"Good." Anna curled into him, as much as she could anyway, and relaxed there. "Still, I'll be happier when I don't wake up to being kicked."

"Soon," Ezio soothed. "Now rest." If she woke up too soon because of the baby, Ezio would help her relax again. He was a light enough sleeper that he would wake when she did.

Anna nodded and drifted off there, settling in happily. She had her man, her little one was behaving, the order was well and truly established, so life was good. For the moment.

Ezio continued taking care of her over the next few weeks. He could see how uncomfortable she was, being so near the end of her pregnancy, so he tried to make it as easy on her as he could.

Of course, it was all in terms of relativity, as Anna had to constantly remind herself when she went into labor. But at least she didn't panic, and she and the midwife shooed everyone else--including Ezio--out of the area, only allowing Ezio back several hours later. Anna was laying in bed, half-curled around a small, swaddled bundle, looking exhausted but pleased.

For a moment, Ezio didn't know what to do when he was told he could go inside. He hovered in the doorway, looking in at Anna and the little bundle.

Anna looked over at him and smiled, leaning back a little and shifting so he could see the little boy's face. He was currently asleep again, settled in there.

Ezio went into the room quietly and sat down on the bed next to her.

"He's perfect, la mia dolce" he said softly.

Anna smiled and leaned over closer to him. "You say that now," she teased gently, shifting the little one, only half-awake herself.

"It's true," Ezio said as he settled in with her against him. He gestured to the newborn. "May I?"

Anna nodded and carefully moved the little one to him, leaning back against the wall as she watched the two. One big blue eye opened a little before he yawned and went back to sleep, supremely unconcerned.

Ezio held his son carefully, looking at the little one in awe. Then he glanced at Anna.

"Have you chosen a name for him?"

Anna shook her head. "Not yet. Nothing's come to mind yet. You have any ideas?"

"To be honest, I had considered naming him for my father," Ezio admitted quietly, looking down at the child for a moment.

"Giovanni?" Anna smiled faintly. "I almost hope he doesn't grow into it, because if he does, he'll be giving us a lot of trouble."

"No more so than I gave my father as a child," Ezio replied with a bit of a grin.

"So only a few minor heart attacks." Anna rolled her eyes but grinned, settling back there. "You hold him for a bit, I think I want to nap."

Ezio chuckled, but nodded and gave her a small kiss.

"Rest, la mia dolce," he said. "I will look after you both until you wake."

Anna nodded and settled in to get a few hours' sleep. Giovanni's fussing and squirming woke her up, and she took him quickly, making a vague shooing motion at Ezio.

When Giovanni started fussing, Ezio tried to soothe and shush him so Anna could get some more sleep. When Anna woke, though, he obediently handed the baby over and turned around to give her a bit of privacy.

Anna settled in to feeding Giovanni, though it wasn't quite as easy the first time around. Once he settled down again, though, squirming a bit before falling asleep again, Anna settled in there.

"Anything eventful happen while I was asleep?" she asked quietly.

"Not at all," Ezio replied, turning to face her again. "All was quiet." Leaning over, he gave her a small kiss.

Anna returned the kiss and smiled. "Good to know." She leaned against his side after a few moments. "Sure you'll be fine running things without me for a while?"

"I survived before I met you," Ezio pointed out. He put an arm around her waist gently and tugged her closer. "I'm sure I can keep affairs from falling to ruin while you rest."

Anna snickered, grinning. "Well, you never know," she said. "You could have gotten used to having help all the time."