio.”
Nino and I got out of the car then he carefully lifted Alessio out of his seat. Our baby looked so tiny in comparison to Nino, breakable. My heart felt impossibly full watching Nino holding Alessio, being careful and gentle with him.
“Do you want to carry him inside?” he asked quietly.
I nodded, because even if the sight of Alessio in Nino’s arm made my heart sing, I just wanted him close, wanted to smell his sweet baby scent, feel his warmth and stroke his soft cheek. Nino handed him to me and I pressed him to my chest.
His small fingers flattened against my skin and it was the best feeling in the world. Nino touched my back. “Come on. Let’s go inside so he can meet the rest of his family.”
I nodded but I couldn’t stop peering down at Alessio’s honey-colored crown. He loved being close to me and always quieted down when he felt my warmth, and I relished in the feel of his small body against mine. I beamed at Nino, deliriously happy.
Nino smiled at me. “You haven’t been this happy in a long time.”
“I’ve always been happy with you, but this makes it even more perfect.”
When we stepped inside the gaming room, everyone was already waiting. Fabiano and Leona, Serafina and Remo with the twins, and even Savio and Adamo. Serafina stood and walked over to me. “Oh, he’s cute.”
“He is,” I agreed.
Nevio stumbled over to me, curious as always and grabbed my knees. He pointed one tiny finger up at Alessio. “You want to see him?”
A jerky nod. Nino picked him up and held him close to me. Nevio tilted his head, watching everything with his dark eyes.
“Alessio’s going to be Greta’s and your best friend, Nevio.”
“They’ll get in trouble together, that’s for sure,” Remo said as he came over with Greta who was as curious about the new arrival as her brother but not as bold.
“See, Greta?” Remo murmured. “Now you aren’t the smallest person in this house. We need to teach you how to kick ass so you and Nevio can protect Alessio.”
Savio snorted. “Good luck. That kid doesn’t have a single aggressive bone in her body. No way will she ever kick anyone’s ass.”
Remo glowered at his brother. “I’ll teach her.”
I had to agree with Savio, which didn’t happen very often. Greta was soft-spoken, gentle and cautious, and I doubted that would change with time. Not everyone wanted to fight, and that was okay, even if Remo disagreed.