Page 48 of Kiss me Forever

We decide that’s all we’re going to say for now. She’s like a baby animal and we don’t want to spook her. We continue with our dinner preparations while Bianca and Isabella entertain the children. Livie sidles up to me and I love that everyone who’s special to me is all in one room.

“I have some news to share,” she tells me.

“I love news,” I say as I continue layering the eggplant parmesan.

“There might just be a sibling for Julie in about seven months.” She says the words so casually, it takes a moment for them to process in my brain. I stop what I’m doing as I look at my best friend, joy filtering through me. A gasp escapes my mouth and Magnus looks up with concern. He’s so in tune to me it’s crazy.

“Are you serious?” I ask.

“As a heart attack,” she says, making me shake my head before I grab her into a hug and bounce up and down.

“I hate that saying, but love that I’m going to be an aunt twice over,” I tell her.

“What’s happening?” Magnus asks.

Livie turns to beam at him. “We’re having baby number two in seven months,” she practically shouts.

Everyone smiles as the joy in the room turns up another notch and we all offer our congratulations and hugs. Even Bianca jumps up from the floor and throws her arms around Livie, saying she gets to hold this one before me, making Livie laugh. Mama Isabella smiles with joy and officially gives Magnus permission to build an addition on the house. She’s going to need a lot more room for all of these beautiful grandchildren.

Magnus takes Gio from her so she can properly hug Livie. Our son lets out a wail that makes Isabella beam. She knows he loves his Nonna, and it’s beautiful. I don’t have the heart to tell her he’s hungry. After a few more hugs, I take him to the corner and sit so I can feed him.

We finally sit down to dinner, Julie on Isabella’s lap and Bianca holding Gio, everyone filled with smiles and stories. I look around at this built family of mine. They’ve all become mine and each one is just as important as the next.

One year ago Magnus and I were newlyweds, just beginning our journey together. Now we’re parents, surrounded by those we love and who love us. It’s beautiful, wonderful, and unbelievable. It will keep growing and growing.

I might not have started out without love, but I’m surrounded by it now. I look over to my husband and take his hand. He looks in my eyes, his gaze filled with love. Life is good, it’s beautiful, and this is forever.