The call
_________________Caroline POV______________
Caroline's head was spinning trying to keep up with all the latest news and gossip.
Most of the nurses had found mates and out of the fourteen girls only six that she'd worked with remained. They had brought in more, but still. Caroline had been looking forward to catching up with them and filling them in on the world wind that was her life with the notorious mafia boss of New York.
" You started a trend." Jacking laughed, patting her hand. She'd missed Jackie and Ameia the most. She missed that particular nurse pining after the cute single men that would come through.
When she left the hospital that day to have breakfast with Luca, she hadn't intended on mating with him. She had wanted to keep working. For a week; he'd brush her off, sometimes getting offended that she," Wanted to get away from him, " Missed being independent," and " Didn't appreciate all that he did for her." The last one had made her completely blow up at him. She'd surprised them both with her anger. Best she could figure it was hold over from her father accusing her of the same thing. She just wanted to be happy.
"I hadn't meant to, I promise." She said earnestly. God, she missed this place so much. There was always something new and exciting happening. She liked helping people and feeling like she made a difference. Shed tried explaining it to Luca but he'd wave her off clearly irritated. He'd apologized later but she knew she didn't handle it well by then. She had just rolled over listening to him mutter off in Italian at her.
"We're happy to see you. Any chance we could get you back? You were seriously one of the best nurses. I hate to see you be just another pampered housewife." Jackie had meant it with no maliciousness and Caroline had smiled but inside all she heard was...
" I hate to see you be just another pampered housewife."
"He thinks I'm pregnant and you know Sigma's....he wants me to stay home and keep the apartment and be with him. I'm glad he wants to be around me." She smiled outwardly but her heart was sinking.
"It would be too easy for my enemies to request you and kill you, to get to me, Amore mio bellissimo. Think of our families please." He'd begged her, his voice had been so raw and vulnerable. She understood what he had been saying but she still felt a loss about her work. She'd promised to ask his mother and sister what to do to pass the time.
"Well the door is always open hun." Jackie must have sensed her discomfort because she came around to hug her before she walked off to her patients room leaving Caroline alone with unfamiliar staff around her.
" Mrs Changretta, we're ready for you." She nodded and walked toward the friendly girl holding the door open to a room for her.
She didn't know what she'd do to pass the time if she wasn't pregnant. Try again she guessed until she could pop a baby out and stay busy as a mother.
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________________LUCA'S POV_________________________________
I knew I looked as agitated as I felt. I was fidgeting impatiently in my leather office chair rereading the same proposal from the potential new mayor's candidates. I had three spread out on his desk. All just one or two pages proposing new laws if they got elected, taxes and asking for favors either monetary or protection wise. I fucking hated election years.
New up and coming schmucks wanting to place their stamp on a city that clearly belonged to me and the Mafia. They'd come in with puffed up airs and bravados every few years. Different faces but they had the same nonsense of cleaning up the city and doing better. Only to learn they were puppets for powerful families in New York and myself. Whoever won would be expected to tow the line or they'd end up in a box, buried, dead or alive. I really didn't care, it depended on their attitude and choices.
I knew I was kidding myself. I really only cared about her appointment. Was she okay? Was she expecting a little Changretta soon?
I'd been pleasantly surprised and amazed to watch her with Allegra. She was a natural born mother. Patient, loving and kind. Camillia had said anytime she wanted to watch her she could even overnight. That was a huge honor because up until that dinner, only mama had been able to touch the baby. No offer of baby sleepovers had been offered to mama Changretta, much to her chagrin.
I had been told by Caroline and my mother that after the doctor's office they were going to go shopping. Caroline wanted a few things that she purchased for the house. I had tried telling her the house was beautiful and fully furnished for her to enjoy but to my surprise my own mother came after me verbally. Scolding me quickly in Italian that she should put her touch on the apartment too. I just didn't want her to stress herself out more.
My ma had pointed out that, "clearly Caroline had good taste or she wouldn't have mated with him." That statement from his own mother had surprised him and stung a bit. She was on her daughter in law's side clear as day.
I know my audible sigh sounded pathetic. That wasn't meant for his mama and his mate to become thick as thieves. Part of me was thrilled that they took to each other like best friends. Audrey called her daughter and she'd meant it. They talked more than he did and he was her own flesh and blood son.
I wanted to know if she was or wasn't pregnant. Pressure was on me to help provide an heir to the Changretta mafia was definitely on since I was getting older anyway. He knew his brother wasn't going to do it. He was shacked up with a whore in Birmingham. A Shelby whore to boot. Not his mate mind you, he wanted to marry for love.
Luca rolled his eyes. A mate bond was a deep lifelong bond. What was better than that?
He also had been feeling bad that she was getting bored here all the time, mostly by herself. A baby would keep her busy. Cement the bond deeper.
He almost jumped out of his skin when the phone rang.
"Changretta. Yes, this is he." Luca hummed and nodded as he realized what the man calling had said.
"Thank you Doctor. I'll tell her when she gets back." He hung up the phone and leaned back in his chair rubbing his chin. His thoughts were racing every which way.
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He was so fucking happy right now.
