The Mafia’s Good Wife
Chapter 70

~ Violet - ----ONE WEEK LATER

"I still can't believe that time is flying by so fast!" Talia chirped as she sipped her non-alcoholic sparkling grape juice. "All of a sudden, it's already July. We're celebrating your twenty third birthday and in just four weeks the baby will be here!" Talia and Violet were standing at the glorious beach right behind the Long Island safe house. It was Violet's birthday today and Damon got her a surprise party. Yes, of course Damon had surprises prepared for her. He was the man of many surprises after all. As soon as Violet got up this morning, she was greeted by a marvelous breakfast in bed and purple roses decorated the bedroom. There were so many roses in all shades of purple, that it looked as if Van Gogh puked all over the place. After breakfast and a warm bath, Violet came downstairs to find Damon had prepared a special shopping trip for her, Barbara, Talia, and Ivy. Damon actually cut a deal with a nearby mall and managed to get the entire place closed only for the three of them. The ladies spent the entire day running around the mall, trying on clothes, buying baby stuff, getting a new haircut, and getting mani-pedis at the nail salon.

It was such an amazing day, and the fun didn't stop there. When Violet came back to the house, Damon had prepared a surprise dinner slash party by the beach. All of his men were there, including Dylan. It wasn't an extravagant or lavish party by any means, the only people in attendance were Violet's family and Damon's men, but it was a lovely event. So much so, that Violet shed happy tears when they presented a cake and sang happy birthday in that loud manly, army-like choir.

"I know right," Violet sighed as she glanced around the beach. Everyone was having a good time. Drinking and dancing with the sunset in the backdrop. Damon's men had been working so hard lately, they totally deserve some time off. "So, how are you feeling with everything?" Talia asked, raising her eyebrow.

"It feels surreal..." Violet said, pausing for a beat before adding, "But life has been kind of surreal ever since I met Damon,"

"Hm. Is that a good thing?"

Violet cracked a smile and nodded her head.

"It's a great thing," she said.

Ever since the very first moment they met, there has never been a dull moment. From running from the cops to making deals with the devil, flying all over the world to being kidnapped by a rival mafia family, running away and being found again, unexpected pregnancy and jealous lovers, going through wars, revenge, betrayals, and everything in between-the past five years had been nothing short but crazy. But still, Violet wouldn't have it any other way.

"I'm really glad you and him found happiness," Talia said as she gazed into the sunset. Her eyes turned glassy like she was thinking of something or someone far away. "You two deserve it,"

Violet turned to her and her eyes glazed over too.

"Talia..."

"Being in love..." Talia smiled to hide the sadness in her eyes. "It's just the best feeling in the world,"

Violet kept looking at Talia for a moment, and then she noticed that Talia was looking at someone in particular, a man that was standing in the far distance. It was Liam. He was standing next to Beau and Dylan, talking and laughing. When Liam noticed that Talia was looking at him, he looked at her too, giving out a smile.

"Talia, can I ask you something?" Violet asked.

"Shoot,"

"Are you and Liam-"

Before Violet could finish her sentence, suddenly, Damon appeared in between them. Inserting himself in between Violet and Talia. "Alright, Talia, I think you've taken up enough of my wife's time," he said. "Can I please dance with my wife now on her birthday?" "Yeah, yeah, she's all yours," Talia said as she rolled her eyes. And just before she left, she turned to Violet and gave her a wink. "So, can I have this dance?" Damon said as he lent his hand to her.

"Of course," Violet replied, taking his hand.

Damon led her closer toward the band. There were some guitar players and a singer serenading the night. The band was playing their rendition of Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Smoothly and gently, he slipped his hand to the small of her back and swayed their bodies to the music.

"You look beautiful, my love," he said, leaning his face close into hers. Their noses were inches apart.

"Well, you don't look so bad yourself," she replied, biting back her blushing cheeks.

Violet kept her gaze on Damon's eyes as their bodies moved in sync. The music and the waves were playing in the background. Everything seemed to stop moving and nothing else existed except the two of them. Looking deeply into his eyes, Violet felt something grand and warm. It was like she found her soul in there. It was a wonderous, magical feeling. One she hoped she'd never lose no matter how old she gets.

