Sophie sits herself down at the table, telling Will we’re alright, just a bit of a shock from the news on the television.
The surviving De Falco’s and the rest of the crime family bosses we helped put away will be out in two months. Their original parole after fifteen years denied and I have to admit, in all the deep satisfaction of family life, Sophie and our five kids, I just put it to the back of my mind as well.
I take Sophie’s hand in mine, which is a little more grizzled than it used to be. Still strong though.
But Sophie? She’s as perfect as the day I first laid eyes on her, even from ten stories up.
Truth be told if it wasn’t for the news just now, or for Will being home for the day… I’d be carrying her off to the bedroom like I always do about this time whenever we get the chance.
“Dad? What’s going on?” Will asks, his calm but firm tone reminding me of myself when I was his age.
He’ll make a fine attorney, I know he will. It’s what he wants, so who am I to stop him?
“Have a seat, son,” I tell him. Pushing out a chair with my foot.
He looks to his mother, worried. Not like he’s been caught out like most kids would think. He’s genuinely concerned for his folks. Although, I can tell there’s something else on his mind.
He’s been hanging around the house a lot lately, something he only ever does when he wants to make an announcement of his own.
“I think it means your Dad might be going back to work,” Sophie says finally, her breathe shivering as she digests the concept herself.
I frown and take a breath in, clearing my throat.
Will laughs nervously. “But dad, you retired years ago. Decades ago,” he says matter of fact.
And he’s right. I did.
“Only in a part-time capacity... And only so we can make sure some old friends don’t think they can get up to their old tricks again,” I say cryptically.
Will looks at us both as if we’re nuts.
The kids have never heard the name De Falco with any great importance attached to it.
And I intend to keep it that way.
Sophie’s phone rings and she answers it.
It’s her dad, just like I knew it would be.
She goes off into another end of the house, which is good timing.
I want a word with my son, man to man.
“It’s some casework from before your time, Will. Nothing to concern yourself with. Just a bit out of the blue for your mother and me,” I tell him firmly.
I look at him, seeing his mother more than me, which makes me happier than I thought a man ever could be in this life. He brushes his hair away from his face, just like she does, and I remind myself it’s a good thing he’s my son.
It means I can tell him how much I love him, whenever I want.
“What is it, Will?’ I ask, trying not to smile.
I’ve cross-examined hardened killers, coached them before they took the stand, but when it comes to my own boy I want him to tell me what he wants when he wants to.
“I-” he starts to say, but stops, blushing. Telling me right away it’s about a girl.
He’s an adult now, number three after our first set of twins, the kids moved away once they were old enough, visiting every chance they get mind you. But Will’s always kinda hung around.
Not that I mind, his keen interest in law at college keeps us both grounded, the beach a few hundred feet away keeps us connected as friends. Always fishing, shooting the breeze, or taking the yacht for a stretch.
Except when he has an announcement, like today.
I don’t want my own to overshadow his, so I give him the floor. Or in this case, the table.
“Go ahead,” I prompt him, knowing his mom will be on the phone for at least an hour.
“It’s Becky,” he says getting redder by the second, and in a single moment, I feel it all over again.
I know exactly what he has to tell us.
That paternal rush of pride. Call it whatever you like, the propagation of the species, or just a Dad who’s about to graduate to grandad, like it or not.
And his mom, the love of my life. My whole world. I stifle a little laugh at the thought.
The two of us, grandparents! Wait ‘til she hears this one.
Will looks confused, so I resume my ‘waiting for you to tell me’ face that only a mom or a dad can give with any real authority.
“I got her pregnant and now we’re gonna have a baby!” he blurts out, practically shouting it, which really does make me laugh out loud as I slap his shoulder, hearing his mother stomping down the corridor.
Will’s about my height, but he shrinks when he hears her coming. I tactfully cover my mouth and turn away.
“Dad? I’m gonna have to call you back. Will just… never mind, talk later. Bye.”
Sophie hangs up the phone and I’m trying to hide my joy, in stitches as I watch my second eldest son try and tell us he’s gone and made us both officially old.
“I’m gonna be a grand Mommy?” Sophie says, looking at me in total disbelief. Making us both feel just like we did when we found out we were going to be parents ourselves all those years ago.
I just shrug and look back over to Will, who looks like he’s about to be sick himself.
Finally, Sophie does it. She’s the one who lets him off the hook.
“Oh, Son! I couldn’t be happier,” she exclaims pulling him into her arms, and I get up and go hug him too, kissing him with tears in my eyes.
“I hope it’s twins first, but it doesn’t matter… Oh, my son!” his mother cries, tears really flowing now.
Poor kid, he thought he was gonna get the third degree, but I have to explain to him like I explained to his mom all those years ago.
“The more in our family, the stronger we are, son. The more of us there is, the more love we can share.”
“You… You’re not mad?” Will asks, and his mother and I look at each other, remembering all the years of happiness and the more to come.
