“Happy birthday, Enzo.” I give him a big hug before he shrugs me off, not wanting to be embarrassed by getting affection from me. 

When Giulio and I sat Enzo down last year to let him know we were in a relationship, we were both worried about his reactions. He had just lost both of his parents a few months before, which was a major life change, and now his uncle wanted to move a practical stranger into the house as well. But we were worried about nothing. Enzo was over the moon to have me living with them and started constantly pestering Giulio about when he was going to make an honest woman out of me and has been hinting every few months. 

At first, it worried me he wasn’t asking me to marry him, worried that he was going to change his mind any minute and send me packing, but I got over it. Giulio loved things the way they were, and I didn’t need a piece of paper to prove to the world how much he loved me. He made a point of showing me every day and in everything he did. 

“Our little boy is all grown up,” Giulio says from beside me, planting a kiss on my shoulder as he skirts by with a fresh tray of hamburgers and hot dogs. “I can’t believe he’s becoming a man.” 

“He’s only ten, baby. Don’t rush things.” I shake my head before letting my eyes roam across the pool to make sure all the kids are still okay. 

Our little boy. Who knew that such a simple phrase could tug at my heart? Enzo has asked a few times over the last few months what to call me and I’ve always let him choose. Some days I’m Maya, others I’m zia or auntie depending on who’s around. Giulio and I let him lead and call us whatever he feels most comfortable doing. But in the last few weeks he called me mom, but then switched it up at the last minute. 

I never want to take the place of his birth mother, and neither does Giulio. His birth parents will always hold a special place in his heart. I just keep hoping that there may be some room in there for me too. Especially after I saw those two lines pop up on the pregnancy test this morning. 

“Are you ready to tell him yet?” I jump in surprise as Morgan comes up behind me, her belly nudging me gently on my side. “Ugh, I’m as big as a house.” 

“No, you aren’t. You’re the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.” Beckham comes up behind her, resting both of his hands on her belly before planting a kiss on her neck. Her entire body relaxes into him as he whispers something in her ear, causing her to giggle. 

Morgan really booked herself a trip to London for her birthday, on Giulio’s dime, a few weeks after I arrived, and came home with the man of her dreams. Coming home about a month later, pregnant and engaged to Beckham. The two of them are perfect for each other, and how they met isn’t anything short of perfect. But that’s a story for another time. 

“Can I get everyone’s attention?” Giulio’s voice rises over all the kids, grabbing almost everyone’s attention. “Enzo, can you come over here, buddy?” 

“Is it time?” Enzo’s eyes widen in surprise as he comes to stand beside Giulio, grabbing something out of his hand before coming to stand in front of me. 

“What’s going on, you two?” I eye them both skeptically as I see everyone with their phones pointed in our direction. 

“It’s just…” Enzo begins, his eyes immediately filling with tears as he tries to work through what’s going on in his head. “I have something to ask you.” 

I bend down, taking both of his hands in mine. “You can ask me anything, buddy. You know that, right? Besides, you never told me what you wanted for your birthday. I’m probably the only one who didn’t get you a present.” 

I spent the last two months attempting to find the perfect present for Enzo’s birthday but came up empty. I asked everyone and each of them gave me a more cryptic answers the more I asked until I finally asked Enzo. He didn’t even give me a real answer, saying I already gave him the best present by making his uncle G so happy. 

I thought that was sweet, but every ten-year-old boy has something he wants for his birthday. 

“This is for you,” Enzo whispers, holding a small box in my direction. “I didn’t know what to do, but Uncle G and Morgan helped. I hope you like it.” 

“You helped?” I question Giulio, wondering how all three of them kept a secret from me. 

“I did. And trust me, it wasn’t easy.” 

Everyone chuckles as I open the box, my eyes filling instantly with tears. Nestled inside is a small open locket with a picture of Enzo, Giulio, and me that was taken a few weeks ago when we were on vacation in the States visiting my parents. 

“Well, now I know why you all insisted on getting pictures taken.” 

Giulio winks at me as I turn my attention back to Enzo.  

“Thank you, buddy. I’ll wear it every day, but you really didn’t need to give me a present on your birthday.” 

“It is a present for me,” he says, his eyes finally flicking to mine as Giulio steps up beside him, dropping to one knee. 

Everyone gasps in shock as the tears flow freely down my cheeks.  

“Enzo wants us to become his parents, officially. Not just his guardians, but his mom and dad.” 

I drop to my knees and wrap my arms around the two men I’ll spend the rest of my life with. “Of course I’ll be your mom, Enzo. It’d be my honor.” 

“But there’s one more question you need to answer.” Giulio grabs my hand gently in his before sliding a gorgeous princess-cut diamond onto my ring finger. “Will you marry me?” 

“Yes, but is there room for one more?”  

Giulio’s eyes widen in shock as he pulls back, his eyes zeroing in on my stomach. I nod slowly, watching both of their eyes as the reality dawns on them we’re having a baby. 

“I want a brother,” Enzo shouts and he throws her arms around both of us, pulling us in for a tight hug. 

“Brother or sister, as long as it’s with your momma, I’m happy.” Giulio rests his forehead against mine as all our friends erupt in applause and congratulations around us. “I love you, sweetheart.” 

“And I love you,” I whisper back as my eyes drift shut.