Ava's POV

"I am getting used to your cooking, Justin," I said while cutting the vegetables.

"Anything for you babe. We eat alone every day anyway," he said.

"It's like Christmas dinner. One big family eating together. I missed doing that after I moved here." said Elliot putting the chicken in the oven.

"Oh yes but tonight we have to eat on our own. Miss Ava here has a date with a hot Italian," said Justin winking at me.

"It's not a date," I said as I felt flush. "He is coming to check up on me so I suggested dinner. He was not happy when I asked to stay on my own." I recalled our earlier conversation. "He finally agreed on the condition that I will see him at least once a week."

"But look at it this way. You guys love each other very much and now you get to experience the whole anticipation of dating life," said Justin.

"Oh, I don't think he wants that. I saw him when he came over the other day. I bet he is ready to just pop up a ring and ask her to marry him. Then she will fly far away with her Italian husband leaving us here. Just you and I honey." said Elliot hugging his boyfriend.

I chucked a carrot at them and scoffed. "No one is getting married and it's not a date." they snickered.

They were right though. Amadeo and I were on a rollercoaster ever since we met. I had told the guys a more subdued version of the chaos of events that had occurred and may have also skipped about Amadeo's real identity. We fell in love in the most unconventional circumstances but nevertheless, I love him. Even this past week I missed him more than I did during our time apart. Secretly I want this to be a date but also don't want to jinx it.

I felt a pull on the hem of my dress and saw Alex. I smiled and said, "Hey bubba."

"Mama up!" he said.

I sighed. "Aw baby, I'm sorry. Mama can't pick you up." My wound hadn't healed completely and the doctor advised me to not lift anything heavy.

"Up mama. Up," he whined again. I shook my head no and he started crying. Oh no.

"Hold up," said Elliot as he came over picked Alex up, and put him in my lap. "There you go." he smiled.

Alex quickly snuggled up to me and stopped crying. I kissed his forehead. "A few more weeks baby then mama will you pick you up herself," I said to him and he smiled.

"I wuv you, Mama," he said and I gasped.

"Who taught you that?" I asked incredulously.

"Oh, I did," said Justin

"Excuse me. You did not. I did." said Elliot.

"Fine, you both did. It's so cute!" I said.

"Aww, I love you too baby boy. I love you so much." I said kissing all over his face as he giggled.

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Justin and Elliot had left taking their portion of food. I cleaned a little here and there waiting for Amadeo to arrive. Alex was watching cartoons on my small TV and munching on a cracker. I took a quick glance in the mirror at my appearance. I brushed off my dress. It was the same dress I had worn in Italy on our first date. Dinner! Oh my god, what is wrong with me. A knock on the door sounded. He is here. I opened the door and he stood there smiling at me. He wore a black shirt with a few buttons opened at the top. Oh, sweet baby Jesus. I hugged and he embraced me back. I inhaled his scent as he kissed my hair. He nuzzled his nose with mine.

"Tesoro," he said.

"Hi." I giggled.

"I brought ice cream," he said and my smile widened. He handed me the box of my favorite chocolate ice cream and I went over to put it in the fridge. I didn't notice that he was right behind me. I turned around and gasped as my back immediately hit the cool metal door. His lips were on mine in an instant. Both of his hands cupped my neck as his thumbs rubbed over my cheeks. He gently caressed my lips with his before I opened up. I could taste him and moaned as his tongue swirled around. My hands-on his chest bunched up his shirt as I felt my legs would give away. I bravely responded to his kiss and bit his lower lip. He groaned. He was intoxicating. His hands moved lower squeezing my waist carefully. We were both panting when we pulled away. I laid my head on his chest. Whoa! Am I even alive? I looked up at him. He kissed my forehead and said, "I have missed you."

"Me too," I said. We stayed wrapped up in our embrace for a while.

"Where's Alex?" he asked.

"Right there," I said indicating where Alex was dozing off. Amadeo went over and picked him up.

"Dada?" he asked half asleep.

"Hey buddy." he kissed his forehead. "I missed you," he said hugging me.

"Hi Dada," he said again smiling. I could feel the tears build up in my eyes. Amadeo never corrected Alex. Instead, he always responds with fatherly affection to this little boy who is not even his son. I saw caress Alex's golden head as Alex grabbed his face with his chubby fingers.

"I wuv you, Dada," he said. Amadeo immediately looked at me in amusement and in shock. I smiled and went towards them.

"Justin and Elliot taught him that," I said.

"I wuv you," Alex said again.

