Becoming Mrs DeLuca novel Chapter 74

**Through Shadows We Painted Our Forever by Erynn Vel Coren 74**

**Chapter 74**

**VALENTINA**

Our inaugural summer vacation at the beach house was finally here, and it felt like a dream come true. The calendar had turned to early June, and the sun blazed down with a radiant glow. The weather forecast promised several glorious days devoid of rain, a perfect prelude to our seaside adventure. Adrian had taken the week off from work, a gesture that filled me with uncontainable excitement for our family getaway, even though I knew he might still be called back for emergencies.

I carefully dressed Sofia in an adorable two-piece swimsuit adorned with ruffles and cheerful sunflowers, completing her look with cute little sunglasses and a straw hat that seemed to dance with the summer breeze. I slipped into a bikini that mirrored her outfit, albeit without the frills, and together we made quite the charming duo, a mother-daughter pair that turned heads.

Stefan, on the other hand, proudly sported his favorite Superman swim trunks, his little chest puffed up with pride as he declared himself a hero for the day.

Adrian was a sight to behold in his board shorts, effortlessly handsome as he scooped Stefan up onto his shoulders and waded into the inviting waters of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Sofia and I cautiously dipped our toes, recoiling at the initial chill of the ocean. I had always preferred water that was lukewarm, so I couldn’t fathom how Adrian and Stefan relished the brisk sensation. Sofia, sharing my sentiments, squealed in delight each time the waves lapped at her tiny feet, her eyes sparkling with joy as she raised her arms in excitement. “Arm, Mommy,” she called out, her voice ringing like music in my ears.

Every time she referred to me as “Mommy,” my heart fluttered. Occasionally, she would attempt to imitate Stefan and call me “Veetina,” though her pronunciation was adorably off. It was a sweet reminder of her innocence, a small quirk that warmed my heart.

Stefan had been initially puzzled by her calling me mom, but after I took the time to explain that I didn’t wish to replace his mother, but rather that it was an expression of my love for them both, he seemed to come to terms with it.

As I held Sofia close to my chest, I watched Adrian carry Stefan on his shoulders, their bond evident to anyone who laid eyes on them. It wasn’t merely their physical resemblance that gave them away; it was the way they interacted, the unspoken language of love and trust between a father and son. It was a sight that filled me with warmth. Milo, our furry companion, barked animatedly beside me, clearly agitated that Adrian and Stefan were out of her reach, though she had never been fond of water.

“Daddy!” Sofia squealed, stretching her little arms toward Adrian. He emerged from the water, gently placing Stefan down on the warm sand. Milo, ever the vigilant protector, rushed to inspect Stefan as if ensuring the ocean hadn’t harmed him. I handed Sofia to Adrian, and before he returned to the waves, he leaned down to kiss me, a sweet, fleeting moment that made my heart flutter.

Stefan dashed along the water’s edge, with Milo barking excitedly behind him. Her fur had grown back beautifully, making her look like an adorable, fluffy cloud.

“Not so fast!” I called out as their playfulness escalated, but before I could intervene, Stefan stumbled and fell hard onto the sand. My heart raced as I rushed to him, finding Milo already licking his face in concern. I knelt beside him, seeing him clutching his knee, tears streaming down his cheeks. “It’s all right, sweetheart. We’ll fix you up in no time,” I reassured him, my voice soothing.

Adrian’s shadow loomed over us, and he quickly took Sofia from my arms, carrying Stefan into the house. I could see the tension fade from Stefan’s face as he nestled into his father’s embrace.

Fortunately, the cut on Stefan’s knee didn’t require stitches. Adrian cleaned the wound with gentle precision, applying a Band-Aid while speaking softly to Stefan, his voice a calming balm.

Stefan, ever the brave boy in his father’s presence, managed to hold back his tears. Adrian affectionately ruffled his hair.

“Do you want a popsicle?” I asked, trying to lift his spirits.

He bit his lip, glancing down at the sofa, clearly torn.

“Stefan?” I crouched down to meet his gaze, sensing something deeper. To my surprise, he wrapped his arms around my neck, catching me off guard. “Hey, you okay?” I asked gently.

I hugged him tightly, feeling the warmth of his small frame against me. “Mommy,” he whispered, and in that moment, I froze. Adrian stiffened beside us, his eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. Was Stefan thinking of Serena? Did he miss her?

Slowly, I pulled back, meeting his gaze. He was looking down at my chin, his voice small and tentative. “Can I call you Mommy Valentina?”

My breath hitched, and tears sprang to my eyes at his unexpected request.

Adrian’s expression hardened, a flicker of something dark passing over his features.

I pressed a kiss to Stefan’s cheek, pulling him close once more. “Yes, sweetheart. Nothing would make me happier. I love you.”

He began to sniffle, and I felt my own emotions welling up. Adrian turned his head away, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. After a moment, he knelt beside us, enveloping us both in his arms. I buried my face in his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my cheek. Adrian pressed a kiss to the top of my head, then to Stefan’s.

That day, Stefan called me “Mom” at every opportunity, his shyness melting away into pure delight as he embraced this new title.

