Just Tell Me You Love Me (Book 1 in the Just Series) *under editing*

Chapter 14

Massimo

I spent the rest of the evening before dinner, watching Arabella and Lia. The way they bonded, laughed, their lovely, innocent banter, it was such a joy to watch. I have never felt this happy, in a really long time. In fact, this house is feeling much more like a home. I look forward to coming home, because I want to hear their laughter and giggles. I want to watch them together and witness the joy in Lia's eyes. I want to see the tenderness in Arabella's eyes when she looks at my daughter.

Arabella is simply amazing.

Then I began to think about my dream.

Was it a sign? A message? An answer to my question?

A knock on my door, interrupts my thoughts.

"Yes?"

Arabella, poked her head inside my office.

"Evelyn asked me to tell you, dinner is ready."

"Alright. I'll be right there," I said.

She starts to close the door, and I stop her. "wait," I said. "Let's go down together."

As I was closing the door, I could tell that she's had a shower to get rid of the flour and all the mess, she and Lia created. I couldn't help the chuckle, that escaped me.

She turned to look at me. "What's so funny?" She asked in amusement.

"Nothing. I was just thinking about you and Lia, and how ridiculous you two looked," I teased.

She laughed. "She seem to take after her father," she retorted.

I laughed at that. "Trust me, you would think her kind, when you find out all about the trouble I used to make and get into when I was young."

She raised her eyebrows. "Well, if what I'm seeing now is anything to go by, then I'd say you're right," she said cheekily.

I laughed. "Cara, you are getting used to insulting me."

Cara? Dear? Where the hell did that come from?

Arabella gasped slightly at the endearment, but quickly hid her surprise.

"There you two are," My mother said, when she saw us walking into the dining room.

"Hi daddy! Hi Ara! Looks, I'm all clean and I smells good. Grandma, helps me," she said.

We both chuckled.

"You mean helped," I said correcting.

"Uhuh, helped" she replied happily.

"That's nice, baby. Did you say thank you?" Arabella said.

"Uhuh," she bobbed her head up and down. "See, I'm all cleans. Smells me," she said, causing Arabella to erupt in giggles.

She walked over to her and leaned closer, to nuzzle Lia's neck. "Hhhmmm, you smell and taste amazing," she said humorously, causing Lia to squeal and giggle uncontrollably.

I caught my mother's eyes. She looked at me with delight and warmth in her eyes. I smiled back at her, knowing exactly how she feels.

"Can daddy have a taste too?" I asked.

"No daddy, no more," she said, still giggling uncontrollably.

"I think, I've had my fill of you baby," Arabella said.

"You're silly," Lia said, her giggles subsiding. "Do I really taste goods?" She asked seriously, making us all laugh. She looked at us, wondering what was funny.