Chapter 33

LUCA

“She’s in bad shape, but I think she is going to live.” Looking back at Grazia, he saw she was coming to; her eyes opened, and she reached up, grabbing his shirt.

“Robin and the babies, help them.”

“They are fine, thanks to you, my dear cousin. Now don’t try to talk. I’m going to call for help.”

He called for an ambulance, then dialed down to his staff to come up and help. Hanging up, he went over to Eleonora and felt for a pulse; he cursed when he felt one.

He hated her so much at that moment and wished she had died. Well, now he would make her life a living hell.

Two of Luca’s help showed up, and he explained what had happened. “Stay here and wait for the ambulance and cops to come. I’m taking my wife to our room.”

Going over, he put his arm around her waist.

“Let’s get you out of here.” Helping her, they headed downstairs. Halfway down, she doubled over and cried out in pain. “Robin,” he said, eyeing her, fear once again taking hold of him, “what’s wrong?”

“I…think I’m going into labor. I can’t, Luca, it’s too soon.” She grabbed his arms as another wave of pain racked her body.

“That’s it. I’m taking you to the hospital right now.”

He lifted her up into his arms and carefully walked down the remaining stairs and out to the car. After gently placing her into the passenger side, he tore off his jacket, which had pieces of glass sticking in it.

He held her hand as he maneuvered the car around and tore out of the driveway.

His gut was tied in knots; she had a month to go, and with twins, he also knew it was too soon. He hid his fear from Robin, not wanting her to stress any more than she was already.

ROBIN

Having Luca there, holding her hand, she relaxed. As long as she had him, she knew everything would be okay. After all, he said it would be, and she believed him. “I’m sorry,” she said, wiping a tear away.

“For what?” he asked, glancing over at her.

“This is all my fault. If I hadn’t agreed to stay and marry you, none of this would have happened.” She sniffed.

“If you had not, my little bird, I would have fallen victim to Filippo and Eleonora’s vicious plan. You saved me from certain death.

“So never again say this was your fault. That’s an order, you got it?” he said harshly.

“Wow, after all this, you’re still going to be so bossy?” She smiled, actually loving his bossiness. “I think my contractions are getting closer.”

“We’re almost there,” he said and stepped on the gas.

Rounding the corner and stopping in front of the entrance, he jumped out and went around to her side. He helped her out and lifted her up when another wave of pain made her body shake, and she let out a painful moan.

“Someone help! My wife is in labor,” he shouted once they were inside.

A nurse was there in a flash. “What have we got here?”

“My wife’s eight months pregnant with twins. She’s not due for another month,” Luca said, his voice shaking with emotion.

“Well, let’s get you into the examining room, and a doctor will be right there, sweetie,” the kind nurse said as she motioned for a wheelchair to be brought over. “Sir, you have to wait here.”

“Like hell, I will. I’m going with her,” he shouted.

Robin touched his arm, calming him down. “Luca, don’t yell at her. Let them do what they have to. I’m sure you’ll be able to join me soon.”

“That’s right, sir, give us a few minutes, and I’ll come and get you.”

Luca kneeled down in front of her, taking her hands in his. “I love you so much, Robin.” He then kissed her and watched as they wheeled her away.

LUCA

He paced back and forth, raking his hand through his dark thick hair. It seemed like forever that he waited before the nurse came to get him.

“Sir, your wife has been taken to the delivery room. Follow me. You will have to wash up and put on scrubs before going in. You have cuts on your back; let me take care of them for you first.”

“No,” he barked. “I want to go to my wife now.”

When he entered the room, Robin held out her arms, and she shook as he held her. “I’m scared for the babies, Luca.”

Taking her face in his hands, he used his thumbs to wipe her freshly fallen tears away. “They are going to be okay, I just know it.”

He gave her the biggest smile ever. “We’re about to become parents. Ready to do this?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m ready.”

The first baby came out with no problems, a boy.

“He’s beautiful, Robin,” Luca said and gave her a kiss. His heart was bursting with pride and happiness when he saw his son and heard the loud crying. “He’s got some lungs on him.”

Robin shed tears of joy. She held Luca’s hand as she looked at the baby lying in the nurse’s arms. “He’s so small,” she said.

“Okay, Mrs. Mariani, his sister is coming. I want you to push now.”

Robin started pushing and pushing; this time, it was taking much longer. She was exhausted, and when she was told to give one more big push, she cried out. “I can’t. I just can’t.” Lying down, she shook her head. “I can’t.”

Luca towered over her, wiping her damp face with a cloth. “You can do it, you’re strong, and I love you with all my heart.”

Robin’s eyes widened, and she smiled at him. “You said you love me in front of other people. You told me you would never do that.”

“I was a fool to say that. From now on, I’ll say it all the time. I love you, Mrs. Mariani. Let’s bring our little girl into the world.”

Twenty minutes later, their little girl was born, and for a short time, they were allowed to hold the babies. Being born early and weighing just under five pounds, the doctors wanted to have them in an incubator.

“Okay, Mr. Mariani, why don’t you wait outside while we tend to your wife,” a nurse said as she started cleaning up.

“I don’t want to leave your side,” Luca said as he kissed her hand, not wanting to let go.

