Melina opened her eyes and smiled. Every morning that she woke up to the tall vaulted ceilings and the wide bay windows in her bedroom was a good one. She groaned as her son shifted in her belly none too gently.
“All right, munchkin, take it easy on Mommy.”
As usual, the baby ignored her and continued doing whatever he liked. That was a definite trait their unborn child had inherited from his father. Speaking of his father, Melina sighed and pulled the pillow closer from the empty spot beside her. Mac had left the house hours ago.
She hated that it seemed his days were getting longer and longer with the current unrest in the Pivetti Organization. It was astounding to her that Luca was still in jail. She had no idea what the Feds thought they had on him, but it had to be bad. The man hadn’t even been allowed bail. Enzo either. The whole thing was surreal.
A family without a boss.
What would happen now?
Throughout her pregnancy, Melina had tried not to think about Cosa Nostra. It had nearly ended her life and her son’s once not that long ago. But she couldn’t stick her head in the sand and pretend everything was perfect. It wasn’t. She worried for her husband. Mac was the most hardworking, honest man she knew and in the back of her mind she wondered if that would ultimately lead to more trouble in their future.
Melina winced as a sharp pain pierced her belly. Involuntarily her hand moved to the place where the pain had come, but just as quickly it was gone. Perhaps she’d imagined it. No reason for concern. Moving back the covers she got out of bed and slowly made her way into the adjoining bathroom. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror before getting into the shower. Her belly was huge. At one time she’d wondered if there were two babies inside her instead of one, but her OB doctor had quickly put that idea to rest. She was just carrying a big baby.
Turning on the shower, she stepped inside and allowed the triple heads to rain water down on her body. This shower was amazing. Large enough to accommodate four people, with crisp, black tile and fog proof glass doors it was easily one of her favorite things about her new home. Lazily she scrubbed her body with the loofah sponge as she stood under the warm water.
Minutes later as Melina toweled off her wet body, her son changed positions and another sharp pain hit her belly. Ignoring it, Melina brushed her teeth and finished getting ready for her day. It was damn near eleven when she finally entered the kitchen and grabbed a snack before setting the alarm and leaving the house.
It didn’t matter if her belly was as big as a beach ball or if the swelling in her feet was so bad somedays she didn’t even want to wear shoes, sitting at home was just not an option. For any business to be successful, you had to put hard work into it and pregnant or not there was business to be done at The Dollhouse. It seemed dissension and despair lead to the increase of certain appetites. Who knew?
Melina ignored the pain in her lower back as she talked to some of the women currently awaiting patrons at The Dollhouse. No doubt it was just the kitten heels she’d insisted on wearing catching up with her. She was nearly nine months pregnant, after all.
“No. She’s not the kind of girl I’m looking for,” Melina said.
“But, Boss Lady…”
Melina shook her head, cutting off the rest of Amina’s sentence.
“I can appreciate you wanting to help your friend out, but The Dollhouse is not the place to do that. No. I’m sorry.”
She turned away before the young woman could plead with her again. Since her business had become such a success, her girls were always approaching her seeking employment for friends and family. So far she’d turned everyone down. It took more than just a pretty face to be a Doll at The Dollhouse. A woman had to have a certain charisma. She had to know how to handle herself, but most of all she had to be all business. Too much could go wrong otherwise.
Needing a minute to herself, Melina headed back to her office. Dropping down onto the small couch, she took off her shoes and rubbed her throbbing feet. The dull pain in her back was still there, but she felt better now that she was off her feet. Maybe if she laid down for a quick nap she’d feel even better. Stretching out on the couch, Melina closed her eyes and was soon asleep.
When Melina opened her eyes again, she didn’t know how long she’d been asleep. But she knew why her dress was wet, and it wasn’t because she’d peed on herself. Sitting up slowly, she cried out as a stabbing pain hit her. She took a breath hoping that it would soon pass. It did and then another pain hit her just as sharply.
Fuck. She was in labor.
Her son was ready to make his way into the world.
