Fix You (The Irish Rogues #3)

Epilogue Raphael

A s I gazed down at the baby girl wriggling in Maeve’s arms, I couldn’t keep the beaming smile from my face.

“She’s every bit as beautiful as her mother,” I remarked, my voice filled with emotion.

Maeve grinned up at me. “Apparently the Neretti genes are strong. You wouldn’t know Callum had a thing to do with this gorgeous girl considering she’s her mother’s mini.”

I laughed. “Better not let him hear you say that.”

“Oh, he’s said himself how this baby is all Caterina.”

Four months ago, our niece, Julianna, made her much-anticipated appearance. Her adoring parents had blessed Maeve not only by asking her to be Julianna’s godmother, but by giving Maeve as a middle name to their daughter.

Caterina further brought Maeve to happy tears when she said, “I hope she’ll be as strong and beautiful as her namesake.”

Besides her parents, Julianna was blessed with seven uncles and an aunt who couldn’t wait to spoil her rotten. Well, I suppose there were three aunts when you counted our Isla and Drea.

As for Julianna, it was a surreal feeling that she held Maeve’s and my combined DNA the same way as our own children would one day. It was also wild to think that Callum and Caterina’s children and our children would be double cousins.

Cocking my head at Julianna in Maeve’s arms, I said, “Guess that means a ginger-haired baby is out of the picture for us one day, huh?”

“Unless by some miracle my genes overtake yours.”

“It could happen.”

“True. Look at my older brothers with their dark hair and blue eyes. Then you have Kellan and me with our green eyes and red hair.” She scrunched her nose in thought. “Well, I guess I should say strawberry blond hair for Kellan.”

“You know he wants nothing to do with any comparisons to being a ginger.”

With a giggle, she replied, “I can’t blame him. I don’t like being called that either.”

I dipped my head to nuzzle her neck. “Not even if I called you my sexy ginger?”

“Not even then.”

Pulling away from her neck, I bestowed a tender kiss on her lips. “You’re my beautiful ginger wife.”

Although a contented sigh escaped her mouth, she replied, “Nope. Still not happening.”

As I laughed, Julianna cooed up at us, her bow-shaped mouth curving into a smile. I couldn’t keep myself from bestowing a kiss on the top of her head full of dark curls.

Caterina swept into the room, her hands busy putting on a glittering pair of diamond earrings. She wore a delicate pink colored dress. One that was very similar in color to the one Maeve was wearing. It made me think of their green and red dresses at Christmas. I wondered if Orla had a hand in these as well.

“Thank you guys so much for watching her while I got ready.”

Maeve grinned. “It was our pleasure. It’s not often I get my hands on her, especially when Mam is around.”

Caterina laughed. “Yes, your mother tends to be a baby hog whenever she’s around.”

At that moment, Orla swept through the door with Callum on her heels. After staring at Julianna in Maeve’s arms, she swept her hands to her hips. “Why isn’t the wain dressed?”

“I was just waiting on Caterina,” Maeve replied.

With a huff, Orla said, “It’s time for us to be at the church.”

Callum rolled his eyes as he came over to take Julianna from Maeve. At the sight of her father, Julianna squealed and kicked her legs. Callum instantly melted before peppering her face with kisses.

Giving me a pointed look, he replied, “It’ll only take a second to get her into the Kavanaugh baptismal gown.”

Before we’d flown to Sicily, we’d all had a good-natured argument about which family gown Julianna should wear. Maeve had even argued that Callum and Caterina should buy a new dress to represent the merging of the families.

“I still say since she has an Italian name, she should be wearing the Neretti gown,” I teasingly protested.

Caterina nudged me. “Julianna is a Kavanaugh first and foremost, so she will be wearing the Kavanaugh gown,” she reminded me.

“Aye. Damn straight,” Callum replied.

Orla smacked the back of Callum’s head. “Don’t be cursing in the house of God.”

