Chapter 14 - THE PROMISE HE MADE WITHOUT A RING
Lena gave birth on a cold February morning.
A baby girl.
Seven pounds, two ounces.
Dark hair.
Gray eyes.
A fierce little cry.
Dante stood beside the hospital bed.
His eyes filled when the nurse placed the baby in Lena's arms.
“She's beautiful,” he whispered.
Lena smiled through tears.
“Yes.”
They named her Isabella Rose Moretti.
Dante held his daughter for the first time.
His hands trembled.
He looked down at her tiny face.
Then whispered:
“Hello, Bella.”
The baby opened her eyes.
Dante began crying.
Lena watched him.
Her heart ached.
Not from sadness.
From the strange, overwhelming realization that this was the family she'd once dreamed of.
Later, when Isabella slept, Dante sat beside Lena.
He took her hand.
“Thank you.”
She smiled.
“For what?”
“For her.”
Lena looked toward the bassinet.
“She belongs to both of us.”
Dante nodded.
“Yes.”
He hesitated.
“Lena?”
She looked at him.
“Yes?”
“I still love you.”
Her eyes filled.
He continued.
“But I won't ask you to come back because we have a daughter.”
She swallowed.
Dante looked down.
“I want to be a good father.”
His voice broke.
“And I want to become a better man.”
Lena took his hand.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then she whispered:
“I still love you too.”
Dante closed his eyes.
“But love isn't enough,” she continued.
He nodded.
“I know.”
Lena looked at him.
“Then keep showing me.”
Dante smiled through tears.
“I will.”
And for the first time, the promise he made wasn't accompanied by a diamond ring.
It was accompanied by a choice.
May you like
To show up.
Every day.
