GIO
Maria possessed my very essence, a mirror reflecting my identity in ways I hadn’t fully anticipated. As I had daydreamed about the daughter we would bring into the world, her image had always been intertwined with Millie’s elegance-golden locks cascading like sunlight, eyes the hue of a calm ocean. Yet, I had failed to fathom the profound manner in which my own traits would be etched upon her. It was an awakening, a realization that she bore an unmistakable part of me within her. Millie, with her purity and grace, seemed to stand in stark contrast to my own complexities. She was the embodiment of beauty, a vessel of goodness where my contributions felt scarce.
In the presence of Maria and her lustrous black hair, a stunning legacy of her mother’s perfection, I found myself captivated. From the moment my eyes first beheld her, an overwhelming surge of love engulfed me, intensifying the affection I held for my beloved wife, Millie. They were both the anchors of my world, radiating brightness into the corners of my darkness. However, a trepidation gripped me-I feared contaminating Maria’s purity with the shadows that loomed within me. Her fragility was palpable, her fingers and toes delicate like porcelain. The mere thought of touching her was tinged with the apprehension of shattering something so exquisite.
Sebastian, my brother, held her with an ease that eluded me. He, like myself, bore the weight of a stained past, the residue of deeds both heinous and cruel. Yet, in this moment, he cradled my daughter without the reservations that plagued me. I longed to intervene, to shield my innocent child from his tainted grasp, but the expression in Millie’s eyes implored me to relent. Thus, I stood there, helpless, watching as my brother embraced Maria. He possessed a fervor to protect her that mirrored my own-a willingness to unleash the darkness within to safeguard the light we cherished.
Millie’s gaze bore into my soul, her silent plea cutting through my defenses. She yearned for me to be the one to hold our daughter, to share in the tender embrace of a new parent. With a reassuring smile, she surrendered to a yawn, the toll of her ordeal evident in her pallor. “It’s time for you to rest,” I gently insisted, acknowledging the toll that motherhood had taken on her.
Sebastian carefully placed Maria in her crib before approaching Millie for a loving embrace, joined by Harper, our unbreakable ally. They departed, leaving us in solitude.
“You don’t need to stay,” Millie’s voice was a delicate murmur, a suggestion weighted with her fatigue.
Determinedly, I closed the distance between us, shedding my shoes before slipping into the bed beside her. It was a snug fit, her body nestled against mine. I moved cautiously, mindful of her pain as I enfolded her in my arms. “I’m staying,” I affirmed resolutely. Her palm found its place over my heart, a gesture that had become a familiar habit-a touch that seemed to reassure her of my very humanity. My hand covered hers, a silent exchange that brought her solace. “As long as you’re by my side, I know we’ll weather any storm.”
“Sleep, my love. I’ll shield you.”
“And Maria,” her voice drifted, heavy with drowsiness.
“Both you and Maria, until my last breath.”
As the rhythm of her breathing steadied, I allowed my own eyes to flutter shut. Sleep eluded me, however. This unfamiliar place lacked the security of our customary penthouse or sprawling mansion. Dario and Sebastian were certain to have stationed guards along the corridors, but my vigilance remained steadfast. I accepted the mantle of protector-a sentinel against any threat that dared to encroach upon the safety of my wife and daughter.
~*~
The sun rose on the following day, casting its gentle rays across the cityscape. Millie’s release from the hospital had finally come, and it seemed the doctors were more than eager to bid us farewell, perhaps hoping to escape the constant presence of armed guards. I couldn’t help but notice their apprehension around us, their fear laid bare. It was no secret what we represented, what we were capable of. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about their unease. What mattered was having Millie back with us, safe within the confines of our penthouse.
The penthouse felt like a sanctuary, a shield against the outside world. Maria, snug in her carrier, was entrusted to Sebastian’s capable arms. Millie, still recovering from the ordeal, wasn’t permitted to bear anything heavy. Not a word was spoken, but her gaze hinted at a subtle exchange between her and Sebastian. He was undoubtedly mocking my inability to carry my own daughter. I knew he would seize the first opportunity to give me a piece of his mind, to unleash his sharp words upon me.
As the day melted into evening and Millie and Harper settled onto the sofa, Maria slumbering soundly nearby, Sebastian seized his chance. The kitchen became our arena, a battleground of words and emotions waiting to erupt. My intention to prepare coffee was abruptly halted by Sebastian’s presence, his face inches from mine.
“Gio, what’s gotten into you?” His voice was a low, barely-contained growl. His gaze flickered towards our wives engrossed in conversation.
“Keep your nose out of my affairs,” I retorted, my finger pressing the button on the coffee maker.
Sebastian shook his head, a mixture of frustration and concern etched across his features. “She’s your daughter, for God’s sake. Why are you keeping your distance? It’s tearing Millie apart to see you act like such an asshole.”
I shot him a penetrating glare, my focus shifting momentarily towards Millie and Harper. They were deep in discussion, oblivious to our brewing confrontation. “Our father was a sadistic monster, not a blueprint for fatherhood. I’m cut from his cloth in many ways. Who’s to say I won’t repeat his mistakes?”
A mocking laughter erupted from Sebastian’s lips, a laugh that scorched its way into my core. “Listen to yourself, Gio. That’s just bullshit. You’re nothing like him where it counts. He brutalized our mother. And you? You harmed yourself rather than force Millie on your wedding night. You treat her like royalty, and you’ll treat your daughter no differently. Drop the act, Gio.”
I narrowed my eyes, my anger simmering beneath the surface. “Don’t paint me as a saint. You know who I am.”
“Saint or sinner, like I give a damn.” Sebastian’s voice dripped with disdain. “I know you. I know your penchant for violence, for shedding blood. I know the thrill you get from tearing through enemies and betrayers. I know the sick pleasure you derive from their agony, their pleas for mercy. But you’re sick in a way that loves your wife and daughter. You’d spill your own blood before harming them.”
Without a word, I shoved a brimming cup of coffee into Sebastian’s hands, my silence serving as confirmation. Taking a swig from my own cup, the bitter taste mirrored the mixture of emotions swirling within me. It was a surreal moment, Sebastian embodying reason when it was least expected. I loathed how he had taken this role, a role that was rightfully mine.
A wry smile danced on his lips. “Let’s see how you handle fatherhood.”
Sebastian’s next words caught me off guard, a statement that didn’t align with my perception of him. “Harper and I might not want children, not now, perhaps not ever.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprise momentarily replacing my lingering annoyance. Yet, before I could delve into this revelation, the arrival of Dario and Sienna shifted the dynamics.
After greetings were exchanged and Maria’s cherubic features were admired, Dario’s focus turned to Sebastian and me. His handshake was firm, his expression warm. “Congratulations. Your daughter is a beauty.”
And she truly was, much like Millie.
Millie’s gaze lifted, meeting mine, her lips curving into a gentle smile. In that instant, amidst the backdrop of our tumultuous lives, a sense of completeness settled over me.