Chapter 22
“I cannot help either of you if you don’t talk to me. What is causing Antero such distress he needs to be squished like a bug.” He met her surprised gaze, “he is not the only child in the world who felt best when their mother was squeezing them tight. I was terrified of thunder as a child and the only way to make the anxious feeling stop was tight hugs from my mama. It is my job as his father and as your partner to make sure you’re both feeling safe and secure. If I don’t know why he’s stressed, then I can’t help you. Talk to me. One of you needs to talk to me.”
“Mom is sad,” Antero whispered against her throat. “When Mom is sad it makes me sad.”
“You think your mom is sad.”
Antero pulled his head out and looked at Torq, “I can tell.” He touched his fingers to the end of her nose, “when she’s trying not to cry, it gets red right here.”
Torq sighed loudly, his chest heaving as he held them both on his lap. “It is not my intention to make anyone sad. Antero, I looked for your mom an extraordinarily long time. I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to make her upset. I am going to make your lives a lot better. We can do things together as a family. Your mom is going to keep working right here in this building as she always has because its safest for her. Your school is going to get some free security upgrades so we can keep you safer than you already are. I will also make sure Don Mariani, and his family, don’t bother your mom. I will keep you safe from them. I want to be part of your life, Antero and also part of your mother’s life.”
We were fine before.” He pursed his lips.
“Yes, you were fine, but wouldn’t you want to be exceptional? It’s nice to be okay but isn’t it better to be great? Having a dad will help you be everything you ever dreamed of being.” He gave Alcee a gentle smile, “I know you don’t understand, and I know you’re frightened but I will explain everything again tonight when we’re alone. For now, I want you to realize, despite me missing out on so much so far, I’m not angry with you. I am proud of you. I am incredibly proud of you Alcee. Look at him,” he turned her chin slightly towards the boy on their lap. “Look how strong and smart and sensitive he is. He recognized you are sad by the way your nose turns red. He’s intuitive and bright but sweet and this is all on you. You did this. You defied your family and gave me the greatest gift in the world by carrying our child, giving birth to him, raising him, and recognizing his needs and you did this all without backing from family. There isn’t a force on earth which would make me hurt you unless you try to leave me with him. I want you both in my life and I will keep you here with me. While I know you are a fantastic mother, please don’t rob me of the chance to be as good a father.”
“Everything I’ve done since I knew of him,” she looked at Antero, “has been for him. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him.”
“Then let him have his Papa. He deserves a Papa, no?”
She nodded, “I did go back to the hotel.”
“You’ve said this many times and I believe you. Tell me you don’t feel safe all wrapped up here in my big arms.” When her lips tugged her chuckled and kissed her temple softly, “I promise you Alcee, I mean you no harm. I never meant you harm back then and I sure as hell couldn’t do it now. I’m known for my bad reputation, and it is well–deserved. I am a mean son of a bitch when crossed. There are very few people who get to see the version of me who is in front of you right now.”
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“What do you think Antero?” She turned her attention back to her son. “Do we give him a chance?”
He addressed Torq, “Okay but if you make my mom cry, I’ll be mad at you. Stop picking her up too unless you ask. It’s very rude.”
Torq nodded, “and does this go for you too?”
“Yes but,” Antero gave a shy grin, “it was neat how you picked us both up. You’re really strong.”
“You will be as strong as me.” Torq smiled at him. “Stronger maybe. I’ll need to dig out some photos of me as a child to compare our sizes. I bet you are as big as I was at your age.”
“I can eat ten whole chicken nuggets when we order fast food.”
What is your favorite food? Chicken nuggets and fries?”
Antero shook his head exaggeratedly, “no. Chicken nuggets are a treat, and my mom doesn’t get them very often. My favorite is something she makes all the time. Take three guesses.”
“Mac and cheese?”
“Nope.” Antero was smiling now and bounced on Alcee’s knees ignoring her grunt of pain. “Guess again. You were close!”
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Chapter 22
“Close huh? Pasta then. Spaghetti.”
“Nope.” Antero let a giggle out.
“Lasagna?”
“Cacio e pepe!”
“I would not have guessed in a million years!”
“My mom makes it the best.” Antero beamed proudly, “you should ask her to cook it for you. It’s the very best in the whole world.” He leaned forward conspiratorially, “even when she doesn’t make the noodles herself it’s good but when she makes the noodles, I can eat three plates!”
“Do you think if I asked her nicely she would make it for dinner tonight?”
“Would you Mom?” Antero bounced again flinging his arms around her neck. “Please?”
“Sure, but if I make it you need to eat some vegetables.”
“Carrots?”
“Broccoli.”
“Córn?”
“Broccoli.”
Carrots and corn?” Antero argued with eyebrows high in his forehead.
“Fine. Two kinds of vegetables instead of broccoli.”
“Yay!” he scrambled off her lap and started to the door.
“Where are you going?” Torq called out.
“We need to get groceries. Mom cleared all the stuff from our house when she was packing last night. Let’s go!”
And like that, Torq’s hands gripped tight on her hips to keep her from moving, his tone cool.
“Packed?”
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