Chapter 9 - THE HEALING
Two months later.
The Mediterranean sun sparkled across the deep blue waters of Lake Como, illuminating the white stone terraces of the Rinaldi private villa.
The warm summer breeze carried the scent of blooming lemons and olive trees across the balcony.
Matteo stood near the stone balustrade, wearing an open-collared white linen shirt, holding two glasses of chilled wine.
Elena walked out onto the terrace, wearing a floating yellow sundress that caught the afternoon light. Her skin was warm and golden, her eyes bright, and the cold, weary hollows in her cheeks had completely vanished, replaced by a radiant health.
Matteo turned, his heart swelling as he watched her approach.
Even after two months of having her back in his arms every night, he still felt a surge of awe every time he looked at her.
“The doctor just left,” Elena said softly, stepping into his space, resting her hands against his chest.
Matteo set the wine glasses down on the table, his hands wrapping gently around her waist. “And what did Dr. Rossi say?”
Elena looked up into his dark eyes, a beautiful, secret smile spreading across her lips.
She took his right hand and gently moved it down her stomach, resting his palm over her warm waist.
“He said,” Elena whispered, her voice thick with happy emotion, “that in seven months, you’re going to have to start building a nursery.”
Matteo froze.
He stared at her face, his eyes searching hers, his breath catching completely in his throat. “Elena... are you...?”
“I’m pregnant, Matteo,” she sobbed softly with joy, tears of happiness spilling down her cheeks. “We’re having a baby.”
A roar of pure, unadulterated joy erupted from Matteo’s chest.
He lifted her off her feet, spinning her around on the sunlit terrace while she laughed brightly against his neck. He kissed her cheeks, her lips, her forehead, holding her as if she was the most precious treasure in the universe.
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“A baby...” Matteo rasped, holding her tight against his heart, his eyes wet with tears. “We’re going to be a family.”
“We’ve always been a family, Matteo,” Elena whispered back, pressing her forehead against his. “We just had to survive the night to see the morning.”
