Chapter Twenty-Three
TOMI
Sunday Afternoon
Having Xander here all weekend has been amazing. He’s been so attentive and caring, not just to me but to Levi as well. It’s plain to see Levi loves having a man around the house to share things with. They simply get along. Though, I can tell Xander has something on his mind. Whether it’s the argument with his parents or his resignation moving forward tomorrow, I’m unsure, but he’s not talking to me about it. I wish he would. We’re a team, and I want to help him with his problems, even if I am what caused them.
We’re all sitting in the family room. Xander’s running over some business terms with Levi, seeing as how Levi loves watching the finance reports. Xander suspects Levi will have a keen eye for the same kind of work Xander does. He will mentor him once the time is right. I don’t understand the shit they’re going on about as they chat amongst themselves, so I sit back, watching them doodling on a notebook. It’s important that they have common ground.
The house could do with a clean, there are still some of Xander’s boxes in the hall. It’s organized chaos in here at the moment, but we’re making it work. Levi considers it an obstacle course, and he rushes through the pathway too fast sometimes in his excitement. The joy he has in his eyes now that he has another person in the house is almost overwhelming. I’m so glad he’s ecstatic about Xander being here, but it also makes me a little sad thinking perhaps I wasn’t enough for him. A double-edged sword. But I’d rather Levi be happy and full of life like he is right now, prospering and doing well, and me feeling a little bit of a failure than have him falling behind and miserable like he was.
“When I go college and learn everything, can I work with you, Xander?” Levi asks.
I’m not sure how Xander’s going to handle this one.
He exhales. “I’m unsure what I’ll be doing by the time you finish college, buddy. But I swear, if I have anything to do with it, and if I am the CEO by then, you will definitely come to work for me. But I will, no matter what, help find the right job for you.”
I smile. He handled that well.
Levi grins. “You will. You’re good at this. You deserve to be a CEO.”
I nod my head matter-of-factly, making Xander smirk at me.
He exhales. “I work very hard at my job, Levi, but sometimes you need to start over. I might have to do that tomorrow.”
Levi’s brows knit together. “Why?”
Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and we all swing around to the front door.
“The doorbell rang,” Levi announces as he stands from the sofa, rushing toward the door.
Who the hell could it be on a Sunday afternoon?
Xander’s obviously thinking the same. He stays on the sofa as Levi opens the door before I can get to it, and he shrugs.
“Hello, who are you?” Levi simply states.
Opening my eyes wide, I jump over a box and pull the door wider to Aldwin and Ophelia standing there, both looking a little confused. Aldwin looks at me in my bare feet, black leggings, and a gray slogan tee that says ‘I Legit Don’t Care’ printed on it, and my hair is up in a messy bun.
I’m virtually standing here in shock, not saying anything.
Why are they even here?
I’m a freaking mess as I run my hands down my tee to try to straighten out the wrinkles as Ophelia smiles at me. “You’re beautiful, dear, just as I’d imagine a pregnant woman would look on a Sunday afternoon, spending quality time with her family.”
Aldwin grunts as I wrap my arm around Levi, pulling him close to me. He tenses under my hold but doesn’t move out of it.
“You look sad. You shouldn’t be sad. Xander is here, and he makes me happy. He can make you happy, too,” Levi blurts to Aldwin, who softens his stance.
I swallow as I hear Xander walking over to us. “Dad? Mom? Why are you here?”
Levi turns to face Xander. “These are your parents? Then they are family. Family is important. Isn’t it, Tomi?” Levi asks as he reaches out for Xander, who shifts to his side as well.
“Yeah, family means everything, Levi. Even those who aren’t as fortunate as others. Wouldn’t you agree, Aldwin?” I turn from him to Levi and back again. I need Aldwin to realize he isn’t stepping a foot inside this house if he’s going to say anything shitty about Levi.
I will not have it.
Ever again, and especially not in Levi’s home.
Aldwin steps closer to Levi, assessing him closely. “You have autism, correct, boy?” he asks, making me want to punch him in his stupid face. He knows that fact. Why does he need to rub it in Levi’s face?
Levi stands taller. “I have Autism Spectrum Disorder and Klinefelter Syndrome. The two combined make it hard for me to communicate. This is me. It is what I am, but it is not who I am.”
My heart pounds as I hold onto him harder, loving it when he makes this speech. He has such a hard time communicating normally, but he’s learned this one well. He’s so good at telling people who he is because he’s had to do it for years. Being different for him has been his normal for sixteen years, so having to tell people why shouldn’t be a thing, but it is. It sucks, and I hate it every time it happens, but he handles it so damn well, so I let him go about it in the way that makes him comfortable.
