Stay With Me

45

Alexei walks into the house to find his cousin's kids running around the living room. He tilts the side of his head until hearing Mercedes rushing down the stairs wearing a slim, spaghetti-strap dress yelling Matteo's name. She doesn't stop until she sees Alexei standing at the door.

"Oh, you're home early," Mercedes says walking up to him.

Alexei stares at her with confusion. "So are you, shouldn't you be at work?" Alexei asks her.

Mercedes let out a deep sigh. "I decided to call off today, technically I lied and said I was sick but they have no reason not to believe me, I rarely call out. I wanted to surprise you but these kids." Mercedes explains to him.

Alexei gives her a smile before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Where is Natasha?"

"Um, she's in the bathroom-"

"Good, she can watch the kids while we go out," Alexei says cutting her off before walking away.

❍

Alexei's eyes watch as the waiter's hand trembles slightly as he pours the red wine into the two glasses. The sound of the piano music plays in the background of the restaurant but after so many days of hearing a house full of boys, he just wanted silence.

"This is nice Alexei. It feels nice with us just spending time together without the kids." Mercedes says with a smile.

The waiter walks away after pouring the wine causing Alexei's eyes to drop down to Mercedes.

"You look beautiful." He compliments her.

Mercedes smile wider as she giggles softly. Her giggle warmed his heart up.

"Thank you, and you look good too. The suit you chose tonight really suits you." Mercedes tells him.

Alexei wore a simple black suit and tie, his hair brushed back away from his face. He leans back in his chair with a small smile.

"You do know the real reason I took you out right?" Alexei asks her.

Mercedes hums softly. "You want to renew our wedding vows? We should go somewhere tropical like an island if we are going to renew our vows." Mercedes suggests.

Alexei shakes his head. "We can do that on our anniversary." He says. Mercedes tsk, playfully waving him off while Alexei reaches for his glass of wine.

"I know you weren't completely yourself for a few months and I was working a lot. I just want you to know that I love you and care."

Mercedes smiles slightly drop. She sits up straight in the chair before sighing quietly.

"I don't think I was that obvious." She mumbles under her breath.

Alexei takes a sip of his wine before placing the glass back down on the table. It was like a switch that had been flipped. The two of them were now serious, the air slightly becoming thick.

"Mercedes we never really talked about it."

"I'm fine now," Mercedes says shrugging her shoulders, trying to play it off. But Alexei knew Mercedes and her feelings.

"Maybe you are, you've got better at hiding that side of yourself," Alexei tells her.

She doesn't say anything but lets a frown appears on her lips. She looks away from him and onto the menu. Her hands touched the white tablecloth. Alexei runs his fingers through his hair before raising his hand and gesturing for the waiter to come by.

Mercedes doesn't notice this as her eyes stay on the menu. The waiter comes to see the hand, Alexei drops his hand once he hears the waiter's footsteps. The waiter comes and gently places the black sleek box on the table.

Rectangular which means it had a necklace inside. The waiter walks off while Alexei clears his throat.

"Dekta, look at me," Alexei speaks.

Mercedes's eyes linger on the menu before lifting at Alexei. Gently he slides the box towards her, Mercedes's eyes flicker between the box and Alexei.

"A necklace, I told you so many times you don't have to buy me jewelry to cheer me up," Mercedes says as she takes the box.

Alexei rolls his eyes. "Just look inside."

Mercedes sighs softly as she opens the top. She looks down at the box and tilts her head to the side as she picks up the silver locket necklace. She looks down as her thumb run across the engraved word, Ryan. A smile forms on her lips as she sniffles.

"You're crying before you look inside." Alexei teases her.

Mercedes chuckles before she playfully kicks his leg. A tear slides down her cheek as she opens the locket.

"She would've been born around this time you know," Mercedes informs him as she continues looking down at the locket.

"And she would've had your big head." Alexei jokes with a smile.

Mercedes chuckles once again as she closes the locket. "And your big ass ego for sure." Mercedes comments. She closes the locket while looking up at Alexei.

"I love you so much, Alexei. Thank you, I'm never taking it off." Mercedes tells him.

"I love you too dekta. Now hurry up and order, I don't trust Damien and Natasha being in my house by themselves for no longer than an hour." Alexei jokes.

Mercedes smiles placing her necklace on the table.

"Stop it, they're responsible adults," Mercedes says looking back down at the menu.

Alexei looks at her with a smile on his lips. Seeing her happy made him feel better, it made him remember why he fell in love with her years ago. And why he will never stop loving her.

The End, for real this time 🙂❤️