If It Was Meant To Be
~
August 28th, 2019
The Hamptons, New York
Thirty-Fifth Week Pregnant

Vera's P.O.V.

8:34 pm.

"Did my father call everyone?" I ask anxiously as my feet shook against the cars ground. Leone gave me a side glance, nodding. "Aleksander too?"

I couldn't remember the last time I saw Aleksander. We had grown apart ever since Xavier left. He became distant, but I wasn't sure how he was since we hadn't talked.

Leone furrowed his eyebrows. "You should give him a call to be sure."

I nodded, pulling out my phone to search for his contact.

My eyes stared at his number, a sudden foreign feeling wash over me as I thought to talk to him after all this time. Deciding to push my thoughts aside, I had to do this for Xavier.

Once I tapped on the call button, it rang once before going to voicemail. My eyebrows furrowed, disappointing as I wondered if Aleksander blocked me.

I would have called Evalena, but I doubt she was with his brother when her life was occupied by her own family. Feeling like I would regret this decision, I clicked on Ezio's number.

My nerves were a wreck as the ringing filled my ears. I bit my lip and tapped my foot as it felt like I was waiting for him to answer.

"Vera?" His voice seemed as if he was relieved to hear me.

I brushed a strand of hair behind my ear, composing myself. "Hey, can you get a hold of Aleksander? It's pretty urgent. I tried calling him, but he didn't pick up." I say, biting my nail anxiously.

"Yeah. He's right here." He says. "He said his phone died," Ezio explained.

"I know it's late, but can you guys come to my parents?" I asked. Ezio was about to say something, but I interrupted. "It's Xavier. He's there." I said immediately.

There was a moment of silence and I was starting to feel nervous about why they were. I heard shuffling on the other side. "Yeah. We're on our way." He says. "Aleksander, go grab your stuff!" He shouted. I assumed Aleksander rushed to get ready since Ezio had to raise his voice.

"Can we talk?" Ezio asked quietly. My heart pounded at his voice deepening. I pursed my lips. "I can't. I'm almost there."

He sighed. "See you soon, then," Ezio replied before cutting off the call. I locked my phone, leaning my head against the seat as I noticed we were arriving closer to the end of the Hamptons.

I thrummed my fingers against my thigh, impatient to see how Xavier was. I tried everything within me to stay calm. I had to, for my baby. I've come so far and I wasn't about to damage all for a moment of panic.

I felt Leone's hand clasp over mind supportively. I threw him a soft smile before it disappeared, shaking my leg again.

~
August 28th, 2019
Southampton, New York
Thirty-fifth Week Pregnant

Vera's P.O.V.

10:47 pm.

As soon as the car parked in front of my parent's mansion, I didn't wait for the driver to open my door. I grabbed my things, dashing to the front door. I burst in, heaving as I clutched my knees. I'm sure other pregnant women feel exhausted after running for ten seconds.

Or is that just me?

One of the maids walked around the corner, dusting occasionally. Startling her, she gasps when I approached her. "Can you let me know where my parents are?" I asked frantically. I heard shuffling behind me, heading the door close. I assumed it was Leone with our things, but I couldn't care about anything but Xavier.

"His bedroom, miss." I thanked her, smiling in appreciation. "Aleksander Valentino and his brother will be here soon. Make sure they will be let in." She nodded, understanding before going to tell the gate-keeper.

Making my way to Xavier's bedroom, my room was on the way since it was near his. I glanced at my room that remained furnished. I did take most of my things with me to the apartment, leaving the bedroom a bit empty.

I squinted my eyes, making out the figures of my parents. They stood outside of Xavier's close bedroom door with a man dressed in a sweater-vest. They noticed my presence before my father opened his arms. "Vera." My father whispered. I felt a lone tear escape my eye as I buried my face in my father's chest, feeling at home.

"Can I go see him? How is he? What happened?" I rambled, leaving his embrace. I looked up with my glossy eyes before he kissed my forehead.

