26. Emilio #2
“We won’t let it be, Amore Mio. Thank you for being so strong and helping me see what I couldn't.”
“Uh, of course, Love.” I blush, and dart my eyes to Carter. Lowering my voice, I mutter, “But maybe don’t flirt with me in front of your dad? You saw how he responded to Tennant…”
“And yet, it won’t stop them,” Carter grumbles and I cringe, realizing I didn’t lower my voice nearly enough.
Roman rolls his eyes. “Alright, meeting dismissed?”
“Until tomorrow morning.” Carter nods. “I think we’ve made good progress, and I definitely want to get this taken care of as soon as possible. Tennant was right to bring this to our attention.”
“Then I’m going to go check on Ignacio. I’ll meet you back at my room later, Lio?”
“Of course.” Unspoken are the words “My Love”, but he hears them anyway as he stands up and practically skips out. I shake my head, knowing Ignacio is in for it. In a good way, because damn, is Roman a knockout today.
Fuck, that leaves me with Carter, who is watching me silently, and it reminds me how very fucked I am.
Anxiety chokes me. Feelings…fuck. I don’t want to end up gutted like Ignacio, but I honestly have no idea what to do in this situation.
Was I supposed to ask for permission? Shit.
Probably. Fucking hell. I don’t understand this shit.
Where’s Daddy and Papa Bear when I need them?
“Uh…” I flit my eyes to the open doorway, and I almost whimper at the idea of leaving. But fuck, Roman is worth this discomfort. He’s everything to me.
Carter raises an eyebrow. “Is there something on your mind?”
“Yes?” Coughing, I try that again. “I mean, yes, there is. Um, you may have noticed that your son and I have gotten closer. And well, I don’t want to fuck up here. I’m… Look, I’m just going to be honest…
“I didn’t have a dad growing up. I had a mom, but my brother killed her, so I can’t really say much about healthy family dynamics.
And really, Master was the first person who gave me a place where I felt at home, and we saw how that all unraveled, though things are definitely getting better…
anyway. Yes, I have a point. I think. Maybe? ”
“Breathe, Lio,” Carter says, and I think I detect a flash of amusement in his eyes—hopefully.
I take a deep breath, figuring it can’t hurt.
“Um. So anyway, basically, I’m not sure of the correct procedure here?
Like, I really don’t want to be gutted. It would take way too much time away from the Council’s responsibilities, not to mention piss Sarah off, and I don’t want to do that.
But…I know I didn’t ask permission either.
And I still need to talk to Cristian, so if you have pointers that may help with that…
Although, is it bad to ask you that? Fuck, I’m screwing this all up.
“Just… I love him. Everything about your son makes me happy, and I promise to always walk beside him, to treat him the way he deserves, and to do everything in my power to make him happy. I know I’m probably not what any parent would want for their kid, and I get that.
But I promise to stab anyone who tries to hurt him, and to fight for him every moment of the day.
I’ll stand beside him as he fights his demons, and even though it kills me that I can’t do that for him, I will support him during it.
“I’m not good with feelings. Love is difficult for me.
But this overwhelming feeling…this urge to not only see him safe but happy, I realize it’s love.
It can’t be anything else. He carries part of my heart, part of my soul with him wherever he goes.
So while I’ll make mistakes, and I’m probably fucking this all up, I…
I guess I just want to let you know that he has me in his corner, always. ”
I stop abruptly, eyeing Carter anxiously as I await his verdict. Part of me wouldn’t be surprised if he decided to just kill me. I mean, hell, why would he want Roman to be with me when Roman already has lovers to protect him and care for him that are far better men than me?
And then the most wonderful thing happens. Carter smiles. I blink in disbelief, unable to fathom what I’m seeing.
With a rough voice, Carter says, “As a father, the only thing that matters to me is that Roman is happy. I can tell you make him happy. You won’t just give in to him, but will challenge him and help make him a better man.
And I trust that he will do the same for you.
Welcome to the family, Lio. I look forward to having another son. ”
When Carter walks out after dropping such an emotional bomb, I’m glad to be alone in the room because I suddenly burst into tears. I’m not even sure why, but the hysteria clutches at my heart. To hear his approval? Fuck. I don’t even know what to do with that.
“He called me son,” I rasp out in the silent room, letting the amazement echo as my heart is suddenly soothed in a way I never imagined possible.
Maybe, just maybe, Carter sees something in me that I don’t. And maybe I can give Roman what he deserves, because that’s all I truly want. To be there for my love, to make him happy, and to always protect him—my stabby soulmate.