Chapter 26 #3
They pulled me to the table. Olivia lit the candles on the cake, the flames dancing in the dim room.
"Make a wish," she said, eyes sparkling in the candlelight.
I looked at her, then closed my eyes. This time, my wish was clear—I hoped to always protect them, hoped Olivia and Leo would stay by my side forever.
I opened my eyes, took a deep breath, and blew out the candles.
"Yay!" the two children cheered and started clapping.
"What did you wish for?" Leo asked curiously.
"If you tell, it won't come true," Olivia said gently, ruffling his hair.
"Then let's eat cake!" Juliet said. "I want the biggest piece!"
"No, today's Ezio's birthday, he gets the biggest piece!" Leo argued.
Watching the two children argue, I couldn't help but laugh. Olivia was laughing too. She walked to my side and said softly, "They prepared this surprise for days. Juliet taught Leo how to draw, and Leo asked me every day if the cake was ready."
"Thank you," I said, looking at her. "This is the best birthday gift I've ever received."
"Don't thank me yet," her eyes flashed with mischief. "You haven't tried the cake. It's my first time making something this complicated. Not sure how it tastes."
We cut the cake together and distributed pieces to the two children. Then Olivia handed me a slice. Our fingers touched briefly, that familiar current flowing through again.
The cake tasted wonderful—rich chocolate, but not too sweet. I could imagine her bustling in the kitchen, trying again and again to get the perfect flavor.
"Is it good?" she asked nervously.
"Very good," I said. "Perfect."
She sighed in relief, a smile blooming on her face.
The four of us sat on the carpet like a real family, eating cake and chatting. The children talked about funny things at school, Olivia occasionally chiming in. The whole room was filled with warmth and laughter.
"Ezio," Leo suddenly asked. "What did you used to do on your birthday?"
I paused. "Haven't celebrated in a long time," I said. "Last time... was probably when my father was still around."
The room went quiet for a moment.
"Where's your dad?" Leo asked innocently. "Where did he go?"
"Leo," Olivia gently stopped him. "That's not a polite question."
"It's okay," I said, looking into Leo's pure eyes. "He passed away, many years ago."
"Oh," Leo said, then suddenly climbed into my lap, small arms wrapping around my neck. "That must be really sad. My dad's not here either. Mom says he went somewhere far away."
My heart clenched. I looked at Olivia. Complex emotions flashed in her eyes before she quickly looked away.
"But now we have you!" Leo continued, looking up at me. "Can you be my dad? Like Juliet's!"
"I'd love to, Leo! I'll share Dad with you!" Juliet raised her hand and cheered beside us, saying generously.
Time seemed to freeze.
Olivia's face paled.
"Leo," I said carefully, unsure how to respond. "Being a dad is a big responsibility."
"I know!" Leo said seriously. "Dads protect their family, make everyone happy, and are really brave. You do all that! You protect me and Mom, you make Juliet happy, and you're really brave!"
I felt something in my chest ready to explode. This little boy—he trusted me, was willing to give me such a large part of his life.
"Leo, baby," Olivia finally found her voice. "This topic is too complicated. Let's talk about it later, okay?"
"Okay," Leo looked a bit disappointed but quickly smiled again. "But Ezio, will you always stay with us?"
"Yes," I said. This was the promise I could give right now. "I'll always be here."
"Great!" Leo said happily, then climbed off my lap to play with balloons with Juliet.
Olivia and I exchanged a glance. Her eyes were full of apology and some indefinable pain.
"Sorry," she said softly. "He doesn't know—"
"It's fine," I said. "He's just a child. And... I'm honored he thinks of me that way."
Tears welled in her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back.
"Dad, Vivi," Juliet suddenly said. "I'm sleepy. Can I go to bed first?"
"I'm sleepy too," Leo yawned.
"I'll take you," Olivia said, standing up.
"No need," Juliet said. "I can take Leo. I'm the big sister!"
She took Leo's hand. The two children said goodnight to us and left the playroom.
After the door closed, only Olivia and I remained.
She stood there, hands clasped tight, looking both tense and uneasy.
"About what Leo said just now—" she began.
"Olivia," I stood and walked toward her. "I know it makes you uncomfortable. But I want you to know, I don't mind. After this time together, I really like Leo. He's a good kid."
"Why are you so good to us?" she suddenly asked, tears welling in her eyes. "You could just ignore us."
"Because I love you," I said, taking her hand. "Because the people you care about, I care about too."
She looked at me, tears streaming down. "I love you too," she choked out. "I really love you, Ezio. It scares me, but I love you."
She said she loved me. She told me how she felt! I held her tight, feeling her warmth and trembling.
"So tonight," she looked up at me, tears still in her eyes but also something resolute. "Tonight I don't want to be afraid anymore. Tonight, I just want to be with you."
"Are you sure?" I asked, heart racing.
"No," she said honestly. "I'm not sure. But sometimes, uncertainty is okay."
She stood on her toes and kissed me.
The kiss was full of desire, fear, and something almost desperate. I responded, fingers threading through her hair, pulling her closer.
"Bedroom," she said between gasps. "The kids might come back."
I lifted her up. She gasped, arms wrapping around my neck. I strode quickly out of the playroom, along the corridor toward my room.
I kicked open the bedroom door and laid her on the bed. Moonlight streamed through the window, coating her skin in silver light.
"Ezio," she whispered. "Slowly. I want to remember every moment tonight."
"Me too," I said, leaning down to kiss her.
I kept kissing her deeply, my lips moving from her mouth to her neck, tasting the salt of her skin as my hands slid down to the hem of her simple white dress.
