A/N. 8 letters.👆👆👆

After spending some more time enjoying the view that's before us, we call it a day and stand up to go back home.

Home.

We are going home, but this is my home too. It feels like home.

Anywhere she is, feels like home to me.

She is my home.

"What?" She asks, noticing me looking at her as i have the little conversation in my head

"I love you" I reply instead, and realise how easily these words seem to roll off my tongue these days.

I never thought i was that guy, that kind of guy that was so expressive about their feeling towards a woman. Even in my past relationships, i was never one to throw around words of endearment so often or easily like this.

Hell, i even thought Nick was whipped and crazy when it seemed like he was wrapped around Ally's little finger, but now, now i am exactly in the same spot, and there is nowhere else i would rather be.

There is nothing i wouldn't do for this girl and i want her to know it.

Eight letters.

Eight little letters that though i have said many times before to another, feel like they don't mean the same thing any more. They couldn't possibly, because they carry a different value now, or perhaps it was a lie before.

Saying and hearing them now feels like they sustain me. I need to say them out loud so i don't explode from the magnitude of emotions that's are swirling inside of me.

She smiles, and leans more into my side.

"I love you much much more baby"

*

With the Boston trip now nolonger one of my concerns, Saturday couldn't come fast enough. The hours drag along until it was finally time to go to the hospital for our appointment at noon.

Walking into Dr Sloan's office, an elderly woman I am very familiar with, who also delivered both Bella and Ivan, i can't help the anxiousness somehow coupled with excitement that's causing my heart to beat fast.

We can't tell the sex of baby yet, but i am excited to get to hear the heartbeat and just to see how things are moving along so far.

The doctor makes polite conversation, asking me about the family and then asks alot of questions about how Marianne has been feeling lately as she preps for the procedure.

She asks Marianne to lie back and raise her shirt to just below her breasts, and she does that, taking my hand in hers, afterwards and squeezing it slightly as we wait for the doctor to make the next move.

She smears the usual jelly on her belly, and starting looking for the exact spot our baby is positioned. My eyes are glued to the screen, trying to make out any shape or anything that will make sense.

I unconsciously hold my breathe, as i wait to hear the sound of a heartbeat.

The silence seems to stretch for eternity, as i recall Marianne's constant tiredness lately, she was told she has low blood pressure at her last appointment and asked to take it easy and take medicine to increase her blood count and aswell as provide her with the vitamins needed for a healthy pregnancy.

I think about everything we have been up to lately and try to determined if she has been doing anything tedious that would put her health and that of the baby at risk.

My mind goes on and on, until Dr Sloane presses a button on the machine and suddenly, the room fills up with a loud thumping sound.

A heartbeat.

Loud and rapid.

Phewww.

This is really happening.

This feels very real now.

I feel like new life is pouring into my body with every thump that resounds in the room.

I release a breath of relief and look at Marianne and she looks back at me, her eyes, a reflection of my own, filled with love, gratitude and relief.

Everything is ok.

"Well, this is quite an interesting development" the doctor smiles, breaking our little trance.

We walk out of the office as happy as can be, and even when we bump into Richmond Denning and his wife in the corridor, their disapproving glare and attitude as we exchange polite greetings does little to ruin my mood.

*

Wanting to stay out of the house for abit longer, we decide to have a late lunch at Sarovar Premier. After the accident and shooting that happen here last time, the business hasn't quite been as busy as it used to be. I guess people still need time to get over what happened and feel comfortable enough to eat here again.

It's also exactly why i suggested we come here, it's not as crowded as other places, and i can control the security and privacy we will be subjected to.

Marrianne wanted to sit at the table we sat at the first time we came here, but i choose as different table that allows abit more privacy. However, it's not long before we start to draw some attention.

The waiter's eyes, start to linger a little too long at us, and the empty tables we found, suddenly start to fill up. This is the first time Marianne and i have been out in public together and i can only imagine the interest that must accompany this development.

"You should dine here more often, it's good for business" Roan, the restaurant manager utters, as we prepare to take our leave.

"That's why you have PR and Marketing....they get paid alot of money to improve business" I clap back.

"Well, as part of the PR team, I would like to officially offer to hire you two as our campaign ambassadors" he says jokingly.

"Sorry, you can't afford us" I utter, patting him on the shoulder.

"How bad is it?" I ask, referring to the situation outside.

"You can take the back exit" he says in response.

I look at Marianne to allow her to make the call.

"It's ok. We can't avoid them forever" she murmurs, adjusting her jacket. I pull the hair stuck inside the back of her jacket and take her hand, leading her outside.

The situation outside is nothing like what i expected, it's worse. I know Marianne has been getting alot of this attention lately but as for me, my life hasn't changed much. Despite a few random pictures taken from afar,nobody really bothers or asks me much.