Ophelia smiles. “Who are you, Levi?”
He glances up at Xander. “I am sixteen. I love finance. Video games. Lions. Red cars. And… I’m Xander’s friend.”
My heart warms with pride as Xander pulls Levi to him. He doesn’t shy away too much, but Levi does smile up at Xander. “And Levi is my friend. He’s so damn good at finance, Dad. He hasn’t even finished high school, and he understands the stock market almost better than I do.”
“That’s true,” Levi blurts, making us all laugh.
Even Aldwin, surprisingly. “Well, then, you have a bright, remarkable brother, Tomi,” he boasts.
“I’m glad you see it that way.”
“May we come in, dear? We have some things we need to discuss. Standing at the door may start to grow strange for the neighbors,” Ophelia suggests.
I smile at her. She’s so lovely, how can I refuse? I swipe my hand through the air as I gesture for them to enter the mess of a house. If this is their version of a truce, then they’re going to have to fully commit and just accept us for us.
They walk inside, and Aldwin glances at the boxes lining the walkway, but he continues to walk without saying anything while Levi and Xander show him the way.
I stay back with Ophelia as I close the door. “I’m so glad you came, Xander’s been off. I know he wants to fix this rift between you. I’m so sorry about what happened.”
She places her hand on my arm. “Not at all. I’m sorry about last night. My husband is a jerk to everyone, but even more so to those he’s threatened by. You, darling, were taking his son away from him… in his eyes. With some heavy talk from our gorgeous Xander and then an earful from me this morning, Aldwin has realized that, without him giving a little, we’re not going to be a part of your lives. That’s so important, Tomi. We have to be a part of this.” Her hand comes out, gently pressing on my stomach.
I place my hand on top of hers and smile at her. “That’s all I want, too, for all of us to get along. I need Xander and his father to be okay. I need Aldwin to see Levi for the marvel he is, not for the harsh words he used last night.”
Ophelia smiles. “Levi’s a delightful boy, Tomi. You’ve raised him to be a bright, luminous spirit. He’s going to do great things with his life… I can see it.”
Hearing her say such things fills me with pride. Knowing she can see Levi for who he truly is, lets me know this can work. I simply have to hope that Aldwin can see things this way too. “Thank you, I know we’re going to get along well. I just hope that Xander’s father can soften his harsh stance toward Levi and me.”
Ophelia purses her lips. “I hope so too, darling.” She loops her arm with mine as we walk through to the family room. It’s a hot mess with mugs littering the coffee table, the curtains closed for Levi’s comfort, and potato chip packets on the floor. I shove them out of the way with my foot, making way for Ophelia to enter so she can sit on the sofa next to Aldwin.
“I’m sorry about the state of the house. We’re still in the process of moving all of Xander’s belongings into the right places, so it’s kind of a sty at the moment.”
“Kind of?” Aldwin murmurs under his breath, making me tense as Levi messes about with the fidget spinner that Xander gave him. He doesn’t like people in his space, and having so many people in here is making him uncomfortable. But he’s using his tools to cope well right now, and I know if it does get too much for him, he’ll head off to his room for some quiet time. He’s good like that.
“I appreciate you guys making the trip over here, but if you’re going to mock us at every turn, Dad, you know where the door is,” Xander states firmly.
He dips his head. “Noted!” He turns to Ophelia and then back at Xander and exhales. “The thing is, Alex, while I understand your take on wanting to resign tomorrow, I can’t, in all good faith, let you do that.”
Xander sits taller, his eyes narrowing. “And why is that?”
Aldwin rubs the back of his neck like he’s uncomfortable. “Because… you’re my son, and as much as I might not fully approve of your choices, you have my grandchild on the way. My first grandchild and I’ll not have it live in squalor.”
My brows furrow as I open my mouth to say something, but Xander cuts in. “Just because this house isn’t a mansion or a damn penthouse, it doesn’t mean it’s squalor.”
Aldwin folds his hands together on his lap. “You misunderstand. I won’t have you penniless or without a steady income, Alex. This baby needs all the support it can get. I can see it has all the love it will ever need, but I want my grandbaby to have the best schools, the best of everything, and for that, he or she will require money. You’ll need to be working by my side until I retire, and you can take over as we planned.” He dips his head. “Then the firm is yours to do with as you see fit. I won’t step in or interfere once I’ve retired… you will run it as you wish. It will be yours to either flourish or run into the ground.”
My eyes shift to Xander to watch his reaction. He’s stoic, giving nothing away. I have no idea which way he’s going to go on this. He stares at Aldwin. Then, he reaches out to shake his father’s hand.
