Present Time
MELINA
Melina steps out of the car once they arrive at the beach house on the island. They touched land a few minutes ago and drove straight here. Thomas links his hand with Melina's and leads them into the house. She is awed the second they step inside. The place is beautifully decorated with rose petals all over the living room. It has couches that have brown armrests and white pillows on them. To the left is a sliding door that leads outside, and right in front of it is a swing chair. The sun is setting and is the only light illuminating the place, adding to its allure.
Melina walks inside, to the bedroom, following the trail of rose petals. It has a king-sized bed with white covers and a carpet of the same color in front of it. Walking further in, she is blown away by the beautiful view of the beach. The sun casts a shadow on the beach's crystal-clear blue waters and white sand. The sunset looks so stunning from here. Two brown beach chairs are positioned in front of the sliding doors leading to the beach. Melina sees herself spending evenings watching the sunset from there. She feels she's going to love spending time here. She's so glad Thomas brought her.
Melina turns around and captures Thomas' lips in a passionate kiss. She's thanking him for bringing her to such a lovely place. She wraps her hands around his neck as he bites her bottom lip, forcing her to open her mouth. His tongue invades her mouth, filling her with the taste of him. Melina missed kissing Thomas. She felt it had been ages since his lips were last on hers. A moan threatens to escape her mouth, and he swallows it. His hand wraps around her waist, spreading warmth through her back. As he pulls her closer to him, their tongues continue to dance in each other's mouths. Melina feels his hard member against her belly, and her core clenches. Her skin burns with passion as Thomas' hands roam her body. His hands move to her waist, and he pulls his mouth away from hers. A silent cry escapes her lips, already missing his mouth against hers.
"Wrap those fucking sexy legs around my waist, principessa," Thomas orders. She quickly obeys, and he places his mouth back on her swollen lips from him kissing her hard.
Thomas leads them to the bed filled with rose petals shaped into a heart and lowers them onto it. He pulls away from their kiss and stares at her with eyes filled with lust, admiration, and love. They pant in unison, breathless from their kiss.
He moves to her feet and slowly removes her shoes. She feels something wet touch her toes and looks down to see Thomas' lips. She closes her eyes as the sensation of his lips on her skin sends pleasurable waves through her body. Thomas kisses her right and left ankles and works his lips up her body, lifting her dress all the way up.
"Fottutamente bella," ("Fucking beautiful,") he mutters with every kiss he places on her skin.
Thomas reaches her waist and pulls her dress over her head. He captures her lips once more as he works to remove her bra and rip off her panties. Melina arches her back, longing for his touch all over her body. He lets go of her lips and gazes at her body.
"Cos fottutamente bello," ("So fucking beautiful,") he exclaims, taking in every inch of her. Melina smiles as her heart swells for Thomas, loving how much he still finds her attractive despite her scars.
He goes down and sets his mouth to her core. Wetness pools between her legs as she thrusts her core into his face. Melina is eager to have his mouth on her core.
He looks up at her, smirking. "Someone seems impatient."
She bites her lower lip, embarrassed by how desperate she must appear. A silent cry escapes her body as Thomas lifts his head away from her core.
"Don't fucking bite your lip, principessa." Thomas pulls her lip from between her teeth.
"Okay," Melina whispers, gazing into his eyes. She holds his stare as he lowers back, close to her core, and leaves a burning kiss on her inner thigh. "I want to fucking hear that moan of yours as I do this." Thomas takes her core into his mouth, and she is unable to hold his stare anymore. Her back arches as Thomas licks her walls and thrusts his tongue in and out of her core.
"Thomas," Melina moans, grabbing the sheets. More pleasure builds in her as Thomas moves his tongue faster. He adds a finger, thrusting it in and out of her at the same rate.
"You fucking like that, don't you, principessa?" He works his tongue faster in and out of her core.
"Yes, I do," Melina replies breathless, burning with pleasure.
"God! You fucking taste amazing." Thomas adds another finger, bringing Melina closer to an earth-shattering orgasm.
"Oh, my God! Thomas," she moans, lifting her hand and grabbing Thomas' hair as he takes her clit into his mouth, sucking hard on it. Melina feels her release quickly building. She isn't surprised as she hasn't had sex in months.
"Don't cum, principessa. I'm not fucking done with you."
