“Where’s my cake?” Marco suddenly appears, leaning against the doorway, as cocky as ever.
El sneers at Marco before she answers him. “Uh at the store in the ‘I’m lonely and need to shove this cake in my face to feel better.’ isle.”
“No one fucking asked you El.”
“Actually, you did so fuck off.”
El, who stands at a tiny 4’11” shoves 6’4” Marco out of the way as she drags Andrea out of the house. In return that leaves the three of us in awkward silence until Marco storms off.
Luci turns to me, standing on her toes as she presses a gentle kiss to my lips. When she pulls back, I notice a red journal in her hand. Had she been holding that the whole time?
“What’s that?”
“Geno gave this to me. He said it’s your mamma’s journal and that I should be the one to give it to you.” My heart drops. Gia kept a journal? I take the journal from her, noting thehandwriting on the front and the worn edges. Luci places her hands over mine and squeezes tight and our eyes meet.
“Do you want me to leave you alone?” Do I? She needed time to process, and to keep what’s in the letters she received to herself. I’m not sure I can be strong enough to do this alone.
“No. I should read this out loud to you. I think Gia would want me to.”
“Okay. Let’s go to your office.” I’m on autopilot as Luci leads me to my office, her hand and my wedding ring in one and a journal from my mamma in another.
I sit at my desk as she sits in the chair across the way and my heart races in my chest. While grasping the journal in my hands, I flip open the first page and begin.
“Date: May 15th”
Chapter 71
Gia
Date: May 15th
Hello, my baby. I found out about you today. I must be early, but I knew something was different. I’ve started this journal to write to you and remind myself of my blessings, our blessings. All I can say is, to my unborn child, these entries are for you.
Date: May 20th
I told Salvatore, your papa, about you today. Even before we got engaged, we knew children were in our future, but we never discussed when. His reaction was a stoic one, the one he shows when he’s processing information. Something you need to know about Salvatore is he needs time to think of his words before speaking them. Salvatore went back to work, but later he came home with bags of baby items, of course, all of it for a boy. He’s certain you’ll be a son. If I’m correct, I believe you’ll be a Christmas baby and my ultimate Christmas gift.
Date: June 16th
Salvatore and I went to dinner at Geno, your nonno’s house today. Geno guessed the moment I walked through the door that I was pregnant, even though Salvatore and I wanted to wait. He said the glow on my face gave away that I’m pregnant since my body isn’t changing yet. I think the glow was more from sweating on this surprisingly hot summer day, but we digress. It’s exciting to have everyone know so we can celebrate as a family instead of keeping you a secret. After I went home, Salvatore stayed with Geno to ‘celebrate as men,’ which I know includes a celebratory drink . . . or several. Salvatore came home that night after I went to sleep. When I woke up, he was kissing my belly ashe whispered sweet nothings. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have a man who’s already in love with you like I am.
Date: July 10th
I’m in this phase where I don’t look pregnant, but my body has slightly changed. I could easily excuse it by saying I’ve had extra dessert, which isn’t necessarily a lie. I crave any sort of dessert all day, every day. Of course, Salvatore and Geno insist on having a good diet to make you strong like all Leone men. They’ve become extremely protective of us, especially considering the world we are involved in. While I won’t go too far into it, you’ll know as you get older. While I want to argue with them, I know they’re right. When they’re not being overprotective, I often go for walks on our property, especially through our garden. This garden is my oasis, and I plan to bring you out here as often as possible.
Date: August 2nd
I’ve been feeling flutters recently. My doctor says it’s you moving, but you’re still too small for others to feel your feet. Yet. Salvatore can’t wait until he can feel you for himself. The man is so impatient sometimes. Thedoctor also says that you may be able to hear voices. The idea of talking to my belly is silly, but if it means you’ll recognize my voice, I would talk to you all day.
Date: September 19th
This pregnancy has become so real, you’ve become so real. You need to stay put until around Christmas, but if you were born right now, you could live. Every morning and night, I rub lotion on my belly while I speak, read, or sing to you. You especially enjoy it when I read to you. Salvatore tries to hold my belly when I read so he can feel you move, but you’re stubborn and stay still until Salvatore lets go. Stubbornness must be a trait that runs in Leone men.
Date: October 22nd
You are a crazy boy! You’re practically running a marathon in my belly and playing kickball with my bladder. And of course, it’s only at night when I’m trying to sleep. I’ll wake up in the middle of the night to Salvatore holding my belly as you move. I’m convinced the only thing you love more than when I read to you is when Salvatore speaks to you. On beautiful days I’ll spend hours sitting in the garden asI read to you, capturing as many pretty days before you’re here and we have to be inside while it’s cold. Before we know it, you’ll be here and then it’ll be warm enough that I can watch you fall in love with the garden like I am.
Date: November 28th