"We need to let him rest right now." My mother replied softly. I bit my lip, feeling a wave of sorrow.

"Can I just see that he's there? That's all I want." I begged, feeling a few more tears leave my eyes.

My eyes met the man with the sweater-vest. "I'm Dr. Warner." He offered his hand. His other one was occupied by a clipboard. I shook his hand, uneasy to know if I was able to visit Xavier.

As Dr. Warner opened his mouth, someone cleared their throat behind us before he could get a word out. I turned around, my eyes meeting Ezio's who stared into my glossy ones intently. I averted my gaze to Aleksander. I hadn't seen him in months and it seemed as if he was growing a light stubble.

I couldn't help myself but steal glances from Ezio as they approached. My mother went forward to hug Aleksander who embraced her with no objections. When Ezio connected our eyes once again, I looked away, shivering internally under his burning gaze.

I went forward after my mother let go of Aleksander. I gave him a bone-crushing hug as he returned one too. "Stop growing up so fast." I attempted to joke, looking at his stubble. He chuckled, lightening the tension in the air. "I could say the same about you." He returner the joke, pointing to my pregnant belly.

I looked back at Dr. Warner. "I wouldn't allow for any visitors, but if you do check on him, not more than two or three people at a time." He stated.

I glanced back at Aleksander, nodding if he agreed to go in with me. Once I made eye-contact with Leone, he smiled. He nodded as well, but his phone began to ring at a low tone. He jumped, pulling out his phone. He looked sympathetically at me, shamefully smiling before showing me his phone. His agent was calling him at an absurd time, but I understood.

He was to leave soon, anyway.

"It's okay," I mumbled with a smile. He kissed my forehead as I closed my eyes. He wiped my tears before leaving the corridor to take the call.

"We're going to talk with the doctor about his condition." My father explained, caressing my hair. I nodded before saying, "Please call the lawyer as soon as you're done, dad."

I felt a spike of anger rise within me. I had a strong impression that Xavier was the way he was because of his family. My parents and the doctor walked down the hall to discuss further matters.

My father nodded before walking away, leaving me with the Valentino boys. I turned back, glancing at Ezio. He had his bulging arms crossed, respectfully staying quiet. "I'll be okay out here. You guys should go in." He said, his eyes were flickering between us. "Are you sure?" I asked with a raspy voice. He nodded, his eyes glued to mine.

Aleksander seemed to feel the tension since he was looking between us weirdly. He cleared his throat. "Should we go?" He asked, sounding a bit impatient, but I couldn't blame him. I nodded frantically, looking away.

My hands grasped the doorknob, pushing it slowly as I saw a figure in Xavier's bed. I let Aleksander walk in before I followed him.

Who I saw lying on the bed was not Xavier. It couldn't be him. A clean-cut appeared around his nose and lip with a bruise fluttering on his forehead. I gasped, afraid to see what other bruises and cuts his body were wearing. I felt tears flood my sight as Aleksander stood with his eyes widened.

We neared his king-size bed. An IV was attached to his forearm as he slept soundlessly. It was relieving to see him safe and sound within our roof.

Aleksander stood on the right side of the bed as I stood behind him. I rubbed his shoulder supportively. He remained quiet and I complied. We stood there for a long moment as we sank into our thoughts.

I bit my lip, "I'll give you a bit." I mumbled, brushing my hair away from my face. He didn't say anything, remaining silent. I proceeded to walk towards the door, but his voice stopped me.

"When is my nephew's due date?" He asked abruptly. I halted, biting my lip. "October 8th," I replied quietly. "He told you?" I asked, biting my lip nervously.

Aleksander hummed. "Yeah. My family knows too."

My muscle tensed up at his statement. I fiddled with fingers, not sure what to say without sounding like I was a nerve-wreck at the moment. It seemed he sensed it though because he clarified with, "No one is against you, just so you know. I'm not sure about Ezio, but he's been different from the last time you saw him."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Different how?"

