Dante opened his eyes and smiled down at his wife. He held her tighter against his chest. burying his head into her neck. 

His heart swelled with love and happiness. He kissed the base of her neck before removing his arms. He did so slowly to prevent her from waking up. 

But his efforts were pointless as she made a small groan. Her eyes opened and twinkled like stars in the sky. She rolled the covers off her body, revealing her sun-kissed skin to him.

He felt that familiar tightening down his lower region and groaned. His eyes caught her mischievious glint and he glared at her. He knew that she wasn't going to let him ravish her so early in the morning so he opted for the bathroom. "You're cruel."

A laugh sounded in the air making Dante's sour expression turn into a soft smile. He walked back to her and kissed her forehead softly. "I love you."

"Love you too." She muttered back before kissing his cheek softly.

He felt her soft skin against his and fought the urge to push her down on the bed and take her until she couldn't remember her own name. "Go put on a robe before we're both late for work."

She laughed and moved away from him. Pulling his t-shirt over her head, she winked. "Good enough for me."

She gave him a sly smile and walked out of the room, swaying her hips from side to side.

Dante groaned again, his eyes darted to the bathroom. Time for another cold shower, like every morning.

.

.

.

"I see you are finally dressed." Dante leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arm over his chest. His eyes zoomed in on her rear and a rumble of satisfaction left him.

"I wouldn't want the neighbors seeing what is clearly taken." She said cheekily, landing him a wink.

"Good because you're all mine." He walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled her back against his chest and smiled at her flipping the pancakes.

"Pancakes again?" He muttered, kissing her neck.

She moaned and leaned her neck to the side, giving him more access. "What we want, we get."

He pushed his hand up and left it on her stomach. "Is she treating you okay?"

"He is treating me just fine." She laughed.

"He?" Dante turned her around and smirked. "No darling. It's a she."

Ashley shook her head at him and stuck her tongue out. "My body, my prediction."

Dante chuckled and kissed her cheek. He looked at the time and sighed in disappointment.

"I'm sorry, baby." He said, grabbing her hand. 

She gave him a confused look but she frowned when she saw the guilty look on his face. "You're skipping breakfast again?"

Dante nodded his head and pulled her against his chest. "I'm sorry. I have to be early today. The merger needs more work."

She pulled away from him. 

He felt a clench in his chest knowing that she was upset. 

Her face was turned away from his. 

He pulled her chin up and looked into her eyes. "You know, once the merger is over with, I'll have all the time in the world with you."

"Sure." She muttered. She sighed and smiled at him. "I guess I'll just have lunch with you later today after the appointment."

Dante's eyes widened. "What appointment?"

Ashley narrowed her eyes at him. "The one that's today."

"That's today? Crap."

Ashley's eyes filled with hurt. "You forgot about the appointment? Dante you promised me."

Dante slid his hand down his face. "It's just I have an appointment with the Brooklyn's about the merger. Constantine said they won't reschedule."

"The same one who's been trying to sleep with you for months?" Ashley shook her head and pushed him away. "Forget it. I can just go by myself."

"Ashley-"

"No Dante. Just go to your stupid meeting." She muttered.

Dante sighed. He looked at her for a second before grabbing his briefcase. He walked out the door but he didn't miss the lone tear that slid down her cheek.

It took all he had to not go back there and take the day off. But if he was to provide for his family, he has to get this merger.

.

.

.

Dante stepped out of the airport and breathed in the Italian air. A sense of security washed over him as he stepped back on the familiar soil of his homeland.

He hailed a cab and gave the address to the driver. The entire time, he stared out the window, seeing the familiar streets in which he once lived in. A smile grazed his lips and he sighed in content.

"You're an American, no?" The driver asked.

Dante turned his head to the driver for a second and noticed how young he looked. He was more or less in his early twenties. Dante wondered what he was doing as a cab driver rather than working.

"Yes. But I have lived here for the first few years of my life." He said, turning back to look at the streets.

"So you have seen how beautiful the land is." Though there was a certain accent in his tone, the driver seemed to speak fluent English.

"Si." Dante didn't want to make conversation. He just wanted to get to his hotel and rest up. He had a long day ahead of him. A meeting with Antonio Valldarri in four hours and a dinner party at his house. One that he did not feel like attending.

"You have business here or on vacation?"

"Business."

"Ah. Our business men here are very," the driver paused, "honorable."

