"But I would not make the same choices either."
"No, I don't think you would." He'd grown, just as she had. That very heartfelt apology showed it. "Just like you didn't with Jo-Jo. You listened to me about her."
"I'm glad you realize that and don't hold the contract against me. That was such a—"
She interrupted before he could start self-flagellating. She was glad he was sorry, but she didn't want him being so down on himself. "You burned it." She'd seen the ashes in the study fireplace. "You never had any intention of forcing me to sign it."
"No. I promise you; I never did."
Since she'd never thought he was serious and it was his version of going off the rails, like he'd said at the hospital, she believed him.
He let go of her hands and stood up. "Now, I do not know what you want." It was a big admission for such a confident, take-charge man.
"I want a family," Annette assured him. "But I want to work and make a difference for at risk youth too."
"Sì. Absolutely. You would not be the precious woman that you are otherwise. I finally understand that."
"It's only taken five years." Which really? Wasn't all that long in the scheme of things.
He smiled. "You always take the positive view."
"I didn't five years ago," she admitted.
"You were wrong about one thing."
"What's that?"
He reached down and grabbed his mug, drinking what appeared to be the last of his warmed milk and then put the mug down. "I didn't need a perfect wife. I wanted you. I still want you."
"Even though I'm a bad bet?" she teased.
"You are not. Neither am I, because I will never again make choices for you without consulting you, this I promise you."
"There are other deal breakers, but that's a big one."
"Oh, yes, what are they?" He got up and put both now empty mugs in the sink.
She stood, yawning, suddenly very tired. "I'll put them in the prenup."
He went very still. "You are saying you will marry me?"
"Yes, Carlo, I will marry you. This time we both have a better understanding of what we expect going in."
"We do, but there will be no prenup."
"What?" Even the shock of that statement couldn't rouse much energy in her. "Did you put sleeping pills in my milk?"
"No, you are just worn out worrying about everyone. It cannot be good for you, or the baby."
"No, I don't suppose it is." She covered her mouth before yawning again.
He guided her from the kitchen, his arm at her back all the way up the stairs and down the hall to her room.
She stopped in front of her door, but didn't go in. "Sleep with me. I'm cold without you."
Carlo didn't reply but he followed her into her room.
The next morning Annette met Carlo for breakfast like usual. What was not usual was the ring box sitting beside her plate.