Epilogue

Epilogue

Sareena - One Year Later

The air in the maternity room smelled like flowers and baby powder, and I couldn’t help but soak it all in.

I had just helped with Gabriella’s delivery. She just gave birth to my god-son; the most beautiful baby boy I’d ever seen. He has thick dark hair, pouty lips, and a strong little cry that already sounded like he’d be giving orders by kindergarten.

Maximus had cried, when he first held his son. Like, actual tears. And for once, no one gave him hell for being emotional.

Gabby was glowing when we finally got her settled in her room—and the second I opened the door, everyone piled in. I gave hugs to Mia, Luca, Julia, Mario, Max, and Mrs. Nazzaro. Saving the longest hug for Vincent.

He’s doing so much better. He’s back to his normal carefree fun loving self, but it took months of secret counseling. He actually told his family he was hanging out with us, when he was getting the help he needed. I’m just thankful to have my friend back.

I promised Gabby and Max that I would check on them before I leave the hospital. Gabby joked about how lucky she is that her best friend and son’s god mother is a doctor. She’ll always have someone on speed dial to rush over.

I smiled, kissed her and the baby on the forehead and went to do my rounds.

When I stepped out into the hallway, I couldn’t help but smile. My hand instinctively going to my growing belly. Damian and I were two months pregnant. One more month, and we will be through the first trimester and can start telling everyone.

I was heading towards the emergency room, when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out to see Sophia’s beautiful face lighting up the screen.

Incoming FaceTime: Sophia

I answered and there she was, my twin, my sister and now one of my best friends.

Her hair was pulled into a messy bun, no makeup, cozy hoodie, and still somehow glowing like she just stepped out of a bridal magazine.

“Oh my god,” she said without even a hello. “I couldn’t wait. I had to tell you first, Sareena, I know I am supposed to wait… Matteo and I are pregnant.”

I blinked.

“With twins,” she added.

I laughed out loud, then angled the phone down so she could see the slight swell of my belly. “Guess what?”

Her mouth fell open, then she gasped. “No.”

“Yep.”

“Are you serious right now?” She asked.

“With twins.”

The two of us just stared at each other for a second, eyes wide, then burst into laughter. Pure, unfiltered joy.

“I guess we really are twins,” she said, wiping her eyes.

“Right? Pregnant at the same time, both with twins. Who does that?”

She grinned. “Us.”

The silence that followed wasn’t awkward; it was peaceful. Healing. A quiet moment where all past heartbreak, betrayal, and chaos faded into something softer. We had both fought so hard to get to this place. And now? We were here. Together.

“I want to tell Nono,” I said suddenly.

“Me too,” she agreed.

“Should we call him together?”

She nodded, and I added him to the call.

A moment later, Nono’s and Alexandra’s faces both popped up. Nono’s hair was grayer, and the lines around his eyes were deeper, but his smile? That was still strong enough to light up a room.

“Le mie ragazze!” he beamed. “What’s this, a surprise conference?”

We looked at each other, held back grins, and then counted to three.

“One, two, three…”

“We’re pregnant!” we shouted together.

Nono blinked, and his jaw dropped. Nona Alexandra started to tear up.

“Both with twins, Grandpa.” Sophia added quickly.

Nono put a hand to his heart and chuckled, voice cracking. “Mamma Mia… you girls are really trying to kill me with joy.”

Tears burned in my eyes, and I saw them in Sophia’s too. We weren’t just surviving anymore. We were thriving and we were building something better