Enzo..." I started, but the words died on my lips as he silenced me with a kiss, his mouth devouring mine with urgency.
His voice was a dark whisper, tinged with menace as he pulled back slightly, his eyes burning with intensity. "You disobeyed me...
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The sound of waves crashing against the shore echoed in the background, a melody that had always calmed me. The beach looked like something out of a dream-soft lights strung across wooden arches, flowers in hues of white and blush, and an intimate gathering of the people who mattered most.
But none of it compared to the sight before me.
Elena stood by the water, her laughter ringing out like music as Sophie fussed over her dress. She wore a flowy white gown that framed her baby bump perfectly. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, and her smile-it was the kind of smile that could bring a man to his knees.
My Elena. My future. My everything.
Marco nudged me from the side, smirking. "Stop staring like a lovesick fool, boss. You're about to make all the women here jealous of your devotion."
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Let them be. No one will ever understand what she means to me."
I made my way toward her, my heart pounding as if it were the first time I saw her. When I reached her, she turned to face me, her smile softening.
"Enzo," she whispered, her voice carrying over the gentle waves.
"Tesoro," I said, pulling her into my arms and pressing a kiss to her forehead. "You look breathtaking."
Sophie cleared her throat dramatically. "Alright, lovebirds. Save the swooning for later. We have a baby to celebrate!"
Elena laughed, and the sound was like sunlight breaking through a storm.
We gathered by the decorated canopy where a small cake sat in the center. The words "It's a..." were written in elegant gold script. Everyone held their breath as Elena and I each grabbed a knife and sliced into the cake.
Pink.
A collective gasp rang out, followed by cheers and clapping. Elena turned to me, tears brimming in her eyes. "A girl," she whispered. "We're having a girl, Enzo."
I cupped her face, my chest tight with emotion. "She'll be perfect, just like her mother."
The rest of the evening passed in a blur of joy and celebration. Elena and I walked along the shore later, away from the crowd, just the two of us under the moonlight.
---------------
A few weeks had passed since the beach celebration. Life felt surreal yet perfect. The anticipation of meeting our daughter filled every moment with joy. Elena and I spent most of our days preparing the nursery and arguing over which shade of pink was too much.
But on one particular night, everything changed.
The house was silent, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight spilling through the curtains. Elena was curled up beside me, her breathing steady and calm. I lay there, unable to sleep, simply watching her, marveling at how peaceful she looked.