“No son. We love you and we’ll love all of you, the whole family, always.”
I mouth the words Thank You to my beautiful wife, for putting up with me, for giving me these precious gifts.
For always being there for me and for always being my best friend, lover, and number one.
My only.
My forever.
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A MAN WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS
Book 1: Baby Lust
Book 2: Veteran
Book 3: Built
Book 4: Bambino
Book 5: Rescued
Book 6: Leader
Book 7: Professor
Book 8: Burned
Book 9: Worldly
Book 10: Pistol
Book 11: Policed
Book 12: Driven
Book 13: Lucky 13
Book 14: Lumberjacked
Book 15: Protector
Book 16: Carpenter
Book 17: Italian Stallion
Book 18: Gardener
Book 19: Budapest Billionaire’s Virgin
Book 20: Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 21: Cocky CFO
Book 22: Fireman’s Filthy 4th
Book 23: Mechanic
Book 24: SEAL’s Secret
Book 25: Police, Pooch, and Smooch
Book 26: Fireman’s Fake Fiancée
Book 27: Billionaire’s Virgin Ballerina
Book 28: Bitcoin Billionaire’s Babysitter
Book 29: Veterans Day Daddy
Book 30: Cowboy’s Christmas Carol
Book 31: Police Officer’s Princess
Book 32: Statham
Book 33: Bodyguard
Book 34: Greek God
Book 35: Billionaire Single Dad's Babysitter
Book 36: Mountain Man
Book 37: SEAL’s Justi
ce
Book 38: Royal Romance
Book 39: Doctor Mountain Man’s Special Delivery
Book 40: Crocodile Dan D
Book 41: Mountain Man’s Secret Baby
Book 42: Doctor Bad Boy’s Secret Baby
Book 43: Cop’s Babysitter
Book 44: Nanny for the Cop Next Door
Book 45: Small Town SEAL’s Saving Grace
Book 46: Cop’s Fake Fiancée
Book 47: Billionaire’s Nanny
Book 48: Cowboy’s Babysitter
Book 49: Steamy
Book 50: Brother’s Best Friend
Book 51: Possessive Professor
Book 52: Firefighter’s Babysitter
Book 53: Soldier’s Secret Baby
Book 54: Ward’s Independence Day
Book 55: Doctor Next Door
Book 56: Possessive Policeman
Book 57: Coached by the MMA Fighter
Book 58: Boss’s Babysitter
Book 59: Virgin in New York
Book 60: Rock Star’s Baby
Book 61: Possessive Protector
Book 62: Possessive Australian
Book 63: Best Friend’s Brother
Book 64: Possessive Cowboy
Book 65: Summer Romanced
Book 66: Possessive Prince
Book 67: Lovers’s Enemy
Book 68: Cop’s Best Friend
Book 69: Possessive Firefighter
Book 70: Football Next Door
Book 71: Doctor December
Book 72: Possessive Canadian
Book 73: Blue Collar Billionaire
Book 74: Possessive K-9 Cop
Book 75: Possessive Brazilian
Book 76: Hockey Obsession
Book 77: Possessive Boston Irish American MMA Fighter
Book 78: Halloween Next Door
Book 79: Possessive Russian
Book 80: Baseball Mine
Book 81: Cop’s Caribbean Captive
Book 82: Instalove Island
Book 83: Dad’s Best Friend
Book 84: Thanksgiving with Dad’s Boss
Book 85: Possessive Italian Neighbor
Book 86: Possessive Portuguese
Book 87: Possessive Christmas Cop
Book 88: Russian’s Obsession
Book 89: Possessive Doctor’s Christmas
Book 90: Possessive Parisian Pilot
Book 91: U.K. Boxing Day
Book 92: Jealous Russian Stalker
Book 93: Italian Mountain Man
Book 94: Aggressive Russian
Book 95: Possessive Valentine
Book 96: Possessive Hunter
Book 97: Dad’s Russian Mafia Friend
Book 98: Russian Teacher
Book 99: Australian Obsession
Book 100: Russian Next Door
Book 101: Dad’s Irish Friend
Book 102: Nanny for the Russian Mafia
Book 103: Best Friend’s Dad
Book 104: Basketball Babymaker
Book 105: Possessive Veterinarian
Book 106: Brother’s Fireman Friend
Book 107: Brother’s Canadian Cowboy Friend
Book 108: Summer Vacation with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 109: Dad’s Italian Mafia Friend
Book 110: Dad’s Irish Mafia Friend
Book 111: Dad’s Football Friend
Book 112: Possessing His Dancing Queen
Book 113: Brother’s Cop Friend
Book 114: Halloween With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 115: Claimed By Her Boss
Book 116: Possessive Rider
Book 117: Dad’s Ex-Biker Buddy
Book 118: Possessive Undercover Cop
