As we race away in the car, a storm of anger and fear swells inside me. How could she be so reckless? How could she risk everything like that?
When the empty road stretches before us, I slam on the brakes, my heart pounding in my chest. I throw the...
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Nearly six months had passed since our lives turned upside down in Italy. Gabriel and I had finally settled into a new kind of normal, one that didn’t involve constant danger or shadows lurking around every corner. The peace was strange, but beautiful. And as his birthday approached, I wanted to give him something he’d never expect—a surprise he’d remember forever. With a bit of planning, a lot of secret calls, and a team of eager conspirators, we were all set.
“Alright, everyone, stay sharp,” I whispered as I closed the door to the dining room. Fiona, Matteo, Sofia, and even Nonna Ava were all milling around the decorated space, each pretending to be busy with last-minute preparations. Meanwhile, Antonio’s kids were giggling as they tried to hide under the table, and Gio was… well, leaning against the doorframe with a smirk.
“So, this is the big surprise?” Gio teased, raising an eyebrow as he looked around. “You know, Chiara, for someone who prides herself on surprises, this is pretty predictable.”
“Do you ever stop talking?” I shot back, rolling my eyes. “Maybe if you actually helped, you’d see how much thought went into this.”
“Oh, I helped. Remember those balloons you couldn’t blow up?” he grinned, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
Before I could come up with a retort, Sofia caught my arm, giving me a wide-eyed look. “He’s here! Gabriel just pulled up,” she whispered excitedly, glancing out the window.
My heart skipped a beat, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I quickly adjusted the decorations one last time, making sure everything was perfect. The lights were dimmed, candles flickered around the room, and the table was laid out with his favorite foods. Everyone scurried to their places as I motioned for silence.
The door creaked open, and Gabriel stepped inside, his eyes scanning the darkened room. I caught my breath at the sight of him—he looked tired, likely from a day of endless meetings, but that familiar spark of curiosity lit up his face as he noticed the decorations.
“Surprise!” we all yelled, and Gabriel blinked in surprise, breaking into a wide grin.
“Well, I didn’t see that coming,” he chuckled, shaking his head as he took in the scene. “All of you did this?”
“Yes!” Fiona chirped, grinning as she nudged Matteo. “It was a team effort.”
Antonio’s kids ran up to Gabriel, hugging him around his legs, while Nonna clapped her hands together, beaming. Gabriel’s gaze shifted to me, and there was that spark, that little warmth in his eyes that never failed to make my heart race.
I walked over to him, grinning. “Happy birthday, Gabriel. I hope you’re ready for a night full of terrible singing and too much cake.”
“Oh, with this crowd? I expect nothing less,” he laughed, pulling me into a hug. His arms wrapped around me, and for a moment, the world narrowed down to just us.
“Alright, lovebirds, enough of that,” Gio drawled, snapping his fingers. “It’s my brother’s birthday, not a romance movie.”
Gabriel smirked, slipping his arm around my shoulders as he shot a look at Gio. “If you’re jealous, little brother, just say so.”
Gio rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. “Yeah, because that’s exactly it.”
We laughed, and as the evening wore on, it felt like a dream. Everyone was laughing, toasting, and sharing stories from both the old days and the new ones we’d built together. Antonio’s kids got frosting everywhere, Nonna told Gabriel embarrassing childhood stories, and Fiona and Matteo shared a sweet moment, oblivious to the rest of the room.
Then, at some point, Gabriel disappeared. I didn’t think much of it, figuring he needed some air. But after a few minutes, he reappeared, his face serious as he walked toward me. The room went quiet, and I noticed Gio watching him with a knowing smirk.
“Chiara,” Gabriel started, his eyes locking onto mine with a warmth and intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. He took my hand, his touch gentle yet firm, and I felt my heart begin to race. “You gave me the best birthday I could’ve imagined, but… there’s something I want to ask you, something I’ve wanted to ask for a while.”
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. The room fell silent, and I could feel every pair of eyes on us. Slowly, Gabriel lowered himself onto one knee, never taking his gaze off me.
“Chiara,” he murmured, his voice soft but steady. “From the moment I met you, you’ve been my storm, my tuono, lighting up my life in ways I never thought possible. Through every dark moment, every battle, you’ve been my strength, my partner, my light.”
He opened the box, revealing the most beautiful ring I’d ever seen. The diamond was set in a platinum band, simple yet elegant, with a tiny thunderbolt carved into the side—a symbol of the name he’d given me. It was perfect, in every possible way.
“I know our life has been anything but easy, but I want nothing more than to spend it with you. To face every storm, every challenge, with you by my side,” Gabriel continued, his voice thick with emotion. “Will you marry me, Chiara?”
I felt tears prick at my eyes, a swell of emotions making it hard to breathe. I could barely manage a nod as I whispered, “Yes, Gabriel. Yes.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger, and before I could fully process it, he was standing, pulling me close as he kissed me. His lips were soft and warm against mine, full of a tenderness and passion that melted away every worry, every fear. The room erupted in cheers and applause, but all I could feel was him, grounding me in this beautiful, perfect moment.
Gio’s groan finally broke through the cheers. “Alright, alright! Save some for the honeymoon, will you?” he called out, his voice laced with mock annoyance.
I laughed against Gabriel’s lips, pulling away just enough to shoot Gio a glare. “Jealous, are we?”
“Absolutely not,” Gio replied, crossing his arms and giving us both a smug smile. “But if you two keep this up, I might just have to start charging for emotional damages.”
Gabriel chuckled, keeping his arm around me as he looked over at Gio. “Don’t worry, little brother. I’m sure you’ll find someone to put up with you eventually.”
Gio rolled his eyes, giving us a mock salute before turning to join the others. The room slowly returned to its lively state, and Gabriel and I found ourselves wrapped up in laughter and love, surrounded by the family we’d chosen.
As the night wore on, Gabriel leaned down, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “Happy?”
“More than I could ever say,” I murmured, looking up at him, feeling my heart swell with gratitude and love.
He smiled, his thumb tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. “Good. Because you’re mine now, tuono. Forever.”
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me. It was the kind of warmth that came with knowing, truly knowing, that I’d found my place in this world—in him, in us, in this life we’d built together.
With Gabriel beside me, our friends and family around us, and a lifetime of love and laughter ahead, I knew that this was only the beginning of our happily ever after.
