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“Of course!” Nicolo replied, his voice a lot calmer now. He headed out of the room, probably to ice his hand, and left me alone with my wife.

“I’m here,mi amore,” I said softly, taking her hand in mine. She looked up at me, her blue eyes shining with tears while her cheeks flushed a perfect shade of pink. She looked breathtaking, even while she was in pain.

“I thought you wouldn’t make it,” she sobbed, her voice weak but filled with relief.

“Oh, Ana, I wouldn’t have missed this for anything in the world.” I smiled. “I don’t even care if you break my fingers. Whatever helps with the pain.”

She laughed softly, her grip on my hand tightening. “Why would I do that? Then you can’t help with the diapers.” She chuckled. “Besides, I only squeezed his hand like that to calm him down. He was freaking out.”

I couldn’t help but laugh as I ran my thumb over her knuckles. “Whatever will I do with you?”

“I’m sure you can think of plenty,” she replied, her voice laced with a hint of mischief. I leaned down, savouring this moment with her as I kissed her forehead gently. “I love you, Ana,” I breathed. “And I will love our children unconditionally.”

“We’re lucky to have you, Lorenzo.” She sighed, gritting her teeth through the pain.

I fell silent as Ana rode out another contraction, her grip like a vice around my hand. I held her gaze, my heart swelling with love and awe for the woman before me. Together, we’d face whatever came next. No matter what it was.

As the pain washed over her, I whispered words of encouragement, my voice a steady anchor in the storm. "You're doing amazing. I'm so proud of you."

Her eyes were heavy with fatigue but sparkled with unshed tears. She offered me a weary smile. "We'redoing amazing," she corrected.

"Trust me, this is all you. I'm doing nothing," I responded.

"You're here, Lorenzo. That's everything to me." Her words, simple yet profound, struck a chord deep within me. A single tear escaped the corner of her eye, tracing a path down her cheek. "We’re so lucky to have you.”

I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers in a tender kiss, a promise of forever. "It is us who are lucky to have you," I murmured against her lips.

The soft knock on the door interrupted our intimate moment. A doctor entered, her eyes flicking briefly to me before settling on Ana.

"Sorry to interrupt. I just need to check how many centimetres dilated Anastacia is. You can step out if you’d like to, Mr. Ricci," she said, her tone professional but carrying a hint of suggestion as if she wanted me to agree.

"There's no way I'm leaving," I stated flatly.

The doctor, sensing the unspoken tension, directed her question to Ana. "Are you okay with him staying?" she asked, her gaze searching Ana’s face for any sign of discomfort.

Ana’s grip on my hand tightened as she nodded firmly. "Yes, I want my husband to stay," she said, her voice steady despite the pain etched on her face.

The doctor, seemingly satisfied, proceeded with her examination, her movements efficient and practiced. Ana’s face contorted momentarily, a silent testament to the pain radiating through her body. I squeezed her hand gently, reassuring her every step of the way.

“It looks like the two of you are ready to meet your babies." The doctor announced, a smile softening her features..

My head snapped up, unable to hide my surprise as my eyes widened. “What?! That fast? She’s only just got here!” The words tumbled out of me in a mixture of awe and panic.

"Mr. Ricci, relax and take a deep breath. Babies don't always wait around, and it's obvious that yours are eager to meet you both." She chuckled, placing a gentle hand on Anastacia’s shoulder.

Her words, though intended to soothe, only heightened my anxiety. I was a man who controlled empires. I didn’t bat an eyelid when I pulled the trigger to take someone’s life, but I felt helpless in the face of this natural force. I took a deep breath, my hand never leaving Ana’s, my gaze never wavering from her face.

A midwife entered the room, listening to everything the doctor had to say, before she prepared everything.

I’d lost count of how many minutes followed. All I knew was that it was a blur of pain, determination, and unwavering love. I turned into Ana’s anchor, making sure my voice was a constant source of encouragement.

“You’re doing amazing,mi amore,” I whispered.

She nodded her head as the room erupted in a chorus of encouragement, the midwife's voice guiding Ana through each push. Her face was a mask of concentration as my usual composure was completely shattered by the raw emotion of the moment.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, a deafening cry pierced the air, followed by another, slightly weaker but no less powerful. The midwife, her face radiant with joy, held up two tiny bundles, their cries filling the room with a symphony of life. They were both placed on my wife’s chest. Their eyes, though unfocused, held a universe of wonder.

My eyes brimmed with tears as I reached out, my fingers gently brushing the hair of one of our babies. "They’re perfect," I whispered, unable to hide the emotion in my voice. "Our family is perfect."