2. The Beast And His Beauty✔️

Moving On

Giovanni

It's been three weeks since Tamara and I began whatever this is.

We haven't put a name to it yet and I think we're both fine with that.

I felt Tamara kick under our blankets.

"Are you okay?", I asked without looking up from my phone. I was watching a video of Karina trying to get Aria to eat peas.

"I can't sleep. This bed is hard and it's too small. Why can't we just sleep in your room?"

"The bed's fine. I thought you like having to cuddle.", I said while looking at her.

Her green eyes met mine and I felt that same sensation that I felt the first time we kissed.

"I do, but your bed's bigger and softer. Please, Giovanni.", she said while she snuggled closer to me.

I kissed her lips gently. I felt her moan against me.

"This isn't over.", she mumbled as she turned over.

I smiled and turned off the light.

Valeria

I picked up my sweet baby from the playpen.

"Did you miss mommy, Aria? Mommy missed you so much.", I cooed at her and kissed her forehead.

Aria spent the day with Bruno and Karina. They took her to the park.

I stayed home waiting for Tony. I haven't seen him since our fight at Giovanni's manor three weeks ago.

Suddenly, Aria began squirming in my arms. I looked down at her to see what was wrong and saw her trying to peer over my shoulder. I turned to see Tony standing there smiling at her.

"There's daddy's baby girl.", he whispered before taking her out of my arms.

He's not even acknowledging me.

"Tony, we need to talk."

"Do we have to do this now?"

"Please."

He looked up at me.

"Are you leaving me?"

I cocked my head to the side and looked at him. He looked genuinely scared.

"Tony, I love you. Why would I leave you?"

"I love you too, Valeria.", he said as he walked closer to me.

I pressed my forehead against his. Aria rested her head on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry.", I said before kissing his nose.

Aria's yawn made us pull away from each other.

"Someone had a long day.",I said smiling at her.

Tony put her in the playpen for a nap.

We turned on the baby monitor and walked to our room.

"Valeria, I'm sorry. I didn't know I was making you feel like our marriage was a business deal. You're my wife. I'm supposed to honor and cherish you."

I looked at my feet. I felt my stomach doing flips.

"What's wrong, Val?"

I took a deep breath and then looked at him.

"I feel sick when I think about the truce. I feel even sicker when I wonder how people see our relationship."

I saw the confused look on his face.

"What about our relationship?"

"We were destined to be together before we were even born. I was given to you without having a say and then the deal fell through. Then, you kidnap me. I fought my feelings for you, but I couldn't. I fell in love with my kidnapper and made a family with him. Yesterday, Karina asked me when I fell in love with you and I couldn't tell her that it was when you were holding me hostage and my husband at the time was searching for me."

He closed the space between us and grabbed my chin.

"You are the mother of my children. Do you regret that?"

"No."

"You're the love of my life. Do you regret that?"

"Of course not."

"Then who gives a damn.", he said as he caressed my cheek.

I smiled and kissed him.

Tamara

I woke up alone in bed.

I wonder where Giovanni is. I got up and went to his bedroom.

He was staring at a picture of Aria. There was a box in front of him.

"Do you miss her?"

He looked at me.

"I do, but I'm just telling her goodbye for now."

I raised my eyebrow.

He put her picture in the box.

"I've been angry and hurt for a long time. I think I'm ready to let it go...to let her rest."

I wrapped my arms around him.

"I don't know what this is, but I'm not going anywhere, Giovanni. I'm here with you."

He smiled and pressed his forehead against mine.

"I was a beast when I met you and you've managed to turn me into a man worth being cared for. You've changed me."

"And you've changed me. You make me fearless and confident. I think I'm falling in love with you, Giovanni Andiacchi." I said before kissing him.

"I love you.", he mumbled against my lips.