Lucio's POV:

The weight of the last few months had settled deep into my chest. I knew I had to fix things with Kate, not just because of the baby but because she was my everything. The house was chaotic with workers buzzing around, prepping for the renovations I'd called for earlier. I was determined to make this house a place Kate could call home—a sanctuary for her and our child.

The plans were already in motion. I'd called Jacob, one of the best contractors, to renovate the upstairs rooms, expanding Kate's space and attaching it to the nursery. She deserved the best, and I would make sure she had it.

"Hey," Kate's soft voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood at the bottom of the stairs, rubbing her belly absentmindedly.

I walked over, keeping my steps slow so I wouldn't spook her. "How are you feeling?"

She hesitated, her gaze flickering to my face. "Tired, but okay."

"Good," I said softly, motioning for her to follow me. "I have a plan I want to show you."

Kate raised an eyebrow but followed me upstairs to where Jacob and his men were unloading their equipment. I pointed toward the adjoining walls. "We're expanding your room and attaching it to a nursery. You'll have a door connecting the two rooms, and the baby's space will be right next to yours."

Her eyes widened slightly as she looked at the plans Jacob had laid out. "You're really doing all this?"

I nodded. "For you. For the baby. I want this place to feel like home for both of you."

Kate didn't respond immediately, her hand resting protectively over her belly. Finally, she sighed. "I'm still mad at you, Lucio. I haven't forgotten what you said or what you did."

"I know," I admitted, my voice quiet but firm. "I don't expect you to forgive me overnight, Kate. But I'll spend the rest of my life proving to you that I can do better."

Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded. "I'm not forgiving you for you, Lucio. I'm forgiving you for the baby. They deserve to have a father who's present. Just don't let me regret it."

Her words were a small victory, but they also carried a heavy weight. I had to prove I could be the man she and our child needed.

As the workers started drilling, I noticed Kate shifting uncomfortably. "Come on," I said, reaching out a hand. "Let's get you downstairs. It's going to get loud up here."

She hesitated, then took my hand. I guided her down the stairs, making sure to keep my grip steady in case she needed support. When we reached the living room, the guys were sprawled out on the couch, yelling at the TV.

"Move," I barked. The room fell silent as the men turned to me.

Steven smirked. "Whipped much, Lucio?"

"Get out before I make you regret that comment," I growled, my hand twitching toward my waist where my gun rested. The smirk vanished, and they scrambled to their feet, muttering under their breath as they left the room.

Kate rolled her eyes as she lowered herself onto the now-empty couch. "You didn't have to kick them out."

"Yes, I did," I said, settling into the chair opposite her. "You shouldn't have to deal with their nonsense."

She huffed but didn't argue. Instead, she looked at me with a faint frown. "I'm hungry."

"What do you want?" I asked immediately.

"Nutella," she said, her voice firm. "And pancakes."

"Nutella and pancakes it is," I said, standing up. She raised an eyebrow at how quickly I moved but didn't say anything.

In the kitchen, I whipped up the pancakes as fast as I could. While the batter cooked, I rummaged through the pantry, finally finding the Nutella jar. I returned with a plate piled high with pancakes and a spoon for the jar.

Kate's eyes lit up when she saw the food. "Finally," she said, grabbing the jar and spoon.

I couldn't help but chuckle as she dug in, taking a bite of pancake and then a spoonful of Nutella. She moaned softly, her face lighting up with satisfaction.

"You're enjoying that way too much," I teased.

She shot me a look, her mouth full of pancakes, but I saw the corners of her lips twitching. "Shut up," she muttered after swallowing.

Watching her like this—relaxed, even if only slightly—made my chest feel lighter. It wasn't perfect, and I still had a long way to go, but it was a start.

After she finished eating, I helped her back upstairs. She paused halfway, wincing slightly. My hand shot out to steady her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said quickly, but her hand moved to her belly. "The baby's just active today."

I nodded, keeping a close eye on her as we made our way back to her room. Once inside, I helped her settle onto the bed, arranging the pillows to make her comfortable.

As she lay back, her eyes fluttered shut. I hesitated, then leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest, Kate."

Her response was barely a murmur, but I caught it. "Thanks, Lucio."

It wasn't much, but it was enough for now.