Gingerly getting up from the couch, she walked over to her desk and searched through her purse for her phone. When she found it, she quickly dialed her husband. His phone continued to ring, and she doubled over as another contraction hit her.
“Hey, doll.”
“I’m in labor,” she panted.
“You’re in what?” Mac yelled.
“Damn it, I’m in labor. Are you deaf?”
“Where are you?”
“At the club. In my office.”
“How long have you been in labor?”
“Like I know. I just took a nap, and when I woke up my water had already broken.”
Melina clutched the desk and gasped as another pain tore through her.
“I’m on my way, doll.”
“Hurry, Mac.”
Melina ended the call and waddled back to the couch. Just as she sat down, Erika entered her office.
The tall, pixie-haired Doll rushed over to her. “Oh, my God. Melina, are you all right?”
She shook her head. “No. My water just broke.”
“Shit. We have to get you to the hospital. I’m going to call an ambulance.”
“No. Mac is on his way.”
Erika put her hands on her hips and frowned. “We don’t have time to wait for Mac. You need to get to the hospital now.”
“I’m fine. I can hang on until he gets here.”
Erika sat down beside her on the couch and placed her hand on Melina’s stomach, while glancing at her watch. “How far apart are the contractions?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t been paying attention.”
“Melina!” Erika shrieked.
“I told you, I’m …”
The rest of her sentence was cut off by another contraction. Melina grabbed her belly and sucked in a breath to keep from crying out.
“You are not fine. You need to be at the hospital getting your ass an epidural before it’s too late for you to have one.”
Melina glared at her former cellmate and now employee. “When the hell did you get so bossy?”
“When my friend’s pregnancy brain is making her act foolish instead of cool-headed like she normally is. If your husband isn’t here in the next ten minutes, I don’t care what you say, the ambulance will be called.”
Melina gritted her teeth. Erika was being pushy as hell, but she understood why. This was her first birth. Anything could happen.
“Fine. Ten minutes.”
Melina closed her eyes as another contraction hit, and sent up a silent prayer that Mac would be there soon.
“Doll, are you sure about this natural birth?”
Melina glared at her husband. “I think it’s a little late for you to be asking me that now, isn’t it?”
By the time Melina had finally made it to the hospital, she was already dilated five centimeters. That was hours ago. Mac paced the length of the hospital room, and for every step he took Melina’s aggravation increased.
“I can’t help I got held up in traffic. You should’ve let Erika call an ambulance for you.”
Melina opened her mouth but quickly closed it as another contraction hit her. She bit her lip. They were coming together, closer and closer. It wouldn’t be long now.
“I didn’t want to ride in the back of a bumpy ambulance. And besides, this is the most important day of our life together. I wanted to wait for my husband.”
Mac finally stopped his pacing and took a seat in the chair next to her bedside. He took her hand in his. Melina tried not to grimace, but she couldn’t help the whimper that escaped her lips as another wave of pain hit her body. They were silent a moment, watching the various monitors she was connected to that monitored her vitals and their son’s heartbeat.
“We still haven’t decided on a name,” Mac said quietly.
“I know, but I think once we see him we’ll know.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
Melina smiled at Mac. Though he hadn’t said anything, she could see worry etched in the lines of his face. Her pregnancy had been a normal one, but there was always risk associated with childbirth. She knew that was what had her husband concerned now.
“Both of us are going to be all right. You don’t have to worry,” Melina assured him.
“Who said I was worried?”
“I know you better than anyone.”
“Yes, you do and I couldn’t ask for a better partner in this life, Melina.”
Melina cocked a brow. “So does that mean I can count on you to give me a spectacular push present?”
“What’s a push present?”
“Husband of mine, you really are living in the dark ages. A push present is a really nice gift a husband gives to his wife for having his child.”
“You definitely deserve one for what you’re enduring. Anything you want.”
Melina laughed. “You know I’m just jerking your chain, right? The only things I need in this world are you and our son. That’s all that really matters.”
Mac leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips and just as he pulled away, Melina screamed.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to push.”
Quickly, she pressed the call bell that would bring a nurse to her bedside.
