Right after Jack Romano kills in man in the line of duty, he finds out his bemoaned first love's wife has died in childbirth and his ex-lover killed himself, leaving their sickly newborn to Jack. Carlo Del Monte has been chasing Jack for nine months and sees the baby -- Isabella, Bella for short -- as an opportunity to get Jack in his house, as well as his bed, permanently. The two men set up housekeeping with the help of friends and Carlo's big Italian family. Then little Bella ends up in the intensive care since she lacks immunity to childhood diseases. Can Jack and Carlo find their way in this new relationship? As partners, husbands, fathers? Will the two be able to form a strong bond ... and an even stronger family?

Beau's Baby

Dr. Baumgartner came in while they were in the nursery. “Since Isabella was an underweight baby rather than premature, she’s gaining ground faster than a preemie would. She may be able to go home as soon as next Monday. If we can get her a little over four pounds, I’ll be delighted. I meant to ask you, how do you know Dr. de Loria?”


“Cisco is a client of Cohen and Del Monte, my law firm. Plus he’s a personal friend of my law partner, Jake Cohen,” Carlo told him as he sat down to rock Bella back to sleep.


“You know St. Mary’s is merging with Central Shore? They’re calling it a merger but all of the board of directors and several department heads are out of here as soon as Cisco takes the helm. I went to medical school with Cisco. I was always surprised he chose to go to St. Mary’s instead of the University of Pennsylvania. I know he was offered a residency there.”


“I’m sure he had his reasons,” Carlo said.


Chapter 26