#valerio

Valerio woke up early, as always, to walk Bandit and prepare breakfast.

"You know you're going to spoil me, and I could get used to this treatment," Gabriela teased, hugging him from behind as he was fetching something for them.

"That is my real intention," he smiled. "Haven't you thought about it?"

"Will you be spoiling our kids as well with sweet, fresh breakfasts?" she chuckled.

"If they let me, for sure."

"Speaking of kids, have you ever thought about having them?" she asked, trying to keep her curiosity neutral.

"That's a random one." Valerio raised a brow and glanced over his shoulder at her.

He could tell by the look on her face that she was waiting for an answer. "Of course I've thought about it. Considering Lana had Archie so young, I've wondered what my reaction would be if it happened to me."

"And what would your reaction be?" Gabriela pressed.

"If it was with you, I'd have them without a second thought. Here and now," he replied with a smile.

"Perfect answer." She pressed a kiss to his cheek, grabbed the cutlery, and went to set the table.

When breakfast was ready and both of them were about to sit down, Valerio noticed a playful but worried look on Gabriela's face.

"What's on your mind?" he asked. "You're still thinking about the kids topic, aren't you?" He paused. "Actually... why the sudden interest?"

He studied her curiously, and that's when he noticed she was holding something behind her back.

"Gabriela?... What's this all about?" he asked playfully, though his heart skipped a beat.

"There's something I have to show you, and I'm very worried about what it might mean... but your answer today gave me courage..." she began.

"Now I'm worried," he admitted with a nervous laugh as she took his hand and placed a glossy piece of paper into it.

"What's this..."

He looked down, realizing the little picture he was holding was an ultrasound scan.

"Wait... is this?... Are you..."

The words got stuck in his throat as he tried to process the thought.

"Mhm." Gabriela nodded softly. "It's almost eight weeks now."

She watched him as he stood there completely stunned.

"Say something," she pleaded as he continued staring at the picture in his hands.

"I'm not a doctor... but... are those two little beans I see in there?" he asked, his voice still slightly shaky from the surprise.

"You have a good eye," she laughed. "Yes."

"Are those two babies? For real?" he asked again, just to make sure he'd heard correctly.

"That is correct. There are twins. It's too early to know the gender yet, and I refused to find out while you weren't there with me."

She barely finished the sentence before he swept her off her feet and lifted her into the air, finally realizing what had just happened.

"I can't believe this... I'm going to be a father... of two babies at once..."

He kept mumbling as he covered Gabriela's face with kisses.

"You have no idea how happy I am right now. I want to scream to the whole world that I'm the luckiest man alive. Thank you, Gabriela. I love you so much."

He kissed her before dropping to one knee and gently touching her belly.

"Do you feel them moving?"

He carefully placed his hands on her stomach, trying to feel something.

"No, not yet. It's way too early for that." She grinned, shifting slightly from his touch. "Ooh, that tickles."

"I'm sorry, little guys, I tickled your mommy," he chuckled, doing it again before placing a kiss on her belly. "You two have no idea how loved you already are. Your mommy and I can't wait to meet you."