Luciano Fierri [Book #3]

Bonus Chapter 2

Eight months later (Alternate ending pt.2)
Valeria's POV
"Do you, Luciano Aurelius Fierri, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

The pads of Luciano's thumbs caressed my knuckles, a blush painting his cheeks when I smiled up at him. "I do," he whispered nervously.

The minister smiled, glancing in my direction. "Do you, Valeria Ellenore Romanos, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I... I..." The smile on Luciano's face faltered, the hopeful look in his eyes replaced with worry. I looked down at the floor, something wet having trickled down in between my thighs and pooled at my feet. "Merda(Shit)."

"Val-"

"My water just broke," I interrupted. 

The sound of our family and friends gasping in the audience seems to yank a frozen Luciano out of his trance."Cazzo(Fuck). I'm going to be a daddy."

Next thing I know, I being rushed out of the chapel, shoved in the back of Marcellius' limo, and being transported to the nearest hospital.

Our baby girl wasn't expected to arrive for a couple more days. We, of course, wanted to get married before she got here, but so many things kept getting in the way and Luciano wanted it to be perfect.

"Just breathe, baby."

"I'm trying," Luciano says, struggling to keep his breathing under control. I was the one having the baby. I should be the one freaking out. I shook my head, chuckling to myself.

I gave his hand a squeeze when I felt another contraction hit. 

"We are almost there," Ramzi assured, currently driving like a mad man.

When we reached the hospital a few minutes later, nurses were already waiting outside. Helping me out of the car, they led me into the building and down the hall to the birthing room, a frantic Luciano following suit.

Luciano helped me out of my wedding dress and into a hospital gown. Laying down on the bed, nurses surrounded me, family and friends waiting outside the door for the newest addition of the Fierri family to arrive.

The doctor, who's also helped to bring all of Mia and Autumn's kids into the world, walked into the room and smiled. "Are you ready, Mr. and Mrs. Fierri?"

I nodded, but then frowned when I realized that Luciano and I still weren't married. "Wait. I can't give birth just yet." Everyone was sporting a perplexed expression on their faces. "Where is the minister?"

"I don't think now is the time for that, Val," Luciano whispered in my ear. "We can wait until after-"

"No," I interjected. "Bring me the minister. I refuse to spend another minute without being your wife, Luce."

He stared at me wide-eyed, before smiling and nodding. He brought the back of my hand up to his lips and planted a sweet kiss on my knuckles.

The minister was brought in, Niccolo having threatened to shoot him if he hadn't followed us to the hospital.

Glancing back at Niccolo, who carelessly waved his gun at him and motioned him forward, the minister gulped and rushed over to us. He was nervous as he spoke, but proceeded to continue officiating our wedding.

After exchanging rings, the minister finished with, "by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Luciano cupped my face in his hands and kissed me, his lips soft against mine. He pulled back, pushing my hair out of my face. "I love you, Valeria Fierri."

"I love you, Luciano Fierri." I smiled up at him. "Are you ready to meet your baby girl?"

He nodded. "Si(yes), more than ready."

****

Luciano sobbed as soon as the doctor placed our daughter in his arms. "She's so beautiful, Val," he sniffled, staring down at a pair of bright green eyes that mirrored his own. "Mia piccola Luna(My little Luna)."

I looked to the door when it opened and Mama Fierri, along with the rest of our family came in. They surrounded us, their attention on the little bundle of love in Luciano's arms.

They awed at the sound of her cooing, their hearts as well as mine swelling with warmth at the tiny adorable sound.

"She looks just like you, Luci," Marcellius said, glancing down at his niece.

"Truthfully, it's a little scary," Cesare added. He pointed to the birthmark behind her ear. "Same hair, eyes, and birthmark."

Cesare looked to the doctor, in which he assured us that it was normal and that there was nothing we needed to worry about.

I eyed my baby girl, smiling. The way she seemed to light up a room, bringing about a sense of peace and security. There was no denying that she was his.

****

We stayed overnight, everyone else going home while Luciano made himself comfortable on the pull out bed.

He snored loudly, making it difficult for me to get any sleep. "Luce, wake up," I grumbled, tossing the TV remote at him.

The little device smacked him in his chest and he jolted awake. Stretching and yawning, he looked over at me, his eyes still heavy with sleep.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?"

"I can't go to sleep with you snoring."

Groggily getting out of the bed, he checked on Luna, who seemed to also be having a hard time falling asleep.

She began to cry softly, Luciano lifting her up and out of the hospital bassinet. Snuggling her close, he climbed into the twin sized bed with me and rocked her gently.

She continued crying, Luciano trying to figure out what she needed. I just fed and changed less than an hour ago, so I don't think that's what she wanted.

Grabbing her pacifier off the bedside table, I offered the nipple to her. Turning her head left and right, she whined, refusing to accept the pacifier.

"I don't know what she wants, Luce."

I was growing a bit frustrated, not having had a full night's rest in quite awhile.

This isn't exactly what I was hoping to be doing on our honeymoon, but I'm very glad she's here and healthy.

"I have an idea." He cleared his throat and continued to rock her gently. "Let's try singing the song our mothers used to sing to us."

"Brilla, brilla una stellina(Twinkle, twinkle little star)..." We sang in unison. "It's working," I whispered with a small laugh.

Luna had stopped crying. Sticking her arm out of the swaddle, she coiled her tiny, plump fingers around Luciano's index finger and gave him a toothless smile.

Leaning in, Luciano kissed Luna's forehead, and then kissed my cheek. "Get some rest, my love. I don't mind singing until you are both asleep."

Closing my eyes, I released a tired sigh and snuggled up against his arm. Silently humming the lyrics to our favorite song, I let Luciano's sweet voice sing me to sleep.