I watched her drift into a light sleep, her breathing evening out as she rested. Even with the tension between us, seeing her like this brought me a sense of peace I hadn't felt in months. The faint rise and fall of her chest, the way her hand rested protectively over her belly—it grounded me. But I knew this was only the beginning. There was still so much I had to make right.

I stepped out of the room quietly, closing the door behind me. The sound of drilling and hammering echoed through the house as the workers began tearing down the walls upstairs. Jacob approached me, wiping his hands on a cloth.

"Should be done with the structural changes by tomorrow," he said. "We'll move on to painting and furnishing after that."

"Good," I said, nodding. "The nursery needs to be perfect. I don't want a single detail overlooked."

Jacob gave me a small smile. "Got it, boss. You'll have the best nursery money can buy."

I walked back downstairs, where the guys had reconvened in the kitchen. They were eating sandwiches and chatting, but the moment I entered, the room fell silent. Steven, of course, couldn't help himself.

"So, how's Princess Nutella?" He asked with a smirk.

I shot him a glare. "You're one stupid comment away from me losing my patience, Steven."

Michen stepped between us, raising a hand. "Relax, both of you. We're all on edge."

"I'm not on edge," Steven muttered, taking a bite of his sandwich. "I just think it's funny how whipped you've become."

I slammed my fist on the counter, the sound reverberating through the room. "Enough."

Steven raised his hands in mock surrender, but the smirk didn't leave his face. "Alright, alright. No need to get your panties in a twist."

Jordan snickered, but Michen silenced him with a sharp look. "Lucio, let it go. You've got bigger things to worry about."

Michen was right, but my temper was razor-thin these days. I grabbed a glass of water and leaned against the counter, trying to cool off. My mind wandered back to Kate upstairs. I couldn't stop thinking about her words earlier—how she was forgiving me for the baby's sake. It stung, knowing she wasn't ready to forgive me fully, but I understood. I had pushed her away in every way possible, and now I had to earn my way back into her heart.

"Boss?" One of my men stepped into the kitchen, holding his phone. "We've got intel on Carson."

I straightened immediately. "What is it?"

"He's moving shipments through the south port. Word is he's planning something big."

My jaw clenched. Carson had been a thorn in my side for years, but now, with Kate and the baby in the picture, the stakes were higher than ever. "Keep an eye on him. I want every move tracked. Nothing gets past us."

"Yes, sir," he said, retreating from the room.

Michen watched me closely. "You're not planning on getting involved, are you?"

"I have to," I said firmly. "Carson won't stop until he gets what he wants. If I don't deal with him, he'll come for my family."

Michen sighed. "You can't do this alone, Lucio. You've got more to lose now than ever before."

His words hit hard, but I pushed the thought aside. "I'll do what I have to," I said, my tone leaving no room for argument.

Later that evening, I brought dinner up to Kate's room. She was sitting up in bed, flipping through a magazine. Her hair was messy, and her cheeks were slightly flushed. Even in her casual state, she looked stunning.

"Dinner," I said, placing the tray on the bedside table.

She glanced at me briefly before returning to her magazine. "Thanks."

I sat in the chair across from her, watching as she ate in silence. The tension between us was palpable, but I didn't push her. She needed space, and I needed patience.

After she finished, she set the plate aside and leaned back against the pillows. "You don't have to keep doing this, you know."

"Doing what?" I asked, leaning forward.

"Acting like you care so much now," she said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "Where was all this effort before?"

Her words stung, but I kept my composure. "I've always cared, Kate. I just didn't show it the way I should have. I made mistakes, and I'm trying to make up for them."

She laughed, but it was hollow. "Trying doesn't erase the past, Lucio."

"No, it doesn't," I admitted. "But it's all I can do. I'm not asking you to forgive me overnight, Kate. I just want a chance to prove I can be better—for you and the baby."

She looked away, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "It's not that simple."

"I know," I said softly. "But I'm not giving up. You mean too much to me."

Her lips quivered, but she said nothing. The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken words. Finally, I stood, placing the empty tray back on the table. "I'll let you rest."

Before I left, I turned back to her. "Goodnight, Kate."

She didn't respond, but I caught the faintest nod as I closed the door behind me. Progress was slow, but it was there. And I wasn't going to stop until I earned her trust again.