Chapter 11
After a quick shower and change of clothes, Ronan jumped in Havoc’s truck and made the short drive from what used to be Remi’s house to Havoc’s.
He pulled up in the driveway, parking the truck where it was usually parked.
He got out and anxiously made his way up the steps to the front door.
He knocked, his face wearing the goofy grin he’d been sporting since Giada agreed to go out to dinner with him.
Havoc answered the door, yanking it open and pulling him inside. “Hey. They upstairs doing all the girl things.”
Ronan smiled even bigger and followed Havoc to the kitchen.
“What’s that smile for?” Havoc asked.
Ronan shrugged a little. “She’s upstairs getting dressed for me.”
“Amazing feeling, isn’t it?” Havoc asked.
“I can’t even explain it.”
“Don’t have to. I live it every time Analise comes downstairs and asks me if what she’s wearing looks okay.
Doesn’t matter what she’s wearing — sweat pants, or an evening gown — she’s wanting to make sure she looks okay in my eyes, and that to me is priceless.
It’s ridiculous, because she could go naked covered in mud with matted hair and she’d be the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen.
But that she still wants me to look at her that way, that’s what’s priceless. ”
“Oh, I get it. Believe me, I get it.” He dug Havoc’s truck keys out of his pocket and handed them to him.
“You not driving it tonight?” Havoc asked.
“No, we’ll take mine. Only used yours today to have a reason for you to be looking for me if the point was pressed,” Ronan said, his voice dropping to almost a whisper.
“Yeah, but I figured you’d take it for your big date.”
“I’m taking mine. It’s old, and it’s faded, but it runs good, and it has a heater in it, and it’s mine.”
“I get you. So, where y’all going?” Havoc asked.
“I want to be somewhere we can sit and talk and be together, somewhere a little more upscale without a constant flow of people in and out, and drinking and partying distracting us. So, I thought the steakhouse, if she likes steak. If not, then the sushi place — they have cooked stuff, too.”
“Perfect,” Havoc said.
“How are the kids getting along?”
“Like they were raised together! Like litter mates. Been running and screeching, and laughing, then running some more. They’re good kids.”
“I love hearing that.”
“Me, too. Makes it just that much easier to move them right into the family.”
“Here we come! Sorry you had to wait,” Analise called out as she, Giada and Harley started down the large floating wooden staircase.
Havoc looked up at the stairs, conveniently encased with clear plexi-glass panels on the sides that allowed you to see the entire staircase — front, back, and sides, while still adding an air of safety — and smiled at the sight coming down toward them.
Ronan turned to see for himself what Havoc was seeing, and his heart damn near stuttered to a halt in his chest. His Giada had brushed her long, black hair to a shimmering gloss and left it draped over one shoulder and hanging down her back.
She was wearing a long fitted, rust-colored suede skirt with a slit along the left leg that rose to only a couple of inches above the knee.
The snug chocolate brown ribbed sweater she wore was belted at the hip with a dark leather belt with gold metallic accents on it.
The boots she wore were made from the same dark brown leather and the same gold accents were on the boots, too, in the way of the tips guarding the toes of the boots, and a heal guard at the back of the boot.
She wore long, dangly gold earrings and a matching necklace with a simple crescent moon decoration dangling from it.
Over her arm was a long tan coat with a kick pleat in the back.
She was stunning. But what made his heart skip a beat was the look in her eyes as she stared at him, waiting for his reaction.
Ronan walked slowly, yet deliberately toward the staircase, then stood there until she got close enough to reach him. He held his hand out for her to take, steadying her as she finally reached the bottom floor. “You are breathtaking,” Ronan said.
She blushed. Giada actually blushed. “Thank you,” she said, smiling shyly. “I was going to make something of my own work, but Analise insisted that I come shop in her closet.”
“I’m not surprised,” Ronan said. “She and all of our cousins have always shared clothes.”
“It’s what family does,” Analise said. “And tonight’s special, so it calls for a new outfit — even if it’s only new to you.”
Giada looked over her shoulder at Analise who still stood behind her on the second step from the bottom. “Thank you.”
“None needed. But you’re welcome.”
