Giving Birth to The Italian Billionaire’s Baby

Adaline has been brought downstairs and is now left with one of the makeup artists (MUA) and a wedding organizer (WO) staff member who are watching over her. Adaline sits at the end of the sofa, focusing her attention on the glowing flat screen in front of her. They will broadcast her wedding procession live. Adaline herself doesn’t know how many cameramen the Altezza family has hired for this sacred event. What’s certain is that she, who was initially unsure about her wedding, is now shocked by all the decorations she sees. How luxurious and beautiful. Something Adaline never imagined she would experience before.

“The groom has entered the hall.” She hears the voice through the walkie-talkie of the W. O personnel in her room. And from the screen, Adaline can see how handsome her husband is. He looks dashing with his appearance. Delila and Benjamin Quirino flank him on his left and right. Behind them walk Sir Arthur and his wife, Brianna. Then the rest of the family until at the end, there are Abigail and Flavia who are also wearing matching clothes with their large family but with a style more suitable for teenagers.

Her bedroom door is knocked, and Tessa’s shriek pierces her ears. “Oh my God… how did my friend become so beautiful overnight?” She says with sparkling eyes. “Where were you hiding this beauty yesterday?”

“Is that a compliment or a tease?” Adaline squints at her friend.

“Both,” Tessa replies flatly. “But it’s true what people say, a bride who rarely wears makeup will look different when she becomes a bride. Her aura becomes more radiant. Like a light, its brightness is already like a high-voltage lamp.”

Adaline squints. “Just tease me, no need to hesitate.”

“I’m genuinely praising you right now. You look like a Barbie doll. Isn’t that right?” Tessa turns to the W. O personnel there. The young woman responds to Tessa’s comment with a nod.

“You are very lucky to have such a handsome husband. Surely your offspring will be as beautiful and handsome as their parents in the future.” This time it’s the makeup artist who responds. Adaline just blushes hearing their compliments.

On the screen, they listen to Duncan speak.

A tightness fills her chest again. Her eyes well up, but she tries her best to hold back her tears. Suddenly, Adaline misses her father.

Adaline is called, and somehow, she is now officially the wife of Altezza Quirino.

Altezza’s POV

Relief.

That’s the word that describes my current feeling.

Nervous? Of course. It doesn’t mean the problem is solved after the wedding vows are spoken.

My responsibility as a human being increases now. There’s Adaline, the woman who is now my wife, whom I have to take care of and make happy.

Wife?

Hearing that word somehow makes my heart feel warm. Finally, I have a wife whom I can proudly acknowledge to everyone.

The music plays, as if purposely accompanying Adaline’s steps. I turn and see the angel approaching. Her beautifully made-up face looks so radiant. Glowing like a crown adorning her head. It’s as if there’s a spotlight deliberately shining around her.

Finally, my dream of seeing my bride in a beautiful white gown comes true. And there she stands, my bride as beautiful as an angel, petite in stature with a gown adorned with sparkling diamonds chosen by my mother in the last moments.

I must thank my mother for making everything look perfect even in such a short time.

I squint when I hear whistles from my family. Who else but my cousin Gian.

Adaline still bows shyly in front of me. Even when Tessa places the girl’s left hand in my right hand.

“Today you look so beautiful. Are you an angel descended from heaven through a special lane?” I tease, met with chuckles from the elders and Gian’s whistles.

Again. It seems my cousin is more fitting as a provocateur.

Adaline looks at me with her beautiful golden-brown eyes. Her face appears flushed, and I’m sure it’s not the effect of blush, but because my wife is feeling embarrassed. I just smile back at her.

“Please exchange the wedding rings.” The host says. I simply accept when Duncan hands me the ring box. “Bride, please kiss the groom’s hand. Hold it for a moment for documentation.” The host continues.

Adaline does it, causing my body to feel an unusual tingling sensation.

“Groom, it’s time to kiss the bride’s forehead. Hold it for a moment for documentation.”

I kiss her forehead, feeling her hand gently squeezing my fingers. Oh, I love doing it, even without the host asking, I’m willing to do it for a long time.

Then the next procession passes like a breeze in my head. I just follow what the host asks.

Is this what wedding euphoria feels like?

