Page 5

Chapter four

Luca

Thursday, July 2, 2026

M y hands are shaking as we leave the courtroom.

The moment we make it outside into the warm sun, my shoulders relax negligibly. My hands are still clammy, and my mind is a frazzled mess, but at least it’s over with, and we have our answer.

“Mind if I head back to your house to complete the home assessment? I don’t want any delays for tomorrow.”

I nod, turning on my heel and jogging down the steps of the courthouse. As I get to my car, I realize I have no idea how to put a car seat in. I know how to securely put the baby in the car seat, but not how to properly install one.

Fuck.

It seems there’ll be a lot more of a learning curve than I had initially hoped, but at least I have the time to do it. I have a few months until the season starts, and Ale already arranged for me to train with him in the offseason so I don’t have to leave Gia at home with a nanny or burden our family so much.

Gia. She named her Giavanna, and I couldn’t be more thankful for that, given the meaning of the name. Greatest gift. Though there’s also irony at play here. How could she pick a name like that and not want her?

A chill wracks through me, and my stomach churns at the thought. Something doesn’t add up here, but I can’t figure out what without speaking to her.

***

I hold my breath as Ted surveys my home, marking things down on a list, mumbling notes to himself as he goes.

Once he’s inspected the whole house, he slides his pen back into his breast pocket and drops the arm holding the clipboard to his side.

“Everything seems to be in order. I’ll call you tomorrow when I’m on my way, and please make sure to have that car seat set up before I arrive. I’ll need to check that as well.”

“Sure thing. Thanks, Mr. Murphy,” I say as I walk him out.

“Call me Ted.” He starts to leave but stops just short of my porch steps before turning back around to face me. What he says next surprises me. “You’re doing a good thing here, Mr. De Laurentiis. Not everyone in your position would have made the same decision, but I think you’ll find that it was the best thing for both of you .”

My brows pinch at that, unsure of who he’s referring to as “both” of us. Me and Gia or Me and Cici?

I work to smooth my expression before giving him a wave. “Thanks, Ted. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I watch as he climbs into his blue sedan.

“Now to install that damn car seat.”

I sit on the couch, my legs sprawled out in front of me as I search for videos explaining how to set it up, and once I think I’ve got the idea, I drag the hunk of plastic out to my SUV.

***

Sweat drips down my brow as I stand back with my hands on my hips, taking in my handiwork.

It took me damn near an hour to install the fucking thing, but I did it without having to call my brothers for help.

Maybe I really can do this? Unlikely.