Chapter 5 - The Four Children Who Chose Her Before Their Father Did
The children learned the truth slowly.
Not the medical details.
Not the family history.
Just enough.
Nora wasn't broken.
Someone had lied.
Mia didn't understand why anyone would lie about something so important.
Theo simply decided Nora was still Nora.
Sofia was more complicated.
She found Nora in the kitchen one night.
“Are you leaving?”
Nora looked up.
“No.”
“You're crying.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because grown-ups are terrible.”
Sofia nodded.
“I agree.”
Nora smiled.
Sofia sat beside her.
“Dad loves you.”
Nora looked at her.
“He does.”
“He loved Mom.”
“I know.”
“You aren't replacing her.”
“I don't want to.”
“Good.”
Sofia leaned against her shoulder.
“I think he needs you.”
Nora's heart tightened.
“I think I need all of you too.”
The next morning, Marcus knocked on Nora's door.
“You awake?”
“Yes.”
He entered holding a framed photograph.
It showed Isabella with the four children.
He placed it on Nora's dresser.
“Keep this.”
“Why?”
“Because you're family now.”
Nora stared at him.
“Marcus.”
He shrugged.
“Don't make it weird.”
She laughed.
“Deal.”
Theo followed ten minutes later.
Then Mia.
The four children stood together.
Mia held a paper.
“We made something.”
Nora unfolded it.
It was a family tree.
At the top were four names.
Marcus.
Sofia.
Theo.
Mia.
Underneath:
Mom: Isabella.
Then, beside it, written in bright purple crayon:
Nora.
Nora couldn't speak.
Mia frowned.
“Is it bad?”
Nora shook her head.
“No.”
She pulled all four children into a hug.
“It’s perfect.”
From the hallway, Luca watched.
He turned away before anyone could see his expression.
Later, he found Nora outside.
“I saw.”
“You did.”
“They added your name.”
“I noticed.”
He smiled.
“I think I've lost control of my household.”
“You never had control.”
He laughed.
Then his expression changed.
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I want to marry you.”
Nora stopped.
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“Because of the children?”
“No.”
“Because you feel sorry for me?”
“No.”
“Because everyone expects it?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
He took her hands.
“Because when I walk into a room now, I look for you first.”
She smiled.
“That's a terrible reason.”
“I have more.”
“Let's hear them.”
“Because you argue with me.”
“True.”
“Because you make my children laugh.”
“True.”
“Because you insult my cooking.”
“Your pasta is terrible.”
He nodded.
“See?”
She laughed.
“And because I don't want another day without knowing you'll be there when I wake up.”
Nora's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
Luca smiled.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
The children exploded into the yard.
Mia screamed.
“WE WON!”
Nora blinked.
“What?”
Sofia laughed.
“We made a bet.”
Luca groaned.
Marcus held out his hand.
“Pay up.”
Luca looked at his son.
“You bet against me?”
“Yes.”
Theo held out his hand.
“I bet twice.”
Mia bounced.
“I bet the most!”
Nora stared at Luca.
“Your children bet on our relationship?”
“Apparently.”
She laughed.
The engagement should have been peaceful.
It wasn't.
Because Carmine Romano returned.
He sent Luca an invitation.
A meeting.
And one message.
THE WOMAN YOU STOLE FROM US BELONGS TO THE ROMANOS.
Luca tore the paper in half.
Nora looked at him.
“What does he want?”
“You.”
“I’m not going.”
“He won't get you.”
The children overheard.
Marcus asked, “Is the bad man coming?”
Luca knelt beside him.
“Yes.”
“Then I'll stay with Nora.”
“No.”
“I can protect her.”
“You're sixteen.”
“I don't care.”
Luca looked at his son.
Then at Nora.
For years, he had kept the children separate from his criminal world.
Now it was coming to their door.
Nora crouched beside Marcus.
“You don't need to protect me.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No.”
She touched his shoulder.
“Your job is to be a kid.”
He frowned.
“You're my family.”
“And that means you trust me to protect myself.”
Marcus looked at Luca.
Then back to Nora.
Finally, he nodded.
Luca pulled Nora aside.
“I can't lose you.”
“You won't.”
“I thought I could keep you outside this.”
“You brought me into your family.”
“I know.”
“I chose it.”
May you like
He kissed her forehead.
“Then I choose you.”
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