-Mia-

A month had gone by and everyone knew I was pregnant. I explained why I was a bit upset and they understood. I felt better after telling them and I had been given advice and books to read. It was nice being in a comforting atmosphere.

April however, didn't know about the baby. I was going to have a conversation to her properly to let her know. I was hoping that she would be happy as she loved babies but I didn't want her finding out by anyone else.

Cat had given birth to a beautiful girl named Lyric as she was listening to music one day and singing when the baby started kicking to the beat.

I did meet the baby and she was adorable and had bright hazel eyes, similar to her mother's. Cat seemed to forget about Roberto and had moved on. She was much happier than before probably because of River.

Now, River was her neighbour and they started talking for a while when Cat moved in and she told me that it was like love at first sight and they weren't dating but weren't just friends either. She wasn't sure about their relationship and thought she was moving on too soon from what happened. I told her to follow her heart and she did. They started dating not long after.

Anyway, I was leaning against the toilet, finishing my 'lovely' vomit before cleaning the toilet, moving to the sink and brushing my teeth.

I lifted my shirt, wanting to see if I the baby had grown a little bit more. My first scan was in a few weeks and I was excited to see my baby.

Hmm. .I told myself, growing slowly. .

I was going to take a picture each month to see how the baby was growing and then look back on it once I gave birth. I was excited and desperately wanted to go baby shopping but was going to wait until I found out the gender. I didn't want a surprise - I couldn't wait that long.

I was excited for little baby kicks, moving around, even for more pregnancy symptoms. I was even more excited to see the baby. I would dream about what it would look like. Me? Or Vincenzo? Maybe a mix of both of us.

"Mama, you look pwretty!" April said and I smiled, walking over to her. She was sat on the bed watching television from it while combing her doll's hair. "Thank you, sweetheart," I said, sitting on the edge of the bed. I switched the television off and looked at April who fixed her eyes on me.

"April, honey, I need to talk to you." She nodded, crossing her legs so she was sitting properly. "Do you like babies?" I asked and she nodded, a smile on her face which made me smile back. "Do you want a little brother or sister?"

She nodded again, "yes please."
I chuckled a little and placed my hand on my stomach. "Mommy's having a baby."

April squealed, wrapping her arms around me and hugging me as I chuckled, hugging her back. "A baby?" She asked, with her eyes open wide as we pulled away. "Yes," I said, smiling widely.

"Where?" She said, a little confused as I laughed. "Here, look," I said, putting my hand on my stomach. "The baby grows in my tummy."

"Wow!" April said, "can I touch?" I nodded and she put her had on my stomach as I smiled at her. "Hi, baby. I'm April." I chuckled a little before she put her ear against my stomach. "Mama, you hungry?" I shook my head as she did with hers.

"Your tummy roaring."

I laughed, taking her on my lap and hugging her before tickling her. I was assuming she meant that my stomach was rumbling with hunger. She squealed, laughing before I stopped tickling her and kissed her cheek.

"When the baby comes," I told her, "I might have to be with the baby a lot but I will still love you and be your mum, okay? I will love you both equally." She nodded, taking my words in.

Passing by the room, Alex and Ariana giggled as they ran down the corridor chasing each other. "You can go and play," I said and she smiled, running after her cousins.

I smiled before going into the shower and getting ready.

I came downstairs with a bright smile on my face. "Hey, Lili," I said, getting a smile from her as she looked up from her laptop. "Did Vincenzo was eat breakfast before he left?"

Vince left early in the morning as he had lots of work to do and catch up on.

She thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Just some coffee, I think." I nodded, thanking her.

"How's the baby?" She asked kindly, glancing at my stomach. I smiled, my hand instinctively going to my tummy, rubbing it gently. "Alright. Some bitter morning sickness though." Liliana chuckled a little before her phone starting ringing.

"Sorry, it's my friend."

"No, no," I said with a smile. "I'll see you later." I left her to chat before going into the kitchen to fix something for Vincenzo to eat.

I made him a healthy sandwich, wrapping it in cling film and putting some juice in a water bottle and then I went towards his office.

I knocked, but didn't hear an answer straightaway so I pushed the door open.

I took a step back in shock, almost dropping the food in my hands.

Why does everything crap always happen in his office?

"What are you doing?" I practically whispered, cautiously moving closer and putting the food on the table.

As I had opened the door, he had pulled out his gun and pointed it at a man, trembling with fear.

"Mia, get the hell out of here," he said in a low tone, his eyes fixed on the man in front of him. He then spoke in Italian quickly and the man shook his head frantically as he protested in Italian, his eyes darting between Vincenzo and the gun.