“What can I do?” Mac asked. He looked helpless.
“Just keep holding my hand.”
Less than a minute later, nurses and a doctor rushed into the room.
“Mrs. Maccari, let’s see how far you’re dilated,” Dr. Adams said.
“I’m ready. I need to push now,” Melina told him.
The doctor ignored her and lifted the sheet off her legs, but Melina couldn’t hold back any longer. As another contraction hit her, she pushed as hard as she could. She tried to maintain the deep breathing exercises that she’d been instructed were so helpful, but the force of the first push left her gasping for air.
“All right, Melina you’re doing fine. Give me another push,” Dr. Adams said.
Melina looked at her husband and squeezed his hand tighter. He offered her an encouraging smile.
“Right here with you, doll.”
Melina nodded and pushed with the next contraction. Her body felt as if it was ripping in two. Her vagina hurt in a way it never had as she continued to push with the contractions.
“Almost there, Mrs. Maccari. I can see the baby’s head,” Dr. Adams said.
Melina rested back against the pillows as beads of sweat ran down her forehead.
“I just … need … a minute,” she gasped.
Mac pressed a cool cloth to her forehead. “You’re doing just fine, Melina.”
“I’m so tired.”
“You’re almost done, Mrs. Maccari. A few more pushes, and your son will be in your arms.”
Melina nodded, her body still in fiery pain as she leaned forward and bore down as hard as she could. Her body begged for relief, and her lungs screamed for air but she couldn’t stop. Not now.
“His head is out, doll. Keep pushing!” Mac said.
She looked down but the drape over her legs hid everything. She wanted to see their son so badly. With a final scream, Melina pushed again as hard and as long as she could. She fell back against the pillows and closed her eyes, completely exhausted. And she heard her son’s cry, loud and lusty.
“Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Maccari. You have a beautiful, healthy baby boy.”
Hours later, Mac and Melina were enclosed in a private room. Though her body still ached, with a dull pain, it didn’t matter. She’d do it all over again if it meant having this precious angel in her arms. Swaddled in a soft blue blanket, Melina held her son. He was the most precious thing she’d ever seen.
“Melina, he’s perfect,” Mac said.
She looked at her husband and wasn’t surprised to see his eyes glistening as well.
“Yes, he is.”
Melina gazed at her son, noting his head full of black hair and small perfect features. He had her nose for certain, but the curve of his lips and the shape of his brow were all Mac. She wondered what color his eyes would be.
“He looks like you, Mac.”
Her husband took their son’s tiny hand. Reflexively, the little hand curled around Mac’s pointer finger.
“Yeah, but he has your nose.”
“That’s about it though.”
The baby stirred in her arms, and Melina smiled as she noted the baby attempting to open his eyes. Melina held her breath as she continued to watch her son ever so slowly open his eyes.
“I’d say his eyes are all yours, doll.”
Melina couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face as she gazed into eyes so much like her own. Deep, amber pools of light met hers.
“Hi there, handsome,” Melina said to the baby.
“Now being handsome, he got from his dad,” Mac said.
Melina elbowed her husband. “Smartass.”
“You love it.”
Mac kissed Melina, and she responded easily. It was amazing the connection they had. The ease in every touch, every look they exchanged. Mac was her soulmate now and always. She was as sure of that as she was of her name. Speaking of names.
“Mac, we still haven’t decided on a name. I think I have one in mind,” she pointed out.
“Well don’t keep me in suspense.”
“How about Marquise? I know it’s not a common name, but it’s still Italian.”
Melina bit her lip as she glanced at Mac, gauging his reaction.
“Marquise, huh?”
“Marquise Maccari,” Melina said softly.
“It does have a certain ring to it. I like it.”
“You hear that, Marquise? Your dad is in agreement for once in his life.”
Marquise seemed to smile at her comment.
“Happy wife. Happy life. I learned that lesson a while ago.”
“I’ll make sure to remind you of this conversation ten years from now,” Melina said.
