Chapter 66. Acceptance

"I don't know, Lucia," Andrea sighed, resignation evident in his voice.

"Right, I knew it. Like I said, you should stay away from us. We don't need you, Andrea. I can take care of the child. I won't tie you down..."

"No one is tying anyone down, damn it!" Andrea's anger, suppressed for so long, suddenly flared.

"Then I'm going to ask you again," Lucia's voice wavered. "What do you want?"

"You," Andrea responded almost instantly. "I don't know how much..."

Before he could finish his statement, Lucia rose from the bed and swiftly drew his face to hers, their lips locking in a passionate kiss. She pulled back slowly and looked at him. "You'll make a great father," she said, smiling, and Andrea returned the gesture.

"Took you this long to realize, huh?" Andrea teased, lifting her up as Lucia wrapped her legs around his waist.

"I still think you're too old..." Lucia's hands rested around his neck as she playfully teased him.

"Oh, really?" Andrea grinned mischievously, drawing her ear close