He turned his body my way as he took a seat next to Xavier's bed. "He's been more—I don't know—" He groans softly, rubbing his jaw in thought. "—Freer? Brighter than he was before. Kind of ironic since his break-up." He mumbled the last part.

I pursed my lips and nodded, crossing my arms.

"Are you okay with it?" I asked, looking in his eyes. His eyebrows furrowed. "With his baby," I mumbled

He nodded his head. "If anything, I can't wait for a second more. I'm pretty excited." He assured me, shooting me a smile. I grin, turning back to leave the room.

Once I left Xavier's room, I close the door softly to give Aleksander and his best friend some privacy. Looking up, my eyes landed on Ezio's exhausted form. His back was leaned against the wall with his arms crossed and his head down. His forest eyes were covered by his lids.

I cleared my throat, but he didn't budge. I felt my cheeks tinge as I neared him, shaking his shoulder softly. He gasped, his red eyes staring back at mine, startled. He groaned, rubbing his eyes. "Sorry." He whispered. I mumbled an "It's alright." mindlessly as I observed his posture. He seemed as if he was going to drop dead asleep in the hallway.

"I can show you a spare bedroom if you're tired. You're welcomed to stay the night." I offer as he yawned softly.

I felt my son began kicking and I internally groaned. This little boy will not sleep when it comes to his father. Unintentionally, I cup my belly to calm my son's adrenaline, but it did no such thing.

"Who are you using the politeness for?" Ezio asked.

All of a sudden, I felt my wrist encased his hand, only to be pulled to his chest. I gasp as I looked up at him. Trying to free my wrist, he gazed into my avoiding eyes. "What are you doing?" I whispered-yelled. "Anyone could walk out," I mumble shyly, noticing the long corridor was completely empty.

I felt my warmth spread from my cheeks to my ears then cascading down my neck. I bit my lip, looking down at his hand clasped around my wrist. "Leone will come back soon."

He didn't make any facial expressions or any moves. We stood there, staring into each other's eyes for a moment. "He wanted to tell you that he had to leave, but you were inside with Aleksander."

I gulped, understanding that it was, in fact, Ezio and I alone once again.

I felt his breath fan my face which increased my heartbeat. I felt his other hand cup my belly, smiling as he felt the kicks of his son. "He's a fighter." He mumbled with a wide grin. I crack a smile, nodding as I looked down at my belly.

I licked my lips unintentionally, my mind wandering back to the night where he first felt his kicks, where we first kissed after months. It was as if he was thinking the same thing judging by the fact of what emotions he held in his eyes when we connected.

His lips were dangerously close to mine once again, and I made no moves to pull away. Our noses brushed against each other as our eyes fell shut, but I decided to pull away alone with my wrist, stepping back. My breath was heavy, and he was enjoying the effect he had on me.

"I'll show you the guest rooms," I mumbled, brushing my hair behind my ear. As I made moves to walk down the corridor, he tugged on my hand once again. "I'd rather share a room with you." He remarked. My cheeks tinted more, but I decided not to act like a teenager with her first high school crush. 

"You don't want to." I retorted quietly. His soft laughter filled the silence, making me crack a grin. "That's cute." He commented. And just like that, I unwillingly began to act like a teenager with her first high school crush.

Passing by my room, he stopped. Without permission, he entered my room. I gasp before following him inside. "Ezio! What are you doing?" I whispered-yelled at him. "Get out of my room."

He ignored me as his eyes scanned my bedroom that I grew up in throughout my whole childhood into my teenage years.

"It's pretty empty." He observed. I crossed my arms, not replying.

He swiftly turned around, shutting the door and locking it behind me. I gasped as I realized how quickly he managed to do that. Before I could move, he trapped me between him and my door. As it couldn't get more cliché, his muscles arms encased me, trapping me further.

His finger fluttered across my warm cheek. "I love it when you blush." As usual, it made my cheeks redden, making them worse. "From the first time I managed to make you blush by fucking you that night—"

I gasped, slapping his chest at his vulgar words. "Don't," I muttered. "Don't what? Make you blush."