"I can't hold it, Thomas. I can't." Her core begins to clench around his tongue when Thomas suddenly takes his mouth away. He lifts his head, licking his lips clean. Melina's body cries for Thomas to finish what he started. She looks at him, pouting and wondering why he stopped just because she was close.
"Don't worry, I have missed you too fucking much not to finish tonight," Thomas says, taking off his shirt.
Melina crawls over to him and roams her hands on his rock-hard abs. She savors the sensation of his abs against her fingers, lovingly touching them after such a long time. Thomas fists her hair in his hand and joins their lips together again. Melina moans in his mouth and moves her hands to his waist to work his belt as she tastes herself on his lips. She tries to pull his pants and boxers down, but she can't because they're kneeling on the bed. Thomas breaks their kiss and gets out of bed. He removes them, releasing his hard member. Staring at it, more wetness pools in Melina's core. She lies back down and waits for Thomas as he walks back to the bed and hovers above her. He takes her right breast into his mouth and sucks hard on it. Her back arches, and she pushes her breasts deeper into his mouth. He pulls her nipple between his teeth as his mouth massages it. Her left nipple hardens, pleading for the same affection he lavishes on her right. She can't wait to have him inside of her. Her dripping core throbs, desperately wanting Thomas inside of her. He makes sure to satisfy her other breast before moving his lips to her neck. He sucks hard on her neck, leaving a hickey behind.
"Cazzo il mio," ("Fucking mine,") Thomas growls into her neck.
He removes his lips from her neck and looks her in the eyes. Melina stares at him breathless, her core aching for him. She lets out a gasp as she feels him inside her. Because it's been a while, he begins his thrust slowly, allowing Melina to adjust to his size.
"Are you okay with me moving faster, principessa?"
"Yes," she replies, breathlessly, grabbing the sheets again as pleasure surges through her in waves.
"I want your legs around me, principessa," he orders as he increases his thrusts. Melina obeys, and she feels Thomas deeply within her. He fills her completely.
"Thomas," Melina moans, moving her hands from the sheets to his back, digging her nails in as pleasure burns in her core.
"I love you," Thomas says, looking deeply into her eyes. Melina sees no hint of a lie as he says this, but only momentarily as her eyes roll to the back of her head.
"Oh lord! Thomas," Melina moans as he thrusts harder and faster into her, making her feel pleasure like she's never felt before, her release building to an earth-shattering orgasm in the pit of her stomach once more.
Her toes curl as he begins to hit the right spot. "Fuck! Thomas." Melina throws her head backward.
"Così fottutamente bella e così fottutamente mia," ("So fucking beautiful and so fucking mine,") he says, kissing her parted lips. She smiles, her heart swelling for Thomas.
"I'm close, Thomas," Melina rasps out, her core clenching around his member. She prays he won't stop this time. He kisses her neck, sucking hard as he thrusts harder and faster inside her.
"Thomas!" Melina screams into the walls of their room, squirting all over their sheets as she orgasms. Thomas continues thrusting until he also cums.
"Fuck!" he groans hard into Melina's neck. She feels his release warm between her legs. Thomas drops her legs from his waist and lies down on the bed. He lifts Melina and places her on top of him. She drops her forehead against his as she feels him still hard against her core.
"I love you too," Melina says as Thomas lifts her a little to insert his member into her again.
Thomas pecks her lips before placing his hands on her waist to guide her as she rides him, bringing them another release.
***
Melina draws circles on Thomas' chest as they lay in bed. They have just finished their fourth or fifth round. Melina stopped counting after her second orgasm. Thomas made her scream his name several times today. Melina had no idea she could cum that many times.
"Do you like it?" Thomas asks, looking down at her.
"What?" Melina rests her chin on his chest as she looks at him.
"You don't see it?" Thomas asks, surprised she didn't see something she's guessing is important.
"See what?"
"I'll show you." Thomas turns on his bedside lamp and points to the area where his heart lies. When she sees what is there, her eyes widen. Melina raises her head and locks eyes with Thomas, who is smiling at her, before returning her gaze to the tattoo on his chest.
"I can't believe it." Tears of joy fill her eyes as she continues to stare at the tattoo of her name on Thomas' chest. She moves her hand to touch it to make sure it's real, and it is.
"I'll take it that you like it?"
"I do." She admires the beautiful artwork done on his chest with her name. Melina can't believe he got a tattoo of her name, and not just that, he got it where his heart lies, which speaks volumes as to what she means to him. His mother's and sisters' names were the only names tattooed on his body. It is amazing.
