We all dress quickly, and I lead them out of the suite so we can join the others in the dining room. It’s a fully packed table. Hell, I’m actually surprised they found a table that will fit everyone, as the one in the Martelli mansion never would have. I’m relieved that it’s round, because I can’t even begin to wrap my head around who would be sitting at the head of the table.
Guiding my loves to the only three empty spaces left, I position Carter between Marcus and myself. Yes, I’m making a damn point; I’m not blind to the looks Cristian sends his way. And neither is Carter, who is becoming increasingly upset by them. He is taking all the guilt onto himself, instead of understanding that Cristian needs to deal with his own bullshit, not put it on his ex.
I’m situated next to Jude, who has the twins sandwiched between him and his Boy. His Shining Stars. They’ve certainly blossomed under Jude and Antonio’s care.
Next to Antonio is Ignacio, who thankfully looks better, but his movements are still somewhat choppy. It doesn’t escape my notice that he’s carefully avoiding looking at Cristian.There seems to be a lot of that going on.
Roman, unsurprisingly, is next to Ignacio. His tactile love is on full display, as he leans into Ignacio, who relaxes incrementally each time he does it. However, from the brief glances I give Benjamin, he appears less than pleased. His fucking jealousy is going to get him stabbed.
Next to Roman is Leandro, with Boston nearby. Tennant is beside his son, likely to keep him alive. Possibly in line…
And then there's the troublemaker—Benjamin. He’s sitting between his lover, Tennant, and from the vibes I’m picking up, his possible jailer, Hollis, who does not look thrilled anytime he has to interact with Benjamin. Strengthening my point that Benjamin could possibly get stabbed.
Thankfully, Lio is next to Hollis. He’s at least looking better. I note that the bandages on his wrists are smaller, even though he hides his hands under the table as much as possible.
That nightmare of almost losing him may never leave me. It’s why I’m grateful Marcus went in voluntarily.
It takes me a moment to locate Midas, but I find him lying down slightly away from the table. The proper distance not to encroach, but close enough to watch his person. Between the training he underwent as a puppy, and with Leandro, he’s become quite the security asset.
Lio is sandwiched between Hollis and his Master. I’m not sure how Hollis can stand it, although I understand that Sandro has changed. I’ve seen it myself with Cole. Between that and the way Sandro has always loved that Boy… Well, hopefully, Hollis and Sandro find a place of peace. Still, I’m cautious. Hope wars with worry, the complex feeling of needing to protect him, even though Lio can defend himself if he chooses.
My hands clench into fists at the sight of Cristian at the dinner table, leaning toward Sandro. I want to hate him, and normally, I do. But the way he’s been wandering aimlessly around the mansion pricks at my conscience, calling to the Dom in me to solve the problem. Javi better get on top of it soon. If he doesn’t, I’ll have to get involved, which could end…messily. I probably shouldn’t kill one of my new son’s fathers. Maybe.
Thankfully, Soren is right beside Cristian. I can trust the Daddy Dom to keep him in line. I briefly wonder how Cristian would react to a Daddy, and the thought relaxes me because I’d find it hilarious. Although, I do wonder if it would help him. Someone to give him instruction, and take away the power he’s always felt the need to buckle under.
Soren’s Boy is right next to him. Doc’s face shows his absolute lack of enthusiasm for being here, even as Sarah, sitting to his right and therefore my left, whispers something in his ear. Whatever it is lightens his mood for a brief moment before his normal surly attitude kicks in.
Fuck. I have major respect for Soren, because there's no way in hell I would want that. I’ll keep my Love and Tease. Although, knowing I’ll lose Sarah soon…that hurts. As if she can sense my darkening thoughts, she nudges me.
“Stop glaring at people,” she whispers to me. “You’re not nearly as scary as you think, and you will not be successful.”
Doc snorts, overhearing her. I wish I could say she’s wrong, but the truth is, my glare does not compare to hers. Although, she’s had years of dealing with Sandro, back when he was Il Padrone. She had reason to hone that attitude.
Thankfully, we’re given a break in the atmosphere when the staff start bringing out the food. Unlike past dinners, the meals aren’t served plated. Instead, they’re slid onto the dining room table, family style. I can see the Council’s point about tryingto set ourselves apart from the past, but once the kitchen staff leave, nobody makes a move to serve themselves.
That thick tension starts to invade the room again, but nobody moves, despite the delectable looking feast. Carter reaches for me, grabbing my hand in a tight grip. I know he’s wondering if, as one of the leaders, he should speak up, but it’s awkward for him with Cristian here. Neither Roman nor Lio seem up to it either. Jude’s signing something to Roman, who is firmly ignoring it.
Just when I’m about to give in, a break comes from the person I least expected. Sandro clears his throat and draws all eyes to him. Cristian’s hand finds his, as if he's providing comfort. Sandro’s eyes soften as he glances over at him, and I wonder if we shouldn’t have insisted they put space between themselves. Trusting those two together…it’s not high on my list.
“I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of this family and of the Council for everything you do. And to thank you for the invitation to dinner. It all looks wonderful, and I know the staff have worked hard to develop the menu with Roman’s guidance.”
It’s short, but enough. It breaks us from the formality, the stiffness of waiting for the other shoe to drop. Really, it’s the transition we all needed. The acknowledgement that we’re all in different places compared to where we were months ago. That Il Padrone is gone, and that Cristian is no longer at the helm either. Sandro may be taking his first shaky steps toward finding his place, but Tennant’s nod has him straightening. A flash of what looks like pride transforms him, for a moment, into the man I used to know, before it slips away and uncertainty lingers.
It’s going to be a long process, and hell, I’m not even sure the empire of therapists will be enough, but at least this dinner is a start. We all pile our plates with food, but nothing work-related is discussed. Whether by design or not, we spend thenight reconnecting as family, as friends, and, in certain cases, in grudging acceptance that the other person is alive.
Fuck if I’m not exhausted by the end of it. Although, I have to admit that Javi was correct about these meals needing to restart. The sense of normalcy was nice, even if it felt partially like a façade with everything else still pressing against us. Though, I still don’t trust it enough to bring Cole.
When I gather Marcus and Carter, we walk slowly toward the medical wing, so that Marcus can check back in. From the way he’s drooping, it's clear he’s spent too. Worry pricks at me, and the undercurrent of pain in Marcus’s lines is so fresh that I’m not sure how to handle it. For a Dom, it’s the shittiest feeling in the world.
He stops us before we can enter the medical wing. His pleading eyes meet mine, and I give him a hard kiss before stepping back. I hate that he’s convinced he needs to do this by himself, that he’s putting distance between us, but I won’t fight him on it. I can only hope that when he starts therapy, Brannigan will help him to see that we can be there for him. He doesn’t need to carry this by himself.
“Oh,” he says, in a forced, nonchalant way. “By the way, the child psychologist should be here tomorrow. Uh, Javi said that since I’m doing well on my meds, I could be there?”
I blink, not expecting that. Mainly because Javi, once again, didn’t bother to tell us ahead of time. He seems to like springing things on Jude and me. Fucking hell. But when my brain finally puts everything together, I smile in relief.
“Of course. All of Cole’s dads will be there.” I grab Carter’s hand before bringing Marcus in for a hug, which Carter joins in on. The exhaustion that was seeping into me finally settles slightly, because this is what I live for. The three of us. Together. Dealing with life’s problems, leaning on each other, and being there for one another.
Marcus kisses both Carter and me before he turns and walks away, leaving us staring after him. We may be separated momentarily, but this was a solid reminder of what we’re fighting for.
