*Alessandro*

"Of course," Rebecca cheered, launching herself at me.

I held her on my lap, thankful to have her close. The beaming smile that brightened her face was all I ever wanted from her. I kissed the top of her head as she leaned into me.

"Thank goodness," I told her. "I was starting to worry."

"Oh, shut up. You were never worried," she teased, shoving at my chest a little.

She was right. I wasn't worried. I was pretty confident in how ...