A Lifetime With You by Athrhteera

Matteo

The memories of Alena standing in a white dress, clinging onto her body was still fresh in my mind. The way she her dark green eyes were focusing onto my brown ones; she was a fallen angel for me. She was my savior, and that time, I was too blinded to see. I had fallen in love with my wife. The same person I had sworn to never love.

Yet I believed, she was brought into my life for a reason. She came into my life, so I could be a better person. She had taught me different things, and I was forever grateful to her. If I was bound to lose her one day, I knew I wasn't going to survive. My heart never stopped longing for her.

I knew she was made for me. The love of my life.

The mother of my children.

The reason of my

of my breathing.

We went through alot of ups and downs throughout our marriage, but there wasn't a single time where we wanted to give up. We always thought it was us against the world, never us against each other.

Besides, the memories we created were too beautiful to let go.

It was Marco's third birthday party and three of us were standing to blow his cake. I was holding Marco in my arms, as we all sang 'happy birthday' to him while Alena was clapping, smiling widely at our bundle of joy. Our families were clapping and singing along as they took pictures.

Ever since Alena gave birth to Marco, he was the highlight of everyone's lives. Our families prioritized him and always wanted to keep him safe. Truth be told, Alena and I didn't have to worry much if we wanted some alone time because our parents always offered to take care of our son. Alena and I never changed. We were still the same lovers as we were years ago. We understood each other better now. We believed and trusted in each other more. 'hen Alena

ena was pregnant with Marco, she didn't feel fine the first few months and I helped her through her sickness. We ent to the doctor's office many times just to ensure she was doing well-I was proud of her. She was a strong Mama. It wasn't an easy journey for her with Marco. She had sleepless nights, and terrible back pain but I tried to ease it for her. Whenever she couldn't sleep, I kept her company and we talked until we were both asleep. Whenever her back was aching, I helped to give her a massage, just to make her feel better. It was our first time.

We didn't have any experience, yet we managed to push through.

Our little Marco was born healthy and as time flew, he was thriving. He had my dark and thick brown hair, but his

eyes

were

a mixture of green and brown. They were hazel and they were beautiful.

He was a mixture of both of us. We couldn't compete to win if he looked more like me or more like Alena.

I leaned forward with Marco, holding him tightly as we blew onto the candles. Once they were out, everyone clapped and smiled. Marco smiled widely, clapping his small hands as he showed his excitement.

08:29 40.29

Tue,

I turned to look at my wife, kissing her lips.

"LOOK

used Alena

at the camera!" Ana said, standing in the middle as she tried to take our picture. I my free hand

and to wrap my arm around Alena's waist, slowly resting on her baby bump while holding tightly onto Marco with my other hand. The shutter clicked and we had a beautiful family picture, with our second baby on the way. a and I were surprised with exciting news when she started feeling sick. Little did we know, she was pregnant, and we began having baby fever again.

We began to realize we were growing old because we got excited over different things. Alena was always shopping for groceries, furniture, and baby stuff-she said those things excite her more than handbags or new designer clothing. Well, we went shopping for those things as well, but not as often.

And our second bundle of joy was coming to the world in less than five months.

We were nervous, but we knew we wanted a big family.

The whole family went in to take more pictures, as Alena helped to serve them a few slices of cake. Everyone else was gathering and chatting, enjoying their time. When things got better with Mikhail and Alexei, it was a shock to me, too. They began to treat me like a real family. They still tried to keep a close eye on Alena, but they knew they could trust me more now. As soon as Marco came into everyone's lives, he began to be the main concern. Ana came in, throwing her hands towards Marco who seemed to be enjoying his aunt's attention. I slowly let Ana carried her as they went away to the other family members, leaving Alena and I for some alone time. Luca was laughing when Ana came by, sitting on his lap with Marco.

Those two were a surprise to me, when they first met at the hospital three years ago, Luca had somehow been in touch with Ana. It was a risk he took, despite knowing how much Alexei and Mikhail despised Italians.

it was easier for him because I had

Well, it

proven

them wrong.

He just swept in, trying to win Ana's heart.

It took him months before they were lovers.

Mikhail was disapproving at first, because of the age-gap. Luca was in his thirties while Ana was still in her early twenties. 1 en again, he never gave up proving that he wanted Ana in his life. There were nights when he had come in to talk to me or those nights when he came in drunk, but I told him he needed to get his head straight.

Their story was a different love story. It was theirs to tell.

Meanwhile, I was just busy focusing on my love story.

I wrapped my arms around Alena's waist, pulling her close.

The smile on her face never faded away as she raised an eyebrow, purposely letting her baby bump being the third wheeler of our love story.

"How y can I help you, Mr. Lerclerc?" She asked, smirking.

"I just want you to know that I miss Mrs. Lerclerc,"

your mother?"

"Oh. wife, dummy."

"Owife,

M

I pinched the bridge of her nose playfully before laughing, leaning down to meet her soft lips. She kissed me back just as quick before bumping our noses together, as if we were cats. "Well, I miss my husband, too. Even though he was just across the room from me."

t can we do about that?"

"I don't know... you tell me."

I smirked, teasing her. "How do you feel? Do you want to sit down?"

I knew how she couldn't stand for too long during her first pregnancy, but surprisingly, during her second pregnancy as of now, she was doing better. She didn't sit as often because her legs didn't hurt as much, and she was more active to move around. I guessed they were right; every pregnancy was different.

"I feel fine. I'm just really hungry."

Let's get you something to eat, then."

vve

him.

e made our way to one of the empty chairs after grabbing food. As Alena sat beside me, I fed her a small portion of the meal as we watched Marco playing around. He was running around, giggling, and having the time of his life because everyone else was so focused on He had all the attention he needed, and he was happy.

