Chapter 39 #2
My nose wrinkles, scrunching up tight at the imagery.
“Your poor father. I think I’d have a heart attack if the boys grew up and brought someone around to…
Yeah no, I can’t even imagine. Absolutely not.
Is this one of the horrors of parenthood that no one thinks about?
Your sweet precious babies growing up and having the hormones of—No, just no.
Bastian and Leo aren’t allowed to grow up.
I’m going to tell them just that as soon as we get downstairs. ”
“God, you’re precious.” The compliment comes out of left field, hitting me hard.
“You can’t compliment me like that when we have to get out of bed,” I tell him frankly.
Throwing the covers off, I peel myself up and off the mattress before he can sweet-talk me into staying longer.
Then we really will get caught by his father doing something we shouldn’t.
“I have to go change. I’ll meet you down there. ”
“But you look perfect in those perky little shorts of yours,” he calls out, grinning as I spin around in the doorway.
Pointing a finger at him, I narrow my eyes and try to appear stern despite the butterflies jumping around in my stomach. “Keep those comments to yourself until the sun goes down, mister.”
“If you insist, baby.”
I have to pretend I didn’t hear him, otherwise I might actually give into his advances, whether they’re meant to be serious or teasing. Something about my big, strong husband calling me baby in that deep voice of his makes me lose all sense of propriety.
Thankfully, once I get to my room, I’m able to center myself and adjust to the new day.
Thoughts of last night are still fresh and play around in my mind but not enough to derail my actions.
I have to get dressed and act like a normal human in front of my father-in-law if I ever want to be able to look him in the eye ever again.
Trying not to take too long to ready myself, I wash my face quickly and throw on some casual clothes and slippers to head downstairs and see what’s in store for me.
Dante Moretti can be an intimidating man, but I doubt the more terrifying side of him has a place in this house while his grandsons are here.
The boys adore him and make that perfectly clear anytime the man is mentioned.
Leon also never has a bad word to speak against his father, despite seeming a bit salty that he dropped by unannounced.
I honestly don’t mind the visit, even without warning to prepare for it.
He hasn’t shown himself to be an over-stepper when it comes to boundaries that I know of, and since he mentioned needing to speak about work, I imagine he has quite a valid reason for coming by so suddenly.
Even if he didn’t, the kids are thrilled to see him, and I could never be too upset about something that makes them so happy.
When I finally make it to the kitchen, there are trays of food on the island just like Dante mentioned there would be.
They’re filled with eggs, breakfast meats, cheeses, and a variety of breads like English muffins and bagels.
A true breakfast sandwich bar that’s actually kind of exciting—and mouthwatering.
I love eating food that requires little effort, especially in the morning after I’ve just woken up.
The kids are chowing down at the table, sitting on either side of their papa, while I find Leon in the corner of the kitchen, giving Princess Spaghetti her breakfast in one of her fancy red bowls.
She’s wagging her tail so fast, and bouncing on her toes by the time he’s done and setting the prepared meal down for her to eat.
“Looks like everyone found something to eat but us,” I say, catching his attention first. “Want me to make you a plate?”
“I’ll make you one,” Leon counters, turning on the sink to wash his hands. “Go sit, tesoro.”
My eyes widen at the sound of the pet name, not expecting him to use it so easily in front of others. “O-okay.”
“Kat, you sit with me,” Leo shouts, waving his hands despite only being across the room. He wouldn’t even need to raise his voice to get my attention, let alone wave his hands, but it’s cute all the same.
“Hmmm, is it your turn today?” I ask, raising my brows as I walk toward the table.
“It is,” Bastian answers for him, giving me an honest nod.
Hearing it from him makes me feel assured that I haven’t missed any days in my memory.
The kids quickly decided that sitting next to me was something they had to take turns with.
Taking turns wouldn’t be so confusing if there weren’t also times when I sat in between them.
When it’s just us, they often opt for that, but when Leon is around, sometimes they want him in the middle.
It’s a complicated process trying to be completely fair to these precious boys.
I would never want either one of them to think I favored one of them over the other.
“I suppose it must be,” I hum with a smile shot at Bastian. “Your brother has an amazing memory, doesn’t he?”
“Yep,” Leo replies through a bite of his bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. “He always find my toys.”
“He’s found my reading glasses three times already for me,” I add on, sitting down next to my little blonde buddy. “Where would we be without him, hmm?”
“I no know.” Leo shrugs, setting his sandwich down. “We just not be.”
So stinking sweet.
“I have to agree with you there.” I rub his shoulder in greeting and then nod to his papa. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Moretti.”
“Dante, please.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “Mr. Moretti is far too impersonal. We’re family now, Katya.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
It won’t be easy.
The man is a legend.