Ethereal

Prologue

"Elijah, I'm home," I yell as I enter the house and my three bundles of joy come running to me. I giggle and bend down to each of them and give them hugs and kisses. Elijah comes in all his glory with our baby girl in his arms. Even after 7 years of marriage I can't get over how handsome my man is. Since I first met him, her has always been the most beautiful man I have ever laid eyes on. I take our baby girl from his arms as she babbles and kiss him quickly on the lips.

"I have made dinner for us, mi amor," he says and I follow him into kitchen and out boys run behind us. 

"Mama," Elio says as I sit on my chair. "Yes baby?"

"I want to be like papa when I grow up. I will meet a girl and I will love her like papa loves you. He looks at you with so much love. Do you think I will find my dream girl?"

My eyes tear up and I glance at Elijah, noticing his eyes getting glassy as well. "Come here darling," I say and he walks over to me and I pick him up onto my lap, placing him next to Aurora. 

"You will have anything and everything you ever want, my beautiful boy. You will definitely have your dream girl and your papa and mama will forever support you."

He claps his hands, "Yay!"

Elijah places a plate of pesto pasta in front of my and kisses Elio on the forehead. 

*2 years later*

"Mama. Mama," Elio comes running to me from across the park. 

"Yes baby. What happened?"

"Remember when you said I have anything I want."

"Yes, of course I remember. I meant it too," I say, booping him on his nose.

"I want her," he says and point to a little girl in a pink tutu dress and pig tails with ribbons. I recognize her. The Carters' only child. But that does not deter me. It is the way Elio is looking at her that makes my heart drop. I have never seen him look like that but I give him the benefit of the doubt.

I put a smile on my face, "Why do you want her?"

"because she looks pretty. She looks like a princess and I love her ribbons."

"Well, does she want you?"

He shrugs his shoulders and says, "I don't know. Does it matter?"

"Of course it matters. You can't force someone to love you. They have to love you as well. See how papa loves mama and mama loves papa too? It goes both ways."

"Oh. I'll go play with her then," he says and hops away to her.

I fidget with my necklace. He is only 7 years old. 

*8 years later*

"Your son is exhibiting serious violent behaviour and it is time that you put a stop on him," Elio's principal, Mr. Williams tells me.

"How about we wait for my wife before we start this conversation," I say. He sighs and shuts up.

"I came as soon as I could. I am sorry to keep you waiting," my wife says, finally arriving and sitting on the chair next to mine.

"It's alright, Mrs. DeLuca," the principal says. "As I was saying, your son is extremely violent and you need to do something about it. He broke one of basketball team players' nose and dislocated his shoulder. He won't be able the next game and he is completely bruised."

"Why?" I ask.

"I'm sorry?"

"Did you ask my son why he did it?"

"Well, n-no. But-"

"Get him in here. Right now," my wife demands and I wrap my hand around her thigh. 

The principals calls for Elio and we wait for him to show up in absolute silence as my wife and I fume about this old man's priorities. The door swings open a few minutes later and Elio strides in with utmost confidence and arrogance.

"Sit down Elio," Principal Williams tells him and Elio sits next to me.

"Why did you beat up that basketball boy Elio?" I ask him sternly, using my father voice.

"Because he was bullying Aurora."

I glare at the principal and ask, "How was he bullying her, son?"

"He was flicking her ponytail and wrote 'slut' on her locker," Elio says, his hands fisted by his side but his tone is completely monotone.

"This proves that my son is not at fault. Don't ever try to blame him for anything ever again," my wife spits out at the principal and grabs her bag. 

"We are done here. Go back to class Elio," I say and we walk out of Mr. Williams office together.

"Elio, what you did to protect your sister is not wrong but the damage you inflicted is a lot. You need to protect you siblings but you also need to keep yourself in check. Okay?" I ask him and he just nods and walks away.

"Do you think he needs another session?" my wife asks me and I sigh, thinking about it. Our son is special no doubt but he is at an age where he does not care and he is too mature for his age.

"No. I don't think so. Let's just give him his time," I say and place my hand on my wife's back and lead her out of the school.