Smiling at her son, a fresh wave of tears blurred her eyes. She tried to hold them back. This was a happy day. The happiest day of her life, but yet she suddenly ached for the voids that couldn’t be filled.
“Melina?” Mac put his finger under her chin. “Talk to me.”
She wiped her face before the tears could fall on Marquise. “I’m not sure how to put it into words.”
Mac pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Try.”
Melina chewed on her lip for a moment before she spoke. “I don’t think there could be anything more wonderful than having you and Marquise. I know it’s selfish for me to take anything away from this moment, but … my parents … I wish they were here.”
Her tears flowed anew, and Melina could’ve sworn baby Marquise frowned as she cried. She smiled at him through her tears as Mac pulled her into the circle of his arms. His chin rested atop her head.
“You don’t have a selfish bone in your body and on a day like this, I’d be worried if you hadn’t thought about your parents. There’s nothing wrong with you wishing they were here.”
Melina looked at her husband. “You really don’t think I’m spoiling our son’s birth with all this crying? I’m not usually like this.”
“Of course not, doll. I was just thinking why don’t we give him Daniel as a middle name?”
“I think I’d like that,” Melina said softly.
Mac was such a dichotomy of a man. Strong, but yet loving in a way others could never truly understand or appreciate. His acknowledgment of her pain, and his heartfelt desire to honor her feelings only made her feel as if she was falling in love with him all over again. Before she could say anything, the door to her hospital room burst open. She couldn’t see who had entered behind the masses of balloons and gifts.
“All right, give him up. Let me see my first grandchild.”
As the balloons were carefully herded into a corner, Cynthia Maccari and Mac’s sister, Victoria, crowded around Melina’s bed.
“He’s beautiful. Finally, bro, you did something right,” Victoria said.
“Stop being such a smartass,” Cynthia said.
Melina laughed. “Wow. I think that is the first time I’ve ever heard you curse.”
“Me, too,” Mac said. “Wonders never cease.”
Cynthia waved her son away as she reached for the baby. Gently, Melina handed her mother-in-law her precious bundle. Marquise wiggled as he was handed off to his grandmother. Melina held her husband’s hand as his mother cooed and awed over their son.
“He looks so much like you, Mac. The resemblance is uncanny,” Cynthia said.
“The Maccari genes are strong, but at least he has Melina’s eyes,” Victoria said.
“With babies this beautiful from the two of you, I’m definitely going to be looking forward to more grandchildren.”
Mac coughed. Loudly. “Me too.”
“You two are really full of it. I just had a natural birth where I cannot even begin to describe the amount of pain I endured, and you two are already planning for more babies.”
“Melina, you really are a wonder woman. Natural? No, thank you,” Victoria said.
Cynthia smiled down at Marquise. “Point taken. How about I mention it again in about six months? This little angel is going to need a sibling.”
Despite the absurdity of the situation, Melina laughed. For better or worse, this was her family. No matter what happened tomorrow or the day after, nothing in the world could spoil this magical moment
It had been three days since Melina was released from the hospital, and little Marquise had surprisingly given her and Mac very little trouble. At first she’d wondered if their son was going to be one of those babies that cried all the time and refused to sleep like some of the horror stories she’d heard about new babies. So far that hadn’t been the case. Marquise seemed to sleep in two hour intervals and awakened promptly for his feedings. They’d tried breastfeeding in the hospital, but her milk hadn’t come fast enough to satisfy her son, so he was now happily bottle-fed.
Mac was equally sharing all of their parental responsibilities and for that she would always be thankful. Sleeping in intervals was a new thing for the both of them, but they were managing the new change in their lives well. Marquise not only had his father’s looks but Mac’s temperament as well. Rarely did their son fuss or cry. At the moment, their little bundle of happiness was curled in Melina’s arms staring at her intently.
“Mommy’s not getting any of these thank you cards written because she can’t stop staring at you, Marquise. You’re too precious for words.”
She loved talking to him like this.
Holding him like this.
Watching him grow day by day.
Melina felt fulfilled in a way she’d never thought could be possible.
