Made of Steel

35. Mommy

Cassandra Reid

I jump up and put my hands on my hips.

"I asked you a question, Leah Falco".

"Is this your way of receiving me?", she questions. "If I had known, I wouldn't have come".

"I thought you didn't want to come", I state.

"I didn't..., but I couldn't refuse to your husband's insistence. What a power of persuasion the Italian has!", she argues. "No wonder you fell for him. Also, he offered me a private plane trip with hot Pietro Varca. My God, what a man! And how he kisses!

"Leah!", I screech in alarm as my eyes widen as if they're going to pop out of their sockets. "What have you done?"

"Oh, child of mine, it was just an innocent kiss". I take a hand to my forehead and then I pass it over my face. She has no choice, I should be used to her spontaneity by now, but hers is going to another level. "The important thing is that I am here as you wanted. Can I get my welcome hug now?"

I examine it carefully. Anyone who doesn't know her would say she looks just like always, but I can see her lopsided smile and the gleam in her dull hazel eyes. If she has come, it only means one thing: she needs me.

Then, without wasting another second, I run to wrap my arms around her.

"Happy birthday, my favorite crazy".

"Thanks". I hear her take a deep breath and then I pull away from her and give me a shaky smile. Every year it's like this, she stands her ground with a smile on her face and ignores the mention of her birth. "I better finish this hairstyle for you, we don't want to disappoint your husband. Better tell me how the Mission 'Conquering the Italian' is going.

"Well, I wouldn't know how to define it for sure".

I tell her about events of the last two days, including the fateful night, while she finishes getting ready and then, we go to the hotel lobby, where the party will take place.

"Wow... yes, a lot has happened in a few hours", she comments as the gorillas surround us. "This site is terrific".

"I'm telling you", I confirm.

"There are several points to analyze", she indicates. "First: your parents are despicable and you are better off without them. They don't deserve your tears, Cassie".

"I know", I sigh. "I am learning to assimilate it, but for now I will put it aside until I return to Italy. I want to focus on enjoying this weekend with my family..."

The word comes out of my mouth spontaneously.

"Don't even think about retracting yourself", my friend demands, guessing my intentions. "The Italian, along with those two little kids, love you in one way or another and they have done more for you than the monsters of evil who gave you life". I can't do anything but laugh hearing her. "They do deserve your love, they are your family".

"Blood ties are unimportant in situations like this", she continues. "I can tell you for sure, because I was abandoned by another monstrosity".

"Leah..."

"But I have Mrs. Clarice and children from the orphanage", she adds as she tightens her grip on my hand. "They, sexy resident and you are my family. Same thing happens to you. Admit it, you already adore the little ones as if they were your own children and your husband...". She shakes her head from side to side to check the absence of Moors on the coast, but the security team does not give her much confidence and she remain silent. "well, you know".