THE MAFIA’S HEIR

MANUEL’S POV

I watched as she played in the soft sand, turning around so fast that I feared she was gonna get dizzy. Her hair shone so beautifully under the sun, making me want to run my hand through it. Oh, my wife was beautiful. I noticed she gently sat on the sand, but I couldn’t really see her face. She was probably exhausted from all the fun.

“Baby!!” She called out to me, signaling me with her hand, to come over to where she sat. I stood up from the soft sand where I had been lying on, and lazily walked up to her. My shirt was completely unbuttoned and my abs were pretty much on full display for her to see. I hoped she was going to see it though.

The whole day, I had been trying to get her to notice me, but it didn’t seem like she was. Instead she had been busy with the rest of my family, talking about God knows what. Now that she had come to this secluded part of the beach, I was hoping she’d noticed me and we could run into one of these beach houses for a quickie, but it seemed to be that I had another thing coming. Actually, another human coming. “Babyyy!!!” She yelled louder, and that was when I knew all wasn’t well.

I rushed to where she was sitting and was shocked to seeing that her sundress had been soaked in pee. Or not? She looked to be in pain, and it only got me worried.

“Babe, are you alright?” I rushed out, squatting to her level. She shook her head vigorously and held onto my shirt so tightly, that her knuckles had turned white.

“Nooo!!! My…. I think my water just broke!!” She cried out. Oh no! Before I could even think through my next actions, I was scooping her into my arms and rushing to where the rest of our family sat. The moment they sighted me coming with her, they knew something was up.

“Oh my goodness!” Mom rushed towards us. “Is she in labour?”

“Seems to be so!” I yelled in confusion and worry.

“Aahhh!!” Bianca yelled out, holding her belly in pain.

“She is having contractions!” Bella said, rushing towards us. Alexander followed behind with Emilio in his arms. “Let’s take her to the hospital already.” She said, signaling us to go to where we parked our cars. Greta and the rest of our family began running around, and that was how our picnic at Lake Como, ended.

I was sooo confused throughout our trip to the car, and annoyingly long journey to the hospital. We had literally rushed into the hospital like crazy people, causing a hell of a scene, but I could care less. All I wanted was for my wife’s pains to disappear. When the nurses came and assisted her onto a stretcher, taking her to the delivery room, I followed suite. I didn’t want to leave her side for a moment, and she didn’t let go of my hand either. The nurses and doctor got busy preparing her for delivery. When it was finally time to start, I didn’t realize it was going to be the longest hour of my life.

“Baby, you can do this!” I kissed her sweaty forehead, as her fingers bore deep holes into the skin of my hand.

“Yes!!” She breathed roughly, before screaming out loudly and pushing out the baby with all the strength she could muster. “Aaahhhh!!!!” God, I couldn’t imagine her going through another one of these episodes. It was so much pain! The past hour was the most torturous one of my life, but I’m glad it finally ended with the loud cry of a tiny creature.

“Oh, it’s over.” I breathed out in relief, as the nurses took the baby who was already a crying fit, and got busy cleaning it up. I looked at my tired wife who had fallen back on the bed, and couldn’t be more thankful for her. She was a strong woman. “Oh, my love.” I kissed all over her face. “Thank you so much.” She caressed my cheeks and gave a tired smile.

A few minutes later, the nurses returned with our baby, and handed it over to me.

“Congratulations sir. It’s a girl.” A girl?! Oh wow! My little princess. I took our baby from the nurse and looked down at her. I didn’t know how I really felt. It was a mixed feeling. Positive mixed feelings. I felt like my heart would burst from so much love, seeing the human Bianca and I created. For the life of me, I couldn’t believe how beautiful our little angel was. I bent and kissed her head, tears clouding my eyes.

“Baby, our little princess is here.” I cooed. Immediately, she stretched out her arms for me to place our baby, and I did. Bianca brought her close to her bosom, tears falling from her eyes.

“She is so beautiful.” She sniffled, and I nodded in agreement. That was when I noticed the curls on the top of her head. A smile came on my face when I realized. “She has your hair. Beautiful.” I said, completely mesmerized.

“That, she does.” Bianca looked up at me and grinned, tears still in her eyes. “Welcome to the world, my beautiful Rosa.” She smiled. Wait, what? Rosa?

A smile spread onto my face when I realized my daughter was going to be monopolized by Nonno. There was no avoiding it. Here I was, thinking Bianca was Nonno’s little Rosa. Little did I know it wasn’t even her.

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3 MONTH’S LATER

BIANCA’S POV

I looked around the large hall that was filled up to the brim. It was the official opening of The Gold Empire, and I was the most excited. I watched as a few members of the board gave their speeches, and silently prepared to give mine. I looked to my right and I almost laughed when I saw Nonno busy with his nanny job, barely paying attention to speeches being given. Ever since we had Rosa, it felt like Nonno was both her mother and father. It was crazy, but the man could barely stay away from she and Emilio. This made Alexander and Bella to always be in the same place Manuel and I were. Because wherever we were, that was were Nonno and the kids were.

“Babe.” Manuel called my attention. “Are you ready?” He whispered, and I smiled. I guess I was.

“I don’t know. I’m a bit tensed.” I honestly said. “But seeing Nonno so smitten with Rosa, makes me want to burst out laughing.”

“I know right?” He chuckled. Just then, I was called to the podium for my speech and my heartbeat accelerated. Manuel gave me a warm smile and rubbed my back gently. “Don’t worry baby, you’d be just fine.” His words made me feel a lot better, and I released a sigh before standing and making my way out to the podium. The moment I got there, the crowd went up in an uproar and slowly my tension disappeared, replaced with pride. My heart swelled, seeing everyone cheer so loudly for me. Even people I did not know. I looked around and I could see my parents smiling with so much pride on their face. Massimo and Francesca who sat beside them, waved at me. I shot them a smile, glad they could make it. I also grinned at Laura and Ricardo, happy they were present to celebrate with me. They had wedded last month, and I wasn’t sure they’d return from their honeymoon, before the event. Lastly, I looked at my new family all seated closely amongst one and other. All I could see on their faces was immense happiness for me.

I couldn’t believe this was happening! Oh, Bianca! You made it. All my life, I have wanted to be a powerful lady, to grow an empire, and to move with such great force. I was there now. I was achieving my dreams, and success never felt better. I cleared my throat, making some people in the crowd laugh.

“For as long as I can remember, I have had lofty dreams.” I started, and the entire place went silent. “Dreams that one might think too big for an ordinary girl like me.” I sighed. “Dreams of being wealthy, dreams of being powerful. Dreams of touching lives and positively impacting the world at large. It’s been many years down the line, and a lot has happened. I may not be where I want to be yet, but life is indeed a journey.” I smiled. “The Gold Empire is a project very dear to my heart, because it gives me the opportunity to carry on the legacy of a great woman…..” My speech went on and on, and when it was time to finally wrap it up, I locked eyes with an attentive Nonno.

“This project is dedicated to the late Mrs Rosa Russo, a woman dear to many hearts. I promise to fulfill her vision and carry on her legacy. I am Bianca Russo, CEO, Gold Empire. Thank you.”

There was another uproar and just then, Manuel stood from his seat and walked up to me with a huge bouquet of roses. I grinned widely as he leaned down to give me a kiss. “Thank you.” I whispered with teary eyes, feeling so many beautiful emotions.

“I’m so proud of you my love. Always.” Manuel was always so supportive. I looked at him and couldn’t believe how sweet life could be. My life wasn’t perfect, and it didn’t have to be. I was fine, as long as I had him and my family.