4. The Andiacchi's??

Dina

A cup of steaming hot tea was placed in front of me by a woman who I was pretty sure was going to beat the shit out of me again when she saw me.

I watched her as she poured cups for Mateo and herself.

She looked so graceful. So beautiful. I envy her. She looks as if she's never endured any real pain. As if her biggest issue was choosing between her Prada or Birkin bag. I mean, the way Mateo speaks about her is enough to envy her. Before I even laid eyes on her, I knew she was beautiful based on Mateo's description of her.

Over a year ago

I watched in amazement as Mateo sketched out the entire design of a house. The way he's just able to freehand such a beautiful design in such a short period of time.

"It's very Mediterranean."
"Well, she is a very proud Italian woman. I want this house to be ours. It needs to have those touches of Italian, Spanish, and I want to throw in a few accents of her Russian culture. I need her to love it."
"What's this?", I pointed at a room that he labeled 'N'.

He stilled before a smile broke across his face.

"That's the nursery. Karina's pregnant."

My eyes widened as a gasp escaped my lips.

"She's what? That's amazing. Where is she?"

A look that I never saw on his spread across his face. He almost looked...hurt.

"She..uh...She's out of town for work."
"Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. I just really want to get started on our house. It needs to be perfect for her."
"Mateo, she's not going to care much about the house itself. She'll care more that you two will be sharing a home together with your kid."
"I know, but I want her to be happy here. She's so perfect and she deserves a perfect home."
"You're really in love with her. We should all come over to meet her someday."
"Uh.. yeah, maybe when she comes back."

I looked at the coffee table and saw that a framed picture was faced down. It must've fell over. I picked it up and my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of the brunette beauty.

"Wow, Mateo, she's gorgeous."
"Yeah, she is.", he beamed at the photo.
"So, is she the one?"

He blushed and nodded his head as he looked down at the house design.

"Karina Andiacchi is the only one for me."

Present

"So, why are you here?", Mateo asked aggressively. Karina subtly nudged him.

"I haven't been able to stop thinking about what happened and how much I hurt you both. I know it's really late and you two have every right to throw me out right now. I just want you both to know that I am so sorry that I kissed you, Mateo. Karina, I didn't mean to disrespect your home."
"I forgive you, Dina.", she said softly. Her eyes softened as she let out a breath. Mateo shot his head towards her.
"You do?", I asked.
"I know that you didn't intend to hurt me."

Before I could respond, a loud cry sounded off.

"Well, I should let you guys take care of them. I'm sorry for coming here so late."

Karina

After Dina left, I went to the nursery and changed Valentina's wet diaper before rocking her back to sleep.

"How could you do that?", Mateo asked as we stepped out the nursery. He followed me to my bedroom.
"Do what?"
"Forgive her. Karina, we are so far from being okay and you just went and forgave her when you haven't even forgave me."
"She wasn't my fiancé. I didn't plan a future with Dina. I didn't start a family with Dina. She didn't break the basic rules of our relationship."
"It was a stupid kiss! It was a mistake, Karina."
"I'm tired of talking about this, Mateo. I told you I needed time. Don't push it."

He let out a sigh and nodded.

"I'm going to stay at Mamá's house. I'll come check back on you and the kids."
"Wait, why?", I asked frantically.
"Karina, we can't keep doing this. It's torture. The way you look at me is torture. Not seeing that ring on your finger is absolute torture.  I can see that you're trying to hold on to our love, but you hate me right now. I want to give you your time and space."
"I didn't ask for space. I don't want it."
"But you need it. If you don't take this time, we'll never get past it. Karina, I'm in love with you and I don't want this to be the end of us. You're the woman that I still hope to marry.", he said as he lifted my chin up with his thumb and leaned down to place a kiss on my lips. I sighed into the kiss that was too short for my liking.

"I love you.", I whispered.
"I know, baby. I love you so much.", he spoke softly before pulling away and leaving me in my room.

Lux

I had just finished rocking Willow to sleep when I felt my phone vibrate. I gently placed her down and eased out the room.

I frowned when I saw it was Mateo.

"Hey, is everything okay?", I asked as I answered.
"Um, no actually. I just left Karina."
"Left her where?"

I heard him sniffle and the sounds of New York as he drove.

"I moved out of our house. She realized she wasn't over the kiss and I wanted to give her space."
"Did she ask you to leave?"
"No...Did I make a mistake?"

I sighed and walked into the guest room where I found my nude husband waiting for me. He smirked innocently when he saw me.

"I don't think you've made a mistake. It was a good move to give her some space. She just needs some extra time to process her feelings. I'm sure she'll be calling you in a few days to move back in."
"I hope you're right. Can you make sure she's okay though?"
"Of course. We'll be back in New York tomorrow. I'll check on her as soon as we get there."
"Thank you, Lux."

I hung up and turned my attention to my Dom.

"Is Karina okay?"
"I hope so. I'll check on her and the kids tomorrow.", I said as I straddled his lap.
"Do you think I could come?", he asked quietly.
"To see your sister? You know you don't have to ask."
"It's just that the kids have only seen me a handful of times. I'm worried that they won't like me."
"Dom, they're babies. They like everything except mashed peas and wet diapers."
"It's just that I see how happy Willow gets when Karina walks in. The way her little face lights up and she starts babbling. I want them to look at me like that."
"They will. They're gonna love their Uncle Giovanni."

He smiled sweetly before wrapping his arms around me.

"I love you."
"I love you too."