As evening descended, Adrian and I found ourselves on the swing in front of the house, gazing at the breathtaking sunset that painted the sky in hues of orange and pink. We hadn’t yet discussed the day’s events; with the children around, time had slipped away from us.

“I didn’t expect that,” I finally said, glancing up at Adrian, who understood the unspoken reference without needing me to elaborate. His arm tightened around my shoulders, pulling me closer.

“Neither did I. He’s old enough to remember his mother, but I suppose those memories will fade with time. He was too young to form a strong bond with her. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise,” he mused, his voice thoughtful.

“I suppose so,” I replied, though it felt cruel to find solace in Serena’s early death. For Sofia and Stefan, it might indeed have been easier this way. If they had been older when she took her life, the burden of grief would have weighed heavily on their small shoulders. “Eventually, they will ask questions about her. It’s only natural to want to know about your birth mother.”

Adrian exhaled slowly. “And until they do, I won’t bring her up. Everything I would tell them would be a lie anyway.”

“Not everything,” I countered gently.

“When we married, I thought I was just managing the situation,” he admitted, a hint of laughter in his voice.

My eyebrows shot up in surprise, and Adrian chuckled at my reaction. “I know, not the most romantic thought. But I figured you were just going to make my life easier.”

“You thought you were getting a nanny with some added benefits,” I teased.

“I can’t deny it. I never considered that we would become partners, that I would enjoy your company outside the bedroom. That seemed unlikely after our first meeting.”

“You certainly know how to make a romantic sunset even more romantic,” I quipped.

“Romance isn’t my forte,” he replied, his tone playful.

Giggling, I popped open the button of my shorts. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford to slow down, and in my haste to remove my shorts while running, I nearly stumbled. Now only in my panties, I pushed myself to run faster, trying to escape up the dunes and away from the encroaching ocean.

“Gotcha,” Adrian growled, his arms wrapping around my waist as he lifted me off the ground. He pressed a heated kiss against my neck, then playfully bit down, making me gasp. Despite my squirming, he carried me toward the water’s edge. “This is going to be very cold. But I know just the way to warm you up again.”

“Adrian, don’t you dare!” I warned, but he stepped into the waves, the cold spray hitting my calves. “Adrian!”

With a swift motion, he tossed me into the water. Shock coursed through me as the icy Atlantic enveloped me. I burst through the surface, gasping for air, my body struggling to acclimate to the chill.

Adrian, on the other hand, appeared completely unfazed, as if he were taking a leisurely dip in the Caribbean rather than the frigid Atlantic.

I shot him a glare, but a grin tugged at my lips. He had surprised me, just as I had surprised him. When I first laid eyes on him in the foyer of my parents’ home, he had seemed so poised and in control that I had wondered how we would ever make it work. We were still different in many ways, yet we both made small adjustments for each other. Marriage was about compromise, and despite Adrian’s desire for control, he had put in the effort to make this relationship flourish.

“How about I warm you up now?” He pressed close, enveloping me in his wonderfully warm embrace. His mouth found my throat again, igniting a fire within me.

“No sex in the ocean! I’ll lose important assets if we stay in the water any longer,” I protested, half-laughing.

Adrian chuckled deeply against my skin. “What kind of assets are we talking about?” His mouth traveled downward, closing around my nipple.

I gasped, clutching his head. “That one, for example.” My gaze wandered to the row of houses lining the dunes, their lights glowing softly. I wondered if anyone inside could see us if they looked out at the ocean.

But in that moment, I didn’t care.

“I’ll keep your assets warm, don’t worry,” he murmured against my skin, and I decided that freezing to death might be worth it.

After a quick rendezvous in the ocean, I managed to convince Adrian to have another round on the beach, a decision I regretted afterward, just as he had predicted. A thick layer of sand coated every inch of my body, and more than one grain had found its way into places I preferred to keep sand-free. After a long, hot shower, I still felt sore as we settled back onto the swing. Adrian wore an insufferable I-told-you-so expression that felt like additional punishment.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the window. Sofia pressed her small nose against the glass, hammering her little fists against it in excitement. Adrian opened the door and scooped her up, settling her on his lap beside me. She snuggled against him, offering me a sleepy smile. I ruffled her dark blond hair and curled my legs beneath me, while Adrian kept the swing swaying gently with his longer legs.

Not long after, the terrace door opened again, and Stefan emerged onto the porch, barefoot and rubbing his eyes. He stumbled toward us, and I lifted him onto the swing between us, where he rested his little head against my chest.

I had never envisioned myself as a mother. Most days, I felt like a child myself, especially before Dad informed me of my engagement to Adrian. It was true that you rise to the challenges presented to you when you confront them head-on. I knew I would stumble often as I navigated the complexities of raising these children, and I would learn alongside them.

Adrian leaned his head back, a look of peace and contentment washing over his features. I wanted to be his safe haven. His work was filled with blood, conflict, and death, and I yearned for our home to be a sanctuary away from all of that. He caught me staring and offered me a tired smile.

I vowed to take care of Sofia and Stefan, to protect them from everything, even the painful truth. I promised myself I would never lie to Adrian, but the truth his father had shared with me would have to be the one exception.

Yet, I knew lies had a way of catching up with you in the end. I hoped this would be one of those instances where they wouldn’t.