"Marry me, Melina," Thomas suddenly says. Melina freezes against his chest. She can't believe he just said that. She looks him in the eyes and sees he is serious.
Thomas gets up from the bed and walks to his suitcase. He pulls out a ring box. Melina sits up on the bed with her eyes widened. Is this really happening?
"I planned to propose during dinner tonight, but I can't wait any longer." He gets on one knee beside the bed. Melina can't help the chuckle that escapes her, seeing his soft member dangling between his legs.
"I don't deserve someone as special as you, but I'm fortunate that you love me as much as I love you. You are the most beautiful, kindhearted, strong, and loving woman I've ever met. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Melina looks between Thomas and the ring in his hand with her mouth hanging open. It takes her a minute to remember she is supposed to answer his question.
"Yes, I will," Melina replies, tears of joy filling her eyes as Thomas slides the 14K gold double-layer square diamond princess engagement ring onto her finger. He gets off the floor, picks her up from the bed, and spins her around. Melina giggles, smiling and feeling happy to be engaged to Thomas.
"I love you," he says, pulling her into a passionate kiss.
"I love you too," Melina says against his lips.
EPILOGUE
Months later
Melina stirs awake in her sleep and gets out of bed. She doesn't bother putting on her slippers before going downstairs to the kitchen. She opens the freezer and takes out the chocolate-mint ice cream. She hates it, but the little one growing inside her loves it.
Melina is pregnant and is in her second trimester. So far, everything is great for her. That's excluding the morning sickness and the weird cravings she has lately, but other than that, it's been wonderful. She's excited to be a parent, and so is Thomas.
Melina remembered the day she found out she was pregnant. Words couldn't describe the joy she felt that day. Her heart soared to the highest point the moment the doctor said, "Congrats, you're pregnant." Melina believed she saw the brightest smile on Thomas' face that day. She also couldn't stop smiling the whole day. They are really happy to be expecting their first baby.
They got married a few months after their trip to Thomas Island. Melina also believes that's where they created their baby, with all the unprotected sex they had during the trip. She started working toward opening a center for battered women with Thomas' help a few weeks after their wedding. Melina is excited to have the center open soon and available to women out there who need it, as she did. She doesn't want anyone to have to go through what she did alone. She is really happy to do this and eager to help people. Melina knows she won't save lives as a nurse would, but she believes she is still saving a lot of souls with her center, and that's enough for her.
Tears fill her eyes once she opens the ice cream container and finds it empty. Her hormones are all over the place these days. She isn't surprised she is on the verge of crying because there is no ice cream. Being pregnant makes you a baby.
Melina returns upstairs to their bedroom, holding the empty container. Stepping inside, she sits on the edge of the bed on Thomas' side and gently taps his arm to wake him up. Thomas does not open his eyes after a few taps. Melina bites her bottom lip as more tears threaten to fall. She is saddened and frustrated that Thomas isn't waking. How will I get my ice cream if he doesn't wake up? Melina looks into the empty ice cream container and at Thomas. The tears run free from her eyes. She sits there crying, holding her empty ice cream container.
THOMAS
Thomas' brows furrow in his sleep as he hears someone crying. He quickly opens his eyes, and once he sees his wife with the empty ice cream container, he immediately understands why she's crying. He pulls the covers off his body and kisses her on the forehead. Getting out of bed, he walks to his closet to get dressed. She doesn't have to tell him what she wants because he already knows. This isn't the first time she has requested it so late at night, so he's used to it. Thomas is excited to have his first child, finally. He still remembers the day Melina told him she was pregnant. That was one of the best days of his life.
"Tommy," Melina calls, walking into the closet.
"Yes, mi amore." Thomas walks toward her after throwing a T-shirt over his head. He rubs her baby bump before wrapping his arm around her waist.
"I want ice cream." She looks at him through her tear-stained eyelashes. Thomas takes a moment to admire how beautiful she is, even with her cheeks stained with tears. So fucking gorgeous.
"I know. Do you need anything else?" he asks, wiping away her tears. His hands move to her bottom lip, and he brushes his finger against them, parting her mouth open. His dick pulses in his pants. Thomas holds back the urge to drag her back to the bed to fuck her. I can fuck her when I get back.
