Chapter 93
The morning sun stretched lazily across the Venetti estate, its warm rays painting the garden in shades of gold. Carmen sat cross-legged on a picnic blanket spread across the soft grass, her son giggling as he crawled toward her, clutching a small red ball.
“Come on, sweetheart,” she coaxed, her arms open wide. “Bring it to Mommy!”
The little boy babbled something incomprehensible, his tiny legs wobbling as he stood and toddled toward her. Carmen caught him just as he stumbled into her lap, laughing as she hugged him tightly.
“You’re getting so fast!” she exclaimed, peppering his chubby cheeks with kisses. “Soon you’ll be running circles around me.”
Marco appeared from behind the hedges, a mischievous grin on his face and a toy airplane in hand. “Oh, I think someone’s already outrunning you,” he teased.
Carmen raised an eyebrow at him, pretending to be indignant. “Oh, really? Let’s see if you can keep up then.”
Marco swooped down, scooping their son into his arms. “Alright, little man,” he said, lifting the boy high into the air. “Ready for takeoff?”
The toddler squealed with delight as Marco flew him around the garden, making exaggerated engine noises. Carmen watched, her heart swelling as she saw the pure joy on their son’s face.
“Don’t fly too high, Marco,” she called playfully. “He might decide he likes it up there and never come down!”
Marco laughed, bringing their son back down to his chest and holding him close. “Nah, he’ll always come back to his mama,” he said, pressing a kiss to the boy’s forehead.
Carmen rose from the blanket and joined them, wrapping her arms around both Marco and their son. Their little boy reached out to touch her face, his tiny fingers brushing against her cheek.
“Mommy,” he said softly, his first clear word.
Carmen gasped, her eyes filling with tears. “Did you hear that?” she asked, looking at Marco.
“I did,” Marco said, his voice thick with emotion. “Smartest kid in the world, just like his mother.”
She leaned in, kissing their son’s forehead before turning to Marco. “We’re so lucky,” she whispered.
Marco tilted her chin up, brushing his lips against hers. “No,” he said, his voice tender. “I’m the lucky one.”
Their son wriggled between them, babbling again, and they both laughed as they shifted to give him attention.
“Alright, little troublemaker,” Carmen said, lifting him from Marco’s arms and spinning him around. “What do you want to do next?”
The boy giggled, pointing toward the flower beds. “Fowers!”
“Flowers it is,” Marco said, taking Carmen’s free hand as they walked toward the blooms. Together, they crouched beside the bed of vibrant roses and lilies, their son reaching out to grab at the petals.
“Gentle, sweetheart,” Carmen said, guiding his hand. “We don’t want to hurt the flowers.”
Marco leaned closer, wrapping his arm around Carmen’s waist. “He’s got your touch,” he said, his lips brushing against her temple.
She smiled, resting her head against his shoulder. “And your heart,” she replied softly.
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As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, they returned to the terrace, their son happily playing with a small wooden horse Marco had carved for him.
Carmen leaned back against Marco, his arms wrapped securely around her. “This is all I ever wanted,” she murmured. “Just us, together, happy.”
Marco kissed the top of her head, his voice quiet but steady. “And this is what we’ll keep. No more battles, no more enemies. Just us, building the life we deserve.”
Their son toddled over, holding the wooden horse up for Marco to see. “Daddy! Look!”
Marco knelt, pulling the boy into a bear hug. “That’s my boy,” he said, ruffling his hair. “You like it, huh?”
The child nodded enthusiastically before turning and throwing himself into Carmen’s lap. She laughed, kissing his forehead. “You’re my little miracle,” she said, holding him close.
Marco joined them on the ground, pulling them both into his arms. “My perfect family,” he said, his voice full of love. “I’ll never stop being grateful for this.”
Carmen turned to him, their faces close. “Me neither,” she whispered, before leaning in for a kiss.
Their son, oblivious to the romantic moment, wriggled free and began chasing a butterfly nearby, his laughter filling the garden.
Carmen and Marco watched him, their hands entwined, their hearts full.
As the stars began to peek through the evening sky, they knew that whatever the future held, they would face it together—with love, strength, and the family they had fought so hard to protect.