I think years of never answering personal questions, has finally paid off.

But right now, a hundred different questions are being fired at us from across the streets and even though i can't make out any one sensible question, one thing that is clear is the sound of Marianne's name been hurled belligerently, over and over again.

It's both astonishing and disturbing.

Our car has been parked outfront and i quickly usher her inside before going over to the other side and getting in myself. AJ takes the wheel with Tamara on the passenger's side, while Sam and Eli follow behind us.

"You ok?" I ask, when we settle.

She smiles.

"Yes...you look like you have seen a ghost........"

"I honestly didn't know it was like that for you.....I haven't had to deal with that" I confess.

I have genuinely been caught off guard and feel bad that she has had to deal with this. Especially that people can be pretty nasty sometimes and say things that are not kind or true.

"It's ok. Honestly, it didn't feel too bad with you here" she says and smiles reassuringly.

*

After Lunch, Marianne goes to the new house and sends me away, wanting sometime to put together a surprise that she has planned for me.

I arrive at my family home in the late afternoon to pick up Bella and Ivan at Marianne's request.

Neither Ben nor Steph have ever had an problem with me spending time with the kids in the past, infact, they have always been too earger to get them off their hands, but today seems to be a different story.

"If it's a problem, they can stay" I mutter iratably to Ben, after my intention of getting his permission serves only to annoy him.

"No, uncle Angelo, we want to come with you...please" Bella and Ivan plead.

Ben frowns looking at the kids.

He and i usually don't see eye to eye when when comes to work, but lately it has been a little more than the usual. I hate that he is now projecting that on the kids.

But today, is a special day, and i refuse to allow anything to ruin my mood.

"Go get your stuff" I say to them and watch them run of to their rooms.

"Just one night?" Steph asks, coming towards us from the direction the kids ran off to.

"One night" I agree.

"Next time call in advance...." She utters and i roll my eyes and turn around, deciding to wait for the kids in the car.

Mom and Dad are not home. Neither is Andre or the twins.

It's Saturday, i doubt either one of them had plans to spend time with them later, so to hell with their pettiness.

*

We drive to the new house, that is ready for our moving in on thursday.

Driving into the estate, everything is quiet and i wonder what Marianne is up to. We get out of the car and Bella and Ivan quickly rush to the door. They have been here so many times, everytime is very familiar to them.

"Hey you guys" Marianne shouts, popping up from around a corner.

They hug and squeal like they usually do and i just stand there with my arms folded over my chest.

I see she has changed into something even more laid back, exchanging her earlier outfit for a black long sleeved shirt that falls over one shoulder and grey leggings paired with comfy house shoes.

"What's going on?" I ask impatiently.

"Hello to you " she murmurs, planting a kiss on my cheek.

"Where is the surprise?" The kids echo my sentiments.

"So impatient you lot" she utters.

"Babe?"

"Alright. C'mon, follow me" she drawls, and the kids and i follow her lead.

As i walk behind her, i watch the way her shirt moves over her behind with every step.

She has quite the sexy body.

As if sensing my gaze, she turns around and gives a warning look.

"Stop! The kids are here" She chuckles, pulling me to walk beside her.

We walk out of the house and far off the main building. My patience has just about run out, when i spot a tent perched up on the grass, another one lying on the grass, waiting to be mounted.

Camping.

The kids go ballistic at the sight and go running inside the tent.

"Camping?" Really? I ask, rhetorically.

"Ohh please, calm down, no need to be overly excited" She mumbles Sarcastically.

"Well, i mean, it's not exactly an ideal camping site" I mutter, looking at the freshly cut lawn on which the tent is perched. No doubt it won't look the same tomorrow.

"It's just grass, I thought you would be excited" she murmurs, obviously remembering our conversation during our picnic.

"Can't you tell" I grin.

It's a sweet gesture on her part and i deeply appreciate it. Perhaps i would have just preferred to cozy up in the house and watch some movies or something.

"I thought this would be nice for now. We can do something more real and authentic at another time" she utters, noting my lack of enthusiasm.

Before i get the chance to check myself and show a little more gratitude at her efforts, the kids drag her inside the tent with them.

*

After spending a bit of time trying to set up the other tent that i am told is for 'the boy's, i sigh in satisfaction when Ivan and i finally get it up.

"Yeah, that what real men do" I say to Ivan, giving him a high five, as we step back and admire our work.

"Who did the other tent" I ask Marianne.

"I did" she shrugs.

I laugh.

"You lie."

"Believe what you want" she says, nonchalantly.

Ours definitely looks bigger, and more stable.

*

Despite my earlier reservations, the evening goes on better than i imagined it would.

We make a fire, though not on the grass and roast some mushmellows as Marrianne and the kids sing. Later she tells them the stories that her dad used to tell her when she went camping with him.