“Baby girl, let me tell you, with that make up on, and that pretty dress on you, you look like you’re fifteen or sixteen years old. And I’m not ready for that,” Havoc said, walking over to hug Harley.
Harley grinned and hugged her daddy. “I just wanted to dress up a little. I’m not going anywhere looking like this so you can relax.”
“Nope. I still know it’s coming soon. I’m’a have to beat a boy to make sure he understands not to touch my daughter,” Havoc said, knowing he’d get a rise out of both Harley and Analise.
“Daddy!” Harley cried out.
“Havoc? Really? You are not going to beat a boy. Especially if it’s somebody she likes,” Analise said.
“Those are the ones that need beating the most. Or I can just hold his hand when he comes to visit the day after a date.”
“Hold his hand?” Harley asked.
“Yep. ‘Cause I know at some point he held your hand during the date, so when he comes over next, I’m gonna make him sit beside me and hold my hand to prove that whatever he does to you, I’m doing to him,” Havoc said.
“Mom!” Harley exclaimed.
“He’s not. He’s just making a nuisance of himself,” Analise said. Then she glared at Havoc when she caught his eye. “Stop it!” she mouthed at him.
Havoc pretended not to see her.
“I think you look beautiful, Harley.” Ronan said.
“Do you really?” Harley asked hopefully.
“I do. You’re going to give your daddy a heart attack and I think that’s hilarious,” Ronan said.
“So, do I,” Analise said, smirking at Havoc.
“Family is supposed to support family, not give them ulcers,” Havoc grumbled.
“Mommmmmm!” Matteo yelled.
“I’m in here,” Giada called out.
Seconds later, Matteo along with Leo, Ruger and Lola ran into the living room from the playroom on the first floor.
Ruger threw himself against Ronan’s legs. “Uncle Ronan!”
“Ruger! What are you up to?” Ronan asked.
“Playing,” Ruger said matter-of-factly.
Lola looked up at Harley, then at Giada. “I want some lickstick!” she insisted, climbing up toward where Analise was standing just a stair or two above the floor level.
“You don’t need lickstick. You’re just a little girl, and you’re perfect the way you are,” Analise said.
“I need lick stick! Lick stick, lick stick, lick stick, lick stick,” Lola started chanting.
“Hush!” Analise insisted, taking a stick of cherry flavored chap stick out of her pocket, removing the cap and handing it to Lola.
Matteo came to a screeching halt when he saw his mother. “You’re really pretty, Momma,” Matteo said, throwing himself against her legs to smile up at her adoringly. “Can I get a orange lizard?”
“I’m sorry, what?” Giada asked.
“Like Gerald. I want a orange lizard.”
“He’s an iguana,” Havoc said helpfully.
“Oh, okay. I heard Harley talking about Gerald, but I thought she meant a dog,” Giada said.
“He may as well be. Damn thing acts like a dog,” Havoc said. He glanced at Harley again, then around her feet and up the stairs. “Where is he, anyway?”
“Hiding,” Harley said.
“Too much action inside here for him,” Analise said.
“Too much action inside here for him on any day. They’re never quiet,” Harley said, shooting a typical teenage glare at her little brother and sister.
“That’s the nature of the beast. Not much we can do about it while they’re young,” Analise said.
“Can I have Gerald?” Matteo asked. “I promise I’ll be quiet so he’ll like me.”
“Oh, no! He’s my friend,” Harley said. “But I can tell your mom where we got him.”
“Okay!” Matteo said excitedly. “I want one.”
“Maybe one day. We’ll see.”
“I want one now,” Matteo insisted.
“We don’t have a lot of extra room right now, so now is not a good time. But eventually when we have a bigger place we’ll talk about it then, okay?”
“Okay. Will you remind me to talk about it then?” Matteo asked.
“I will try to remember to remind you,” Giada said dutifully.
“Where are we going?” Leo asked, his eyes roving over the fancy clothes his mother was wearing, and all the adults, including Ronan, standing around. He was obviously wary of anything he wasn’t prepared for.
“I’m going to have dinner with Ronan.”
“I don’t want to leave,” Matteo said.
