“My friend, I get it. My wife is pregnant again, as well. Must take care of their needs first. Right?”
“Damn straight.” I hang up, and as I drive, I think of how much has happened in the last six months.
Lily and I were married the next weekend after she got out of the hospital. Both of her sisters were able to make it, and that made her happy. When we found out we were having a boy, I dropped to my knees and thanked God for giving me a chance to be a better father than my own.
We have not found my father, and the Coronado’s interest in me has waned a bit thanks to some strategically placed bombs and a few lives that needed to be snuffed out. Not saying they won’t come for me again, but now I am ready for them.
The most important thing in my life is lying in bed asleep, waiting for me to come home. Both of them. She is the good to my bad, the light to my dark, the sweet to my sour. She is my wife, my queen, my best friend, my everything.
EPILOGUE
LILY
FIVE YEARS LATER
“JJ, stop teasing your sister and cousin.” That boy is a mess, just like his dad.
“Mom, I was just playing,” he says, walking into the house sulking. His cute face gets me every time, but I don’t like it when he picks on the little kids.
“Junior, your mother gave you an order. Didn’t she?” My husband comes from behind me and immediately starts to fix the situation. I watch as he gets down on his haunches and looks our son in the face. “You are the oldest little man. That makes you the protector of all the ones smaller than you, especially your little sister and cousins. What is the man’s job?”
“To make sure his family is safe and happy.”
“Exactly. It is a big job, but God gave it to the both of us, little man, and we have to come through. Now, be a good boy and go apologize and say sorry to your mama as well.” he ruffles his head and stands up. My boy comes over to me and stands with his head up and shoulders back.
“I am sorry, mama, for talking back.” I lean down as much as my pregnant belly will let me and kiss his cheek.
“I love you, baby boy.” he blushes and walks away. “Thank you,” I say to my husband, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“You don't have to thank me for doing what I was made to do. How are you feeling?” he asks, rubbing my swollen stomach.
“Tired but happy.” It is true. I am exhausted right now. We have been planning this birthday party for our daughter, who turned four today, for the last three months. Trying to plan a party while wrangling four kids and being seven months pregnant is no easy feat. Yeah, you heard me, four kids. We have JJ(Julio Junior), who is five years old, followed by Azalea, who turned four today, two-year-old Maximus, and eleven-month-old Juan. I am currently pregnant with a baby girl. People ask me all the time if I am done, and I always say, “The day my husband's seed stops working is the day God says we are finished.” It is the truth. We love our family, and every time I get pregnant, the joy is like the first time.
“Why don’t you go sit down with Jewel and the girls. I got this baby.” I kiss my husband, the man who looks after me like I am the most precious thing in the world to him.
“Thanks, babe.” I walk into the backyard and smile when I see everyone outside enjoying themselves. It always fills my heart when we can all gather together with our families. Currently, my twin sister Chiara is here with her husband and children, as well as Daffodil and her family, Scar and his wife and kids, of course, Dario and Jewel, but most importantly, my older sister Giulia. Her journey has been hard and long fought, but that is not my story to tell.
“Are you happy, baby?” My husband comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me, his hands resting on our daughter.
“Infinitely.”
“Not as happy as me, angel. I would have none of this without your love, faith, and trust in me. Thank you, my love.” I love this man except for when he makes me cry. I turn in his arms and look in his eyes.
“You are the one who keeps us safe and spoils us with your love and attention. The day you stopped running from what we had, you blessed us. I love you, Julio, with everything I am.”
For the rest of my life.