Chapter 18 #2
Elena: Hey. I just got a message from your mum saying that she’s fetching Angel in an hour. Just checking in with you?
Hi. Yes, that’s right. Can you pack him a weekend bag please? I’ll be home in a bit.
Elena: On it.
Thank you, Elena.
I wait for a while but she doesn’t respond.
Thankfully there isn’t any traffic so the ride home is pleasantly short.
Making my way through the front door, I drop my keys on the kitchen counter and head into the living area looking for Elena and Angelo.
They’re not downstairs so I head to the bedrooms. Elena is probably still getting Angelo’s bag ready.
I make my way into Angelo’s room and sure enough Elena is there sorting through an insane amount of clothing while Angelo plays with his cars on the carpet.
Neither of them notices me so I take the opportunity to lean against the doorframe and watch the pair.
Angelo is completely captivated by his cars and Elena is rummaging through the already packed bag, taking clothes out and replacing them with different ones lying on the bed.
She has her back to me so I take the time to appreciate her profile.
She’s wearing a white dress. I’ve seen her in it before and I damn near had a heart attack.
It has a corset style at the back, pulled tight and tied into a perfect bow at the bottom.
If memory serves me correctly, it also has a tie up at the front that holds her breasts firmly together and up, amplifying her cleavage, just like the ladies from the movies in the 1800’s.
They’re called milk maiden dresses, I know because I googled it.
It’s become my favourite type of dress on her.
She’s simply stunning in it, all sexy elegance and grace.
Her hair is up in a messy bun with a few loose strands framing her face.
Her bangs are perfectly groomed and fall over her forehead just shy of her sparkling blue eyes.
I’m almost certain when God made the world, He spent the 7th day creating Elena.
I’ve never seen a woman look more beautiful.
My phone buzzes in my pocket and the moment is gone as two sets of eyes turn to look at me.
I excuse myself and check the screen to see it’s my mother.
I don’t bother answering knowing full well that she’s on her way here.
Putting the phone back in my pocket, I walk into the room and pick Angelo up with his car still clutched tightly in his chubby little hands.
I kiss him on his cheek and he giggles as he hugs me, wrapping his arms around my neck.
I give him a quick squeeze before putting him back down then straightening to look at Elena.
“Hi!”
I’m rewarded with a small reluctant smile before she speaks.
“Hi! I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
“I was already at the airport when you texted me.”
“Oh, I see.”
She turns around then and stuffs a few more things into the bag then zips it up.
“Angelo is all set then. I hope I packed enough for him. But if he runs out of clothes or his meds, I could always just drop them off at your mums.”
“Grazie,” (thank you) “I appreciate it.”
“Alright, mio Figlio.” (My son) “Let’s go downstairs to meet your Nonna.”
I hoist Angelo up from where he is playing and prop him up against my chest with my hand supporting him below his bottom, then stride over to the bed and pick up the bag Elena has packed with my free hand and make my way out of the room, giving Elena a small smile before I exit.
I’m almost down the stairs when I hear Elena walking behind me, likely following us so she can get in a few hugs before Angelo leaves. As I make my way into the foyer, the front door swings open.
“Dov'è mio nipote?” (Where is my grandson?)
“Ciao mamma.” (Hello mother). “Thank you for knocking.”
Unimpressed by my sarcasm, my mother takes Angelo from my hands and snatches the bag from me in one swift motion.
“Alright, now don’t you worry about a thing, I’ll take good care of him. You two have a nice evening… alone.”
She adds alone while looking between Elena and myself and wiggling her eyebrows at us.
I turn to face Elena whose cheeks are bright pink looking extremely uncomfortable.
“Mamma!” I scold but she just shrugs.
“What? You both need some time off, you live under the same roof, I see no reason why you can’t take the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company. Really Enzo, one would think you had something to hide.”
I see a panicked Elena from my peripheral. I’m just about to say something when Elena cuts in.
“Actually, I think I’m going to use my free time to do some writing and try to move along with my book.” She looks towards me and continues.
“That is, if it’s okay with you Lorenzo?”
“Splendid!” My mother screeches out and Elena looks at her again confused as to what on earth is actually going on here.
“You know Lorenzo was an exceptional writer in school, quiet the poet too and he loves books. Did I mention that he loves books? Sweetheart, have you told Elena how much you love reading?”
“Jesus Christ, Mamma!”
“Listen here young man, don’t you dare take the Lord’s name in vain, do you understand me?”
“Si, mamma. I’m sorry. But perhaps you should leave now before it gets too dark.”
“Si… si, I know. I’m leaving. Elena, I’m sorry dear if I came off a bit strong. I just meant that Lorenzo loves books and reading and I mean you’re an author clearly a happy coincidence don’t you think? Maybe he can help you with your writing, is all I meant.”
“Mamma please! You’re making it weird.”
“Fine, I’m going. Elena dear, good luck with your writing and more importantly good luck being alone with my grump of a son.”
“I… uhm… thank you?”
That was all the poor woman could muster in the wake of my mother.
As exhausting as she could be and as embarrassed as I am, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face as I watch Elena hug Angelo tight and shower his little chubby face with kisses before saying goodbye to my big mouth mother.
I close the door as the car moves down the driveway and turn around to see Elena still standing rooted to the spot.
“I’d better go get started then.” She whispers while gesturing her thumb in the direction of her office. I’m offered a small smile before she turns to leave. Say something you idiot.
“Elena, wait!” She stops midstride and turns to look at me. An unspoken question in her eyes.
I walk to the table in the foyer and pick up the flowers and the box of chocolates, then I walk over to Elena.