“It’s a nunnery, not a church,” Callum protested.

“Technically it’s a religious order,” Maeve argued. At Callum’s exasperated look, she grinned. “I should know since I lived here just like Caterina did.”

“Whatever the semantics, it’s still holy ground,” Orla shot back.

As Caterina had pointed out, we were currently at the Sacred Heart’s mission. Although I appreciated the baptism being held in Sicily, Caterina and Callum had shocked the hell out of me by holding it in the place where she’d been kidnapped by Callum. Their reasoning was it was where they’d first met.Caterina had also asked one of the nuns, Sister Lucia, to be Julianna’s other godmother.

As Callum, Caterina, and Orla started wrangling Julianna into her gown, I motioned to Maeve. “Come on. Let’s go to the church and see the others.”

Over her shoulder, Caterina called, “We’ll be right behind you.”

After we stepped into the sunshine, I slipped Maeve’s hand into mine, and we started down the gravel path. As I stared over at her, I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

When she turned to look at me, she questioned, “What?”

“I was just thinking how good you look with a baby in your arms,” I mused.

Maeve tilted her head at me. “Do I?”

“Even though I’m about to sound like a total caveman, the sight of you and Julianna makes me want to put a baby in your belly.”

With a smile, Maeve replied, “It’s funny you should say that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You got your wish, Caveman. I’m six weeks pregnant.”

My feet skidded along the gravel. “Wait, what?”

She laughed. “I’m having your baby, Rafe.”

Hearing the declaration once again sent the world around me into a dizzying flurry. Dragging a hand over my face, I murmured, “Fuck me.”

Her brows shot up in surprise. “Excuse me? Weren’t you the one who just said you wanted to get me pregnant?”

Because I was being a caveman prick. “Yeah, I did.”

Sweeping her hands to her hips, she countered, “Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s one thing to wish for, and then another for it to be a reality…like two seconds later.”

Holy shit, I was going to be a father. A child was going to look to me for love and guidance. I swayed once again–this time from both the shock and responsibility.

“It’s just really surreal. I mean, we weren’t even trying.”

“Seriously, Rafe?” Maeve questioned with a grin.

“What?”

She rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t like we were being that careful either.”

Wincing, I remembered some of Maeve’s protests about my aversion to condoms. “I’m a bastardo for knocking you up.”

With a laugh, she replied, “Since we’re married, you really didn’t knock me up.”

“But you’re so young, Tesoro .”

“I’m the same age as Caterina when she got pregnant.”

“What about your school and degree?”

“It’s not the dark ages, Rafe. Just like Caterina, I can go to school and have a baby. Besides, I don’t have much to finish up, and I can do a lot of it online not that I’m in the states.”

“I guess so…”

Cocking her head at me, Maeve countered, “You need an heir, capo.”

She was right. I was a year away from thirty, and the head of my family. After all the disarray of the last year, I needed stability now more than ever. Having a child to pass on the name would certainly do that.

“Women in our world don’t get to bypass motherhood for long.” With a shrug, Maeve reasoned, “It’s just the way things are done.”

I swiped my hand across the sweat on my forehead. Jesus, was Sicily always this hot? As I licked my dry lips, I was ready to hurry over to the reception tent to see if there was something I could drink.

Something alcoholic preferably.

As I stared in disbelief at Maeve, I couldn’t help asking, “How can you be so calm about this?”

“Because I’ve always wanted to be a wife and mother.” With a wink, she added, “I’ve also had longer to come to terms with this since I found out yesterday.”

My worry didn’t really center around Maeve. I knew she would make a phenomenal mother, and I was so grateful that our future child would be so blessed.

No, it was more about any defects in parenting would come from me. I’d only just learned not to be a completely selfish bastard, and that was only because of Maeve.

While on the outside, I might look like a successful businessman, I knew what was on the inside–I had men tortured and killed. Sometimes at my own hands. How could I possibly love and nurture a child?

