Save Me

Chapter 18

Two full months have passed since I was shot while we were getting back our drug shipment, and I'm basically fully healed, other than the occasional twinge of pain when I move just wrong. Alexi has backed off from trying so hard with me to give him a chance to date him, and for that, I'm extremely grateful, and especially grateful to Da for stepping in to say something to him. I'm glad that my parents seem to understand I'm not ready to date again yet. I'm not saying I won't ever date again, just not now, and not Alexi.

Ten months have passed, and I'm sorry for the time skips, but there's nothing major to report because it's been business as usual with the family, the family business, and work as normal. BUT today is Lucca's third birthday! My baby is growing up too fast for my liking, but alas, there's nothing I can do about it, so I'll swallow my tears, and smile because my baby is excited about his birthday party!

We're celebrating at the local 'Wacky Wally's' which is an arcade type place with food, drinks, snacks, and prizes for the tickets from playing the games. I've invited my family (obviously), employees of the legal business we own who have children, and a few of the Mafia members who also have children, and Alexi and his boyfriend Mika West (yes, he's aware of the Mafia part of Alexi's life) - they've been dating for about six months now.

Yeah, Alexi has finally accepted that I'm not interested in dating him, and when he brought Mika over the first time to meet us, I was very happy for them both. Alexi deserves to be happy, and be in a loving, committed relationship that I couldn't give him. Yes, I've been seeing someone casually, but we're not in a committed relationship yet, only because we're seeing where this goes for us, and us casually seeing each other is new - like less than two months new. You could say, I'm dipping my toes into the possible dating scene, and yes, he's aware of everything, even the Mafia. His name is Axel Greene, he's twenty-four with blond hair, green eyes, and a few freckles across his nose and cheekbones. He works at the bar we own as a bartender.

Now, I know some people might complain that I should've given Alexi a share try at a romantic relationship, but I just can't because of the things that happened after he returned home from Italy a year ago. I think he and I are far better the way we are - people who work together for the same Mafia family, and that he remains strictly my older brother's best friend.

"Papa, we see Axel toda'?" Lucca questions, and he knows that his birthday party is later today.

Grinning broadly at him with a nod; "Yes baby, we're gonna see Axel today. He's gonna be at your birthday party, remember?"

Lucca eagerly nods, bouncing in his spot as we stand in line at the local bakery to pickup his 'Bluey' birthday cake that he requested.

"Yeah!" he softly cheers, swinging our joined hands between us, still bouncing slightly. "He awesome!"

Softly chuckling, I agree with him; "He's definitely awesome, baby. Axel loves you as much as I do."

Lucca loudly giggles at this, and smiles cheerfully up at me as we move forward in line; "I loves him!"

"That's good, baby," I murmur as we approach the counter, and I speak with the employee. "Hi, I'm here to pick up a birthday cake. Orders under Milan Ricci."

He nods with a small smile as he walks away from the counter to grab the cake from the refrigerator. He returns a few minutes later, showing Lucca and I the cake for our approval which we give him. I've already paid for the cake, so we can leave now that we have the cake in our possession, and I carry the covered cake with one hand while holding his other hand still. Opening the back door of my vehicle, I placed the cake in the seat, and helped Lucca into his car seat, and buckled him before shutting the door.

Settling myself into the driver's seat, I drive us home because we won't be going to 'Wacky Wally's' for another few hours. Arriving home, we take the cake inside the house, and place it on a cleared shelf in the fridge before joining  Da in the living room, where he's watching a documentary on Janis Joplin.

"Hey, my sweet boys, did you guys get the cake?" Da asks, pausing the documentary with a wide smile toward us.

"Hey, yup, we got the 'Bluey' cake, and it looks amazing!" I reply, and Lucca hums his agreement, bouncing over, and climbing onto his lap, cuddling into his chest.

Da kisses the top of Lucca's head with a grin; "I love you, Lucca. I can't believe you're growing up so fast! Stop growing up so fast!"

Lucca giggles, giving Da a kiss on the cheek; "Nope! I 'ree today! Next year I be four!"

Da pouts down at Lucca, which causes him to giggle even harder. I don't hear any more of their conversation because there's a knock on the front door, and I head to answer the door. Grinning when I see Axel standing there, all six foot three, muscular goodness with his dark blond hair, and blue eyes. He's dressed in a pair of dark wash jeans, black combat boots, and a white long sleeve shirt.

"Hello handsome!" I greet excitedly, opening the door wider, so he can enter. "I'm glad you're here, and I know Lucca will be, too! He told me while getting his cake that he loves you as much as me."

Axel blushes at this, but a small, content smile crosses his plump lips; "Hello beautiful. Well, I'm glad he feels that way because I love him as much as I love his papa, too."

Now it's my turn to blush at his words. Standing on my tip toes, my hands landing on his shoulders for balance, I give him a soft kiss which he returns with his hands lightly gripping my hips.