Book 119: Falling For Her Boss
Book 120: Claiming His Fashionista
Book 121: More Than Dad’s Best Friend
Book 122: Thanksgiving With Dad’s Best Friend
Book 123: Bossy Italian
Book 124: Christmas With Dad’s Mafia Friend
Book 125: Maid For The Italian Mafia
Book 126: Nutcracker
Book 127: Cowboy Cerrone
Book 128: Chef’s Kiss
Book 129: Claimed By The Russian
Book 130: Bought By The Italian Mafia
Book 131: Hot Nerd
Book 132: Dad’s Italian Mafia Boss
Book 133: Mine
Book 134: Taken By The Thief
Book 135: Curves Ahead
Book 136: Her Mafia Valentine
Book 137: Doctor Valentine
Book 138: Maid For The Irish Mafia
Book 139: Winning Her Curves
Book 140: Dad’s Cartel Best Friend
Book 141: Dad’s Greek Mafia Friend
Book 142: Lawyer’s Obsession
Book 143: Attending Her Curves
Book 144: Maid for the Russian Mafia
Book 145: Priest
Book 146: Claimed By Dad’s Best Friend
Book 147: His Curvy Office Obsession
Book 148: Easter with Dad's Best Friend
Book 149: Veterinarian's Obsession
Book 150: Curves For Her Older Boss
Book 151: Mob Lawyer's Curves
Book 152: Maid For The Doctor Next Door
Book 153: Possessive Forest Ranger
Book 154: Nurse For The Russian Mafia
Book 155: Dad’s Fireman Friend
Book 156: Russian Mountain Man
Book 157: Possessive Italian Doctor
Book 158: Dad's EMT Best Friend
Book 159: Claimed By The Publisher
Book 160: Mr. CEO
Book 161: His Curvy Castaway Obsession
Book 162: Claiming His Reunion Obsession
Book 163: Claimed By Dad’s College Friend
Book 164: Dad’s Detective Best Friend
Book 165: Attending The Russian Mafia
Book 166: Dad's Biker Best Friend
Book 167: My Dad's Russian Mafia Friend
Book 168: Possessive Landlord
Book 169: Gardener For The Mafia
Book 170: Possessive Fighter
Book 171: Claiming Her Sweet Curves
Bool 172: Possessive Camp Counselor
Book 173: Claimed By Dad's Italian Best Friend
Book 174: Possessive Neighbor
Book 175: 4th of July With Dad's Best Friend
Book 176: Claimed By Her Enemy
Book 177: Bodyguard’s Obsession
Book 178: Falling For The Player
Book 179: Possessive Alpha Cop
Book 180: Her CEO
Book 181: Falling For Her Dad’s Boss
Book 182: MMA Fighter’s Obsession
Book 183: Possessive Lawyer
Book 184: Claimed by the British Rockstar
Book 185: Summer Obsession
Book 186: Paris with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 187: Claimed by the Possessive Fireman
Book 188: Possessive Trucker
Book 189: Falling for Dad's Enemy
Book 190: His Undercover Maid
Book 191: Her Innocent CEO
Book 192: Bratva Boss’s Babysitter
Book 193: Sold to the Bratva Boss
Book 194: My Dad's Best Friend
Book 195: His Cabin Obsession
Book 196: Driver's Obsession
Book 197: His Unexpected Love
Book 198: London with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 199: Hot Neighbor
Book 200: Maid for the Hollywood Heartthrob
Book 201: The CEO and the Wedding Planner
Book 202: Claimed by the Italian
Book 203: Dad’s CEO Boss
Book 204: The Mob and His Messenger
Book 205: Rome with Dad’s Best Friend
Book 206: Haunted by Her Curves
Book 207: Her Vampire
Book 208: Bidding for Her Curves
Book 208: Claiming His Student
Book 210: CEO's Dog Trainer Obsession
Book 2
11: Pool Girl
Book 212: Possessive Writer
Book 213: Maid for the Mafia Informant
BRATVA BEAR SHIFTERS
Book 1: Dad’s Russian Mafia Bear Best Friend
Book 2: Babysitter For Dad’d Russian Mafia Bear Friend
Book 3: Dad’s Bratva Bear Friend
LAIRDS & LADIES
Book 1: Possessive Highlander
Book 2: Taken By The Highlander
Book 3: Highlander Alpha
RUSSIAN UNDERWORLD
Book 1: Brooklyn Bratva
Book 2: British Bratva
Book 3: Bratva Billionaire
Book 4: Bratva Babysitter
Book 5: Bratva Boss
IRISH WOLF SHIFTERS
Book 1: Dad’s Irish Wold Shifter Friend
Book 2: Claimed By The Irish Wolf Shifter
Book 3: Claimed By The Enemy
Collaborations
Alpha's Arms (Makes My Heart Race Book 7)
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Maid For The Mafia Informant: An Instalove Possessive Alpha Romance Page 13