Once again, all I could think to say was, “Fuck me.”

Maeve took a step towards me. “Rafe, look at me.” When I did, a tender smile curved on her lips. “You’re not your father. You've proven time and time again that you’ll never be like him.”

I blinked at her in surprise. She never ceased to amaze me with her ability to see straight through me. “Are you sure?”

“I’m positive. I couldn’tlove you if you were, and I certainly wouldn’t have married you.”

“I want to believe you. I really do.”

Jerking her chin over my shoulder, she said, “Take a look at Exhibit A of how I know despite all of your worries, that you’ll be an amazing father.”

As I turned around, Caterina and Callum came striding towards us. Julianna appeared an absolute angel in her long, lacy gown. But it wasn’t her I focused on–it was Callum.

With his daughter protectively in his arms, he stared at her with such reverence. Despite the blackhearted man he was, he would never hurt a hair on her head, yet he would annihilate anyone who brought her pain. Just like Maeve had foretold that night at the reception, Callum was an exceptional father.

And I could be as well.

No, I would be.

“You’re right,” I said to her.

“Aren’t I always?” she teased.

“Easy now,” I replied before drawing her into my arms.

As I stared down into her beautiful face, my heart thundered in my chest. After all these days, weeks, and months together, she still had the ability to take my breath away. I’d never understand how a man like me could be so blessed.

“I love you, Tesoro .”

“And I love you, mo chuisle .”

As I bestowed a passionate kiss on her lips, a groan came from behind us. Pulling away, Callum scowled. “Do you have to do that?”

“Yes, I do. Just like you had to maul and slobber all over my sister in front of me.”

While Caterina giggled, Callum only rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” Turning his attention to Julianna, he said, “Don’t ever think you’re going to be smooching a boy in front of me.”

Julianna’s responded by giggling and smacking her hand against Callum’s chest. “I think she told you,” Maeve mused.

Callum made a horrible face. “I can’t bear the thought.”

“Me either,” I remarked.

When Caterina gave Maeve and me a curious look, I quickly said, “I don’t want to think of her growing up and some asshole breaking her heart.”

With a snort, Callum replied, “Just let him try. He’ll find himself six feet under.”

Maeve huffed. “You two are ridiculous.”

“Don’t forget the others,” I mused.

No man would ever stand a chance with all of Julianna’s Neretti and Kavanaugh uncles.

Reaching forward, Maeve rubbed Julianna’s cheek. “Don’t worry, sweet girl. Your auntie Maeve will make sure to sneak you out for some fun.”

With a grunt, Callum replied, “Maybe we picked the wrong godmother.”

After Maeve playfully smacked Callum’s arm, Orla appeared at the church doors, beckoning us with her hand.

Callum shifted Julianna in his arms. “All right, let’s go get this little angel baptized.”

As we fell in step behind them, I leaned over to Maeve’s ear. “When do you want to tell them our good news?”

“Let’s wait awhile.” She took my hand in hers. “Let it be our little secret.”

“I like that idea.”

When we reached the church, Orla’s eyes narrowed on us. Maeve held up her hands. “I tried to get them here earlier.”

Sweeping her hands to her hips, Orla declared, “And just when were you going to tell me you were up the pole?”

At Maeve’s gasp, I furrowed my brows. “Up the what ?”

With her face paling slightly, Maeve answered, “It’s an Irish expression for being pregnant.”

Now it was my turn to pale. “How could you–”

“It’s a mother’s, as well as Irish, intuition.”

“But we’re not telling anyone yet,” Maeve protested.

With a wink, Orla replied, “My lips are sealed.”

As we swept into the church, I leaned over to whisper in Maeve’s ear. “What are the odds that she’s not going to spill it to everyone?”

“Non-existent,” she huffed.

I hoped she would be wrong.

Two and a half hours later, a hearty toast was raised to the future heir of the Neretti family.