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It wasn’t A shrill cry erupted ‘Ma-ma-ma-ma’

In an instant Elene was there, reaching for her, tucking her against her breast, rubbing soothing circles on her back ‘Shh, sweetheart, I’m here It’s okay’ Her eyes were full of love and co his family completely

He liked that Elene’s priority was his daughter Their child While at ti from him that wasn’t to do with Aimee, he kneith absolute certainty she would always put Aiardless of her own needs

Ai a dash of slobber mixed with tears to the new dress

Elene must have noticed, but did she care? Not at all, Mattia decided It was all about keeping Aiht from the start, Elene’s love for Aimee had never been in doubt, and that had become a problem for him to find a way around If she loved the child thatto resolve as the constant parent and as the part-tioofy smile to Aimee’s face, he understood Elene would never leave her life He could relax on Aiht now, aly step up to help him out as a solo parent, he still wanted Elene to be in the picture permanently In his picture, in his life in some way Didn’t he mean in Aimee’s life? Not his?

Shock rattled hi for Miss Green Eyes Heto marry and have children it would be with a wo wealthy meant and how to live the life with class—not someone who only saw the possessions and endless stream of toys and friends and as in it for her Not a woman like Elene, who could steal his heart and leave him in a mess if he was too vulnerable, as Sandy had done

Except he was co to believe Elene could live his way She certainly wasn’t overawed by his background, more like his sisters-in-laho’d come from middle class faetting his heart broken again? Hell, if not for Sandy’s deceptions, he wouldn’t have gone off down under to New Zealand, wouldn’t have met Danielle and Elene, certainly wouldn’t be the father of the cutest, noisiest little girl he’d ever laid eyes on Maybe he owed Sandy for that Not likely

S Mattia he belonged to s ‘Hey, Giulia, Marco Got a kiss for Uncle Mattia?’ He scooped them up in his arms and blew loud, noisy kisses on their cheeks ‘Want to meet soirl? Her name’s Ai it back Not that he’d ever do that, but still The old urge to protect hist his fanore

Elene stepped closer, her sehter ‘Aimee, sweetheart, look who’s here’ She shifted her bundle of ars to look across at her cousins ‘Do you want to play with them?’

Mattia gave both his girls a s with trucks What do you think, Aimee?’

Her little legs were kicking into Elene, her need to get down apparent to everyone Thetowards him, her focus entirely on her cousins, whoet her dolls while Marco got down on his knees and reached over to touch Aimee on the arm Then he t

ouched her back, her curls, her face

Everyone gasped, and laughed, and there were a few tears in so to Elene Happiness brightened her face, followed by a sharp intake of breath Seeing how easy it was for Aimee to fit in, did she worry about when it caain? Did she wonder if she’d be able to return to New Zealand with Aio Intended for thehter

When Elene turned to hi out at him ‘I can see how alike the three of them are No wonder you—’ She stopped

‘The Ricco genes are strong,’ he said, glad she hadn’t finished that sentence He didn’t want his fauessed his role in Ai with anybody It was between hi and kind as he could’ve been and it still ht’ve been generous but he’d done it for enerosity he thought of clai

Giulia returned with an arsters, totally unaware of all the adults watching every er shy or upset, Ai off the dress

The underlying tension went out of the roo non-stop, as per norlasses and bottles of wine stood ‘Elene,’ he said as he passed her ‘What would you like to drink?’

Papà had accepted her, no matter what He could do worse than to follow his father’s exaed so far ‘Papà, is the company plane booked for the end of April?’