Chapter Twenty-Four
ALEX
One Month Later
Being at work with my new schedule is taking some getting used to, but with the help of Henry, it’s becoming easier. He’s keeping me on track, and I’d be lost without him. But the thing is, with the plan I’m putting into place, I’m going to lose him. But it will be to a good cause. Henry pulls the car up at home, and I take a deep breath as we both slide out of the car.
He moves around to help me gather all the paperwork and items I need to plead my case to Tomi as we walk to the front door. Normally, Henry simply drops me off and leaves for the night, but tonight, tonight I want him to come inside and meet everyone. He knows why, and is prepared for whatever outcomes may arise from the conversation that’s about to take place.
I get to the door, open it, and walk inside to P!nk playing in the background.
“This is quite different to the penthouse, sir.”
I smile. “It’s so much better, Henry.”
His face lights up. “That it is, sir.”
Henry gets it, he’s a family man.
Expensive taste and precious rare knickknacks don’t mean shit if you have no one to share them with. This house means everything to Tomi and Levi. It holds all the memories of their family. It’s only fitting we start our new memories here too.
We walk through to the kitchen, where the music is coming from to see Tomi and Levi dancing around in their usual way. Tomi has her baking apron on and is covered in flour as Levi dances with a cookie hanging out of his mouth. I love seeing them like this. This is their bonding time, and so I stand back, watching my family in awe as Tomi’s eyes meet mine, and she bursts out laughing, dusting her apron down. “How long have you been standing there?” she asks.
“Long enough,” I tease, walking in, grabbing her, and planting a kiss on her lips. She tastes like cinnamon and powdered sugar. It’s delicious.
Levi turns off the music, making me spin around to see him staring at Henry, and I straighten my shoulders. Knowing Levi doesn’t like strangers in his home, I get to work quickly. “Levi, this is Henry, my driver and longtime friend.”
Levi’s ears pick up. “He’s a friend?”
I nod. “Yes. A very good one. He’ll be yours, too, if you’d like?”
Henry steps forward, pulling something out of his pocket and handing it to Levi. Levi takes it hesitantly and then studies it. It’s a miniature statue of a lion.
Levi beams in excitement. “Friend, yes. Henry, come see my lion collection,” Levi gushes, grabbing Henry’s arm and dragging him away.
Tomi’s eyes widen as she goes to stop Levi, but I pull her back to me, shaking my head. “Baby, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Her eyes narrow as I hear Levi and Henry leave the room completely, and I lock Tomi in my arms, so I know she can’t get away.
She tenses. “This is serious.”
I exhale. “I just want you to hear me out before you jump to conclusions.”
Her eyes narrow on me like she’s waiting for terrible news. “Just tell me.”
“Levi told me the kids at school are still bullying him occasionally.” She winces as she nods. “The thing is, Tomi, he’s smart, so fucking smart, and I want him to flourish, not spend time at a school defending himself or having a sensory overload because he can’t cope.”
She wriggles a little like she’s unsure of where this is going. “Okay…”
I grab the papers and hand one to her. Her eyes scan over the brochure as she scratches her head.
“Xander, I’ve heard of this place. Levi would never get in there. It has a waiting list as long as my arm. Never mind the expense associated with it.”
I smile. “Don’t worry about the waiting list, I’ll have that sorted. They have a special needs section… for kids with issues. They have expert behaviorists and teachers to manage not only their disorders but their special abilities one on one.”
“The school for X-men ?”
“I’m serious, Tomi,” I scoff. “He’ll be among children like him, and the skills he’s gifted in will be accelerated. I know this is a huge step and not something you’d ever have been able to give him, but together, we can. He won’t be bullied, and he’ll get the best care. He’ll get the best education. He’ll have the best finance training he can get. He can make something of his life, Tomi.”
Her eyes water as she reads the pamphlet. “But how would he get there? It’s over an hour’s drive there and back each day. If I go back to work at the new Hope & Faith Ink once it’s built and you’re working at Scott Enterprises, how can this work? We can’t ask Greta to drive all that distance each day. It’s too much once bubs comes along.”
I glance to the hall and toward Levi’s room, where I know Henry is located. “That’s why I brought Henry to meet Levi. To make sure they get along.”
Her eyes widen. “You’ll give up your driver for Levi?”
