The Secret Life of Blythe

32. Blythe

"Hey honey we're home" Leo jokes carrying both me and our son through the threshold, somehow managing to kick along the last of the suitcases too.  He left us asleep in the car whilst he brought everything else from our trip inside.  I honestly don't know where he gets his energy from, I'm jet lagged to the max and Luca isn't doing much better. 

We've had an amazing time, it was more than I could have hoped for.  We feel like a tight unit again and I don't regret my decision to take him back.  I don't think Leo could betray me again if he tried.  He has eyes for me and our son, and us alone these days, he's proven that by his behaviour over the months before and since our son was born. Twelve month's of complete abstinence hasn't done him any harm at all. 

It's not long after we get home that we learn that my confidence in him may have to be tested in the not too distant future. Mattia has uncovered some illegal activity in a couple of his properties, in the way of trafficking and he's upset to say the least. He's been digging a little too hard in to the possibility of my sister being trafficked, it's unearthed some operations too close to home as far as Mattia is concerned.  Although his sister is now representing the family and its affairs, this one is personal to Mattia and Leo may need to pull off a cease and desist on his behalf. Mattia has ruffled a lot of feathers in Queens as his low tolerance towards abuse of women becomes more prevalent each day, he wants them all out, he wants genuine businesses in his lots instead.

As far as I'm concerned I'm just pleased he's looking for her still, that's all that matters to me.  Leo thinks he can do everything remotely, he was quick to tell me that, when he noticed the doubt written on my face, so he wrapped his arms around me and told me he has no doubt in his mind about remaining faithful to his family if he had to go back in person. The only reason her doesn't want to go this time, is simply because he doesn't want to leave either of us, mainly because he hates not being able to protect us, not because he doubts his restraint. What he hasn't taken in to account is the fact that Mattia is doing all of this for us, and that alone will force Leo's hand if the time comes, that he needs him.  How can you turn your best friend down, when what he's doing is for our benefit.

We fall back in to a routine again as the rest of the weeks blur in to one.  We spend some time in the basement, both eager to look at Aurora's bounty, but nothings changed.  I don't know how I expected it to after only five weeks when it's been a cold case for over twenty years.  Leo makes calls with Mattia several times but keeps his conversations brief around me.  I know he's trying not to upset me but the pain runs deep.  I think about my parent's cryptic message about finding them when I'm ready.  I don't think I've got the brains to work it out anymore but I'm more than ready to see them.  They have a grand baby that would love them instantly, and I'm just glad that Luca won't be at a stage where he asks questions for a long time yet. 

Kate offers to babysit for Leo's upcoming birthday, he reluctantly agrees under the agreement that we only go as far as the basement together so he's not far if something happens to Kate and Luca.  I roll my eyes but agree, he loves that little boy so much, it pains him to be away from him as much as it does me, but he's happy that we can have an evening together and only be seconds away if we're needed.

I'm hoping he's going to be pleased with my little surprise, it will either go well or it won't, considering I've never done this for him.  But if I know Leo, he's going to be panting with excitement with what I have in store for us.  He's going to be well fed by the time we come up for air.  Kate thinks we're at a posh hotel for the night, we'll sneak back upstairs first thing and make her breakfast as a thank you and she'll be non the wiser.  I'm not worried about leaving Luca with her, she's more protective than we are, she'd carry him around in cotton wool if she could.  She takes her auntie duties very seriously and I love her more for it.