Wow, I’m amazed myself. It didn’t feel like this back then. Maybe it’s because of the different atmosphere, or maybe it’s my different feelings. But one thing’s for sure, the difference is very real, and I can feel it.

Even though my legs are sore from standing and greeting everyone-somehow they managed to come even with short notice-I have no intention of complaining. I can’t wipe the smile off my face either. Same goes for my wife.

Yes, this petite girl as beautiful as a doll is now my lawful wife. Legally and religiously. And of course, known to people, no longer kept secret.

I really have to thank my mother’s efforts. Because she truly created this beautiful and grand wedding for me-her only son-and for Adaline. The only woman who will become her beloved daughter-in-law. For now and perhaps forever.

Author’s POV

Finally, the event is over. Adaline sighs with relief, although now she must feel tired and her feet ache from standing too long.

Adaline is in the dressing room-which turns out to be only a few meters away and located at the back of the ballroom-with the makeup artists and WO assisting her in removing her wedding gown and accessories. And imagine, it’s almost midnight. She truly didn’t expect her event to be that grand and to have so many guests.

Well, after all this evidence, Adaline won’t doubt the formidable power of the Quirino family anymore.

After all her accessories are removed, Adaline sees the door open and then Altezza walks in. The man has already taken off the navy suit that was their final costume, leaving him in a white long-sleeved shirt with the top two buttons undone.

“Are you done?” He asks casually.

“Yes, Sir,” answers the makeup artist who is tidying up the makeup tools and jewelry Adaline was wearing.

“In that case, I request permission to take my bride away.”

He walks towards the makeup table, his right hand extended in front of Adaline. And although embarrassed, Adaline accepts the gesture without hesitation.

“Let’s go, Mrs. Quirino. We’re leaving from here,” he says as he lifts Adaline bridal-style. Adaline yelps in surprise, while the people there chuckle at the impatient newlywed.

Without difficulty, Altezza carries Adaline and enters the special lift that will take them to the top floor.

“S-Sir. Why does it have to be like this?”

“It’s okay, I just wanted to test if your body is heavy or not.”

Instantly, Adaline’s face reddens even more. She hides her face in the crook of Altezza’s neck while the man laughs.

“It turns out you’re not heavier than a sack of rice. Have you been eating nutritious food all this time? Don’t tell me you only eat vegetables.”

“S-Sir?”

“Well, well, I won’t tease you anymore,” Altezza replies, still smiling.

Suddenly, the elevator door opens, and Adaline is left gaping at the transformation of the room she left earlier in the day.

They are greeted with a view of a scattering of red rose petals, seemingly indicating where their room is. Instead of setting Adaline down, Altezza deliberately continues to carry her towards the bed.

“Isn’t my mother quite amazing? Look at her antics. More fickle than a teenager,” the man teases, only setting Adaline down when they are truly inside the room.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Adaline gapes again when she sees the same scattering of red rose petals on the bed and two teddy bears kissing each other placed in the middle.

“Oh my God, Mamma…” She says in amazement.

“That’s just your mother-in-law’s habit. No need to be surprised,” Altezza responds casually. Without any discomfort, he sits on the bed and plays with the teddy bear. “Are you tired?” He asks Adaline, who is still standing stiffly not far from the bed. Adaline shakes her head. “There’s something I need to talk to you about, Mrs. Something important to me, something you should already know,” he says seriously. “Do you want to discuss it now or would you prefer to shower first?”

Adaline tries to guess what the man wants to say. She’s curious. But at the same time, she’s also scared. Because she’s sure that whatever the man wants to discuss, it’s definitely not something pleasant.

Therefore, she chooses to stall for time to prepare herself mentally first. “I think it’s better if I shower first,” she says hesitantly.

Altezza nods without shifting his attention from the pair of teddy bears still in his hands, either deliberately avoiding direct eye contact with Adaline or simply focusing on the teddy bears.

Adaline doesn’t say much and doesn’t want to waste too much time. She heads towards the spacious bathroom, closing the door behind her and locking it from the inside. Without much thought, she removes her blouse and starts showering.

Whatever is on Altezza’s mind, Adaline is certain it’s not about the ‘first night’ as typically done by newlyweds. Adaline is actually relieved about that fact. But she herself is quite anxious about the ‘important thing’ that the man wants to discuss.