A Woman's Empire

XLVI

CHAPTER FORTY SIX

Orlando was almost six months old now. Audrielle stared down at her baby son as she bottle fed him. His large, doe eyes blinked at hers and she smiled. He was an adorable baby. Had lots of dark brown hair already and his blue eyes that he was born with started to have tiny specks of a golden brown in them. The weather outside was hot and Audrielle sat on the outdoor furniture as Leo did lengths of the pool. His tanned back muscles glowed under the summer sun.

"I suppose we should get ready. The jet will leave without us soon." Leo commented as he pushed himself out of the pool. Audrielle nodded and took Orlando upstairs to get him washed and ready for his first trip to see his grandmother and Aunt; Camilla and Stella.

Once everybody was dressed and packed, the SUV greeted the family in front of the door. Audrielle gently placed Orlando in his car seat and once Leo had finished loading the luggage into the trunk, they were off. Audrielle didn't really have a certainty of how long they were going to be in Italy,but she estimated a week, a couple if Camilla didn't kill her son. The car ride was quiet and calm. Orlando fell asleep and Leo was busy on his phone while Audrielle stared out of the window.

She sighed in content as she watched trees fly past her. It had been six months of Leo fulfilling his role of being a father. He always woke up when Orlando would start to cry in his sleep and although Audrielle felt like it was her duty too to get up, Leo always seemed to talk her into going back to bed,that she needed to sleep and that Leo was more than capable of changing a diaper.

He didn't go into the city for work everyday like he used to. If Audrielle was still in bed while they were having breakfast, he would save her a plate and bring it to her. He spent most of his time next to Audrielle and Orlando and rarely would lock himself away in the office.

But one concern that Audrielle had that kept nagging her was that Leo was in a haze. That one day he would wake up and become the monster he was. She was scared that if she were to make one little mistake, then he'd go ballistic at her and Audrielle didn't want to risk her and Orlando's life just for the tiny possibility that Leo had changed for the better.

There were occasions when she'd find herself falling for his cursed charm. Whether it would be the way Leo cooed to his son and Orlando would giggle with a baby grin on his face. Or when they'd be lying in bed and Leo would suddenly wrap his arms around her and she'd fall asleep in them.

No matter how much Audrielle tried to fight off Leo's subtle affection, she couldn't. But as time passed by, she thought that maybe a cuddle here and there wouldn't be so bad. After all, she didn't really have anyone anymore to show her love and affection.

When they arrived in Italy, Audrielle walked out of the plane to see a group of men dressed in formal attire, several Range Rovers and right in front of them, a bright orange Lamborghini. Audrielle carefully walked down the stairs, a sleepy Orlando in her arms as Leo followed closely behind her.

"What's this?"

"A Lamborghini." Audrielle rolled her eyes at Leo's reply.

"Leo, where's Orlando going to sit? That thing isn't big enough to fit a car seat." Leo chuckled and opened the car door before kissing her on the side of her head.

"Don't worry, he can just sit on your lap. It won't be that long of a drive."

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They arrived at Camilla's house just before sunset. The last minute, intense sunlight left a golden glow on the house and illuminated the garden features. The Lamborghini shut off with a loud purr and Audrielle stood out in the sun in her sundress with Orlando in her arms.

Suddenly the front door of the house flew open and a little girl with golden brown locks darted down the stairs for the driveway. Audrielle smiled sweetly when she saw Stella sprint towards her.

"Yay! You're finally here!" She squealed as she hugged Audrielle's legs. Audrielle chuckled and bent down to hug Stella as Orlando wiggled in her hold.

"Who's that?" Stella whispered when she suddenly saw the baby.

"Stella, that is your little nipote, Orlando." Leo replied as he grabbed a bag and ruffled Stella's hair.

"Nipote?" Stella murmured, looking up at her older brother confused.

(Translation: Nephew)

"Yes, Stella, you are an Aunt." Leo mumbled and walked towards the house.

As Audrielle followed them inside, she took off Orlando's bucket hat to show off his little fluff of brown hair he already had. "Would you like to hold him?" Audrielle asked and Stella nodded her head eagerly while Leo gently grabbed a hold of his newborn son.

Stella sat patiently on the sofa, holding her small arms out to welcome her nephew. Curiosity glinted in her eyes and Audrielle sat down next to her while Leo placed Orlando in her arms.

"Support his head, Stella." Leo mumbled and Audrielle helped Stella hold baby Orlando. He squirmed in her arms before quickly settling.

"He must like you, he's not crying." Audrielle joked and Stella grinned down at the baby in her arms. Subtle silence fell in the room as everyone stared at Stella and Orlando. Her long locks of hair tickled his face and he scrunched his nose; his tiny hand reaching out to grab it.

"Ow!" Stella whispered but then laughed it off. A happy smile grew on Orlando's chubby baby face. A few minutes passed before Stella started to get restless and Leo picked up Orlando from her before he headed into the kitchen to make them some things to snack on.

Stella hugged Audrielle and stared at her with a pout on her face. "What's wrong?" Audrielle asked and Stella shrugged her shoulders.

"I love Orlando, but I really wanted a girl. Now who's going to play Barbies with me?" Audrielle smiled and hugged Stella.

"Orlando and I will. He will probably chuck them around the room though." Audrielle joked and Stella giggled.