AFFETTUOSO:

(Music) with feeling in a loving, tender way

V A L E R I U S ' S P O V:

So far I have claimed Shira in three rooms and I will call that it for today. She's pregnant and I don't want it to affect the baby. Once, we finished in the living room we made love in the bathroom.

I carried her upstairs to our room since her body was tired. Each thrust, I told her how much I loved her, her personality and, now, our little world.

We only have about five hours until my parents come over and I should be planning what to prepare for them but I am distracted by Shira, she twists her body around and faces me, placing her head on my chest and an arm around my torso. She moans in approval of her comfort and snuggles more closely.

Kissing the top of her head, I quickly decide to make a quick lasagna for dinner but, right now, I am going to relax and get some rest. "You are so beautiful, rest well, amore." I wish this could last forever.

-

As Shira peacefully sleeps, I woke up after 2 hours and quickly made the lasagna as well as something healthy and high in fibre along with some Greek yoghurt for Shira to eat right now.

Whilst the lasagna is cooking in the oven, I put a timer on and go upstairs, carrying food for Shira. The loud sound of the shower becomes silent after I step into the room. Shira comes out with her hair wet and a towel wrapped around her body.

As much as I would like to rip that towel off her body, she needs to eat and I need to stop being a horndog all the time. "Slept well, amore?" Shira smiled and replied 'yes' before straddling me, which wasn't very ideal since she had nothing underneath.

"You smell delicious." Shira wrapped her arms around my neck, pecking my lips. My hands rubbed up and down her sides and she embraced me. "Tired still?" I asked, even though I knew deep down she was.

"Yes but I'll be fine. What did you make?" She questioned, pulling away to fix my hair. "Lasagna with some bruschetta." Twisting my body, I grabbed the plate and picked the fork into the kiwi, dipping it in the Greek yoghurt.

"Thank you and what is this for?" Shira stared at the contents on the plate before looking up at me with a smile. "You haven't eaten since morning, and it's not healthy for the baby." I lectured, feeding her as her smile widened into bliss.

"Our little bean needs to be strong like it's papa" Shira frowned, "Oh and what about me then?" She pouted, eliciting a small chuckle from me while I fed her another spoon

"Our little bean will be loving and caring like you and have your beautiful features." I whispered, wiping the corner of her mouth with my thumb. "I honestly can't wait to see how he or she will turn out! I bet they will have my eyes but the rest are all of your features." She says with a mesmerising sparkle in her eyes, that makes me want to sink into them.

"No, he or she will have my eyes because we have strong genes." Feeding her another spoon, Shira frowned and pouted, shaking her head 'no'. "We'll see about that." Shira got up but I sat her back down on my lap.

"Fine!" I said with eyes narrowed into slits as did hers too. "Fine!" Shira repeated, arms crossed. My hands brushed her hair out of her face and I caressed her neck with my nose. "Fine." I whispered softly, kissing the crook of her neck before returning to claim her soft lips.

-

Everyone came, including Lorena. As soon as we told them Shira was expecting, Lorena and mama couldn't hold back their tears of happiness. Papa was happy for the both of us and excited to be a grandad.

As for my siblings, let's just say most of them was happy except one. The obvious one. Angelo. He was happy for Shira but pissed at me. I mean fair enough, I kind of did steal his 'first love' but even then he still calls her 'amore mio'.

Papa toasted upon us and wished upon a safe and healthy pregnancy for Shira in which we thanked but, also, talked about marriage, which from the looks of it, Shira blushed. With that small approval, I will make her mine soon.

Once dinner was over, Shira insisted for Angelo and Sienna to stay over as she missed them and they agreed. Before leaving, Papa handed me a dark envelope with a red wax drop on the back securing the post. We bid them goodbye and they blessed Shira and I as well as our little bean before going.

Shira took the kids upstairs and prepared each of them for bed, which Angelo insisted to stay in the room next to us. I mentally cursed myself for having such a possessive brother.

-

"Sleep at last!" Shira said out of exhaustion, tucking herself inside the covers, making me smile at her cuteness. "What did the envelope say?" Shira asked, placing her head on my chest.

"I haven't opened it yet." So, I grabbed the envelope that I placed on the bed side table and flipped it backwards, opening it carefully so the wax doesn't fall on the fresh bedding.

"Mr Grey has invited us to his Masquerade party." I said in disgust. "Why do you say it like that?" Shira question disoriented. "He's just another cocksucker ready to touch any woman who he gets his hands on." Placing the invitation down, I refuse to look back at it.

"Can we go?" Shira said, clearly ignoring the comment I made before. "Shira, no." I say without even thinking. "Oh, please." Shira pleaded emphasising on the 'ease' part.

Her doe eyes and her pouty lips makes it impossibly hard for me to say no and so I sigh out of defeat. "Ok, one condition, you wear a red dress and you stay with me at all costs. Deal?" Shira places her hand in salute, "Sí signore." I smile and kiss her cheek.

"Question, why red?" She says, nuzzling into my chest and tracing her finger around the tattoos of my body. "Because it shows that you are mine and no one else's. Those who decide to mess with what's mine, god help them because I will have fun putting bullet holes in their body."

"Jealous baby." Shira mumbles under her breath, my fingers travels to her belly and that's when I begin to tickle her gently. "You're mine, Shira, forever will be mine. Now, get your cute ass to sleep." My hands instantly wrap around her, enclosing her in my arms as sleep embraces the both of us.

Hello, my loves, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and if you did please do let me know your thoughts. Have a lovely day or a good night's sleep

So not only will you be seeing the masquerade ball but also Giovanni Carson and Gabriella Sangriento. ;)

Also, I have exams these upcoming weeks so it will be very difficult for me to write, so if there is a long wait for update then I'm saying sorry in advance :(

Do you have any questions for me?