ONE SHOTS MARINA (ENGLISH)

11. Recipes

P.O.V. MAYA DELUCA-BISHOP

That night was particularly quiet. The clock by the bed was set for 10pm and the house was in a comfortable silence. I was lying, my head resting gently on Carina's belly, which was now well rounded from 7 months, carrying our daughter. It was one of my favorite places in the world, where I felt more at peace.

Felt the baby's gentle movement inside her, a constant and comforting reminder that our little one was there, growing up and preparing to enter our lives once and for all. There was something magical about feeling that life in formation, a connection I had never experienced before. It was as if every little kick or movement was a way for our daughter to communicate with me, even before she was born.

My wife was sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, with a balanced candy cookbook in her lap. She loved to cook, and since she became pregnant, had developed a particular interest in sweets. Her gaze was focused on the pages of the book, but her hands, so kind and loving, caressed my hair while I dozed. It was a affection that calmed me deeply, something only Carina could do.

- What's the recipe of the time? - I asked, my voice coming out drowsy as I raised my head to look at her.

She smiled at me, that damn smile that always melted me, and pulled a lock of hair from my face.

— I'm looking at some recipes for Italian desserts - she replied softly - I thought it would be nice to try some new things before the baby arrives. Maybe something special to celebrate the birth?

She always had these lovely ideas, always thinking about ways to make special moments even more memorable. It was one of the many things I loved about her.

- It seems a good idea - agreed, rubbing my face against her belly for a moment, feeling completely happy - You know I'll eat whatever you make, right?

Carina laughed, a soft and cheerful sound that filled the room.

— I know, bella. But I want it to be perfect for us. Maybe a ricotta pie... Or who knows cannoli? Something that our little one can say one day was the favorite of mamma.

- She will love whatever you do, just like I do - I murmured, closing my eyes again, enjoying the moment of tranquility.

Carina kept caressing my hair, and I could feel the love in every touch. No matter how exhausting my job as a firefighter was, whenever I was like that with her, it felt like everything made sense. Our home, our love, the life we were building together - it was everything I ever wanted, and more.

The silence of the house was broken only by the soft sound of the pages of the book turning and the small movements of our daughter inside it. Every now and then she would put the book aside to massage her belly, and I couldn't help but smile as I felt the movements under my head. It was as if our daughter knew we were there with her, and was telling us that she was happy too.

- She's active tonight - my wife commented, drawing slow circles on her belly with her own fingers.

- She's just trying to get our attention - I replied, smiling against her skin - Maybe she's hearing about the candy and is already in a mouth-watering mood.

Carina laughed again, her laughter warming my heart.

- We'll have to wait and see. But honestly, I just hope she's as sweet as you are, Maya.

Raised my head to look into her eyes, and the love I saw reflected there made me feel as if I was the luckiest person in the world. I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss on her lips, a gesture that was both simple and full of meaning.

- She will be perfect, because she's ours - I murmured against her lips before lying down again.

For a moment, we stood there in silence, simply enjoying each other's company. It was a kind of peace I had never known before Carina came into my life. Had faced so many challenges, both at work and in my personal life, but being with her and now waiting for our daughter, made me realize that everything was worth it.

I felt her taking the book again, but her fingers never stopped caressing my hair. I could hear the soft sound of pages being turned, and that, along with the steady rhythm of her breathing and the quiet movement of the baby inside her, brought me back to a state of pleasant drowsiness.

As sleep enveloped me again, I thought about how our lives were about to change in ways we could hardly imagine. Soon, it would not just be me, Carina, and Liam - who was sleeping deep in his room at that point - but also our daughter. Andrea Aria DeLuca-Bishop.

The future was uncertain, as it always is, but at that moment, nothing mattered more than being there with my family, feeling the warmth and love that united us. And I knew that when our daughter finally came, she would be loved in a way only we could.

With that thought in mind, I finally let sleep take me away, knowing that when I woke up, Carina would be there, and our life would continue to be as wonderful as it ever was.