𝙼𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝐹𝑜𝓇 𝒶 𝙼𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝

𝓔𝓹𝓲𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓾𝓮

⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙♡☼⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙

I sit here, looking out the window at the sunset. The sky is painted with shades of orange, pink, and purple, the colors swirling together like a beautiful canvas. I can hear the distant sound of Alessio's laughter from the garden, the small thud of his ball bouncing against the wall as he plays, and Hazel's soft giggles as she toddles after him. I smile to myself, thinking of how much our lives have changed.

It feels like only yesterday that I was standing in front of the altar, uncertain of the future, full of questions about Luciano and this life that was being handed to me. At the time, it all seemed so overwhelming — the arranged marriage, the mafia world I barely understood, the constant pressure to fit in and be who I was supposed to be.

But now? Now, everything is different. My life, our life, feels like something out of a dream. A good dream, one that I never want to wake up from.

I glance over to where Luciano is sitting across from me, his expression unreadable as always. But even when he doesn't show it, I know him better than anyone. The way his eyes soften when he looks at our children, the way his hand brushes mine when no one is watching, those little things that speak volumes.

He's changed, too. Not in a way that takes away from who he is, but in a way that makes me realize how much love can change a person. When I first met him, I thought he was the coldest man I had ever seen. Now, I know there's so much more beneath that surface — a man who would go to the ends of the earth for his family, a man who, despite the dangerous world he's part of, has a heart full of love. Our love.

I think back to those early days — the awkwardness, the tension, the constant battle of finding balance. But somehow, through all of it, we found our rhythm. It wasn't easy. It never is. But what we've built, what we have now, makes every struggle worth it.

Luciano and I were never the fairy tale kind of couple. No one expects that from us. But what we have — the trust, the support, the way he makes me feel safe no matter what — that's real. And that's better than any story.

I take a deep breath, thinking of the life we've built for our children. Alessio and Hazel. Our beautiful little family. I remember when we first brought Alessio home, how tiny he was, how much we had to learn. I remember the sleepless nights, the first steps, the first words. And now, here he is — a strong, spirited boy with so much energy, so much curiosity. He reminds me of Luciano in so many ways, and I'm proud of him every day.

And Hazel — our sweet Hazel. She's only just starting to talk, her little words still jumbled, but I hear "Mama" more and more, and it fills me with warmth. She's our miracle. Every day with her feels like a blessing.

As I watch Luciano, I think about how far we've come. From the first time I saw him, so distant and cold, to now, where we're sitting here together, our little family around us, and I realize how much I've changed, too. I'm not the same shy, uncertain girl I once was. I've grown into who I was always meant to be — Luciano's wife, Alessio and Hazel's mother, a part of this world that I once feared but now love with all my heart.

"I never imagined this for myself," I say softly, breaking the silence. Luciano looks up from the book he's reading, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Neither did I," he admits, his voice low and warm. "But I wouldn't change a thing."

I smile at him, my heart swelling with love. "Me neither."

We sit in companionable silence for a moment, just soaking in the peace around us. It's moments like these that remind me how much we've fought for — how much we've built. Our family, our love, and the life we've created together.

This is the part of our story where the chapters slow down, where we don't need to rush forward. There are still challenges ahead, of course. Life is never without its obstacles. But right now, in this moment, everything feels perfect. We have each other, we have our children, and we have the strength to face whatever comes next.

And for the first time in a long time, I can say that I'm not afraid anymore.

As Luciano leans over, placing a hand on my shoulder, I look up at him, my heart full. "I love you," I whisper, knowing that he already knows, but wanting to say it anyway.

"I love you too, more than you know," he replies, his voice soft, genuine.

And as we sit there, together, with the sun setting in the distance and our children's laughter filling the air, I realize that this — this is our happily ever after.

Not because we're perfect. Not because everything is easy. But because we have each other. And that's all that matters.

⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙♡☼⭒°ˑ˚。﹒∙

just so you guys know the 3 bonus chapter il put them short 

i can't say goodbye to them just yet.