As I lay back in the bath, the scent of lavender filling the air, eyes close, I keep an ear out for the sounds of cries but nothing comes, After some thirty minutes, I feel more relaxed, knowing I can’t take any more time, I leave the bath, drying off and brushing out my hair, the steam from the hot water making the strands slightly damp and easy to brush through. I add some hair products and spray to keep the frizz at a minimum before leaving the bathroom. I picked out an oversized white button up and loose denim skirt in the closet, to pair with bright red sandals. I stretch my spine for a second, arms stretched over my head. Sighing in relief as my bones pop, before letting my towel fall to get dressed. I snagged my phone from the charger on my bedside table where either Niko or Maria would have plugged it in this morning. My eyes close when I see I have a number of unopened emails.Yikes. According to my calendar, I have accounts with Alex at eleven thirty, A quick look at my tim
Done for the day, I power off my computer, anything else can wait. I head downstairs to see what's going on. Making sure to steal some snacks from the kitchen downstairs before Tommy comes back and clears the entire thing, I go check on my children, It is the first time Niko is watching the by himself for so long and so far he's doing so well, my little girl can be a little terrorist sometimes, I should go and help him out. Angelo is napping away in his crib, and Caela is lying on her father's chest, eyes wide open. “It’s nap time,” I say entering the room and shutting the door behind me. “She refuses to sleep” The both of them are lying on the couch, Niko has one leg bent at the knee, the other stretched out, one hand cupping the back of her head, it is obvious he hasn't been able to keep her still long enough to fall asleep. I scoffed. And she’ll probably be cranky the rest of the day. No thanks. I’ve already had my fill of crying infants to last me an entire week. “Let me try
NIKO Past… “What is this I hear you are making my daughter work?” “Who the fuck is this?” I growled into the phone at the mere audacity. There’s a beat of silence, “Niko, it is your father in-law” The voice is authoritative, I’m sure it’s the one he uses when speaking with my wife or one of his underlings. He should know better than to use it with me by the way. Blanco may not read the tone of my voice because he continues, “One would think you would recognize my voice, but that is beyond the point. I demand to know why you are-“ “Who the fuck do you think you’re talking to?” once again I wonder if this man has a death wish. I had refused to look more into the issue but you cannot tell me he never noticed how fixated Alonzo was on his daughter, especially growing up, Christ. I try not to think of that. It fills me with a kind of rage I never thought possible. Blanco clears his throat and I can imagine him gearing up “You are being utterly unreasonable Niko, allowing a woman to
It is early evening on Sunday when the men start to arrive, Vincent and Danilo coming from their various rooms, Chase is alone when he arrives, Vanessa, true to her word has not been seen for some time now, I’m beginning to get suspicious. Eva joins us in the living room where I have the kids so everyone can say “Hi” Matteo is the last to arrive. He carries Caela from Tommy immediately, kissing her cheeks and whispering “Princepessa” Eva has Angelo at her hip, his fingers wrapped around the index finger of her other hand blinking up at her with wide blue eyes. Matteo sways from side to side, causing Caela to giggle her little palms on his cheeks “When will you make me a proud grandpa?” he asks his son “I’m getting older by the day” I pat his arm “What do you mean old? You’re still very dashing Matteo” Laughing blue eyes turn to me and he shoots me a wink, I almost swoon. The man is handsome and he knows it. Eva is very lucky in this regard. I shoot her a secret smile but her att
Tablet on my lap, I look at my phone vibrating on the table, I’ve just put Caela down for a nap and fed Angel so he is happily playing by himself on the floor. Having finished with my work before noon today, I was feeling very good and was hoping to catch up on some soap operas I’ve missed. My eyes fall back to my phone. Father barely calls me, The last time he contacted me was the card he sent along with gifts to the children, before that was to scold me for not having better control over my husband's actions, not sure in what universe he thought that’d be possible. Pursing my lips, I debate letting it ring but with a roll of my eyes, I exchange the tablet for my phone, taking a sip of sweet tea as I’m sure I’ll be needing it for the bitter conversation I’m about to engage in. I swipe answer and bring my phone to my ear for what is likely to be another scolding. “Delores” as always his voice lacks warmth. “Hello Father” “When do you plan to have another child?” he asks
Still pacing, I start the moment the call connects, “Why would father think to ask that if I happen to have another baby, a boy, I should think of sending him to Chicago? I mean no offense, I’m not against them coming for a visit, Chicago was my home, I was raised there, I want them to know where I grew up, and my family, you, and my other cousins, but for them to stay there indefinitely? I don’t think so.” “I didn’t think he’d actually suggest it” Mama sighed and I knew she was probably doing the sign of the cross. More like demanded, but that is his default setting. “You might not know this but your father has been trying to get another child, for years” I nod, That doesn’t come as a surprise to me while he is pleased that I was able to snag a powerful husband, Father isn’t one to be content, he always wanted a son. “He does this even knowing the risk to your health? Your life? Maybe it's time you consider moving to New York permanently?” After I was born, the midwife unlucky en
I try not to think more about Father and his demands for the rest of the day. As I fed Angel, the both of us curled on the couch, and my tablet popped to stand on the table to watch the next episodes of Triumph del Amor. When Caela wakes up, I put him in his chair, changing the movie to a cartoon on YouTube while I bathe his sister. Taking them to the living room, I place her in her chair as well as I prepare their food. When I’m done, I leave it to cool for a bit while I turn off the TV. And get some napkins from the kitchen I return with their food. Today, the kids are determined to be good because the feeding goes off without a hitch and I didn’t have to go change afterward. I kiss their heads loudly for their good behavior and turn the TV back on to keep their attention while I clean up and eat my dinner. I’m tired by the time I finish washing and drying the used utensils. “Want to go and watch movies with Mama?” I ask the twins out loud as I pop Calea on one hip, then le
The kids are awake by the time I drag myself out of bed, Maria is feeding them in the kitchen. “Why didn’t you wake me? Good morning” I greet her. I don’t know how I overslept and the babies are up and about before me. I yawn walking closer, Maria spoons some mashed carrots and feeds Caela. “Niko said to let you sleep and I’m happy to take care of these little munchkins” She pats the side of Caela’s lips with a napkin before feeding her some more. I look up “Is he still here?” He’s usually gone by this time, looking around though there’s clearly no one else around. “In the gym downstairs I believe” Now she holds another spoon to Angel who leans forward little mouth parted in an O. “Alright thank you, I’ll go shower quickly and be right back” I lean down, dropping kisses on the children's heads before hurrying back. It’s afternoon, Niko having left after kissing the children goodbye. His eyes lingered on mine as he leaned down to brush a kiss on my cheeks before leaving. Father