Inside Of Our Minds (Hannibal Lecter's Son)

Chapter 23) Wine and Grapes

Ashton has been on the bed all day, there's not really anything I can do. He rejects my touch. Papa said it could be due to his anxiety. Papa sensed that from day one. It makes Ashton easy prey. I hate that. I couldn't bring myself to hurt him.

"What's on your mind?" I said sitting next to him. His long sleeved sweater had stains of tears.

"I can't say or you'll hate me." He whispered.

"I promise I'm not going to hate you."

"I think I might be vegetarian." He said, looking at me with fear in his eyes. Oh God.

"Babe, babe, babe, it's okay. I support you." I reassured. I grew my taste for human meat when I learned what Papa was cooking. My nostalgic childhood meals aren't for everyone.

"Are you sure? Given that, you know?"

"I don't care if you don't like meat. I can always make a vegan version."

"Thank you." He said but it seemed off.

"Wanna come with me to the shops so I can assure you that you're getting tofu and other things?"

He nodded his head yes.

I put on my suit and some sunglasses. Ashton wore a hoodie and some sweatpants.

We went to a little farmers market and I grabbed as much fruits and vegetables as I could find. Showing Ashton every fake meat I was buying.

"When are we going to Lithuania?" He asked, his arm wrapped in mine as we strolled the streets after I took the food back to the apartment.

"Soon my dear, After Jack Crawford has found us. It won't take long given that Papa is practically leading them to us. It's like a game to him. Like cat and mouse. I doubt at this point he cares to bring us with him wherever he goes. I'd like to spend some last moments with my father before I basically don't get to see him again."

Those words hurt as I spoke them. Memories of my childhood came flooding back. Papa pushing me on the swings, teaching me to ride a bike and patching up my knee after I fell off. The first shot of testosterone he gave me at 13. Everything.

I kept my composure and brought Ashton to a good restaurant. At this point he was wearing a nice button up and some slacks as per my request when we swing by the apartment. We sat down and he ordered a vegan pasta while I just ordered some wine and grapes. Weird right? Expensive restaurant and you can drink wine and eat grapes like a 40 year old soccer mom at 10 in the evening. Except these were pricey grapes. Locally grown, had a pit. They were good.

I looked at Ashton before pulling out a ring. It was my Grandmother's. Papa's mother. He grabbed it from her body while she lay in the snow dead. He gave it to me, a family heirloom so I could do the thing I'm about to do.

We were in a secluded area as to not draw attention to ourselves.

I got on my knee and pulled out the ring.

"Ashton, would you do the honors of marrying me?" I asked. A lump in my throat formed as I waited those three seconds. It felt like three hours.

"Yes." He said smiling. He took the ring and put it on, it fit perfectly.

It only took a couple of week to get the wedding set up. At this point I was doing college courses online and planned to move in 2 months. The wedding will be at an outdoor venue that you can rent. Only costs 10,000 dollars but it wasn't bad.

The day of the Wedding came. July 22nd. Papa was wearing his best. He stood behind me as I stood in front of a small crowd, mostly peers I had met in Italy. Papa was my best man, Bedelia sat in the crowd expressionless.

Ashton walked down the aisle in a blue suit that was lighter than mine. We did our vows and kissed. Everyone clapped at got drunk at the reception. Papa was talking with one of my colleagues while Ashton ate some food. Toasts were said, Papa being the first and I had so many pictures taken.

Papa approached me after and smiled. There was father like joy in his eyes as he gave me a hug.

"I'm so proud of the man you've become Michael. I've loved you your entire life and I'll always love you. You've been a pleasure to raise and I'm proud to see you enter society as I have raised you to. I want you to behave and remember your manners as you go to college and start your married life. I couldn't be more proud of you my dear." He said with a hand on my shoulder.  He knew it. He knew this is where we would depart. He knew this is where I would go back to the US and take our things only to travel again. This is where those bank assets are switched over. This is where he truly surrenders. This is the last time I'll see him ever again or at least not for a long time.

"I love you too Papa, take care and remember my phone number alright? Send postcards do something so I know you're alive." I said as tears streamed down my face.

"I will mano berniukas." He said before placing a kiss on my cheek.

That night, packing at the apartment was nerve wracking. Bedelia gave us some advice on how to deal with FBI and Papa told us to remember that we were underage when we left and that we had no clue what was going on.

I hugged and kissed him one last time. I even stole a tie.