It seemed to take hours for Domenico to get home. Franchesca spent all day pacing their house, moving items, putting them back, searching for anything that might have been left behind, cleaning. She couldn't bring herself to write the letter to Nicolo, the man who gave them their assignments, asking for a leave of absence. That would raise questions, and with her being one of the best assassins in Roma, she didn't want to anger anyone.

Even though Evelyn was happy for her.

Franchesca sighed, sat down on a chair, and ran her hands through her hair. This is going to be one of the hardest things I have told Domi.

She sighed and looked down at her stomach. She gently placed a hand on it and sighed. I can't believe there's a baby in here. I can't believe I'm going to be a mother, and Domi a father.

I can't believe this is happening.

A door opened somewhere. Franchesca looked up, a slight look of panic in her eyes, and noticed it was just a courier. "Is Domenico here?" He asked.

"No, he should be back shortly." Franchesca replied.

The courier nodded. "Alright. I have a letter for him. Can I leave it with you, miss...?"

"Franchesca."

The courier walked in and handed her a piece of parchment folded and sealed with wax and ribbon. "Tell him to read it when he gets a chance. I understand he's got a lot on his mind, with the Brotherhood and all..."

He's just going to worry more when he realizes he's going to be a father.

"Ma'am? Is something wrong?" The courier asked.

Franchesca looked at the courier. "What do you mean?"

"I asked you a question three times and you didn't answer me."

Franchesca didn't realize she had let her mind wander. "Mi dispacie. I've got a lot on my mind right now."

"Well, can you at least tell him that his mother and father send their best regards? I ran into them on the way over."

Franchesca took the letter and nodded. "I can do that."

The courier held out his hand.

"Oh, right. Your payment." Franchesca mumbled, standing up. "If you can wait a few minutes, I can run upstairs and get it for you."

"Okay."

Franchesca hustled upstairs, grabbed some florins out of the pouch of her assassin's robes, and rushed back downstairs. She put the payment in the boy's hand and said, "How's that?"

The boy looked at the florins in his hand. Franchesca could tell that he was counting because his mouth was moving, but no sound was coming out. "There's ten florins here."

"Yeah? Is that a problem?"

"I only get paid five."

"Well, consider it a tip."

The boy's eyes lit up. "Thanks ma'am!" He replied before bolting.

Franchesca chuckled and sat down in a chair again. That rush upstairs wore her out. At least I know why I'm tired all the time.

The door opened and shut again. Franchesca looked up to see Domenico walk in, taking his hood off, his hair somewhat messy from the hood being on his head. "How was it, Domi?"

Domenico looked over at Franchesca and chuckled. "You don't have to call me that, love."

"I know. It's a habit."

Domenico looked at Franchesca suspiciously. "Is something wrong, Fran?"

Tell him! Tell him now and get it out of the way!

"I'll tell you later."

"Are you sure? Are you feeling alright?"

Franchesca nodded. "Aye." She replied, knowing all to well she was lying to him. She was sure, yes, but was she feeling alright, no. She was exhausted and sore.

Domenico nodded. "Alright. I'm going to go upstairs and change out of these. I want you to tell me what's up then."

Franchesca nodded, looking down at her leggings, boots, and tunic. She'd have to get used to wearing the maternity dresses.

Domenico sighed and headed up the stairs. He was gone for a few minutes before he came downstairs, wearing pants, a tunic, and boots.

Well, so much for planning on how I'm going to tell him.

"Okay Fran. Spill it. I'm not going to wait three days to hear what you have to say." Domenico announced, grabbing another chair and sitting in it, taking Franchesca's hand in his.

Franchesca sighed. "How can I say this?" She mumbled, closing her eyes.

"Start from the beginning."

Franchesca opened her eyes and placed her free hand on Domenico's leg. "I went and saw Federico while you were out. Oh, and before I forget, this arrived for you." She reached over, grabbed the letter, and held it up briefly before putting it on a nearby table.

"Fran, don't change the subject. Please. Why did you go see Federico? You're not sick, are you?" Domenico asked, a hint of worry in his voice.

"You can say that."

"What do you mean?"

Franchesca placed her hand on top of Domenico's, the one that held her other hand. She smiled shyly and whispered, "I'm pregnant."

"Mi dispacie, I didn't hear you."

Franchesca spoke up. "I'm pregnant."

A look of shock found its way onto Domenico's face. "But...but..."

"I'll have to take a leave of absence from the Brotherhood until I can recuperate from delivery." Franchesca explained, "For the sake of the baby's life and my own."

Shock turned into pure joy. "Oh my God! We're going to be parents!"

Franchesca busted up laughing.

"I can't believe it!" He stood up, letting go of Franchesca's hand, and started pacing around the room, "I'm going to be a father!" He abruptly stopped and turned back to Franchesca, "How far along are you?"

Franchesca shrugged. "I don't know."

Domenico ran over to Franchesca and helped her up. He wrapped her in a hug and said, "Well, it doesn't matter. My wife, a mother!" He let go of her, grabbed her by her shoulders, and said, "I need to tell my parents!"

"They send their love by the way. The courier that brought your letter ran into them." Franchesca replied, smiling.

"There's so much that's got to be done before the baby gets here!" Domenico replied, grinning, letting go of Franchesca's shoulders. "I'll find us a bigger house, since this house only has one bedroom in it. I'll make sure you're comfortable. That's the top priority right now. Errands need to be run, people need to be told..."

"Domi..."

"How am I going to explain this to my parents! They'll be happy, but I don't know how I'll tell them..."

"Domi..."

"A list of supplies. Don't know what we'll need for a baby, but I think we can..."

"DOMI!"

Domenico looked over at Franchesca. "What?"

"I need to send a letter to Nicolo stating I have to take a leave of absence. That's the number one thing I need to get done right now."

"To hell with writing a letter, I'll go talk to him in person!"

"You'd do that?"

"Of course!" Domenico replied, wrapping Franchesca in a hug again, "I'd do anything to make sure you're happy!" He let go again and bolted for the door.

As Franchesca listened to Domenico announce that he was going to be a father, she chuckled and sat back down in the chair. A huge wave of relief swept over her. She asked herself, "Fran, what did you get yourself into?"