My Quiet Place

Chapter 60: New

Annika Remo

I looked down at the little blue-knitted shoes. Matteo hasn't come back yet. He had been gone for a day, and the anticipation was killing me. He said he was coming back, but how can I be sure? There were so many things that could go wrong. So many things are beyond his control. I had to believe in him, in us, and in the future we had together.

There was a knock on the door: "Miss Annika."

I jumped up from the bed and hurried to the door. When I opened it, a tall, middle-aged man stood there. "Annika." His voice was deep and authoritative, and I could see concern etched on his face. My heart raced as I tried to gather my thoughts, realising that this man must have news about Matteo.

"Miss Annika, he sent me to inform you that the mission has been a success. He will be coming home tonight." My heart fluttered as relief washed over me. He's safe. He kept his promise.

"Thank you," I replied, trying to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall. I closed the door and leant against it, closing my eyes. A million thoughts raced through my mind as the realisation that he was okay settled in. He was safe, and he was coming home.

I paced around the room anxiously, my heart racing with excitement. The hours felt like an eternity, but eventually, the faint hum of an engine sounded in the distance. As the sound grew closer, I rushed to the window and peered out, my eyes searching for any sign of him. The car pulled up in front of the house, and the headlights illuminated the driveway, casting long shadows across the lawn of the estate. I ran down the stairs, ignoring the maids , "Miss Annika!"

"He's here." I whispered to myself, a mix of relief and anticipation flooding through me. My palms were sweaty as I reached for the doorknob, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Be careful!" My heart pounded in my chest as I flung open the door and dashed out into the cool night air. The stars twinkled in the inky sky, and the full moon shone brightly above. As the car door opened, I caught a glimpse of his silhouette, and I knew that it was him.

My breath hitched in my throat as he stepped out of the car, his tall frame and confident stride unmistakable. His dark hair was tousled in the wind, and his piercing blue eyes met mine, sending shivers down my spine. I couldn't help but smile, my worries and doubts melting away in an instant.

"Matteo," I breathed, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heartbeat. As he approached, I could hear the sound of his footsteps on the gravel, growing louder with each passing second. Time seemed to slow down as we closed the distance between us, anticipation and longing filling the air. And then, finally, he was standing in front of me and wrapping his arms around me, his touch gentle yet possessive.

"Cara mia," his low voice spoke as he held me tightly, as if afraid to let me go. I inhaled his scent, and my body relaxed, knowing that he was safe and sound. We stood there, locked in each other's embrace, the world around us fading into insignificance. There was a strong sense of relief in place of the agony of separation because it had been far too long since we had last seen each other. His presence was a balm to my weary soul, and I couldn't help but bury my face in his chest, savouring the warmth and familiarity that enveloped me. The weight of his arms around me was a reminder that we were finally together again and that the distance and obstacles we had faced were now nothing more than distant memories.

"Are you okay? I was so worried." My voice trembled. His gentle voice reassured me, "I'm here now, everything is going to be alright." His words were like a soothing melody, erasing all the doubts and fears that had plagued my mind during our time apart. In that moment, I realised that love truly knows no boundaries and that our connection is unbreakable.

"I'm okay, Tesoro." He stroked my hair and pressed a kiss on the top of my head.

"Matteo," I began, my voice unsteady with anticipation.

"It's done." His voice held a hint of exhaustion but also a sense of relief. A wave of gratitude and joy suddenly replaced the weight that had been on my shoulders for so long. I couldn't believe it was finally over—that the long and arduous journey we had been on had reached its end. Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked into Matteo's tired yet loving gaze. The sacrifices we had made and the obstacles we had overcome all seemed worth it in that moment. We had fought for our love, and we had won.

"The men who killed your mother," I swallowed hard, "are they all dead?"

"Every single one of them. They're gone." His tone was cold, and his gaze was distant. It was as if a shadow had fallen over him, obscuring his true self. I placed a hand on his chest, feeling the warmth of his skin. "They won't hurt anyone else, ever again," he whispered.

"We're safe," I replied, looking up into his eyes. A soft smile spread across his face, and he leant in, his lips brushing against mine.

"You're safe," he repeated.

"So is our baby," I said, my heart skipping a beat. I knew that I had to tell him, but the words were caught in my throat. His eyebrows furrowed as confusion flashed across his face.

"What do you mean?"

"Matteo, we're having a baby." My voice was barely above a whisper as the realisation of what I had just said hit him. His eyes widened, and his jaw dropped slightly, the shock evident in his expression.

"Are you serious?"

"I am. I'm pregnant." A smile tugged at his lips, and he cupped my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks. "We're having a baby." His voice was filled with both wonder and disbelief, and the look in his eyes was indescribable. It was a mixture of pride and awe, a look that made me fall even more in love with him.

"Yes," I said, tears of joy brimming in my eyes. When he lifted me up and spun me around, I let out a little scream. The stars and the moon seemed to smile down at us, as if celebrating the news. We're safe, and our baby will be safe too.

"Tesoro, ti amo," Matteo murmured as he lowered me back to the ground, his eyes bright. His hand was instinctively moving to rest on my stomach.

"You made me the happiest man in the world," he whispered, his voice filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The weight of the world seemed to lift off our shoulders in that moment, replaced with an unbreakable bond of love and hope for the future. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of warmth radiating through my entire being. Our journey together had been filled with countless obstacles and challenges, but we had always faced them hand in hand, never wavering in our commitment to each other. And now, as we stood under the starry night sky, I knew that no matter what, we were going to be okay.

"I love you too." And as our lips met, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of us. In that moment, there was nothing else that mattered except the love we shared and the life we were about to begin.