"Vince. .stop. Leave him alone," I firmly said, taking a step further.

"I said, get the hell out!"

I chose to ignore his harsh tone and glanced at the man. "You can go," I said in clear English but the man only looked at me in fear, still trembling. I gestured to the door and he glanced at Vincenzo who snapped his head towards me in anger.

"Go," I said again and he went to move only to be shot in the shoulder. He fell to the floor and cried out in pain as I gasped, automatically going towards him, only to have my arm yanked back.

I yelped before pulling my arm away from Vincenzo who was about to shoot again when I stood in front of the man. "Move," he said in a low and warning tone but I shook my head, shivering a little as the gun was now pointed at me.

"You wouldn't hurt me," I said bravely. "If you hurt him, you hurt me inside." He gave the man a hard look as he trembled on the floor, his hand covering the wound with scarlet blood soaking his clothes. I bit my lip and Vincenzo said, "you'll forgive me later."

I wanted to slap him in that moment. After all I had done for him, he treat me like that? He talked as though he was using me to his advantage. He knew that I was a forgiving person and assumed I'll forgive just as easy anyway.

Anger burned in me but I decided not to lash out. It wouldn't help me in anyway.

I swallowed, my hands slowly going to my stomach. "But you wouldn't want to hurt me. I'm carrying your baby." I arched my eyebrow a little and he clenched his jaw, looking down at my stomach. "You know that I can take it away just as easy as you can pull than trigger."

"Well?" I confidently asked, hoping for a good answer. He scoffed a little, deciding not to underestimate me or anger me even more and throwing the gun onto the floor.

He walked over and sat in his chair, leaning back and watching me, his eyes never leaving mine. I soon felt tears brimming into them so I looked away, blinking rapidly as I felt my nose tingle. I turned and kneeled down in front of the man, carefully looking at his wound.

"You need to go to the hospital," I quietly said as he looked at me in fear. "Don't be scared," I murmured, bringing out my phone to call Dante. "You've got nothing to worry about."

He was taken to the hospital and I was left in a room alone with Vincenzo once Leo and him had a conversation in Italian.

I bit my lip, scared as he faced the wall, his back towards me. "You're a father, Vincenzo," I told him, "a role model, a protector, a lover. Not the replica of the devil or a gang member-"

"See, that's where your wrong," he snapped, turning around, his eyes darkening as he looked at me. "I am a gang member, I am a mafia leader, I am dangerous and powerful and I could make your life end with the click of my fingers-"

My breath hitched and my hand curled up into a fist at my side as shivers ran down my spine.

"-I am a criminal and baby, trust me; I am the devil."

I couldn't help but look at him in disgust. I felt like throwing up after what he just said. How could he say that about himself?

"And that man," he said, his eyes narrowing. "The one you just saved? He was a suspect to be working secretly with the man who tried to kill you - drown you."

My breath hitched again and my heart hammered against my chest as I remembered the horrible memory of almost drowning to death.

"Then as I tried to end his life, you used my baby against me."

I frowned a little, "don't try and put this on me. You could of chosen not to kill him."

"Yeah, well that's not who I am."

"I thought you were going to those classes?" I said, not understanding his behaviour. "Key word: 'were'." I scoffed, shaking my head.

"I don't - God, Vince!" I bursted out. "What is the matter with you? I want to love you and be happy with you but I can't when you keep letting me down. Clearly, you are on drugs, aren't you?" I snapped, noticing the white substance leftovers on the table. "I don't have to answer to you," he muttered, sitting down and sighing.

"Yes, you do!" I said back. "I'm your girlfriend - and I was supposed to be your wife!"

"We're back to this?"

I let out a frustrated groan. "It's never going to just go! Why do you keep doing this to me? Why can't you just - just be normal?"

"There is no 'normal' with me!" He snapped back loudly. "You learned that the minute you met me!"

I squeezed closed and sighed. "I think I'm going to go - leave you with your 'anger cures'. I really don't need this now."

"Enjoy your sandwich," I said on my way out before slamming the door behind me.

As I walked back, I began to wonder. Would this be how life would be like if the baby was here?

This was exactly why I didn't want a child that moment in time, we weren't ready.

I couldn't have a child in a place where I'm constantly arguing with someone and wondering if our relationship was going to last.

I sighed, feeling tired and deciding to go for a lie down. I lay on my bed, my hands swirling circles on my stomach. I hated arguing with him but he just got so frustrating!

I let out an annoyed sigh, rolling over and leaving the bed as I couldn't be bothered to sleep.

I walked casually walked into Val's room where I heard the sound of shuffling. She snapped her head up when she noticed me and smiled, "hey," my eyes slowly looked down at the box in her hands.

