Page 73 of Cherished Union

I sink into his embrace and wish I had his confidence. Having so many people under one roof is just a disaster waiting to happen.

“I knew it,” Edwina gasps as we make our way out into the backyard. “You’re pregnant.” She points at Annemarie’s bump, tears shining brightly in her eyes as a beautiful smile breaks out over her face. “I’m so happy for you both.” She walks over to her son and daughter-in-law, pulling them in for hugs and kisses. “Liam, aren’t you going to congratulate them?” she says as she steps back.

Everyone is trying to keep their smiles from their faces, having already known that Liam has known about the pregnancy for a long time.

“Edwina,” Granny Margret begins, and I brace myself for whatever is going to come out of the older woman’s mouth. “A blind man could have seen that she’s pregnant. Hell, with all the fornication those two have been doing, it’s a wonder they don’t have a dozen kids running around.”

I bite my lip to stifle the laughter.

“Oh, hush you. I thought she was, but I couldn’t come out and ask. What if she had gotten bigger?” Edwina whispers, horrified at the thought.

Granny Margret rolls her eyes. “Yes, she got fat with a baby. Jesus, woman, I do worry about you sometimes,” she says with a shake of her head. “What would happen if you were left alone?” She tuts and I bite harder on my lip. These two are hilarious when they get going. “You’d burn the damn house down, wouldn’t you? God, it’s a wonder why my son puts up with you.”

“Granny,” Jade says, stepping into the fray, and I watch as Rocco winces. “Now, isn’t it past your bedtime?”

“Your father should have put manners on you a long time ago. A spanking never goes amiss,” Granny Margret continues, this time switching her energy onto my sister-in-law.

Jade smiles sweetly at her. “I’m sure Ade can attest to that. But as I’ve said, if you’re into it, Granny, I’m more than happy to put you into a home so you can get your fix.”

I feel my cheeks heat as everyone’s gazes turn to me, some of their eyes filled with questions.

“I hate your sister sometimes,” I murmur so that only Hayden can hear me.

“Join the club, Dove. My sister pisses people off on a daily basis. As you can see, it’s a family trait that she takes from our grandmother.” He presses a kiss against my head and clears his throat. “Now that we’ve got the pleasantries out of the way, can my wife and I finally find out what the gender of our baby is?”

Callie’s laughter is throaty and Denis grins as his cousin. Everyone is used to the chaos that this family brings.

“Please do,” Anna says. “That cake looks amazing and I’m not sure I can hold back any longer.”

I laugh at her, knowing all about the craving. The moment I saw the gender reveal cake, my mouth started to water. I had to ask Liam to keep it hidden so that I didn’t eat it by mistake.

Hayden takes my hand and leads me to the table that’s set up with the cake. I look around at all our family. Everyone made it out to see us, including Dante and Romero’s brother, Alessio, a man I hadn’t met before today. From everything Annemarie has told me, he made a lot of mistakes in the past and has spent the past three years trying to repent for them.

He’s now one of the meanest sons of bitches the Bianchi Famiglia has. The darkness in his eyes matches that of what’s in Jade’s and Finn’s. It sends chills down my spine every time he glances in my direction.

I hear the front door open just as Hayden and I begin cutting the cake. I vaguely hear Anthony calling out and Gabby shushing him. My focus is firmly on the cake that we’re cutting. We slowly pull it out, and my heart stutters when I see the beautiful pale pink frosting.

I turn to my husband and see his dark gaze on me, his eyes filled with love and adoration. I take a deep breath as I smile at him.

“I love you,” I whisper to him. “You were right,” I say, happy that he was.

“When aren’t I, Dove?”

I push at his shoulder, but he pulls me into him. “Vivian Anna Gallagher,” he says the name that we agreed on out loud. “Thank you, Addie, for giving me such beauty.”

I swallow back the tears. He’s got to stop. God, he’s killing me. “Thank you for loving me.”

“Gabby?” I hear Raylee screech. “Oh, Gabby.”

“Oh no,” I hear my friend whisper in terror. “Alessio?”

I pull away from my husband and turn to my friend. She’s ashen, her eyes wide as she stares at Alessio Bianchi.

“You have a son?” he snarls at her, his voice deep and angry. It makes me shiver in fear, and I’m not on the receiving end of it. “My son?”

I freeze at his words. Wait, what?

“I’m sorry,” she whispers. Pulling Anthony into her arms, she turns on her heels and rushes out of the backyard and into the house, Alessio hot on her heels.