I nod. “I’d give up anything for Levi’s happiness. I’ll drive myself around. It’s about time I manned up. Levi needs a guide like Henry. He helped me, now he can help and guide Levi.”
“And Greta?” she asks.
“Greta will have her hands full here at home,” I suggest, placing my hands on her stomach.
She gives me the brightest smile as she leans on her toes, kissing me deeply. The paper crinkles as she wraps her arms around my neck. Her tongue molds with mine, and I know that doing this, organizing it all behind her back, was worth the agonizing wait to find out if I did the right thing—for Levi and for Tomi. All we want is for Levi to have the best of everything, and he can have that now, and he will.
Always.
We kiss passionately in the kitchen until a clearing throat alerts us that someone is with us. I slowly pull back to see Henry and Levi standing there, smiling at us.
“Don’t worry, Henry. I’m used to them doing that,” Levi utters.
Henry smirks as I grab Levi, pulling him into the family hug. He resists a little, but I hug him anyway, making Tomi laugh.
“Nice to finally meet you, Tomi. I’ve heard so much about you,” Henry gushes.
Tomi breaks apart from me, making her way over to Henry, placing out her hand to shake his. “It’s so nice to meet you properly, Henry. Thank you. Thank you for everything you’ve done and everything you’re going to do.”
He dips his head. “It always has been and always will be my pleasure, ma’am. Levi is very gifted, and I’m sure we’ll have many great and interesting car rides together.”
Levi tilts his head in confusion. “What does that mean?”
I take a deep breath. “How would you feel about going to a better school, one for children like you, one that specializes in teaching you things you’re more gifted at?”
His brows narrow. “People like me?”
He glances at Tomi as I nod. “People with autism and such.”
He slowly turns back at me. “I would like that very much.”
Tomi inhales sharply as she rushes forward, grabbing Levi in a tight embrace. “That’s settled then. Tonight, we celebrate. Henry, you’ll stay, won’t you?”
Henry turns to me for approval. He should know by now he’s a part of my family as much as anyone else, so I dip my head at him.
He grins wide. “I’d love to. Shall I order in some food for us all?”
Levi rushes forward, taking Henry by the arm and dragging him away. “I’ll show you how. I have the best places on my iPad.”
I grab Tomi by the waist and prevent her from taking off after them.
She turns to me, raising her brow. “You okay?” she asks as I gaze into her eyes.
“I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. I didn’t know if you were going to be annoyed with me for taking these steps without talking to you first.”
She gnaws on her bottom lip, tilting her head. “Why did you do this without me?”
I exhale. “I wanted to make sure I could find Levi a place without getting either of your hopes up. You’ve both had so much loss in your lives, so I didn’t want something like this to be taken from you, too.”
Her eyes glisten as she moves in to wrap herself around me completely. “You know, Xander Scott, you’re one of the kindest, most thoughtful men I know.”
I lean in, kissing the tip of her nose. “I love Levi. The kid’s wormed his way into my heart, and I want only the best for him. I can give him that. He deserves that.”
“You deserve that.”
I slide my nose against hers. “I already have the best, baby. You, Levi, peanut, and this home, even Henry and Greta. Our family is incredible, I couldn’t ask for more. You’ve given me everything I could ever want, Tomi.”
“I can’t believe I almost let you go.”
“I wouldn’t have blamed you. Just know the new store is going to be amazing. Levi’s helping with the design as much as he can, and with your input, it’s going to be state-of-the-art.”
She beams with excitement. “Just a shame that by the time the shop’s ready, so will this little one.” She rubs her hand over her stomach.
“Don’t worry, it will all be handled for you, and then, once you’re okay to go back to work, Greta will be a full-time nanny, and you can go back to tattooing again, doing what you love in a new place that’s all yours.”
She exhales. “I still don’t know how to repay you for this, Xander. It’s all too much.”
I swipe a loose strand of hair from her face and stare deep into her eyes. “It’s nothing in comparison to the life you’re giving me. You’re freeing me from the same mundane life my father and his father had, the cycle has circled for centuries. Father and son carrying on the same traditions, until me. I’ve gotten out. I don’t have to live the life my family did in a loveless marriage that only served a purpose, living for work and money, not living on the edge.” I kiss the tip of her nose again. “I’m all in with this life I’m building with you, Tomi. It’s you, it’s always been you.”
She sniffles as she gulps. “I love you, Xander.”
“I love you, Tomi.”