Chapter 39

My ears perked up as my heated gaze burned towards Hailynn’s direction. I unconsciously strode towards her direction.

“Hey, hey. Give her some privacy, will ya. She’s speaking to her family.” Leo said as he stopped me by grabbing my arm.

“Oh, please.” I shake off his hand. “Her parents are mine as well.” I resisted a grin while trying so hard to get mad at amore mio.

Why the hell does she always make me feel this way? Make me mad and then fall in love with her even more right after.

He smiled while shaking his head. “Is this the time where Americans would usually say ‘you’re whipped’?”

I punch his arm playfully. “Stai zitto.” He chuckled but I continued to walk towards my wife who was slowly getting up from the ground with struggle.

I hurried to her side and immediately supported her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her hand. Her head turned swiftly towards the unexpected intruder. Her eyes widened in alarm and obviously with hidden guilt.

“Dante!” She shouted in surprise. “Yo-you’re here!”

I rolled my eyes. “And you’re here as well, amore. Do you know what punishment you’ll have when we arrive home?”

She was smiling shyly and guiltily as she peered through her long lashes. “I know you love me so much, Dante. I know that punishment of yours means more love for me.” She acted sweetly and clingy as she took my arm and pressed herself to me even more.

I suppressed the dancing elephants in my stomach. Damn it to hell. “Tch.” My eyes suddenly caught something that was placed on the side of her parents’ grave. “Why is that lover boy’s grave placed here?”

She flinched at what I found out. “Don’t talk to Ethan like that. Respect the dead, Dante. There’s no way for him to talk back if you’re going to be like that.”

I scowled even more. “And you dare defend him!” I stepped towards the front of Ethan Comte’s grave, leaving a stunned Hailynn a few steps behind. “Listen here! Hailynn is mine.” I growled at his grave. “So don’t dare invade her thoughts. I don’t care if you’re living peace in heaven just don’t bother her or haunt her!”

“What the hell are you doing?!” She held my arm with both of her hands and dragged me back. “Are you crazy?! I can’t believe you’re scolding an already dead person.”

I stopped at her parents’ grave and faced them solemnly. Hailynn stopped her nagging and raised a brow questioningly at my action. “Mother, father.” She scoffs while rolling her eyes but I try to ignore her childish reaction.

“I know you’re worried about your daughter who you left so early. I know you will always worry for her... that's why I’m here. I’m here to promise you. I promise that I will continue to take care of her for the rest of our lives. I love her so much that I’m pretty sure her ears are tired of the same words over and over again. But I’m not tired of saying or showing that to her. She’s that something in my life that I had been looking for. The missing piece of my puzzle and that piece which I can’t live without for I can’t be complete.”

My pause made me unconsciously grab her hand and hold it firmly between mine.

“After the birth of the twins, I will marry your daughter right away. I want to marry her in her best condition and let our sons be the witness of our souls binding as one. I am confident though that you’re not going to protest about that or oppose me as her partner in life… because I know I’m the only one that could make her happy. As her family, you only want that for her. To be happy and maintain that smile in her face. She’s the only one who could make me happy as well. She and my sons in her belly.”

A smile broke in my face at the thought. I’m finally going to have a family with my beautiful future wife.

I put my hands inside my pockets and grabbed something that had been residing there for a long time.

“This is you witnessing my promise.” I grabbed Hailynn’s hand and picked a certain finger. I slid the ring on her finger with no hesitation. I pulled her hand and pressed a kiss on it, lingering it there for a long time.

With teary eyes, she gave me a wobbly smile when I pulled away. “What the hell are you doing? Did I say yes so you could put that ring on my finger?”

I grinned. “Oh, amore. A ring is just a ring but you’re mine no matter what.” My hand went to her neck pulling her towards me and gave her a kiss in the forehead. A kiss on the lips followed.

“Ti amo, amore mio.” Pecking her lips again. “Verso l’infinito e oltre.”

“Je t'aime aussi.” She replied.

I didn’t need a translation for that. My heart already knew what it meant and I’m even more the happiest man alive.

I have been waiting for that answer for a long time and I finally heard it.

As much as I want to carry her and give her a long french kiss, I have to hold back for now. Hailynn engulfed me with a hug instead. Her growing belly pressed against my stomach. It felt like the twins were celebrating when I felt them move.

“Thank you so much, Dante. Thank you for doing this in front of them. You don’t know how much it made me fall in love with you more. I can’t seem to stop wondering how you do that everyday, making me feel like a queen to be worshipped.” I could feel her tears falling towards my neck. And I know enough that it was tears of overwhelming happiness.

“Because, amore, I know you’re my endgame.” I said against her neck as I inhaled her heady scent.

We knew we were each others’ endgame. That’s why it felt natural calling her my wife even though I haven’t proposed. I was surprised at first that she didn’t ask me anything about marriage. She was accepting of our present relationship. Somehow it made me think that I was the only one who was wanting for more.

I wanted her to demand from me. I wanted her to be clingy if possible more than I could ever be. I wanted her to want me more than I wanted her.

Things like that were everything I hated over women I met back then but somehow I wanted her to be like that. But Hailynn was different. She was mischievous, always challenging me, always teasing me until I feel a vein popped in my head, always making me feel on edge, always making me feel crazy that I love a woman like her. I realized it was her way of showing me her love and affection. I’ve understood that later in our relationship.

And I’ve never been more than happy with my life with her in it.