♥ Epilogue: Part 1♥

Isabella Conti.

Four months later.

With each passing day, it seems like time flies. It's been four months since we found out our baby is a boy. These months have been magical, like an enchanted dream that I never want to end.

Alessio has been incredible, taking care of me with care and dedication that surpassed anything I could have imagined. Always ready to meet any requirement he had, whether big or small, he is the pillar that supports our entire little family. During pregnancy, my hormones were on the rise, and our intimacy not only remained, but intensified.

My love for Alessio grew every day, as did the love I feel for our son. Each week, he became more present, showing his concern and affection with every detail. He hired a team to organize our baby's room, decorating it exactly the way we dreamed. His dedication to preparing everything for our son's arrival is proof of the deep love he feels for us.

My friends were overjoyed to find out that we were expecting a boy. Whenever we met, they helped me choose clothes and other cute items for the baby. It was a pleasure to share these moments with them, and the happiness they showed only added even more joy to my life. I wish Tom was around, to meet his nephew. Unfortunately, he is very far away.

Everything is going exactly as I want it to. Every day is a new adventure, and I feel like life is giving us everything I've ever dreamed of. The love I feel for Alessio and our son is immense and unconditional. Alessio has become a devoted father and an exemplary partner, and our son is on his way to bringing new light into our lives.

*****

10.20: '' Alessio's house. ''Fourth. ''Portevecchio.

At this moment, Alessio organizes our suitcase with almost obsessive precision. We're going to the hospital, and I'm nine months pregnant. Our son could arrive at any moment, and Dr. Taylor thought it'd be best for me to be at the hospital already to make sure we were prepared for labor.

It's funny to see Alessio's anxiety. He is so worried that he can barely sleep and has a constant feeling of restlessness, as if anything could happen at any moment. While he meticulously tidies everything up, I'm sitting on the bed, my huge belly resting on the sheets, watching him with a smile on my face.

'' Love, you don't need to add so many things. '' I say, trying to relieve some tension in the air. ''Once our child is born, I will only be in the hospital for three or four days.

Alessio closes the suitcase with a decisive click and looks at me with those eyes that always have the ability to make me feel like I can't disobey.

'' You will only return home when you are 100 percent well. '' He says, with a serious tone.

His seriousness makes me giggle.

'' It doesn't have to be that serious, love.

He lets out a sigh and approaches me, cupping my face with a caress that is both comforting and full of concern.

'' I know I may be exaggerating. '' He says with a tender look. ''But I worry about you and our son. I want you to be well, without any problems. It's my duty to make sure everything is perfect for you.

The sincerity in his voice is palpable, and I feel a warmth in my chest as I realize how much he cares. Your love for us is so deep that it overflows in every small gesture and word.

'' Don't worry so much. '' I say softly, placing my hand over his. ''We will be fine. And I'm sure that, with you by my side, everything will go perfectly.

He smiles, though there's still a glint of concern in his eyes. Then, as if he needed a final touch to calm his heart, he kneels beside me and places his head on my belly.

'' I'm just making sure our little one knows that Daddy is here, looking forward to meeting him. '' He says, his tone loaded with love and tenderness.

I feel a pain in my heart. Every time he talks to our son like that, I realize how much Alessio has changed. Before, he didn't know love and didn't really know how to show it, but now he doesn't care about showing the love he feels for our son.

'' He knows. '' I say with a smile. ''Acting like this, you don't even look like that cruel, murderous mobster I knew.

Alessio laughs softly, a deep, comforting sound.

'' I'm still that cruel, murderous mobster, my queen. I just chose to show you and our son the good side of me, just for you. But to the rest of the world, I will always be Alessio Vecchio, the king of the underworld, the king of Portevecchio. And you, my beauty, are my queen.

His eyes shine with a mix of fun and love. He leans in and kisses me with a softness that contrasts with his fear of fame. I feel enveloped by his affection, and I know that, regardless of his reputation, for me and our son, he will always be the man who loves and protects us above all else.

'' We have to go, my queen. '' Says Alessio softly after the kiss.

I smile and nod. He takes the suitcase and helps me up. I link my arm with his, and we start to leave the room, walking very slowly. My belly has grown so much that I can't walk fast. Arriving at the top of the stairs, he says:

'' Wait here.

He quickly descends with the suitcase in his hands and hands it to Dante, then returns to the top of the stairs and picks me up. Go down the stairs calmly while I kiss your neck affectionately. When we get outside, Dante opens the car door, and Alessio helps me get in carefully. Then he enters, standing next to me. As soon as Dante gets in the car, Alessio orders:

'' Let's go to the hospital.

Dante nods and starts the car, heading towards the hospital. Alessio takes my hand and kisses it calmly, making me smile at his affection. I feel a comforting warmth spread through my body, and as I look out the window, my mind travels to my past.

I remember the day I was cheated on by my boyfriend with my cousin and the pain, and feeling of abandonment that consumed me. Then comes to light the moment when I decided to leave my manipulative parents' house, finally freeing myself from their control, and went to live with my friend Gabi. These were difficult times, but they were essential steps towards my freedom.

Then, I remember the day I met Alessio. The fear I felt when I saw the scariest man I had ever met—a man whose presence dominated any space—but along with the fear, there was an irresistible attraction. The aura of power and raw beauty he emanated captivated me in a way I had never experienced. I fought these feelings, trying to deny the truth my heart already knew. However, every moment with him made me realize it wasn't just attraction; it was love.

And now, here I am, pregnant with the fruit of that love. Every kick from our baby is a reminder of how our lives have changed. The past, with all its pain and struggles, seems like a distant path that leads me to this moment of happiness. Everything we faced, every challenge, made us stronger and brought us even closer together.

I look at Alessio, my cruel and ruthless mobster, who has become the man who loves and protects me above all else. His transformation is as profound as mine. From a man who was unfamiliar with love, he became the eager and loving father of our son.

I squeeze his hand and whisper, feeling the tears of joy in my eyes.

'' I love you, Alessio. '' I say softly.

He looks at me with intensity.

'' I love you too, my queen. ''Kisses my cheek affectionately.