“And we will need a daughter,” he says. “A girl we will name after your mother.”
I’m lost for words, and my heart surges. Tears fall, and I nod. “I’d like that.”
Dante holds my face close, and he kisses my wet eyes, wet cheeks, and then the end of my silly button nose.
I’m not such a screw up after all, and maybe, just maybe I’ll get to build a home and a family in this universe.
Eighteen months later,in the warm Tuscan castle, I give birth to twins. The pain is more intense than my first anal, but it has to be done unlike… that! I’ve felt enormous for so long now, it’s about time they come out.
Finally, after a last long push, I slump as the second voice cries out.
As my cleaned-up babies are finally placed on my chest, Dante and Nonna congratulate me. I glow as Nonna looks down, beaming.
“Your mother would be proud, darling. I know… because I am.”
I shed a tear, and Nonna squeezes Dante’s hand, before she slides out of the room. I could not have done it without her, and the wise old woman is now like a mother to me.
Everyone is in the next room, and we are suddenly alone without the midwife, doctor, or anyone.
It’s the first time Dante and I have been alone in a day.
As Dante holds my hand, he looks down in awe at our new family. I gush, full of all kinds of new emotions.
I never imagined myself being a mother, and I never thought I’d be married. Now, I am both. The thing is it all feels so…
Natural.
“A girl and a boy,” I say.
“Jessica and Gio,” Dante says with wet eyes.
“Jessy and Gio,” I say, full of emotion.
Our Italian wedding was glorious,and all of Dante’s friends attended, as did Dad, Parker, a few relatives, and a few pals from NYC. It was nice to see the very charming Nico, gorgeous Lorenzo, and gentle Storm, his new wife.
Nico’s best man’s wedding speech was touching, and he has a huge heart. The gorgeous gentleman is somehow still single, and he confided in me he’s given up trying to find the one. I hope to God he does not, because behind those perfect features is the strength of a king and the heart of an old-fashioned romantic.
He is simply too special to go through life alone.
As I look down at our daughter and son, I think of my pregnancy. It was both glorious and easy. Actually, that is a complete lie, and the vomiting sucked. I often felt gross, but beyond that, it was an incredible experience.
Especially now!
Dante and I are surrounded by supportive friends and family, and deep down, I know my mother is watching me from somewhere.
I hope she is proud, but deep down, I know I’m half her, and she is always within. The darlings on my chest also have my mother within.
We are all one, and I guess everything comes full circle.
It’s almost too much, and as my eyes find Dante’s, he thumbs away my tears. He is the perfect husband, and I have no doubt he will be a spectacular father to our children.
A lot has happened in the last few years, and I now see that life is full of ups and downs. That lightness only exists when there is a little darkness. With good comes bad, and there will always be life and death.
One has to take the good with the bad, and that is basically…
Life.
As long as we surround ourselves with people who love us and protect us, it’s really all we can do.
