The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 27

~ Violet ~

"Luke, I... I have to think about this. What you're asking me is huge. And I think you should think about it too..."

Violet searched Luke's eyes for signs of uncertainty, but it wasn't there. He looked as confident as ever, like this was absolutely the right thing to do.

"I've thought about it, plenty of times," he told her.

"You did?"

"Hell yeah," he said with a chuckle. "Violet, I've been in love with you since the first time I saw you. And sure, I was never sure about settling down and all that stuff, but I figured if I was ever gonna settle down, it'll have to be with you,"

Luke's bright blue eyes were tender and warm. Violet was lost in his gaze. Deep in her heart, she knew that being with him would be good for her and the baby. A guy like Luke was the antidote to Damon. There was no drama, violence, or danger with him. In the midst of all the chaos, Luke was her safe haven. Luke could bring her the peace and stability Damon never could.

If I were to ever settle down with someone... it should be with someone like him...

"Will you give me a few days?" Violet said after a long silence. "I'll think about it,"

"Of course," Luke nodded with an understanding smile. "And no matter what you choose, I'll still be here for you,"

Maybe it was the hormones in her or the sweetness in his words, but Violet couldn't help herself from crying. Luke's words got her right in her chest. She couldn't explain how grateful she was to have his support. Everything was happening so fast and so unexpectedly, she was scared and confused. But Luke was an anchor that kept her from drifting away. He was a strong rock for her to lay her head on.

"Ssh, it's gonna be okay," he cooed and pulled her into a hug, and Violet cried even harder, sobbing into his chest. Luke only held onto her tighter and whispered gently into her ear, "It's okay, I'm here for you. I always will be..."

And so, they stayed like that until the sunset disappeared and the stars came out in the dark. Luke held her in his arms and she clung onto his chest, crying her little heart out.

*

Three Days Later➖➖➖➖

Violet mostly kept to herself for the next few days. She avoided talking to Dylan or her mom because she wasn't ready to tell them the news yet. And she was also avoiding Luke because she needed the space to think about her decision. What else is there to think about, Violet? Luke is clearly the best choice...

Even her head knew that marrying Luke would be a great thing for her and her baby. Violet also loves him and he loves her, so there shouldn't be any reason why she shouldn't marry him. Except, there was one. What about Damon...?

What about Damon? Clearly, things could never work out between the two of them. Violet refused to give up her freedom and the safety of her child just to be with a mafia king. There was no future for them. It was useless to keep hanging onto the idea of being with him. And the sooner she takes an action to move on, the better it would be for her and her child.

But what will I tell him...?

Violet wondered for days and nights about Damon and if she should tell him about the baby. The clear answer is that she should, but the question is how and when?

Violet thought so hard about Damon, he even appeared in her dream last night. She dreamt that she was back at the estate and she found him sitting inside the old abandoned church.

"Damon..." she said as she approached him.

"Is there something you want to tell me?" he asked as he turned around.

Yes. I'm pregnant and it's yours. You're going to be a dad and I'm a mom. I'm so happy and so scared at the same time, you don't understand...

Violet wished she could say those things. She imagined he might be happy about it. Or maybe he'd be shocked and flustered. But either way, she wished she could tell him everything. She wished she could share this weight together. But no... Sharing it together would mean she has to go back to him. There was no way in hell Damon would let her be thousands of miles away, raising his kid on her own.

"Nothing," she said instead. "There's nothing I wanna tell you..."

Damon looked at her like he didn't believe her, but Violet didn't say anything else. And suddenly, Violet felt nauseous and she woke up from the dream. She ran quickly to the bathroom and put her head on the toilet bowl. She puked her guts out and cried more tears. She stayed there until the sun came up and her eyes were too tired to cry. Violet let out a long sigh as she sat on the bathroom floor. It was hard carrying this weight on her own, but despite it all, Violet believed she was doing the right thing. And just because she didn't say anything, it doesn't mean that this doesn't matter, but it's because it matters too much.