“I don’t think that anyone will hold it against you, doll.”
Mac entered the living room dressed in a tailored black suit and sat down beside her on the couch.
“I don’t know. Some might say having a baby doesn’t excuse good manners,” Melina teased.
“With the mountain of gifts we’ve received, I’m positive the people will understand.”
“To be honest I might be procrastinating a bit with the thank you cards.”
“And why is that?” Mac reached for Marquise’s hand and allowed the tiny fingers to curl around his own pointer finger.
“I thought some of them might come by and I could thank them in person, especially Neeya. I haven’t seen or heard from her at all.”
Mac took Marquise from her arms and held his son, but Melina didn’t miss the subtle tensing in his shoulders.
“Mac, what do you know?”
“What makes you think I know anything?”
Melina cocked a brow. “You tensed up when I mentioned her. Now spill.”
“Neeya’s been busy as of late.”
“Luca is still behind bars. I’m sure she’s working with lawyers trying to get him out. I can understand.”
Mac shook his head. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it? Why are you being so cryptic? Is she all right?”
“She’s fine, if you consider selling everything she owns and liquidating her assets fine.”
“What?” Melina asked.
“Yeah.”
Melina frowned. What Mac was saying didn’t make any sense? The Neeya she knew would be fighting tooth and nail to get her husband home and fighting anyone that got in her way. What Mac was telling her sounded like … no …
“Is Neeya leaving Luca?”
Marquise made a noise, and they both looked at him. Mac rubbed a thumb across their son’s cheek.
“I don’t know.”
“I see.”
Melina was quiet as the possible ramifications of a Pivetti split ran through her mind.
“So what happens now?” she finally asked.
“I don’t have any answers right now, but maybe my meeting will shed some light on things.”
“Meeting with?”
“Luca.”
“Mmhmm. I knew there was a reason you were extra snazzy.”
Mac cocked a brow. “Snazzy?”
Melina rolled her eyes. “You’ve never heard that word before? Seriously?”
“No.”
“It means dressed extra well. Looking extra nice.”
“You learn something new every day,” Mac said before he pressed a kiss to Marquise’s cheeks.
“Yes. We do.”
Mac looked at her, a small furrow forming between his brows. “I don’t want you to worry.”
“How can you expect me not to? It’s not just us to consider. We have our son, too,” Melina pointed out.
“Fuck, I know that.”
In Mac’s lap, Marquise whined. “I’m sorry, little man,” he apologized before turning to her. “I’ll be the first to admit things are a little shaky right now, but I live and breathe for you and our son. I will battle the Devil himself to keep you safe.”
Melina leaned into her husband. “I know. I’m not doubting you. You know I’m always in your corner.”
“Yeah. It’s one of the reasons I married you. Love and loyalty like yours is hard to come by.”
“Likewise. You go and handle your business. Marquise and I will be fine.”
Mac nodded and gave her back their son before he pulled her close and kissed her. Their lips melded together in a kiss that spoke of love and a sweet, yet hot passion. When Mac drew away, Melina already missed the touch of his lips on hers.
“If you keep kissing me like that, doll, we’re going to have a problem.”
He stood up and looked at her with desire in his eyes.
“You and I have a while before we can engage in any of that activity again, Mr. Maccari.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t mean I’m not thinking about it every time I look at you. Pregnancy has been exceedingly good to you, wife.”
Melina made a shooing motion with her hands. “Stop making me horny and go to your meeting, Mac.”
“All right. I’ll see the two of you when I get back. Love you, doll.”
“We love you, too.”
Melina leaned back on the sofa as she heard Mac turn on the alarm before he exited the house. Alone with her son, Melina resolved to do her best not to worry. One thing Mac excelled in was handling his business. In retrospect, she had to wonder exactly how long he’d been sitting on this information about his boss’s wife. She’d been so wrapped up in her bubble of happiness that she hadn’t thought once about the Pivetti Organization. Perhaps she should have. Perhaps these few days were just an idyllic lull of happiness before another tsunami hit their lives. For once, she hoped she was wrong.