Louis knew instantly that Belinda was not well, she was nervous and pale, and the way she bolted into her room had him worried. Concerned about her health he called their family doctor to see to her.

“Thank you for coming around Doctor, I’m quite concerned about my fiancé, she doesn’t seem well. It could very well just be stress, but I’d prefer if you could take a look,” he said as he walked alongside the doctor taking him upstairs.

“What are her symptoms?” the doctor asked.

“Tired, pale, overall she seems quite edgy. She recently lost her father as you know, and with the wedding drawing close, I think it might just be stress,” he said quietly as they stood outside the room.

“Well that could very well be the case, but I’ll take a look and run a few tests to make sure all is in order.”

Louis opened the door for the doctor and then waited outside. This entire arrangement was handled incorrectly from day one, he thought as he paced in front of the door. He couldn’t help but feel guilty for allowing his father to influence his choices like this. He should have refused the arrangement and taken the brunt of his father’s rage instead of being such a coward. Now the woman he has slowly started to fall in love with is ill, and it was his fault. From the shy timid creature she was when he first met her, she now displayed the characteristics of a true Donna, unmoved and poker-faced. She even refused to attend her father’s funeral, who knows what was going on in her mind.

A little while later the doctor asked Louis to join him and he couldn’t help but feel the immense sense of sadness as he looked down at Belinda where she lay staring out the window, her skin pale against the dark hair that framed her face.

“How is she?” he asked tentatively, taking her hand in his, surprised that she didn’t pull away from him.

“She does show some signs of stress but it’s very normal when a woman’s body undergoes such extreme changes during pregnancy…” the doctor started.

“Scusami, pregnant?” he asked in disbelief.

“Yes, that is correct. She’s about four weeks now,” the doctor said and turned his attention to Belinda, “Signora, you would need to visit my rooms as soon as you feel up to it so that we can make sure everything is in order, but your blood pressure seems fine.”

Louis stood in shock as he looked down at Belinda. This was the last thing he expected, he had assumed she was on birth control like most women should be in this day and age. How could she possibly be pregnant?

He walked the doctor to the door and let him find his own way out then came to sit beside her.

“Did you know you were pregnant?” he asked trying not to sound accusing.

“No, I didn’t,” she said without looking his way.

“Belinda, look at me. Were you not on birth control?” he asked trying to control his impatience.

She whipped her head around and glared at him, “No I was not. What seems to be the problem Louis, are you afraid that I might trick you into marrying me?” she bit out harshly.

“You know it’s not like that,” he countered.

“Do you think this is what I wanted, a baby born into the mafia!?” she said raising her voice.

“Calmati,” he said and took a deep breath, “I’m sorry for upsetting you. I just didn’t expect this,” he said quietly.

“Well neither did I, so here we are. Getting married in a few days, and I’m having your baby. Instant family isn’t that just brilliant,” she bit out sarcastically.

“Bella, please don’t stress yourself out, we can hold off with the wedding…”

“No, I will not walk down the aisle looking like a house or give anyone reason to think I am a promiscuous gold digger,” she said bitterly, “we will wed as planned.”

She had a point, everyone will think he is marrying her because she is with child, and the gossipmongers will have a field day. He just wished she could show more compassion, he wanted her the way she was when he first met her.

“As you will, mio cara, we will continue as planned.”

“I’m tired,” she said quietly turning her back on him.

“Get some rest, I’ll bring you some food later, and we can talk about the wedding then.”

He stood looking at her for a brief moment and then quietly left her to rest, closing the door behind him.

Although he didn’t expect this to happen he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride knowing he was going to be a father. Maybe in time she would grow to love him and they would become a true family.