Chapter 35

8 MONTHS LATER

"One more big push! Yes! I see the baby's head! Keep pushing, Cassie! Yes! Yes! That's it! That's it! She's here. You have a beautiful baby girl."

Crying fills the air shortly after, and my breath stutters in my throat at the sight of her. The nurse cradles the baby and places her on Cassie's chest. I lean down and kiss her on the forehead, sweat and all.

"Hey there, angelo." mia gattina weeps, a wide smile stretched across her face.

I crouch down slightly so I'm level with both gattina and our bundle of joy.

"Hi piccola." I whisper, stroking her small head of hair.

"What's her name?" I turn to face the smiling nurse, a smile of my own bracing my lips.

"Tia." I reply. "Her name is Tia Santini."

*

It's been a few days since Cassie gave birth to Tia. Our families both came and fawned over her, meanwhile I've been caring for both of my girls. We came home two days after mia gattina gave birth. Life has been great. We no longer have to worry about the scum that may be coming after my wife.

Six months ago, Cassie and I got married. Just before we left for our honeymoon, Cassie killed Viktor, slowly and painfully while I watched, enjoying every sick and twisted second of it. His execution lasted a whole day as my Queen inflicted ten times as much pain as he did to her all those years ago. She broke down after he died, saying that it was such a relief to finally be free of him in every sense of the word. Cassie has never had a nightmare or bad though relating to him or what the Volkov's did to her since Viktor's death. I've never seen her so happy and carefree.

I walk through the front door, just returning after having a meeting with my men. With Cassie and Tia becoming my main priority, I've put my sister – who's also my second in command – in charge until I'm ready to return at full capacity. Santiago has been helping out where he can as well, although he doesn't have much free time himself, what with running his own mafia and all. Olivia has practically joined his side as his Queen, not that anyone in my family is happy about it. It has nothing to do with him being from another mafia, but everything to do with us not wanting her to have any involvement in any mafia whatsoever, regardless of the fact that she was born into this lifestyle. She's the baby of the family, always has been, and we hate seeing her with such a massive title. The bigger the title, the bigger the target. Though I will admit, after seeing the way Santiago runs his mafia, I feel a little more at ease, knowing that he runs a tight ship, so Livia should be safe.

Whilst Luna's in charge, I've appointed a temporary second to Luna. Sebastian has been a useful addition to my crew, giving insight on particular things that not many others in my rank think of. That's why I was confident in my decision to appoint him with that position. Not to mention that Luna has had a kick out of bossing her man around, although from what Cassie's told me, he's had no problem reminding her who's boss. I chuckle as I walk up the stairs, remembering when Cassie came screeching into our bedroom months ago.

"Oh my Goooood. I think I'm going to be sick."

My head snaps up.

"What's wrong? Are you okay? Is it the baby?" I rush out in a panic.

"What? No. It's your sister and my brother. They–" she shivers in disgust. "They didn't shut their door properly, and you can... hear them." Cassie then puts her finger in front of her mouth and gags, pulling a laugh from my chest.

Opening the door to my bedroom, I look around for my princesses, but see no-one. Walking in, I shut the door quietly and make my way over to the newly installed door in my room, the one that now leads to the room next to us, which has recently been converted into a nursery for Tia. I step inside the dark room and see a figure slightly hunched over in the corner of the room. Switching on the lamp sitting on top of the dresser, I see a sleeping Cassie sitting on the rocking chair with sleeping Tia laying on her chest.

I smile at them.

My picture of happiness.

I quietly make my way over to my girls and take Tia from Cassie, rocking and cooing her as she stirs slightly. Once she settles back down, I give her a kiss on the forehead and set her down in her crib, making sure my baby girl's okay before turning to my kitten. Placing my hands under her arms, I lift her up and into my chest, jerking her up slightly to place my hands under her thighs. The action causes Cassie to stir a little, and she wraps her arms around me, burying her head into my neck. Another small smile falls on my lips as I remember when I asked mia gattina about her doing that.

I gently pick Cassie up in my arms, bridal style, and she snuggles into my neck, a habit I've noticed she has developed.

"Gattina?" I ask softly, to which I get an "mmm" in response.

"Why do you like burying your head into my neck?" I ask her, genuinely curious as I walk us to the bathroom.

"I like the way you smell, and I feel safe when I smell you." she mumbles, still half asleep.

Now, a year later, I get to call that same goddess my wife, and I couldn't be happier or prouder. I glance over at the baby monitor to make sure it's on, then walk mia gattina and I into our bedroom, turning off the lamp and quietly closing the door as I leave the nursery. I walk over to the bed and pull the back the duvet, laying Cassie down on the bed. I make quick work of taking my suit off, leaving me in just my black briefs before joining my Queen in bed, pulling her into my chest.

"Hi." she mumbles, still practically asleep.

"Hey, baby." I mutter, keeping my voice low as not to wake her.

Sleep has been a virtue around here lately for the two of us.

"Sleep, mia Regina." [my Queen.]

"Hmm." She hums, the darkness pulling her back under.

"Goodnight, lupo."

"Goodnight, gattina."

"I love you." She yawns, causing my lips to tilt upwards.

"I love you more."

Word count: 1,126