"You leavin'?" I asked quietly and she bit her lip, "I think we're going this week . . Mia . ." I practically ran over and wrapped my arms around my best friend and hugged her tightly, tears in my eyes. She hugged me back, squeezing me. "I'm going to miss you," she mumbled, still hugging me. "I'm going to miss you too. You're like my sister."

"We'll still visit. Or you could come over. ." Valentina sniffed, tears in her own eyes as we pulled away. I wiped my eyes and nodded, "I-I'll visit all the time." She chuckled, glancing down at the floor before meeting my eyes. "You wanna see the house?" I nodded and wiped my teary eyes again as she did with hers.

We sat on the bed and she opened her laptop, clicking on a few things before a beautiful, large home popped up. I don't want to go in too much detail but it seemed like the perfect home. There was lots of land space for the garden, a massive garage - the place was practically a mansion that looked like a house. The rooms were vast and perfect for them and it looked brand new.

"It's perfect," I said, smiling at her before she pulled me into another hug. "If you ever need me. ." She murmured and I chuckled, "I will, don't worry. Come on!" I said, sniffing and pulling away. "You aren't leaving yet!" She chuckled, wiping her eyes before covering them with her hands.

"It feels like last time you left - but this time, I'm leaving. I found it hard. You're my sister - practically." I nodded, rubbing her shoulder as she uncovered her eyes. "I know, I know. But you'll be fine," I reassured her and she nodded, sniffing again.

"Alright, so since we're watching that sad movie again, I've got popcorn, chocolate, tissues, oh, hey Mia," Dante said as he walked into the room, I smiled as Valentina blushed a little. "Looks like you guys need this," he said, passing us some tissue. We thanked him, wiping and dabbing our eyes as well as blowing our noses.

"Chocolate?" I thanked him, taking a small piece as Val took some. "Thanks, Dante. I'll see you later, enjoy your sad movie," I said, standing and about to leave when I noticed Valentina's bottom lip quiver as though she was going to cry again. "You'll be fine. You aren't leaving yet," I told her warmly before giving her a soft smile and leaving the room.

I sighed, blinking a few times before going into the room seeing Vincenzo there, coming out of the bathroom. He looked more cleaner and less druggy. His eyes were back to his normal colour and he wasn't wearing his suit anymore.

"I don't know what to say. What's the point? We're go always back here," I said, sighing before rubbing my forehead and moving to the bed, laying down.

He sat on the edge, about to bite his bottom lip when he realised he had his lip ring in that made him look ten times hotter. He was about to speak when I added, "you compared - no, told yourself that you were the devil. Who in God's name does that? You know how I feel about those terms and yet you continue to use them on yourself. You told me you were going to those classes - and yes, I admit, it was stupid of me to try and stop you, I see that now, and now you're not going. Why aren't you committed to what you say? To me? You've turned to drugs again when you can talk to me. I'm here for you and I love you but you keep pushing me away further and further - and you need to stop otherwise I'll be gone. I'm not threatening you, or scaring you or being selfish. I'm telling you, that's what's going to happen."

I sighed, tired already. "Things have changed now. It's not just about you and me anymore. We have April, and a new baby coming along. We're going to be a family and you need to stop messing up like this. I am a mother now and if I think that I don't like the surroundings or you around my kids, I will do anything to protect them and you need to understand that. You need to be responsible."

He opened his mouth to speak and I quickly said, "and don't you dare say 'I know' because you clearly don't."

"I love you," he unexpectedly told me and I swallowed, "I love you too."

"I should of spoken to you instead of turning to something you hate. I-"

"Don't talk," I interrupted, "I just want you to show me what you're going to do to make it better. I need to see it in you." He nodded and I sat up and kissed his lips for a short moment before pulling away.

"Okay," he murmured, glancing down at my lips again. "I wanna kiss you again." I rolled my eyes before smiling and pressing my lips against his, his cold lip ring rubbing against my lips occasionally.

I pulled away, only to be pulled back to his lips, I chuckled, kissing him more deeply as he pulled me onto his lap, angling his head to kiss me better.

We made out for a while before he pulled away. "I love your eyes," I said, sure that I had told him this before. He pulled a strand of hair behind my ear, smiling softly, his mesmerising hazel eyes deeply looking into mine. "I love-"

"Food's ready!"

I chuckled, burying my head in his neck. "Come on," he said, taking me by surprise by lifting me up. I gasped as he continued to carry me bridal style down the stairs.

The aroma of lasagna filled my nostrils and I could've moaned at the smell.

I was going to eat like there was no tomorrow.

-_-_-_-

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