She arched slightly under me, her breath hitching, and I pulled the fabric up slowly, inch by inch, exposing her smooth thighs.
The dress bunched at her waist, then higher, over her hips, revealing the lace of her panties.
I broke the kiss just long enough to tug it over her head, tossing it aside.
She lay there in her bra and panties, chest rising and falling rapidly, her breathing growing heavier, more ragged with each touch.
Her eyes met mine, wet and hazy with desire, like she was drowning in it.
She reached up, fingers fumbling with the buttons of my shirt, popping them open one by one, her touch urgent but tender.
She pushed the shirt off my shoulders, her hands exploring my chest, tracing the lines of old scars from years of fights and close calls.
Her fingertips lingered on a jagged one across my ribs, from a knife wound that had nearly ended me.
"This..." she whispered, voice thick with emotion, her eyes filling with that heartbreaking pity, like it hurt her to see the marks of my violent life.
That look—her concern, her care—lit a fire in me. Desire surged, hot and immediate, my cock hardening painfully against my pants. I growled low, reaching behind her to unhook her bra, sliding it off. Then her panties, pulling them down her legs until she was completely naked beneath me.
God, she was stunning. Her body curved in all the right ways, full breasts heaving with each breath, nipples already peaked and begging for attention.
Her skin glowed in the moonlight, soft and inviting, her hips flaring out to that perfect ass I'd dreamed about gripping.
Between her thighs, her pussy was slick and ready, lips swollen, clit peeking out like an invitation.
She was pure temptation, every inch screaming for me to claim her.
I cupped her breasts, thumbs circling her nipples, pinching lightly until she moaned, back arching off the bed. "So fucking beautiful," I murmured, watching her writhe.
At the same time, her hands worked my belt, unzipping my pants, freeing my throbbing cock.
She wrapped her fingers around it, stroking firmly, her grip just right—slow pumps that had me groaning, pre-cum beading at the tip.
She smeared it with her thumb, eyes locked on mine, that wet gaze making me even harder.
Leaning down, I took one nipple into my mouth, sucking hard, tongue flicking over the sensitive bud while my hand slid between her legs. She was soaked, her folds parting easily as I pushed two fingers inside, stretching her, curling them to hit that spot that made her gasp.
"Ezio..." she whimpered, hips bucking. I added a third finger, pumping slowly, feeling her walls clench around me, so tight and wet. She couldn't take it—her waist lifted, body trembling, pushing her breast deeper into my mouth as I sucked and nibbled.
"You're so damn beautiful like this," I said against her skin, voice rough. "All mine."
"I need you," she begged, voice breaking, her hand speeding up on my cock. "Please, Ezio... now."
I pulled my fingers out, gripping my shaft, rubbing the head against her slick entrance, teasing her clit with it, sliding up and down her folds a few times.
She whined, hips tilting up, desperate. Then I pushed in, slow and deep, her pussy enveloping me inch by inch.
Fuck, the feeling—hot, velvety walls gripping me like a vice, so tight it almost hurt, sucking me in deeper with every thrust. She was made for me, her body wrapping around my cock perfectly, wet heat pulsing around my length, making my balls tighten already.
I started moving, slow and deep, pulling almost all the way out before slamming back in, savoring every sensation—her slickness coating me, the way her inner muscles fluttered and squeezed, drawing me in like she never wanted me to leave.
It was profound, being buried in her, surrounded by her warmth, her scent, her everything.
I could feel her heartbeat through her pussy, syncing with mine.
"Look at me," I commanded, voice low. She opened her eyes, locking with mine, vulnerable and open. My thumb found her clit, rubbing circles, building her pleasure as I thrust steadily. "I love you, Olivia. More than anything. You're my world now."
Tears sprang to her eyes instantly, spilling over. "I love you too," she whispered, voice cracking.
That did it—aggression flared, need overwhelming.
I hooked her legs over my shoulders, pounding into her hard and fast, big strokes that had the bed shaking, my cock driving deep, hitting her cervix with each brutal thrust. She cried out, nails digging into my back, her pussy clenching wildly around me as I fucked her relentlessly, skin slapping, sweat mixing.
"Come for me," I growled, thumb pressing harder on her clit.
She shattered first, body convulsing, walls milking my cock in rhythmic spasms, her screams muffled against my shoulder. The tightness pushed me over— I thrust one last time, burying deep, exploding inside her, hot spurts filling her up as waves of pleasure crashed through me.
When her trembling finally stopped, we were still joined. I propped myself up on my elbows and kissed her forehead, her eyes, her lips, feeling our breathing gradually slow together.
"This is the best birthday," I said, kissing the top of her head.
"Is it?" She looked up at me, eyes filled with amusement.
"Yes," I said. "Because you're here. Because you finally admitted how you feel."
She was quiet for a while, then said, "Ezio, I'm sorry..."
"No, you never have to say that to me," I cupped her face with both hands. "Olivia, I'm willing to give you everything I have."
She stared at me for a long time, a misty light suddenly flashing in her eyes, and buried her head in my chest.
"That's not fair," she muttered.
I chuckled softly and patted her back.
We lay there like that, in the darkness, in each other's arms. Outside, the city lights flickered. The manor was quiet, only our breathing.
"Ezio," she said after a while.
"Yeah?"
"Happy birthday."
I smiled and held her tighter. "Thank you, Olivia. Thank you for giving me such a perfect night."
She didn't answer, but I felt her lips press a soft kiss to my chest.
In that moment, I realized that no matter what challenges the future brought, no matter how many problems we still had to solve, at least now, tonight, we belonged to each other.