Page 113 of Till Death Do Us Part
“I was thinking, you almost got your wish—the gutted part.”
I laid my hand over my stomach. “It’s not my wish. I love him and the idea of going on without him makes me ill.”
Dante’s eyes went to my hand. “Oh shit. I know that gesture.”
“It’s nothing.”
Dante slowly shook his head. “Catalina did it before they announced…”
A tired smile curled my lips. “I’m not sure. I’m only a week late. I haven’t told Aléjandro because if I had, he wouldn’t have wanted me to carry out our plan.”
My brother’s eyes shone. “You and Dario are making this marriage thing seem like it could work.”
“Don’t tell me that you’re considering it.”
“I called Dario earlier.” He lifted his eyebrows. “Asking for my capo’s approval.”
“Who?”
His smile grew. “The next step is Dario’s. If my offer is accepted, I’m sure you’ll hear.”
“Accepted by whom?”
“Now that would give it away.”
“Patr?n?”
Dario finished his tequila and set the glass on the table. “I’ll see you in September for your housewarming.”
“Yeah, I don’t know.”
He grasped my shoulders. “You have a beautiful home, a husband you love and who loves you, and maybe a little person on the way. Celebrate, Mia. You’ve lived through enough hell. It’s time for a bit of heaven.”
“I love you.”
He kissed my cheek.
“Hey,” I said, “don’t tell anyone. I want to tell Aléjandro first and maybe I’m not pregnant.”
“My lips are sealed.” He waved. “Giovanni is waiting and so is the plane. You know, you can always visit Kansas City.”
“I know.” I waited until Dante left and tiredly made my way back upstairs. Aléjandro was still sleeping in the same position. After washing my face, brushing my teeth, and changing into a nightgown, I climbed into bed. Scooting closer to my husband, I whispered, “I love you.”
After I thanked the heavens that Aléjandro was alive and the mole was uncovered, sleep came with my head on his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart and his measured breaths.
I should be concerned about Liliana, but I wasn’t. She would survive. I had. Maybe one day she’d find that not all marriages are horrible. Some are…as Dante said…heaven.
Epilogue~
Mia
Second Saturday in September
Standing on a chair, I secured the welcome sign above the table with a pink-icing cake decorated with ‘Welcome, Ariadna Gia’ scrolled in white frosting. While this gathering was to be our housewarming party, it would also be Ariadna’s first visit to the West Coast. She had an entire side of her family anxious to meet her.
“Qué estás haciendo?”
I turned and smiled at the deep voice.