Chapter 7 - Sovereign under the Open SkyAt 7:00 PM, as the Tuscan sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky over Florence in brilliant shades of gold, rose, and sapphire, the terrace was illuminated by dozens of soft, twinkling fairy lights.
Little Leo slept soundly in a plush white bassinet near the french doors, wrapped in a soft cashmere blanket.
Grace and I stood near the edge of the stone balcony, looking out over the glowing lights of the city below. The night air was cool, sweet with the scent of blooming jasmine and lavender.
I pulled Grace back flush against my chest, wrapping my broad arms around her waist, resting my chin comfortably on her shoulder.
Down on her left hand, the silver wedding ring—the same ring I had found resting in the empty white crib six months ago—caught the moonlight, gleaming with a bright, unbroken, and beautiful light.
"What are you thinking about, my love?" I whispered softly into her hair.
Grace covered my hands with hers, leaning her head back against my shoulder, letting out a soft, weightless sigh of absolute contentment.
"I was thinking about the words I carved into that plaster wall, Matteo," Grace answered softly, a radiant, beautiful smile touching her lips under the moonlight. "I carved them because I knew... I knew in my soul that no matter how many miles separated us, my husband would come through that door."
I tightened my grip around her waist, my gray eyes shining with hot, joyful tears as I pressed my lips against her cheek.
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"I will always come through the door for you, Grace," I promised, my baritone carrying smooth, calm, and echoing warmly across the quiet valley. "Always."
Outside the stone walls of the villa, the world continued to spin, but sitting inside the warm, unbroken sanctuary of our love, wrapped in the arms of the sovereign king who had saved us, Grace knew that our dark nights were over—our lives, our son, and our future were finally, beautifully, and forever home.
