“Nonna and my mother will want to know as soon as possible, but all that can wait until after the appointment, Bambina.” Roman insists. “We don’t have to rush spreading the news.”
“But you’re all so happy and I’m happy and this is big!” I argue.
“And we can keep it just us for a while,” Nick convinces.
“Well, and Valerie.” Gunner throws his thumb in the direction of her room. “And Tristan. They can keep secrets, right? Or is Valerie going to get on a table and shout it at the party?”
“I can keep a secret!” Valerie yells.
“Shush!” Tristan orders.
I laugh and shake my head. “First things, first. Dinner.”
We agree, then call Valerie and Tristan out since they’re eavesdropping anyway. I wouldn’t expect anything different from them.
I manage to keep down mac and cheese along with mashed potatoes.
Valerie keeps asking me more questions about the baby, how we’re going to differentiate who their father is, how we’re going to raise them, but I don’t think we need to worry about that. We have time like she’d said earlier and since all four men are my husbands, they’re all going to be the father.
It’s that simple for me. And I don’t really care who says what, who weighs in, or anything in between. I know that we’re going to make it work.
Valerie goes to crash in my room and Tristan in the guest room when we get back. I linger on the couch, not really sure what to do with myself. Now that I’m not nauseous or angry, I feel good. Really good. And I also feel bad about pushing Roman away last night. Gunner and Nick go to bed, saying they’re going to need the time to wind down or they’re never going to be able to sleep. Holden has to make up for not working a ton today, which leaves Roman with me on the couch.
“Will you still love me when I’m all fat and twice as grumpy?” I ask.
“There will be more of you to love, Bambina.” He says with his warm breath in my ear then kissing my neck, he purrs. “With our baby growing inside you.”
“Are you … are you turned on?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes.” He pulls me towards him greedily. “Happy, horny, all yours for the taking.”
“Oh, I get to be in charge. Now I know you’re full of shit,” I tease.
Roman tips us over, holding my hands down over my head to kiss me hungrily. But each kiss leads into another, over and over again until I think I’m actually high on kissing him. My fingers tighten on his and I roll my hips to meet his.
“Si?” he asks.
“Si, amore,” I purr.
Roman groans and shows me everything I’ve been missing out on. He’s so good, his mouth, his body, the way he loves me so thoroughly every single time. Even when he’s gentle – which he comparatively is tonight – Roman is … something else entirely. A walking dream of a man.
We lay on the couch together naked after we both come and he kisses the top of my head while wrapping a blanket around me. “No more birth control pills. No more alcohol. Be careful with fish. I don’t remember the rest.”
His brow furrows and I smooth out the lines. “Save all that worry for like … seven months from now.”
Roman grins and kisses me softly. He snuggles me closer. “I’m very happy, Bambina.”
“I can tell. You’re louder when you’re happy.” I tap his nose.
We manage to get to his room and cuddle the whole night. But when I wake up, he’s gone. I pout a little. I hate when he gets up before me and leaves me all by myself. The bed is always colder. I grumble to myself, get through a shower, then get dressed in one of his shirts.
I can hear Italian music playing from the kitchen and go down to see Roman happily cooking enough for an entire army. I shake my head at him. “Good morning, Roman.” I hum.
“Bambina!” He twirls me around, but I land against another hard chest. “I’m teaching Gunner to cook.”
Gunner dips me back and when he jerks me up, I steady myself against his chest. “Easy. Morning sickness.”
Gunner kisses me softly. “Sorry, sweets.” He rubs my belly in slow circles. “We made everything you could possibly want.”