Page 130 of Humility

Angelo stepped outside just then. “Oh, sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said, and I dabbed at my eyes.

“I was just about to come back inside.” Kissing my papa’s cheek, I whispered. “She’s always here. You told me that yourself. She knows, she sees, and I feel her love through you.”

My papa cleared his throat. “Go on, get out of here, and stop spending all your time with your old man.”

“Ti amo Papa.” He smiled, then turned away, and I knew he needed a few minutes to collect himself.

“Is he okay,” Angelo asked once we were out of earshot.

“Yeah, we talked about my mama and how we wish she could be here. It’s a bittersweet day,” I said, and he gave my hand a gentle squeeze. He led me to the dance floor just as a slow song came on, and I twirled out and then into his body.

“I think we should start trying for kids right away. That way, he’ll have grandchildren to entertain him,” Angelo said, and I laughed.

“Is that so? Are you planning on using my papa as a bargaining chip for all your negotiations from now on?”

“Only with you,” he smiled, giving me a wicked lopsided grin. He spun me around, and I caught sight of Dario and Enzo talking to Ciro and Marcus. I winked at them as we danced by.

“Fine, I’ll go off my pill,” I sighed dramatically.

Angelo’s cheeks turned red, his eyes shining with mischievousness. “So, remember when I said no more lies?”

“Yes.”

“I may have forgotten to mention that I swapped out your pills with placebos.” He cringed like I was going to punch him. “It may not have been my best strategy,” he said sheepishly.

I laughed hard, not able to be angry even though I probably should be. This was Angelo, and I’d just signed myself up for a lifetime of ‘What the hell were you thinking’ moments, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Well, that explains it,” I said.

“What?”

“Why I’m two months late,” I said. Angelo stopped moving, and his mouth fell open. I poked him in the chest. “No disappearing this time,” I ordered playfully, knowing that wouldn’t happen. I had wondered if it was possible I was pregnant but hadn’t wanted to get my hopes up.

“I want to scream this from the rooftops. Are you kidding? I’m never going anywhere ever again.” He pulled me into a hug.

“Maybe we should wait to—”

“Hey, everyone! I’m going to be a father!” Angelo yelled.

“Tell everyone,” I finished as the first person congratulated us.

I sighed as we were quickly surrounded, but I smiled at Dario when he stepped in close, wrapped his arm around my waist and whispered that he loved me. Enzo’s hand slipped into mine as he hugged me and whispered the same. I felt the two of them brimming with as much excitement as Angelo was showing, and I already knew that it didn’t matter what time we made it back to the room. The party would continue for hours.

Not everyone was lucky enough to have a happily ever after, so I would hang onto mine and my men with both hands and never let go.

I am Jasmine Falcone-Esposito and I am the tiger.