Violet glanced at the window and caught sight of the sun rising. It was a beautiful day outside, and the ray of light came in like a string of hope, lighting the darkness all around her. Violet looked down to her stomach and her hand went to rub it gently. She couldn't feel anything yet, but she knew there was someone in there, eager to meet her. That person was counting on her, so she had to be strong. She had to make the right choice...

Damon... I promise I'll tell you someday. I promise to tell our baby all about you and what a great man you are. And I promise to love you forever... but only from afar.

After an eventful morning spent next to the toilet bowl, Violet picked herself up from the ground and decided to take a long shower. "Enough is enough," she told herself. She was done throwing a pity party for herself. She was done going around in circles, not moving anywhere. There was a baby in her belly and it was counting on her to keep going. Violet couldn't be selfish anymore. She had to do what's best for the two of them, and so she started with a shower.

After the shower, she then went outside and had breakfast with her mom, Dylan, and Ivy. Her family was happy to have Violet at the breakfast table because she usually didn't even eat breakfast. Violet had two eggs, a toast, and some juice. And she even made small talk with everyone.

Things were really turning around for Violet. She was in a much better mood, better than she had been for weeks. So after breakfast, Violet decided to go to Luke's. He had been patiently for days, giving her the space she needed, but now it was time to settle everything.

"Hey," she beamed as soon as he opened the door.

"H-hey," Luke was caught off guard, not expecting to see Violet so early in the morning in front of his house. He was wearing a simple t-shirt and joggers, and his hair was messy like he had just woken up. "Do you have a minute?" she asked.

"Of course," he said as he moved away from the door, gesturing for her to come in.

Violet stepped inside and saw that the house was empty. There was coffee brewing in the kitchen and some eggs on the skillet. Luke was probably in the middle of making breakfast when she suddenly appeared. "Do you want some breakfast?" he asked, moving to toss the eggs around.

"Thanks, I already ate," she replied.

"Coffee?" he offered, but then he caught himself and quickly said, "Oh, wait no,"

Too much caffeine wouldn't be good for the baby and Luke forgot about that for a second. Violet only let out a small smile and shrugged.

"So, how you've been?" Luke changed the subject, trying to make small talk.

"Luke, I..."

"You got an answer for me?"

Violet didn't have to say the words, Luke already knew what she came here for. He looked at her expectantly and she let out another smile.

"A good one?" he asked.

"I think so," she replied.

The biggest smile curved up Luke's lips. His chest was also heaving up and down like he couldn't contain himself.

"Well, in that case..." he trailed and suddenly went into his bedroom.

Seconds later, he came back out carrying a small velvet box in his hand. Violet stared at it in confusion, but then he opened the box, revealing a small diamond ring. Violet gasped in response.

"You got me a ring?!"

"Yeah, I went and got it after I dropped you off from the doctor's," Luke shrugged simply and took the ring out. Then he reached for her hand and slipped the ring into her finger. Violet just stayed completely still, watching Luke as he clasped their fingers together. "How'd you know I was gonna say yes?" she asked him.

"I don't. But I was hoping you might," he replied with a winning smile.

Violet's heart was filled with warmth. His love for her was contagious. She couldn't help but smile back and her eyes went glassy.

"Luke..."

"Hey, I know I'm not the man you want, but I think I'm the man you need..." he said as he leaned closer and put his forehead on top of hers. "I'll take care of you and the baby. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy,"

Violet couldn't hold it anymore. Tears were falling from her eyes and Luke put his hand on her cheek, catching the tears that fell.

"And I'll love you with everything in me, until my dying breath," he whispered gently. "I love you, Violet Rose Carvey,"

Luke closed his eyes as his forehead rested on hers. Violet also closed her eyes, and she linked her hands around his neck, pulling him closer.

"I love you too, Luke," she whispered. "Maybe not the same way that I love him, but I do love you. You make me want to be a better version of myself. The kind of person I thought I couldn't be..."

Luke opened his eyes as she spoke. He could tell this was hard for her, but she was trying her best. And for now, that was enough. So he leaned closer and aimed for her lips, planting a soft and sweet kiss. It wasn't too much or too demanding. He just wanted to let her know that everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you," she breathed as he pulled away.

"For what?" he narrowed his eyes.

"For bringing out the best in me,"