I rolled my eyes. "Just don't do anything and leave my bedroom," I complain, crossing my arms as I felt myself becoming more cranky with his confusing actions.

"I don't want to though. I want to do something else." He whispered the last part, leaning down after to have me feel his warm breath cascade down my body. I felt my body override as I began to feel overwhelmed.

He noticed that I started to hyperventilate. "Hey, listen. It's just me. Breathe." I hear him, feeling his strong hands rub my shoulders. I nod, taking a deep breath before exhaling.

I bit my lip as I looked up at his amused expression. He chuckled. "I can't believe I make you feel that way. You must feel what I feel, Vera." Hearing him say my name was just as pleasurable as sex. I remained quiet, not wanting to deny or accept his statement.

I found an opportunity to escape the space between him and the door, so I took it. I walked to my bed where my bags lied. Ezio stood next to me with furrowed eyebrows.

"What?" I asked, grabbing my overnight bag. "What is the baby bag for? He's not even here yet." He asked, confused out of his mind as his fingers brushed against the bag filled with my son's hospital essentials.

"It's a hospital bag. In case of an emergency, if he comes early, then I'm prepared. Who knows, with all this kicking, he might just kick himself out before his due date."

Ezio smiled widely, seemingly like he was proud of what I said. "My mom said I was the same way when she was pregnant with me." He mumbled into the air.

I felt an itching smile wanting to be worn on my lips, but I refrained as I walked back to my bed to grab the baby's hospital bag and place it in my closet. As I was to grab it, Ezio's hand clasped onto it. "I'll help you."

I nodded slowly before picking my bag. I headed to my walk-in closet that was half-empty.

"Did you move or something?" He asked.

I nodded hesitantly. I wasn't wanting to share my personal life with him because I couldn't place my trust in him.

"I burned the papers." He said as I dropped my bag onto the island. My widened eyes followed him. "What the hell do you mean by that?" I raise my voice, knowing no one was able to hear us since we were deep in my closet.

"I burned them. Gone. Diminished. . . into ashes." He clarified, but I rolled my eyes. "Why would you do that? What's with the sudden change of heart?" I asked aggressively, feeling irritated by his actions.

He remained silent. I clenched my jaw, not wanting to deal with his bullshit. He seemed to not know the answer to my question either, or perhaps he did and didn't want to admit anything.

Turning around, I faced his body that stepped close to me. I feared that this was going to be a regular thing for us. I didn't want it to be. It couldn't because it wasn't right.

"Ezio, why?" I mumbled as I closed my eyes, feeling him cup my jaw. Our foreheads touched as I let go of a sigh. His moisturized lips brushed against the corner of mine, having a shiver flutter down my spine.

We stood like that for a few moments that seemed like forever. I had to push him away. He wasn't good for me as I am for him.

I couldn't trust him: I thought, feeling my baby kick against my belly once again.

• • •

hello guys!

i was supposed to post this a few days ago but it slipped my mind! i'm so sorry but here's a cute chapter with our love birds :)

ezio is getting BOLD bold now lmao. i love it and i'm sure vera loves it a bit too much haha.

also, xavier's been through a lot ): let's hope this is the end and the monroe's get all the bad coming their way.

also, let me know what you thought of this chapter!

we are nearing the end of this book soon and i'm super excited!!!!! i cannot wait for you guys to see the next few chapters and Longing Valentino!!

If you haven't heard, I announced the sequel to Daddy Valentino in my last update!

Longing Valentino which will be based on Aleksander's and Xavier's senior year of high school :) I cannot wait to bring you guys along the journey because trust me, it's going to be a WILD ride. and i promise to show our ezio and vera in the sequel as well :)

don't forget to sign petitions and support the black lives matter movement! along with the immigration camps in the US, and with the muslims in china. please help with spreading awareness on this! we cannot stop now when we can come together and make a change!

love you all and stay safe! always feel free to message me privately as well. i'm always here for you guys :)

Don't forget to Vote, Comment, and Share!

- alli