"No, just ice cream."
"Alright, I'll be back as quick as I can." He leads them out of the closet to the bed and tucks Melina under the covers and kisses her goodbye before walking out of their bedroom.
Thomas drives to the nearest twenty-four-hour supermarket to get his wife the chocolate-mint ice cream she wishes to have. He enters the supermarket, and because he's been there so many times to get Melina ice cream, he knows exactly where to go. Thomas' eyes widen in panic when he notices that they don't have the brand she prefers. He still remembers the day he made the mistake of buying the wrong brand. Melina was so enraged at him that he was afraid she was going to kill him that day. He's learned his lesson and always buys the same brand of whatever she wants to eat.
Thomas walks to the cash register and asks them if they have the brand Melina loves at the back. Unfortunately for him, they don't. Thomas wastes no time leaving the supermarket and begins to drive to another one he can find open right now. He's hoping that by the time he gets home, Melina won't be upset that he took so long to get it.
***
Thomas takes the steps two at a time when he arrives home. After stopping at five different stores, he finally found the brand Melina preferred. As he enters his bedroom, he hopes his wife's emotion hasn't turned to anger since he left. He is constantly surprised by the way her emotions change. Sometimes he doesn't know what to do and just sits there quietly until she returns to herself.
Thomas cracks a soft smile when he sees his wife. She's sound asleep, clutching the pillow on which he rests his head. She once told him that his scent relaxes her and makes it easier for her to fall asleep. He wasn't surprised that she was sleeping and didn't wait for him; neither is he annoyed by it. Thomas feels Melina can stress him out all she wants. She's carrying his child, so he feels she has the right to make him go to five different stores at two in the morning and not eat the ice cream once he returns home. From everything he's seen over the last few weeks, he knows it's not easy to carry a child, so he's willing to go to any length to make it easier for her. And she is the love of his life. He would do anything to make her happy, even at his own discomfort.
He places the ice cream on the nightstand and properly tucks her under the covers.
"Sogni d'oro principessa," ("Sweet dreams, princess,") he says, kissing her forehead. He smiles as Melina mutters gibberish in her sleep, feeling his lips against her forehead. She grabs his pillow tighter and hugs it closer to her body. He shakes his head, wondering if she thinks he wants to take it from her. He takes the ice cream from the nightstand and returns downstairs to put it in the freezer. He drinks a glass of water before walking back upstairs to sleep.
MELINA
The following morning, Melina wakes up to the smell of chocolate chip pancakes. She opens her eyes, smiling as she sees Thomas with a breakfast tray.
"Good morning, mi amore."
"Good morning, honey." Melina sits up, rubbing her baby bump as Thomas places the breakfast tray in front of her. He sits by the edge of the bed and kisses her lips, rubbing her baby bump.
"How was your sleep?" Thomas asks, pushing her hair out of her face and staring at her lovingly.
"It was good; I'm so sorry I didn't wait up for you last night." Melina apologizes, with remorse swimming in her eyes.
"It's okay, amore; I know it wasn't intentional." He kisses her forehead and gets up from the bed. "I'll run you a bath while you eat."
"Thank you, I love you."
"I love you, too, principessa," he says before walking into the bathroom.
Later in the day, Thomas and Melina go outside to the gardens for their gender reveal party. They're both dressed beautifully in white. Thomas is dressed in a white polo shirt and pants, while Melina is dressed in a white sundress. Thomas' family and a few of their friends are here. Melina and Thomas greet everyone and thank them for taking time out of their busy schedules to come. Thomas leaves Melina to speak with his brother. She walks over to where Melissa and Andrea are sitting. They make room on the couch for her as she approaches.
"How are you doing, Mel?" Melissa asks, handing her a non-alcoholic drink.
"Great, I was able to get some sleep last night," Melina replies, rubbing her belly.
"That's great to hear. When are you moving in?" Melissa inquires, taking a sip of her pink mocktail. Melina is moving into the family home now that she is pregnant and married to Thomas. Kat doesn't want her grandchild to be around the Costanzo soldiers all the time.
"Soon, I'm almost done packing all my stuff."
"That's good, I can't wait for Gwen to get here," Melissa says, looking at her belly.
"Gwen?" Melina asks, tilting her head to the side. She can't believe the name her sister-in-law gave her baby.
"It's the name I picked for you guys if she's a girl."