Alena kept smiling at our son, knowing how we had created that.

For the past three years of my marriage with this woman, she had been nothing but became more beautiful by the day. She was glowing, succeeding, and happy-ever since her residency was over, she ended up pursuing her interest as an orthopedic. Well, she was good at her job. There was no need to deny that.

There wasn't a single day where she wasn't beautiful, even when she was puking in the bathroom and became pale, she was still the most beautiful woman I ever laid eyes on.

Maybe, I stopped looking at other women ever since she came into my life, but I had no interest in looking anyway. My wife was mouth-watering, *****

She only needed me. Her husband.

Are

you happy with me, Alena?" I asked, grabbing onto her hand.

"What kind

kind of question is that? Of

If she looked at me with those eyes, I was head over heels made me the happiest woman on earth," she replied with a smile on her face. The exact same smile that had made me fallen deeply in love with her.

There was no turning back for me.

heels.

The life I once had was fading away, and I never realized how I couldn't remember much of that life. The life I had now was more beautiful, and calming, it was the only life I could recall.

If Alena hadn't kissed me that night, if she hadn't come to my office after, I was probably as miserable as I was before. I would've never tasted real love. I would've never imagined myself as a happy husband and father. Marco was a blessing to our marriage which had strengthened the bond we had in the first place. He gave us many sleepless

0.71%

nights, tantrums, and stressful days, but he was a blessing. He also gave us different memories, better experiences as a parent, and beautiful moments with him.

I remembered when Alena was giving birth to Marco. The look on her face, the sweat forming on her forehead, and the screaming of pain..

She was one of the strongest women I knew.

And

I was proud of her.

I tucked a strand of hair behind her car, pulling her face closer towards me. I looked deeply into her eyes, loving how they instantly focused onto mine. "You and Marco are my priority, baby. You have given me a beautiful life, and there isn't anything better that I could ask for. If there were sorrow days, I'd always look back at you two." "Let's not forget about the baby on the way," Alena teased.

I laughed, "Let's not f

s not forget about her."

"Her? You

I

You think this time we're having a girl?"

"I think so. I followed the doctor's advice for years because we wanted a girl, but if we end up with another boy, I don't mind. They'll be able to protect you once they grow up and when I'm gone."

Alena frowned, "Don't say things like that."

"Like what, baby? It's the truth. I won't be here forever,"

"You'll always be here to protect us, Matteo. You'll raise our babies to be wonderful people, and you'll do anything for us. Don't think it'll be easy for you to die when you've promised to love me forever." I smiled, "Then, we should die together when the time comes."Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

"When we're old with wrinkles."

"And wrapped in each other's arms,"

We both

smiled, loving the plan we had made. Even though we couldn't know what we were going to face in the future, but we knew what we wanted.

A bright future for our kids. Away from any dangers of the world.

Then, a happy ending for us.

"Mama! Papa!" Marco came running towards us, straight into my arms.

"What's wrong, baby?"

Marco wrapped his arms around us, "I missed you."

Everyone awed at Marco who seemed to be acting rather sweet around people. If only they knew the number of tantrums

he threw during the day. Then again, he was a total sweetheart, and no one could replace him.

The two of us laughed, as I ran my fingers through my son's hair

As Alena leaned peacefully on my shoulder, we watched the rest of the family.

If someone had asked the younger me, I never thought I was going to end up here. With a beautiful family of my own, feeling content.

This

This was a dream come true for us.

I missed the mafia, and how I had things done, but Luca was becoming a good leader. He knew the things to do, and he kept updating me things, even though I wasn't a part of them anymore-they still treated me with respect. only wanted safety for my family. If I was still in the mafia, I was an easy target.

!

I never wanted to put my life at risk anymore.

I would be lying if I didn't miss the thrills, but I prioritized my family more. They needed me around to protect them, and I wasn't going to risk anything. They were my everything.

I turned to kiss Alena on the forehead, letting Marco ran to play again.

s closed,

My eyes

remembering back when it was just Alena and me.

Things were simple. We

Weekly dates, monthly

were having the best time of our lives, but it got better when Marco came. We were parents now, and we had other things to think of rather than having fun all the time, but we never stopped what we used to do. vacations, and pillow talks.

We were stiff the same person we knew years ago.

"I love you, Alena Rose Lerclerc."

i

"And I love you, my husband."

There it was the never-ending butterflies.

My heart belonged 1 to her.

It belonged to my Alena.

Forever and always.

had

grabbed Alena inside, wanting her to myself as everyone else was outside-we had the house to ourselves, empty. I couldn't help but play our favorite song as we danced slowly in the middle of the living room. My hands were on her hips as her hands wrapped around my neck. faces were

Our

only

inches apart as we swayed.

I twirled her around, and a soft chuckle left her lips-she was enjoying this.

As I whispered in her ear, I had managed to slip on a new necklace around her neck. "Happy birthday, wifey."

Her eyes widened, reaching out to touch the necklace.

It was simple, but t it had a engrave of our initials at the back of the locket. We were both sentimental, we knew how to appreciate little things like this.

"I didn't even remember it was my birthday,"

"Well, you were always thinking about Marco. You forgot he has the same birthday as you."

"Thank you," she smiled widely, playing with the locket.

"You're welcome, baby. Happy thirty-three,"

08:39

"I feel so old...".

"You look exactly the same to me,"

It wasn't a lie. Every time I stared at her; I couldn't see a single flaw. She was the same as when I first met her-the same beautiful Russian woman. And I was forever blessed with her presence in my boring life. We were dancing slowly, swaying around.

I looked down at her baby bump, placing both of my hands.

Every moment with Alena was an intimate one.

And I couldn't have asked for a better life than this one.

A lifetime with Alena.: