The Mafia Queen's Husband

Chapter nineteen - Sebastian

___________________
✨ 'Cause I'm in a field of dandelions ✨
Wishing on every one that you'd be mine, mine
And I see forever in your eyes
✨ I feel okay when I see you smile, smile ✨
___________________

"I'm sorry, baby, I didn't realize what today was." Eva's voice is heavy with guilt and regret. "I'm so sorry."

"N-No! You have nothing to apologize for. I-I should have told you." I take a deep breath. "I-I know it may seem ridiculous, but can I introduce you to my mama?"

I feel her hands still in my hair, then she clears her throat. "I'd be honored."

"Thank you!" I pull back to smile at her gratefully, then turn to my mom's grave, and touch the grass softly. "Mama, I um, I w-wanted to introduce you to my wife, Eva." I blush, still not used to calling her, my wife. "Eva, this is my mama, Lily."

"It's um," Eva looks at me nervously, and I nod encouragingly, smiling at her to go on. "It's very nice to meet you, Mrs. Smith."

I stay silent, sensing she has something else to say.

"I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that you're missing out on such a beautiful person." She glances at me. "He's my everything. But I also want you to know," She looks away, clearing her throat again before she goes on. "That even if something happens, and I screw up, and he never wants to see me again, it won't make me love him less. I'll love him with my entire being, good and bad."

My eyes well up again.

"S-So you can rest now. I'll make sure everything is alright." She whispers. "I'll take care of him, I promise."

"E-Eva..." I whisper, staring at the most amazing, complicated, and sweetest person ever. "I-I—"

I don't know what to say.

"You won't screw up." I sniffle. "I will never not want to see you."

She smiles softly. "I know." Then, without another word, she pulls out a handkerchief and dabs it against my nose and cheeks.

"You carry a handkerchief?" I ask in disbelief instead, since I don't want to end up bawling all over her.

"I started carrying one after you cried when you saw a butterfly in winter." She says casually, drying up my tears and looking at me tenderly, as if she has no idea how dangerous she is to my heart. She can't just do stuff like that out of nowhere. It's too cute.

"I know, I cry too much." Yet another reason why I'm weak. "I'm sorry."

She frowns. "Why are you apologizing? I love how sensitive you are."

"So y-you don't think I'm w-weak?" I mumble, looking down to avoid her eyes.

"Absolutely not." She snaps, grabbing my chin with her other hand, and making me look up at her again. "There are many types of strengths. You're completely fearless when it comes to emotional shit. You never hold back your feelings. That takes a lot of strength, little lamb."

My heart warms at her words, even as my mind fights against a lifetime of contradictory beliefs. I know she believes what she says with the way her grip tightens on my face.

"Then why have you been treating me different?" I blurt out.

She raises an eyebrow in surprise, her hands stilling momentarily, before she leans in to kiss me softly. "Because I'm afraid. You are the most precious thing in my life. And it's hard... living with the fear of losing you, every second of every day."

"I'm not going anywhere." I whisper. "I'm yours. Always."

Her breath hitches, and her voice trembles when she speaks. "You promise?"