"I love you, Melissa, but I am not naming my daughter Gwen."
"How about Ivy?" Andrea asks.
"Nah."
They begin to discuss what Melina will name the baby if it's a girl. She laughs at some of the names they mention but considers some of them. Kat joins them and suggests names for the baby if it is a boy. An ache settles in Melina's heart as they continue to look for the best name for her baby. Looking around the room full of Thomas' family, it pains her that the only family she has couldn't make it. Franky missed her flight.
Melina feels someone's eyes on her and turns. She locks eyes with Thomas, who is staring at her with unrivaled adoration. He says something to his brother and begins to walk toward her.
"Excuse me, ladies, but if you don't mind, I want to speak to the mother of my child." Thomas arrives where they are seated. Melina smiles as her heart soars, loving hearing him call her the mother of his child.
"She's all yours, brother," Melissa says.
"Thank you, sis." He takes Melina's hand and lifts her off the couch. He walks them a few feet away from everyone before speaking.
"What's the matter, principessa? You look sad when you should be happy." Thomas wraps his arms around her, but Melina's baby bump makes it difficult for his arms to wrap completely around her body.
"Is it that obvious?" Melina rests her head on his chest. She can't believe he had noticed it as she tried her best to hide it.
"Yes." He places his chin on her head.
"I wish my sister was here."
"I know, which is why I did something." Melina pulls her head away from his chest.
"What did you do?" She looks at him, waiting for him to explain.
"Hello, sis," Franky says from behind her. Melina quickly turns around to see if she heard correctly. A big smile spreads on her lips, confirming she did.
.
"Franky, I can't believe you're here," Melina says as she pulls herself out of Thomas' arms and into a deep hug with her sister.
"Thomas sent his jet over an hour after I told you I missed my flight. We didn't tell you so we could surprise you," Franky says, smiling as they pull apart.
"Aww, the two of you. I can't believe I didn't suspect a thing. . . but then, you guys don't even have each other's number."
"Certain situations have caused Thomas and me to form a friendship."
"That's nice to hear."
"Yeah, and you look amazing, by the way, sis. It still feels surreal that you're pregnant." Franky beams as she looks at Melina's belly.
"I know," Melina says, smiling. She is really hoping everything goes well and she can finally have her first child. She feels she deserves it after everything that has happened to her.
"I can't wait to find out if I have a nephew or niece." Franky places her hand on Melina's stomach and rubs it a little.
"Which would you wish I am pregnant with?"
"Any is fine with me. All I wish is that you have a healthy baby."
"Same here."
"I hate to break your reunion, ladies, but it's time to find out the gender of the baby," Thomas says, draping his arm on Melina's shoulder and pulling her closer to him.
"No problem, we have the whole weekend to catch up. There's so much I want to tell you," Franky says.
"Me too." Melina pecks her cheeks before Franky walks away.
"Are you feeling better?" Thomas asks once Franky walks to join Thomas' family, who have water guns in their hands filled with the paint of the baby's gender. It's not surprising they chose guns to reveal the gender of the baby. It's a mafia family, after all.
"Yes, thank you for flying Franky in."
"It was nothing, principessa. You're the love of my life; I'll do anything to make you happy," Thomas says, wrapping his arms around Melina's waist as he gazes into her eyes. She can see his love for her swimming in his beautiful blue orbs, and she bets hers glistened in her green eyes.
The family begins to count down to the reveal of the gender of their baby.
"Three."
"Two."
"One."
The family shoots them with the paint in the water gun, and pink paint stains their clothes.
"I can't believe we are having a girl," Thomas says. He doesn't mind what gender the baby is, either; all he wants is a healthy baby.
"Me too, I'm so happy, Thomas," Melina squeaks, smiling.
"I bet she will be as fucking gorgeous as her mother." He rests his forehead against Melina's.
"I love you, Thomas." Melina wraps her arms around his neck and seals her lips with his.
"I love you too, Melina," Thomas says once he releases her lips.
Melina couldn't believe they were here today, smiling at each other, happy to be having a baby girl in a few months. If someone had told her this day would happen, she'd have said they were insane. Despite their suffering, Melina believes that what they have today would not be valued as highly if they had not suffered. In a way, she feels grateful to James for asking her to seduce Thomas. He didn't know he was giving her the best gift life could offer: true love. Melina is so happy with her life right now and won't trade it for the world.
THE END