“Luca, I’m worried sick about Grazia. Will you please go and see how she is and let me know? As rude as she was to me, she did try to save me.”

“All right, I’ll go check. I’ll see you soon,” he said and kissed her.

After talking to the doctor, he found out Grazia was operated on, was expected to make a full recovery, and was asking for him. Quietly slipping into Grazia’s room, he went over to her bedside just as her eyes opened.

“Luca, how are Robin and the babies?”

Sitting down by her side, he couldn’t help but smile. “Robin is exhausted. Lila and Zyrus both weigh four pounds and eleven ounces; they are so tiny but are healthy.”

Grazia let out a sigh of relief. “I didn’t know what Filippo and Eleonora were up to. I had no idea they were lovers.

“Luca, it’s true I tried to set you up with her and asked her to seduce you. But I would never physically harm Robin.”

Luca stroked her cheek. “I know that now. You helped to save her life and the lives of our children. I will forever be in your debt. Who knows, maybe someday you and Robin will become friends.”

“I’d really like that, but she may never forgive me for the way I’ve been treating her.”

“It’s not in her nature to not forgive. I really want to get back to her. I’ll check on you in a while.” Kissing her cheek, he went to the private room Robin was in.

She was asleep, her hair was fanned out, and he thought she looked like an angel, his angel. He sat by her bed, his fingers caressing her hand, and she woke up. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” Her hand went to his face. “I could smell your scent and thought I was dreaming, and I was so happy to find you here. How is Grazia? Have you seen her?”

“Grazia is doing really good and asked about you and the babies. I think she’s warming up to you. The police are on their way in to get her statement. I suspect they will be in to get ours at some point.”

“I want to see my babies.”

“Rest first,” Luca said and stopped her from getting out of bed.

“I won’t be able to rest till I see them.”

Chewing on his bottom lip, he looked at the sadness in her eyes and made a decision. Picking her up, he carried her to the nursery.

The nurse let them in and pulled a chair over for Robin to sit down, scolding Luca for taking Robin from her bed when she was clearly exhausted.

They were able to touch the babies through the holes, wearing gloves.

“I want to hold them in my arms,” she said, her sobs catching in her throat.

“You will soon. It’s only for a couple of days,” Luca said and picked her up, taking her back to bed when he saw she was fighting to keep her eyes open.

He laid her down and covered her with the blanket. “Sleep now, my little bird.”

Yawning, she asked if he got the cuts on his back taken care of. Satisfied that he had, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Luca was lying on the bed with his arm around her when two police walked in. Getting up without waking her, he went to where they stood by the door.

“If you’re here for my wife’s statement, it will have to wait; she is exhausted and needs to rest.” Luca showed his displeasure by opening the door and motioning for them to leave.

They looked over at the woman asleep in the bed, looked at each other, and nodded.

“It can wait, Mr. Mariani. We got your cousin’s statement and Eleonora Gallo’s. Miss Gallo has confessed to everything.

“She told us how Filippo Russo planned to murder you and your wife and all that they did to harm her. Miss Gallo will be going away for a very long time.”

“Will I be arrested for his death?” Luca asked, worried he would be taken away from Robin.

“No, sir, it’s clear you are the victim, and it was in self-defense. We’ll come by tomorrow to get both of your statements.

“Congratulations on having twins. Goodbye, sir.” One officer shook Luca’s hand, and they left him alone to be with his wife.

True to their word, they were back the next day, and Robin told them about finding the book and what happened up to the time Luca arrived.

The police told them it was Eleonora who hired that man to run her over. Finishing up with their questions, they left.

Robin told him that her bodyguard, Chad, never made a pass at her and that though he was distant, he was always respectful, and she made him promise to rehire the man.

But not as her bodyguard, as she was sure she wouldn’t need one anymore; she said he should be kept on as security. Making it known if he didn’t, he would be in the doghouse for a very long time.

ROBIN

When Luca left to go home to shower and change, Robin decided to go see the twins, first stopping at Grazia’s room.

Going over, she sat down by the bed. “Grazia, what you did for me was very brave. You saved us.”

“Luca was the one who saved you, Robin, not me.”

“You’re wrong. If it wasn’t for you showing up and delaying their plan, it might not have turned out the way it did. But I have two questions for you. Where did you get the gun, and how did you know where to find us?”

“It was my father’s gun. I kept it when he died.” A smirk crossed her face. “You never know when one will come in handy.

“Since I was in the hospital for a brain injury, I get these visions. It’s hard to explain, but I saw you tied up to a chair in the tower.

“I want you to know, Robin, I’m sorry I treated you the way I did. I guess I was jealous of you.”

“But why, Grazia?”

“Because of your beauty and the way all the men were drawn to you, lusting after you. I’ve never had a man look at me the way they do you, especially Luca.

“You’ve made him happier than I’ve ever seen him. I would like it if we could start over.”

Robin smiled. She knew Grazia was being sincere. “I’d like that too. There is a man out there for you; you’ve just not found him yet. I’m on my way to visit the twins. Would you like to come with me?”

Grazia’s eyes glazed over. “You sure you don’t mind?”

“Of course not. After all, you are going to be their godmother,” Robin said, holding out her hands to help her get out of bed.

Grazia teared up when she saw the babies looking so small through the glass. “They are so beautiful,” she said and hugged Robin.