A slow smile crosses my face as I relax. They shake hands, and Ophelia can’t stop grinning.
“I’m glad you’re both more civilized about this today,” Ophelia adds.
Aldwin lowers his head with a heavy exhale. “The truth of it is, after you both left yesterday… the way you left… it hit me.”
I gulp as Xander’s brows furrow. “What did?”
Aldwin finally stares at Xander, showing his intentions. “Alex, the way you stormed out, telling me what you did… it hit me harder than you know. I’ve put up this wall. I have to, for the company, you’ll know what I mean when you take my place. But for the first time in a long time, last night, I stopped being your boss, and I was your father again. When I thought…” he pauses, his eyes almost glistening with his honesty. “When I thought I was going to lose you from my life for good, I knew I had to swallow my pride and come here today…” He closes and opens his eyes again. “I can’t lose you, Alex.”
He inhales sharply lifting his chin as if to gather himself. “I know I’m not the easiest man to get along with. I know I push you… constantly. But Alex, you’re our only son, our only child… I simply want the best for you in both business and life. You have to know that?”
Xander relaxes a little more toward his father. Even I understand Aldwin a little more now.
Xander steps forward. “I thought for years you didn’t actually care about me. That work was far more important than my feelings or even you being there as my father. I get it. I do. I know you were only looking out for me. I know you want what’s best for me and the business, but you don’t have to push Tomi away for me to succeed. I’m better with her in my life… you have to know that.”
Aldwin glances at me as Xander reaches back, taking my hand in his. Aldwin dips his head at me. “Yes, now I see.”
My chest squeezes, hearing his father acknowledge me like that. Maybe he isn’t such a hardass.
Aldwin exhales. “I can see now after coming here and meeting Levi. After seeing how the three of you fit together as a unit, Alex, you’re truly happy.” He glances at me. “I… apologize. I seldom say that word, Tomi, but if you’re going to be in our family, I don’t want bad blood between us.”
That must have been so hard for him to do, so I take it. “Thank you. I’m sorry for everything I said last night. I need us to work together as a family unit as well. I don’t have parents, so I’d like to look to you guys.”
Ophelia’s eyes water as she reaches out, taking my hand in hers. “Of course, dear, you can lean on us any time you need us, right, Aldwin?”
He dips his head. “Yes, I suppose…” He catches himself and then continues, “Could you… just for functions… please wear dresses with sleeves to cover your tattoos. We need you to appear sophisticated for the firm.”
I smirk with a nod. He’s back to being a hardass, just like that. I guess I’ll take what I can get from him. He’s going to be a work-in-progress, but at least we’ve taken baby steps in the right direction today.
“Do you want to stay for dinner? Take two?” I ask.
Ophelia’s eyes widen. “You’re cooking?”
I bubble up with laughter. “More like ordering takeout. Pizza?”
Aldwin shifts like he’s unsure, but a slow smile creeps on his face. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile. “I haven’t had pizza in so long.”
Xander slumps like he’s reminiscing. “When I graduated high school, we went for pizza with Henry.”
His father smiles like he’s fond of the memory. “Another reason you can’t leave the firm. If you leave, what would Henry do? He’s been your driver since you were a boy. You can’t let him down.”
My stomach squeezes when I hear about Xander’s childhood, knowing he had someone with him while he was growing up, like Henry.
Another thing on my checklist. I need to meet him.
“I’m hungry,” Levi announces out of the blue, making me laugh.
“Okay, buddy, let’s get you a snack before dinner,” Xander announces, standing up and walking into the kitchen with Levi, leaving me with his parents.
Aldwin’s eyes meet mine, and I see a shift in him from last night. He sees me, truly sees me for who I am and what I want from Xander, not the hussy he thought I was. It’s a refreshing change.
“I hope you will come over more often,” I suggest.
Ophelia beams. It’s like rays of sunshine shoot out from her very existence. “We’d love that.”
“Just maybe tidy up a little before we come next time,” Aldwin jabs under his breath.
“Sure,” I reply, keeping the peace. There’s no need to get all in his face about the house. I know it’s never this messy, so his request won’t be a problem. Greta keeps this place spotless most of the time. “Shall I show you around the house and where we’re going to put the baby’s room?” I ask.
Ophelia jumps up as Aldwin smiles again.
The one thing we have in common is family.
That’s what we are now, whether Aldwin likes to admit it or not. We are all bonded because of one man, Xander. Because of him, I’m making a life for myself I never saw coming, a life with a wealthy billionaire who’s not just all about the money.
He has a heart and a little streak of bad boy in him.
He’s my bad-boy billionaire, and I love every piece of him.