Then later, we lay down on the blanket and watch a movie that has been projected onto a wall on the side of the house, much like that night at Nick's house during Sienna's birthday celebrations.

In all honesty, this evening has turned out to be an amazing night, better than anything i could have planned.

I turn to look at her over the kids who are lying between us. She smiles slightly, feeling my gaze on her face and turns to me.

"This is perfect" I say softly.

"Oh yeah? I thought it's not idea" she murmurs.

"No, I am s......"

"Shhhhhh, Uncle Angelo, you are making noise, i can't hear anything." Bella utters bossily, and it officially feels exactly like that night at Nick's house.

We both chuckle silently and turn back to focus on the movie.

*

As the week unfolds it proves to be a pretty hectic one, and i spread myself over my school work, moving into the new house, and planning a party.

We wanted to have something small and intimate, but it just keeps turning into something bigger and more extravagant as the days go by, adding more and more details to the party, ofcourse, Seline, and Mario and around to help.

Initially, we planned to have just Angelo's family and mine in attendance, but then Nick and Ally have to be there too, which also means, Marco will probably invite himself, hence the need to invite Aaron and Nick's half brother Roman. Then Rita and Sienna make the list too, which also means Rita and Luke have to come aswell.

Finally, Saturday arrives and Mom and Andre arrive in the morning, a few hours before the party, and so i have a bit of time to show them around the house before everyone arrives.

Afterwards i rush upstairs to get freshen up and get changed. Leaving Mom and Jade to make sure everything is in order.

Everything is so different from the apartment and sometimes i feel like i just walked into the wrong room when i enter our new bedroom, whixh is even more spacious than the last one.

Angelo is as standing infront of the mirror when i walk in, fastening his watch on his wrist. He is wearing a white button up, short sleeved shirt that maybe just too tight on his biceps. He has paired it with dark blue pants and black boots.

He has a great sense of style.

"Hey, our guests are arriving". I whisper, from behind him, wrapping my arms around his torso.

He turns around and smiles.

"You are not dressed yet" he says, looking me over and frowning.

I groan and rest my head on his chest.

"I feel so nervous" I mutter instead.

"I know" he chuckles, rubbing my back.

"Are you feeling nervous too?" I ask.

"Yes"

"Really?" That will just make me even more nervous.

He laughs.

"No baby....there is nothing to be nervous about. Everything will turn out just fine. Besides, i will be right there with you...every step of the way, for anything you will ever need ." He murmurs, his hands rubbing my shoulders comfortingly.

*

I quickly bath and change, and in the next couple of hours, the house fills up with people as the music plays in the background, and the food and drinks pass around outside near the pool where everyone is.

I am glad to have Rachel and Luke here and to see them mingle with Angelo's 'people'. My family and introduced to each Angelo's family, and i can see everyone is a little taken aback about our guest list.

It looks like one of those events where couples propose to each other.

After some time, i finally get a chance to talk to Luke about his trip to Boston.

"So, did you have a good time?"

"I still can't believe you tried to set me up." He complains for the millionth time since he has been back.

"It wasn't a set up. I couldn't go and she was available, I thought it would be fun"

"Yeah, whatever."

"So, how was it? Did you get along?" I ask.

"It was ok. She is....interesting."

"Interesting? Just interesting?"

"Mary stop."

"Fine....she is pretty though right..and very nice."

"She is pretty alright, just not my type, and neither am i hers"

"Really, how did you get to that conclusion? What is your type exactly even."

"Look, I will be honest with you. Eva is very beautiful, she is successful and surprisingly, an easy going woman. But not only does she make more money than me, she comes from a filthy rich family. A girl like that is used to dating equally rich men who can afford to take her to......to fucking..... mexico at a moments notice. I am not that guy, i have to save up for that shit.....it just can't work, and i am not about to waste my time" she grumbles.

"Wow, i never knew you were so narrow minded. I am not saying you should date her, but all that judgment about her is just so shallow and just reflects on your own insecurity. And trust me, i know all about that."

"C'mon, it's cute and all when the guy is rich, not the other way round" He frowns.

"But you are not poor Luke, you have a good job and do well for yourself, so what if she makes more money than you?"

"Look, she is just used to a different lifestyle that i just can't give her" he says.

I get his point and honestly, i am not trying to push them together. I just thought that since Luke is so easy going, and has always like a pretty girl on his arm, he would have a good time with a Eva, but now I feel bad.

I hope she didn't have a bad time with him.

"I am sorry if i crossed a line" I say.

" Mhhmm, where you that desperate to get rid of me?" He asks.

"I just want you to be happy" like i am.

"I am ok Mary, i will figure it out, so no need to set me up with anybody. I will find my own date when i am ready." He says and I respect his decision.

A/N. Next update is already out.👇👇