Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93425 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
There is war.
I curse under my breath. A war between two families means a lot of things. It means unnecessary money spent, it means more time spent out of the house, and it means more danger for everyone involved. It isn’t an environment I want to bring my bride and son into.
We spend the next hour talking logistics. We are going to need to bring a small show of force, something that says we will not be bullied into whatever they want from us. It takes us longer to figure out what we can negotiate and what we won’t. Ultimately, it’s up to my father. He can change his mind in the middle of the meeting and I'd be forced to comply. That’s not his style. He wants us to be on the same page and present as a united front. It will make it easier for my transition into Don.
Andy texts me he has taken Emma and Matteo back to their temporary room. He is standing guard outside their door. Until I move Emma into my room, she’ll have a guard on her door. Not for the same reasons as her father. I won’t be restricting her movement as long as she stays on the property, but I want someone to monitor her. Track her. Make sure she doesn’t leave with Matteo again.
When I round the corner, Andy is smiling at something just inside the doorway. As I get closer, I can see what was amusing him so much. My little boy is there, showing him all of his Legos.
Matteo notices me first, and if that’s indicative of Andy’s job performance as a sentinel, then he’s going to need some extra training. Matteo gives me a little wave, which is what finally catches Andy’s attention.
“Fuck,” Andy mutters, clasping his hand to his chest. “How do you move so quietly?”
“Language. My child is here.”
Matteo watches me curiously. He doesn’t have the same caution in his gaze his mother does. He observes without judgment. Maybe it’s childhood innocence. There aren’t many adults who can be around Andy and me without a sense of unease. Or maybe he senses we’re alike. That he belongs here with us.
“My mommy sleeping,” Matteo says after he finishes his silent perusal. I peek past him to see Emma sprawled on the bed. Her hair is scattered in several directions, and I’m pretty sure I see a string of drool coming out of her mouth. My chest warms at the sight. There’s a part of my brain, a caveman who hasn’t shut up since the day I first spotted her, that finally feels at ease knowing she is here. She is here, she is safe, and she is mine.
“I can see. Are you tired? Would you like to take a nap with her?” I ask him, suddenly struck by a feeling of total incompetence. Does a four-year-old need a nap? Is this a good time for a nap?
Matteo shakes his head. There is no way I’m waking Emma up to ask her, so I take his word.
“Grandpa okay? He looks sad.”
I glance at Andy, who just gives me an unhelpful shrug. Despite staying up all night reading every parenting article I came across, and filling a library with child development books, some things you can only learn in practice. “I think your grandpa had a bad day.”
It’s a simple explanation, but not untruthful. Matteo ponders it but ultimately accepts it, much to my relief. I’m not sure I’m equipped to get philosophic with a child. With his question answered, he returns to the open suitcase full of toys. Small, easily packed toys.
Travel toys.
Most of his toys, along with the rest of his and Emma’s things, are back in Kansas. I add that to the list of things I need to organize. They’ll need their things here.
“Damn, that kid is cute. He’s making me think maybe it is time Bianca and I pop one out. She’s been talking about it for a while,” he tells me. He smiles at Matteo as he plays with his toys on the floor.
“Your parents will be thrilled.”
My aunt had been on him about giving her an entire army of grandchildren since my father announced his engagement. Angelo is too young to be married, and Luca is gay, which adds a complication to arranging a marriage for him. It hasn’t deterred my father. Apparently, there are rumors of a few different gay men within our circles. The only condition Luca has given him includes more details about his sexual preferences than I ever want to know.
Unlike many families, my father isn’t cruel in his marriage arrangements. While he looks out for what will be best for the family business, he also looks for suitable matches. Our family values are strong. We don’t keep lovers or mistresses. He wants us all to be happy.