The Mafia's Pet: Pawn Of The Ruthless ( A Dark Romance)

Chapter 91: Like Magic

Aemilio's POV

The soft hum of the kitchen filled the quiet air, the rhythmic chop of vegetables and the faint sizzle of something simmering on the stove creating a peaceful melody. I stood at the counter, focused, my hands moving with practiced ease, though every motion was still laced with a sense of wonder, a sense of newness. The life that had entered our world was still surreal, and I often caught myself glancing toward the baby monitor, making sure everything was calm with our little girl.

I smiled to myself as I stirred the pot in front of me, thinking back to those first few days after she was born. The uncertainty, the exhaustion, the joy—every moment had been a whirlwind. But in the chaos of it all, one thing was undeniable: she was ours. Our sweet little miracle. Our Emma.

"Everything smells amazing in here," Evangelina's voice broke through my thoughts, soft and warm, filled with that gentle affection that had become a constant between us. I looked up to find her standing at the doorway, the tiny bundle of joy nestled in her arms. Emma. She was just over a month old now, and every time I looked at her, I felt that same awe, the overwhelming love that flooded my chest.

Evangelina was still glowing from the life she had brought into the world. She was tired, yes, but there was an undeniable strength in her eyes, a quiet confidence that I couldn't help but admire. She had carried Emma for nine months, had brought her into this world, and now, she was raising her—*our* daughter—with such grace.

"Hey, you," I said softly, wiping my hands on the towel by the sink. I walked over to her, my heart swelling in my chest as I reached out for Emma. She was so small, her tiny fingers curling around my hand as I cradled her gently. "How's my girl?"

Evangelina smiled, her eyes sparkling as she watched me with Emma. "She's perfect. But she's definitely got your stubborn streak already. She's been fussing all morning, demanding her attention," she said with a teasing tone, though I could see the fatigue in her features. The long nights, the constant feedings, the endless care—it was all so much, but we were in it together.

"Well, maybe she just knows who's the boss around here," I said with a playful grin, looking down at our daughter, whose little face seemed to soften as I spoke. She didn't say anything—she just stared up at me with those big, innocent eyes, her tiny body curled up against me.

"Come here, you," Evangelina said, walking over and sitting down on the couch, her movements slow and deliberate as she adjusted herself. She looked up at me, her gaze steady. "I'm proud of you."

I froze for a second, the sudden weight of her words hitting me harder than I expected. Proud of me? For what? Cooking a simple meal? Or for being the one to *finally* make us a family?

"You've really stepped up, Aemilio," she continued, her voice soft and full of admiration. "When we found out we were having Emma... it was overwhelming. But you've been here every step of the way, no matter how difficult it's been. You've been an amazing father."

I felt a lump form in my throat, and for a moment, I couldn't speak. I had never been good at accepting compliments, never truly believed I deserved praise for doing what felt like the right thing. But hearing those words from Evangelina, hearing her say that I was *doing it right*, filled me with something I couldn't explain. It wasn't just pride. It was gratitude. Gratitude that, despite everything we'd been through, we were here. Together. With Emma. Our family.

I knelt beside her, placing Emma gently in her arms, feeling the weight of our daughter as Evangelina adjusted her position. The sight of her holding Emma, that peaceful expression on her face as she cradled our child, sent a rush of emotion through me. This was what I'd wanted. A real family. A life filled with love, not just for me, but for the people I cared about.

"Thank you," I said quietly, my hand resting on Evangelina's knee. I wasn't sure if she knew how much her words meant, how much her presence, her strength, had given me the courage to become someone better. "I couldn't have asked for a better partner."

Evangelina chuckled softly, her gaze never leaving Emma. "You know, I think she's got your eyes," she said, her voice full of wonder as she stared at Emma's tiny face. I couldn't help but smile at that. Our daughter, with her little button nose and those deep brown eyes—she was a perfect blend of both of us. She was our future, our hope, everything we'd dreamed of when it seemed like the world was against us.

"She definitely looks like me when she's upset," I said with a wink, and Evangelina laughed softly, the sound of it filling the space between us with warmth.

She shifted, settling Emma into her arms more comfortably before looking up at me with a thoughtful expression. "Do you ever wonder what the future will be like for her?" she asked, her voice quiet but laced with the weight of the question. "What kind of world are we bringing her into?"

The question made my heart tighten a little. There were so many things I worried about for Emma's future. Would the world be kind to her? Would she know love, know the strength of a family that was always there for her? I knew the darkness of the world better than most, and I couldn't help but wonder what kind of life Emma would lead, growing up in a world that still had so much pain, so much uncertainty.

But then I looked at Evangelina, at Emma, and I remembered the truth.

"We're going to make it better," I said, my voice steady with resolve. "She's going to know what it's like to be loved unconditionally. We're going to give her a future filled with hope, not fear. No matter what the world throws at us, we'll face it together, for her."

Evangelina smiled softly at my words, her eyes filled with that same fierce love I felt for her. For Emma. "You're right. We will. We'll make sure she knows she's safe, that she has us to rely on, always."

I reached out and placed my hand gently on top of Emma's head, my heart swelling with love for the two of them. They were my world now. They were my everything.

And as I stood there, watching Evangelina softly rock Emma to sleep in her arms, I knew that whatever came our way, we would face it together. We were a family, and that was all that mattered. I would protect them, love them, and be there for them through everything—just as I had promised.

The future was uncertain, but with Emma and Evangelina by my side, I had everything I needed to face it.

"Dinner's almost ready," I said softly, trying to lighten the moment. "So, if you want to eat before Emma wakes up again, you better get comfortable."

Evangelina chuckled softly, looking up at me with a smile that made my heart skip. "I'll be right there. Just... just a few more minutes with her."

I nodded, understanding completely. There was no rush. There was no place I'd rather be than in this moment, surrounded by the people I loved most in this world.

Together.