To be Better

GIOVANNI’S POV The first thing I registered when I woke up was Arya was curled against my side, her dark hair spilled across my chest with one hand resting over my heart. She looked peaceful in her sleep and my chest squeezed in response. Mine. The thought came, and I didn't try to push it away this time. She was mine. I had marked her and made her mine in every way that mattered. And unlike yesterday morning when I fled like a coward, today I had no intention of going anywhere. I pressed a kiss to her forehead, careful not to wake her, then slowly extracted myself from her embrace. She made a small noise of protest in her sleep, reaching for me, and something in my chest tightened. I pulled on my discarded pants and padded downstairs, my mind already working through what I wanted to do. Maria looked up in surprise when I entered the kitchen. "Mr. De Santis! Good morning, do you need anything?” "Good morning, Maria." I moved to the refrigerator, pulling out eggs, milk, and flour. "I