"I love you too buddy," he said kissing his cheek.

"I wuv you, Mama."

"I love you too bubby," I said.

"Alex I wuv your mama too," said Amadeo. He said love like Alex in a baby voice and he giggled. I reached over kissed both of their cheeks.

"I love you both. Now let's have dinner and get this chunky monkey to bed." I said.

We all had dinner and Amadeo informed him about his family. Everybody went back to Italy except for Daniel. He went on a vacation to Miami and Amadeo stayed here close to me. I asked him about his work and he waved me off.

"You cannot leave everything there and live here just because of me. I don't want to be a hindrance." I said.

"Amore. You are not a hindrance. I had you against your will in Italy and now I'm staying with you here. I have already enough spent time apart from you. I don't want to anymore." he said. I didn't push him more at that and we continued dinner.

Alex was practically falling asleep on his high chair by the time we wrapped up dinner. I quickly changed him and tucked him in bed. With one last kiss on his forehead, I left the room and went over to the dining table. Amadeo looked up at me and smiled as he handed me the bowl of ice cream.

"Where's yours?" I asked.

"I'm not in the mood for ice cream," he said.

"What should I get you then?" I asked.

He came near me put his hands around my waist and said, "I have everything I need and want right here." I blushed as I put a spoonful of ice cream in my mouth. He went over to put the dishes away as I finished my ice cream. He told me to sit down and he sat in front of me. He took something out from his pocket and laid it in front of me on the table. The blue sapphire necklace. I picked it up in my hand as the bittersweet memories came back.

"I used to look at it look every day thinking about you. How much I hurt you. How much I wanted to tell you that I love you. The hurt in your eyes when you took this off of your neck was the last thing, I had of you. I will apologize for causing you pain for the rest of my life but please take this back." he said.

"Oh Amadeo," I said as my voice broke. I could see the pain in his eyes. I hate the fact we had to go through so much. I hated that we had to suffer this agony. But I loved this man with all my heart.

"Will you put it on me?" I asked with a smile. His distress disappeared as he nodded eagerly. We stood up and I turned around. He pushed my hair to my shoulder and clasped the necklace. He kissed the spot beneath the clasp and I shivered at the sensation. I touched the pendant and turned to look at him. He also touched the pendant and smiled at me.

"I have something more to discuss with you," he said moving us to the couch. He laid down pulling me with him. I snuggled on his chest and I felt him kiss my forehead.

"I know you asked for the time it's getting difficult to stay away from you," he said.

"I know," I mumbled.

"Then why do you insist on being apart?" he asked.

"Because we need this," I said. He sighed. He gently made us sit up. I looked at him confused.

"I was really enjoying the cuddle," I said pouting. He laughed and kissed my hair.

"I have been thinking. After you have recovered, we can live together here. Not in this apartment but a house."

"You are asking me to move in?" I asked. What!

"You, Alex, and I can live together. I promise I won't force you. You can have your own separate room if you want. We can continue dating and do all of the things that we never got to do. The house will have a yard Alex could play around in. We can live in a family."

"But you don't live here Amadeo. You have your family, your business, and now that Bocelli's gone..."

"I have talked to my father. He is alright with handling the business and besides, I can work from here. As for my family, they are happy for us. You and Alex are my family too." my throat clogged up at the last sentence. We are his family. He is mine too and Alex.

"Alex calls you Dada but you are not his father. It is my responsibility. I would understand if after everything that happened with Nate you don't..."

"Alex is my son, Ava. I never correct him because he is my son," he said and my heart soared.

"It is a very a big responsibility Amadeo."

"I know and I'm ready to take it with you by my side. You of all people would understand. You didn't give birth to him but you love him like he is a part of your soul."

"He is."

"And you both are mine," he said and the tears strolled down my cheeks. I pulled him in for a kiss. I put my arms around his neck and sucked in his lower lip. He kissed me back and groaned as I straddled him. He pulled us apart and asked, "So will you?"

"Yes," I said smiling through my tears.    

A/N: Hi my beautiful friends. I know I know. you guys are really mad I hope this update makes up for it. I just realized that this book is coming to end in a chapter or two. This is the very first book that I wrote. I'm going to edit and repost later but for now I have a really special story that I'm gonna write. This story is really close to my heart and I'm going to give you guys a sneak peek soon. You guys have been so supportive and I hope you will continue to. I'm really excited to write it and show it to you guys. I'm also uploading a new chapter of "Getting back to you" so go check that out too.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter and let me know your thoughts. 

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