"You seem to know a lot about businessmen." Dante said dryly.

"Si. I drive many around."

Dante looked at him again and saw the proud grin on the driver's face. He saw his chance and took it. "What do you know about Antonio Valldarri?"

The car jolted. Dante's body propelled forward and he grabbed onto the seat in front of him. He cursed. "What the hell?!"

"You're doing business with Mr. Valldarri?" The man looked at Dante with disbelief. "He no do business with Americans."

Dante rolled his eyes and adjusted his suit. "You could have taken it lightly and not try to kill your customers."

"Mi dispiace." The driver started the car again. "Just shocked."

"Is he famous around here?"

The driver nodded. "Si. Very famoso."

Dante muttered a, "Hm."

The car came to a stop. He looked out the window and saw a bellhop standing outside the door. The young man opened it up.

Dante grabbed his luggage and handed it to the bellhop. He placed the money on the awaiting driver's hand and got out of the cab. Straightening up his suit, he walked into the building towards the front desk.

"Dante Hastings." He told the woman at the register. He handed his card to her and leaned against the table.

"Yes, Mr. Hastings. You will be in room 762. Michael will bring everything up for you." The woman handed him back his card along with his pass key. "Have a nice stay."

"Grazi." He muttered. He grabbed the key and walked towards the elevator.

His phone rang just as he got on and he took it without looking at the caller ID. "Dante Hastings."

"Hello, Mr. Hastings. This is Rafael calling from Mr. Valldarri's office. I have called to cancel your appointment with him today. A few issues have come up that requires his attention."

Dante cursed under his breath. The bell dinged and he got off on his floor. He leaned against the wall near the elevator. "Listen, I'm a busy man. Tell him that he meet with me today or no deal."

"You don't understand, Mr. Hastings. This deal is either rescheduled or you can fly back to America."

His voice was starting to give Dante a headache. "Your boss contacted me. He needs me more than I need him."

It was silent on the other end for a few moment before the man spoke up. "Very well. I will inform him of your response."

"Make sure to not waste my time." Dante ended the call and walked towards his room. He opened the door and collapsed on the bed.

This is going to be a long week.

.

.

.

Ashley didn't feel anything. She heard and felt nothing. He continued to ramble on to her but she made no response. Her eyes were fogged over but she didn't cry.

"Ashley," he whispered.

She didn't turn to him. Her eyes rested on the windows but she wasn't looking at it. She was motionless. The only sign that she was still alive was the soft breaths that came out every now and then.

"Ashley you have to listen to me." He pleaded.

She clenched her fists and snapped her eyes shut. She allowed her body to collapse on the white lined bed. Her head was turned to the side and a tear slipped down her face.

"Ashley, listen to me. It's crucial that you do." He placed a hand on her shoulder and bent down to be eye level with her.

She looked at him for a few seconds before sliding his hand off of her. She turned over to the other side and buried her eyes into the pillow. "Please. I just want to be alone."

"I know that you're mourning right now but it's very crucial for you to listen to me in this moment. Otherwise, things can get even worse." Desperation was clear in his voice but Ashley didn't want to hear it.

It didn't matter anyways. Not anymore.

"You still have one very healthy fetus left. Please, let me help you keep it that way." He walked over to the other side and hoovered about her again.

"Dr. Carson, please. I just want to be alone."

He sighed. "Alright. I'll come back later to check on you. Your father and brother are waiting outside. I'll inform them and tell them to go home for the day." 

Seconds later, he was out the door. His voice came out in hushed whispers as he told her father.

Ashley snapped her eye shut and hugged her pillow tightly. A tear slipped down her face and onto the pillow.

She failed as a mother.

.

.

.

Samuel punched the wall. Sparks of pain coursed through his knuckles. Red blotches appeared and blood seeped out of his knuckles. A humorless laugh left his mouth. He grabbed his hair and slid down the wall.

He couldn't protect her. 

He failed her again. 

He should have been there with her. Maybe if he was, something else could have happened differently. He should have been there since the beginning. 

But he wasn't. 

Maybe if he had protected her better, she wouldn't be going through this pain right now.

A knock came aton his door. 

He looked up. His eyes widened. "Mayla?"

Mayla smiled weakly at him. "Hi Samuel. I heard about Ashley and came here as quick as I could. It's good to see you again."

.

.

.