“Good. ‘Cause you’re staying here with us while Momma goes to enjoy a night out with an adult,” Havoc said.
“Yay!” Matteo shouted, running off toward the playroom again with Ruger and Lola hot on his heels, though Lola was running a little slower than before as she continued to apply chap stick to her lips.
“When are you coming home?” Leo asked.
“I’m not sure. We’ll be a few hours, at least,” Giada said. She took in the hesitancy in his demeanor and realized he was unsure of the whole situation. “Is that okay?”
Leo looked over at Ronan. “Are you going to stay with my mom to be sure she’s okay?”
“I am. She will not be out of my sight.”
“You promise?” Leo asked.
“I do. What did I promise you the first time we had dinner together?”
“That nobody would hurt Momma or me or Matteo ever again.”
“I swear that it’s true. Your mom will be safe, and so will you and Matteo,” Ronan said.
“Okay. I guess it’s okay, then,” Leo finally said. He hugged his mother, and surprisingly hugged Ronan, too, then calmly made his way back to the playroom where they could hear the other kids squealing and laughing.
Once he was out of the room, it was clear that Giada was feeling a little down now that it was clear how unsafe Leo was feeling.
“That’s a strong young man, right there,” Havoc said.
Giada looked his way.
“Protecting his Momma like that. He’s just barely seven, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Giada said.
“And he’s already making sure you’re safe. He’s a good kid, but he’s going to be an even better man. He’s got a strong moral compass and is aware of so much around himself already,” Havoc said.
Giada blew out a long, tired breath. “He’s seen far more than any child should see, unfortunately.”
“A lot of us did. Thing is, he also sees you taking the steps to provide a better experience for them. They know where their security lies,” Analise said.
Giada nodded. “Yes, I suppose they do.”
“If you want to bring them with us, it’s no problem at all,” Ronan said.
Giada thought about it for only a second. “No, I know they’re safe here. I could really use a night of just not having to worry.”
“That’s what we’ll do then. You ready?”
“Yes,” she said, allowing Ronan to help her slip into her coat.
“Y’all have fun, don’t worry about a thing, but if you want to call, feel free to do that, too,” Analise said.
“We’re gonna build a blanket fort and watch movies while making ourselves sick on hot dogs and popcorn and candy,” Havoc said.
“Oh, man! I miss those forts,” Ronan said.
“They were so much fun!” Havoc said.
“I’m gonna do that with my kids one day,” Ronan said as he adjusted the coat on Giada’s shoulders.
She turned and smiled up at him, imagining him building blanket forts with her boys. Suddenly she realized what she was thinking and her eyes widened as her smile faltered.
“You alright?” Ronan asked as he led her out of the house.
“Yes, fine. Just had a thought and it caught me off guard.”
“What was that thought?” he asked.
“I don’t even remember. It was there and gone just that quick,” she said, flashing a shaky smile as Ronan opened the door of the passenger side door of his truck and helped her climb in.
“You don’t mind if we take my truck tonight, do you?” he asked.
“Not at all.”
“Good. Just making sure. I only took Havoc’s today because I had to drive so far.”
“I don’t mind in the least. I’m actually a little more comfortable in it than I would be in Havoc’s, or Analise’s for that matter. I was so afraid the boys were going to spill something in her car on the way over.
“Why? You just wipe it up,” he said.
“Oh, no. It’s just not a good thing to do. I mean, it ruins interior and damages things and… spilling is just a no no.” She’d just about worked herself up into a tizzy.
Ronan reached out a hand, cupping her jaw softly.
She stopped rambling about her kids spilling something, and looked into his eyes. His touch calmed her.
“It’s okay. If they spill, they spill. We just wipe it up. Kids spill things. Kids break things. Kids are loud and messy, and happy, and rowdy, and a handful, and that’s okay, because that’s how they’re supposed to be. They’re learning how to be themselves.”
Giada blinked away a few surprise tears and nodded. “You’re right.”
“I know I am. I’m not always, but about letting kids be kids… I got that covered.”
She nodded again.
“You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“You like steak?”
“It’s been so long since I had a really good steak.”
“I’ll take that as a yes. Prepare yourself, this place is the best this side of New Orleans.”