Page 85 of Texting My Mafia Boss

And luckily, I already had one. A mother I never had in Livia. A daughter or friend I never had in Sylvie. A boyfriend who cares about me, supports me, respects me… until I don’t want him to.

He leans over and kisses me on the cheek. I squeeze his hand, resting my head on his shoulder, not having to wonder if we deserve happiness like this. Now, I feel entitled to it, in a good way. Not like some in-the-way foster care kid. We deserve this magical, sparkling thing between us.

In the car on the way home, Sylvie naps between us, snoring softly. Ettore smiles down at her with more open affection than I ever saw in him before we found each other.

I take out my phone and text him.

Mara: I love seeing how much you love her.

He checks his phone, then smiles at me.

Ettore: I love being there for her. I love straddling that line, Mara, the one we always talk about.

Between heaven and hell, between mobster and civilian.

Ettore: And it’s all because of you.

Mara: It was in you all along. It just took some… encouragement.

Ettore: It took the woman I fell in love with, piece by piece, and now I can’t imagine living without her. That’s who it took, Mara.

My heart beat speeds up. I know he loves me and I know I love him, but we’ve been coy about it. I’m still technically employed as his nanny, though the title doesn’t fit anymore. I sleep in his bedroom. We share our lives. He’s been talking about what I’d like to study if I ever wanted to go to college, or what businesses I could start.“Or maybe you want to be a stay-at-home mom,”he even said.

So, we’re there. But this is the first time we’ve brought it out into the light.

Mara: Is this woman in the car with us?

I reply, smiling at him.

He chuckles.

Ettore: Yes, she’s the sassy one who needs to take this seriously before I lose my mind.

I take a breath, feeling like I’m crossing an important threshold, thatweare. This is when our romance really begins.

Mara: I love you, Ettore, so, so much.

I send the text, so ready for what the future brings.

EPILOGUE

ETTORE

Two Years Later

Istand at the door to Sofia’s nursery, my hand on my wife’s shoulder, feeling the love radiating from her. Sylvie is leaning over Sofia’s crib, singing softly. There’s nothing like her big sister’s singing to get our new baby to sleep. Their bond is new yet already changing Sylvie for the better. She’s becoming more attentive, caring, involved. She was all those things anyway, but having a sister, plus having a steady home life, has brought her out of her shell.

When the song is over, Sylvie stands, taller now, tanned from her new favorite hobby, soccer. She smiles sleepily as she walks over.

“Bedtime for you too, young lady,” Mara says.

“Yes, Mom,” Sylvie says, with a sassy smile.

My breath catches every time Sylvie calls her Mom. So far, it’s smiles all around.

We hug and kiss Sylvie good night, then Mara gives me a look, leading me by the hand toward the bedroom.

“I know that look,” I say once the door closes.