"So, what's it feel like being twenty three?" Damon asked, grinning that gorgeous smile.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "Not much different. I think all the numbers get blurred up after twenty one,"

"You don't think twenty three is a special number?"

"Every number is a special number as long as I get to spend it with you," she said with a wink.

"Oh, how smooth," he chuckled.

"I learn from the best,"

Damon bit his lip to stop himself from smiling too much. Violet was exerting this playful, cheerful aura, and he loved that look on her. As a waiter passed them by, Damon stopped him to get them some non-alcoholic bubbly drinks. Giving one of the glasses to her, he raised his glass and said, "Cheers. To being twenty three and all the years that follow it. You and me, forever and always,"

Violet smiled and clinked her glass with Damon's. Those words were so perfectly said, she couldn't have done it better. Standing on her tippy toes, she linked her arms around his neck as her lips reached for his, melting into a kiss.

Violet's birthday party went on into the late hours of the night. People were still eager to drink, dance, and enjoy the peace while they can. But Violet, on the other hand, was too tired to stay up late. Being 36 weeks pregnant was no joke. Everything felt heavy, she had to pee all the time, and she just wanted to lay down.

So after they had their dinner and watched the fireworks show, Damon escorted Violet back into the house. She only drank sparkling grape juice, but she was delirious and could barely walk by the end of it. Damon found it amusing that a tired pregnant lady could somehow look like a drunk party girl. He held her with both arms as she rested her head on his chest, and he sort of dragged her up the stairs.

"Maybe I should just carry you, it'll be easier," Damon muttered as they struggled to get up.

"Mm-no, I can walk..." she replied stubbornly, still staggering.

Five minutes later, Damon and Violet finally made it to the second floor. As soon as they got into the bedroom, Violet fell onto the bed with her feet hanging down. Damon let out a chuckle and sat next to her. He picked her legs up and put them over his knee. Then he started taking her shoes off one by one.

"Hey, Damon..."

"Hm?"

"Thank you for my party. I had a really great time with everyone,"

"Good, I'm glad that you do," he said with a smile. "Sorry, it's kinda small. I wanted it to be bigger, but we-"

"-Have to keep a low profile, I get it," she said, cutting him off. "But it doesn't matter anyway, because all the people that are important in my life are there,"

Damon locked his eyes with Violet and they shared a smile. He had finished taking off her shoes, so he laid down next to her. Propping his head on his elbow, he tilted her face toward him and asked, "Are you gonna fall asleep right now?" A playful smile crept up her lips.

"Maybe yes, or maybe no," she said teasingly. "Depends if you have any more surprises for me,"

Violet batted her eyes and glanced down at Damon's jeans. Yes, she was that shameless. But it was her birthday after all. The night wouldn't be complete without some one-on-one time with her wonderful husband.

"As a matter of fact, I do have another surprise for you," Damon said.

"You do, do you?" Violet propped her head up on her elbow too. She smiled seductively and her eyes began to roam his body.

Violet was expecting Damon to flirt back, grabbing her neck and kissing her lips, something like that. But instead, Damon moved back and stood up from the bed.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Come with me," he said, giving out his hand. "I need to show you something,"

Violet eyed him suspiciously, but took his hand anyway.

"It's not in this room?"

"No,"

"What is it?"

"It's your birthday gift,"

"But I thought the party was my gift...?"

"Oh, baby, that's just the party," he chuckled. "You haven't seen nothing yet,"

Violet looked at him quizzically, but he just grinned, flashing her that megawatt smile. Damon then led her out of the room and they went to the room right next door. He stopped at the door and Violet looked at him in confusion again.

"Isn't this the laundry room?" she asked. Violet never really spent much time in this room, but she knew what it was. It was a simple room with two sets of washers and dryers. She'd seen Elena and the maids coming in and out from there many times. "Go on, open the door," he nudged her, smiling rather mischievously.

What kind of surprise can he have for me in the laundry room...?!

Violet couldn't take not knowing anymore. Letting go of Damon's hand, she stepped forward and reached for the door handle. As soon as she pushed the door back, her eyes widened in complete shock. Her jaw fell to the floor. "Oh my God...!"