Dominic

After a long day with Frank, I visit my father-in-law, who wanted to speak to me from his resting bed.

"My son," he says, running his hand through his now bald head. "There was a time I was ready to give up, but thanks to you, look how everything turned out and I've come to the end of my treatment." Despite how thin he's become, seeing him smile warms my heart and I say, "I know how much my wife loves you and treasures you in her life. I didn't want her to go through what happened with her mother." I pause for a moment, thinking about how that's one of the earliest memories I have of genuinely embracing Vanessa while she burst into tears because of her mother.

"How's it coming along with your father?" he asks.

"Everything's great." I force a smile.

"That's not true." He firmly shakes his head.

I sigh in defeat. "I'm used to it."

"He'll warm up to you soon."

"I don't think so. How many months has it been since he found out the truth about Carmella and I?"

I instantly clench my fist at the thought of her. She rarely crosses my mind for anything positive since all I can think about is her lack of remorse. That's why ever since she was sent to prison, I haven't gone to see her.

"You know what?" I say to him, trying to stop thinking about her so it doesn't ruin my mood. "I'm at least glad that my relationship with my mother and siblings is back to normal. As for my dad, it doesn't matter how hard I work. He just doesn't see me the same anymore. Vanessa's delivery is in a few days and he's so sweet to her but when it comes to me, it's all about business. I-"

The sudden ringing of my phone cuts me off and the caller ID makes me smile since it's my mother, who's been staying with us for a while.

"Mom," I say to her with enthusiasm.

"Where are you?" Her voice is urgent and in the background, Vanessa grunts in extreme discomfort.

"What's wrong?"

"The baby's coming!"

"What?" I jump out of my seat, my heart beginning to race. "I thought it was in-"

"I know!" She cuts me off. "Take it easy my dear. Just breathe, alright?" She does her best to calm Vanessa.

The call abruptly ends and I freeze for a moment, listening to my heart pounding hard in my chest.

"What's going on?" My father-in-law asks.

"The baby's coming! We have to go!"

"What? I have a few tests for now. You go on ahead and I'll join you later," he says to me.

hard, I sprint across the spacious room and

to the hospital already has my body

me by the sleeve of my shirt and guides me inside so

she tries to push. It hurts me and stresses me out to see her like this and I just want to make her feel better, so

head to the side while gritting her teeth but as soon as she sees me, I can tell that she's relieved but the pain she's in is so intense that she tightens the grip on my hand and looks to the other side with sweat dripping down her face like

for a moment, shaking her head while

present, I smile at her. "I know

screams even louder while pushing and my knees go numb

the cries of a newborn baby and Vanessa relaxes her facial muscles and

not looking away from her face for even a second as I

wiping the sweat from her forehead as we hear more of

placed in my arms, the little hands and feet melt my heart as I finally get to hold my new

closer. Even though

girl," I say to

a lot of effort.

you be the loser when you've

her arms and she rests her forehead right against her. Seeing the two of them together, the ones who now matter the most to me, fills

us a few seconds, gets

arguing over the names for

her, looking right at Vanessa. "Isn't that right, babe?" Vanessa exhales deeply and chuckles. "Yes. Her name is

one, my siblings show up, and soon after them, it's Frank and Mia. All of them can't stop gushing over how cute Charlotte is and all the ways they're going to spoil

spot my father from the other side of the hallway. He walks past everyone else then stands

me, his tone calm

you." I smile, despite feeling a little awkward while following him to get away from

be with

going back inside to

a family man and I hope you don't mess this up. I expect the best

let you down,"

reminder that I

beside her

was come back to me and I can only appreciate her even more for going through it all for our little bundle

door creaks open and I look over, seeing

awake?" he asks with

in an hour,"

I just can't tell who she looks like

she looks more like me,"

just trying

วน

be the

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