Love, Evangeline

46.

I walked into the dinning hall with Domenico behind me, holding my hand. " And I thought you two would never come down," Gio teased. I smiled, " good morning to you too." Mya walked up to Domenico and I, " what took you guys so long?" Mya's eyes wavered down to my neck before flashing back up to me eyes. " Jesus Christ," Mya chuckled as she looked at Domenico. Holding back a smile, Domenico said, " what's for breakfast?" " I'm pretty sure you two already ate," Mya retorted. Mrs. Berlusconi walked into the dinning hall with a smile on her face. " Good morning you two," Mrs. Berlusconi made her way over to me before she embraced me. " Have you called your family yet?" Mrs. Berlusconi asked. " Not yet," I answered.

Mrs. Berlusconi raised her eyebrows as she stepped back. " As much as I love you Evangeline and am pleased more than anything that you are staying with us," Mrs. Berlusconi began to say. " Mother," Domenico muttered calmly as he stood beside me. " I'm just saying, I want your family to know that we're not holding you hostage here," Mrs. Berlusconi said defensively. " My dad and my brothers are always working, and my mom has the library to distract her," I assured Mrs Berlusconi. " They won't even notice me gone." Scoffing, Mrs. Berlusconi said, " oh, that's not true Evangeline." " It doesn't matter," Gio said. I looked at him, " she's living with us now, right?" Gio said smiling. I shook my head, " only so I can take care of you." Gio raised his eyebrows as Domenico and his mother laughed. " You're hilarious," Gio sarcastically uttered.

Grabbing my hand, Mya pulled me over to where her and her sisters were sitting. Domenico followed behind me as Gio returned back to his seat. " So," Gianna said. " How's the baby?" I smiled as Domenico rested his hand on my thigh. " She's healthy, no problems yet," I answered. Looking at Domenico, Gio teased as servants entered the dinning hall, " I must say,  I never imagined you as a dad." Domenico scoffed, " I never imaged you as a functioning person yet, you're who are you now because of me." Gio's eyebrows shot up as Mya and everyone else laughed. " That's bullshit, and you know it," Gio said defensively.

Walking around my chair, a servant placed two plates of food down in front of me. I inhaled deeply, the delicious, mouthwatering assortments on my plate had me on the edge of my seat. Now that I was pregnant, I had to nourish and eat for two. " Thank you," I thanked the servant as she smiled at me. Right as I looked back down at my plate, a unsettling wave fell down onto me. The smile that had taken over Domenico's face slowly faded as he looked at me. " You okay?" Domenico asked softly. " Yeah, it's just, the food," I explained. " You want something else?" Domenico asked. I shook my head, " no, it's fine." " Evangeline, if you don't feel good," Domenico began to say. " It's okay, I can eat it," I simply said.

Domenico stared at me for a few seconds before entwining his hands with mine, and placing it on his leg. Averting my attention back to my plate, I sighed before picking up my fork and eating the pancakes that had been prepared for me.

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" Mrs. Berlusconi, the food was delicious, thank you," I said as Domenico and I stood up from the table. " Thank you Evangeline," Mrs. Berlusconi said as a servant pulled back her chair, stepping aside. As Mrs. Berlusconi stood up from her chair, Domenico's phone rang. " Evangeline, Mya and the others are going out this afternoon, would you care to join them?" " Yes, of course," I said smiling. Raising his phone to his ear, Domenico turned and walked out of the dinning hall. I quickly looked at him before Mya and the rest of her siblings stood up from their seats.

" The girls have something they've planned today," Mrs. Berlusconi informed as Mya and her sister walked up beside me. " Every year, Italy hosts a fashion show for famous designers," Gianna said. " Besides going to see the hot men that attend," Mya began to say. I smiled immediately as Mya chuckled before continuing to say, "the styles on display are absolutely worth seeing." " Its a waste of time," Gio justified as he folded his arms. Sofia rolled her eyes, " and yet, your ass comes with us every year," Mya said looking at Gio. " Hot girls go to these things," Leo remarked, " plus, free food." Mya shook her head in disbelief of her brothers before turning to me and saying, " you have to come with us, trust me it's all worth it."