Rick's POV

"No. I  have never been in love with her. And Vittoria, she isn't my daughter; she is Angela and Domenico's daughter. Angela has already been pregnant, but we found out about it later," I stated firmly.

"Is it true? Don't you lie to me because of what doctor said?" Vanessa asked warily.

"No, I swear. There is nothing between us. We ended it before I left Sicily. We are just friends," I reassured her, giving her a warm smile as I held her hand. "I just love you, amore mio," I confessed honestly, looking Vanessa in the eyes. "I am sorry for everything I did to you. Please forgive me." I added, giving her a begging look.

"Will you give me my Rick back then?" she asked softly. "I can only give a chance to my Rick, the light in darkness, not you, a man lost in darkness."

I looked away, heaving a loud sigh, and ran my hand through my hair. "That light disappeared when he lost you," I commented sadly.

"But you found me again," Vanessa reminded hopefully.

"I am not sure if I can give you what you want, Nessa. I have changed. More correctly, I returned to my past self." I sighed sadly.

"Rick, you just hide the man, who I fell in love with, deep in your heart. It is in your hands to give my Rick back to me," she said softly and gave me a tender smile.

"I will try for you then. I don't want to lose you again, amore mio. I love you so much," I admitted sincerely and placed a soft kiss on her palm, sitting beside her.

"I love you, Rick." She gave me a warm smile and hugged me. I hugged her back and placed a soft kiss on her neck.

***

"Did your mother like me?" Vanessa asked nervously, leaning against my chest while we were lying in the bed.

Today my parents visited us and we had dinner together. It was the first time when my mother met Vanessa.

"Of course. How not to love you?!" I replied and bit my lower lip seductively.

"Rick." She smiled shyly and shook her head.

I rested my hand on her belly after placing a soft kiss on her hair. "Daddy loves Mommy so much, Alessio," I said softly, stroking her belly tenderly.

"I love you too." Vanessa cupped my cheek and placed a chaste kiss on my lips. Then she rested her hand on top of mine on her belly. "I am relieved that the risk passed, and our Alessio is fine."

"So do I. I was barely breathing while we were waiting for the obstetrician in the hospital this morning," I admitted honestly.

When I woke up the following morning, Vanessa was sleeping in my arms peacefully, resting her head on my bare chest. I smiled happily and caressed her silky hair gently. I enjoyed waking up to this beautiful view every morning.

This woman was my light in my dark world. When I thought she played with my feelings, I lost that light which I found in New York after running away from my past.

After finding out the truth, this goddess brought that light back to me. Now I had hope for a happy future.

A few minutes later, my angel opened her eyes and looked up at me, giving me her dazzling smile.

"Good morning." She cupped my cheek, caressing it affectionately, and placed a soft kiss on my lips.

"Good morning, amore mio," I said warmly and kissed her passionately, holding her in my arms.

"Let's have breakfast at the café," I suggested, caressing her cheek tenderly.

"Yes, I am bored of staying home all day," she said happily, smiling. "Can we eat gelato as well?" she asked with shining eyes.

I smiled, amused and nodded, tapping on her nose playfully. "We will buy whatever you want."

"Alessio wants," she resumed, rubbing her baby bump tenderly.

"Of course, Alessio wants. It was Alessio who wanted to eat pizza, lemon cake and cinnamon rolls yesterday as well, not you," I commented, giving her a teasing look.

"Rick!" she pouted, pulling away, and leaned against the headboard.

I grinned in amusement and whispered in her ear huskily. "You look sexy when you are angry."

She pursed her lip together, trying to hold her smile, and stood up. "Come on, signor Castelli. You talk too much when you are hungry," she said cockily and winked at me playfully. I chuckled and stood up to take a shower.

After getting ready, I held Vanessa's hand and led her downstairs.

Once we reached my car, Mario greeted us politely and opened the door for us.

As soon as I got in the car, I wrapped my arms around Vanessa's shoulder, pulling her towards me, and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. She smiled happily and rested her head on my shoulder as Mario started the engine.

Once Mario parked the car in front of one of the best cafés in Palermo, he got out of the car and rushed to the other side of the car to open the door for me. I got out of the car and extended my hand towards Vanessa. She gave me a tender smile as she held my hand and got out of the car, resting her free hand on her belly protectively.

"It is my favorite café. They make the tastiest granita," I informed her, holding her hand tightly while leading her inside.

"I have never tasted it before," she commented curiously.

"You will love it," I said, walking towards the table away from the windows.

It was dangerous to sit next to window for a member of my family when we ate at cafes and restaurants because of an unexpected attack. It was like a family tradition for Castellis.

"In Sicily breakfast isn't a simple meal, it is a ritual which we never skip," I informed Vanessa as we sat down on our chairs.

A few minutes later, the waiter bought us our order. I asked him to bring a variety of things: sweet and savory pastries- brioche, cannoli filled with ricotta, treccina covered with sugar, calzoni, sausage rolls, different jams, arancini, and lemon granita as well as fruit juice for Vanessa and a cup of cappuccino for myself.

Vanessa was looking at pastries, running her tongue over her lower lip, They really looked mouth-watering. A real Sicilian breakfast.

"What are these?" Vanessa asked curiously, gesturing to the arancini.

"Italian rice balls. They are stuffed, coated with breadcrumbs and deep fried," I explained warmly. "They are delicious. You should try them."

"I will try them later. Now I want to taste the lemon granita. It looks mouth-watering," she commented, grabbing a spoon.

"We eat it with a brioche," I told her, gesturing to the brioches. She nodded and took one of the soft buns.

I took a few sips from my cappuccino while watching my woman. I gulped, biting my lower lip as she moaned after tasting the granita.

"Why don't you eat? This granita is really delicious," Vanessa said cheerfully.

"I have no doubt. Really mouth-watering," I commented huskily and ran my tongue over my lower tongue, looking at my woman salaciously. If we were alone right now, I would taste it on her lips with pleasure.

We were having breakfast while chatting from time to time. Actually, it was me who was talking; Vanessa was nodding or answering with one syllable words because she was so busy with eating. She was eating like she hadn't eaten for a few days. She looked so cute.

Once we finished eating, the waiter cleared the table.

"Won't we eat gelato?" Vanessa asked as I wanted to ask for a bill.

"Do you still have room for gelato after eating so much?" I asked in surprise, looking at her with wide eyes.

"Yes, I want gelato."

"Fine, let's eat." I gave her a tender smile and called the waiter.

"Can I get you anything else?" he asked as he approached us.

"Gelato, please," Vanessa replied excitedly. I pursed my lips together in amusement.

"Which flavours would you like?" the waiter asked politely.

"Chocolate, hazelnut... and lemon. Umm... Do you have mint gelato as well?"

"Yes, signora."

"Then mint too, please." Vanessa nodded happily. I smiled amused while watching Vanessa; she looked like a little girl.

"Signor, which flavor would you like?" the waiter asked me after taking her order.

"Almond gelato, please," I replied politely. He nodded and walked away.

As soon as the waiter was back with our gelati, Vanessa started eating. I leaned back against my seat, watching Vanessa in delight.

"Why didn't you finish your gelato? They are amazing," she asked curiously as she finished her gelato.

"I am full. I can't eat anymore," I replied, giving her a bright smile.

"Umm... Then can I eat your gelato too?" she asked hopefully.

"On one condition," I replied devilishly, leaning towards her.