A Car Ride Home

T R U S T

P r e v i o u s l y . . . 

Lilly was confused by the numbers Al started, but then she realized those were his team members ages, and she felt sick. She watched as a tear fell from Al's eyes, followed by a series. She moved closer to him, wrapping her arms around his back, but she couldn't really reach him, so she gently moved his knees down.

Al was still trying to get a hold of himself when he felt Lilly trying to find a way to comfort him, she move his legs, and Al helped her with the rest. He placed her on his lap, and she wrapped her arms around him. Al leaned down resting his forehead on her hair. He could smell the soft scent of maple, and let it sooth him. He didn't want to be angry, or sad, but even after all this time. He still has not let himself truly grieve the loss of his friends. "I know it's selfish," Lilly suddenly whispered, "but I'm glad you lived."

Al felt a shadow of a smile touch his lips, but he is too much of a shadow to indulge in it. He would allow himself the chance to grieve in the arms of his angel, Lilly. Then, he will do what his men, his friends, would want; he will live for them.

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That night after Lilly had gone to bed, and Brody had finished off their food, Al went into the living room towards the phone plugged into the wall. He picked it up and dialed the number without even thinking.

"Mama and son's. How may we help you?" Joey answered. His voice sounded deeper, but Al would know it anywhere. "Hello?" He started, but Al couldn't get himself to open his mouth. He chocked. "Hello?" Joey waited a moment longer before he whispered, "Fratello?"

Al closed his eyes at the term. He hadn't heard it in so long, and forgot how much his missed it.

"Ci manchi," Joey added. But Al remained silent, before he finally hung up the phone. Al knew what he had to do. He was going to work hard at his knew job to make enough money to pay back Lilly, and go to his family.

The next morning, Lilly woke up like any other day, but this time she knew Al would be with her, and found a small smile forming on her lips. She got dressed in her security uniform, grabbed an outfit for class, her uniform for VONS, and her stadium gear. Another day in paradise, she thought, laughing at herself. She left her room, for the bathroom only to found Al half dressed brushing his teeth. "Do you mind if I join you?" Al shook his head and she entered the small bathroom. She took her toothbrush, and Al added some toothpaste to it. "Thanks."

He spit into the sink, "You're welcome. Good morning, Lilly," he added, before leaving for his room, so Lilly quickly finished her teeth, and began working on her hair. Al returned wearing a powder blue  button up. 

"Good morning, Al," Lilly said, while she placed her locks into a high pony tail, but her elbow met Al's shoulder. "Whoops, I am so sorry," she began, but he just chuckled, and nudged her playfully. She smiled, and began putting on her light make up, before she was ready.

"It takes a lot more than a little nudge to knock me down," Al stated, before leaving to get them some food for the day. He knew all the things Lilly was doing today, and he was going to do everything to help her out.

Lilly got to the kitchen in time to see Al finish making her coffee. She smiled in delight at the scene. Al handed the cup to her, and she took a careful sip. "Hmmm. You might just be the greatest man on this planet, Al."

Al chuckled at Lilly's comment over the cup of coffee. "Come on, Angel, you have a long day ahead of you."

Wait. Did I call her angel out loud? Al questioned. He had called her that plenty of times to himself. That's what she is an angel to him, but not to her face. Al felt blush raising to his cheeks, but did his best to cover it.

Lilly heard the pet name Al had bestowed upon her, and felt a bit giddy by it. She liked it. It was sweet and endearing. She's happy he didn't go for anything cliche. "Alright, but you drive. I'm enjoying this cup way too much to part with it," Lilly stated. 

"Really?" Al asked, shocked.

"Yea, I trust you." She stated, and she meant it. In a matter of days Al has become a staple in her life, and she trusted him.

There's that word again, Al thought. He will do everything not to break her trust in him. He took her uniforms to the back of the car, and hung them up as she had. Then, he took her keys. She was already in the passenger seat searching through the music, until she found a station she liked. Sighing, she leaned back into her seat. Al started the engine, and pulled out of the drive way. Was this the time to tell her he hasn't driven a car in a year and a half? I can do this, Al thought. 

As Al was heading out of the neighborhood, a thought came to her head. When was the last time he drove a car?  Lilly decided not to voice her concern. She trusts him. He'll do fine, she finished, focusing on her cup. After a moment she found herself dosing off. 

Al knew Lilly was asleep, and found a small smile forming on his lips at her peaceful state. 

"Baby girl, you can be anything you want to be," Mom smiled, kindness in the winkles of her hazel eyes.

"Well, I want to be a teacher," Rosy, jumped in beside me. "Just like you and daddy."

"Aw, pumpkin, just like us? Is that right?" Rosy nodded excitedly, as Daddy picked her up, and took her to the couch. "Well, I would be honored for you to follow in our footsteps, but you have to choose something that brings you joy," he stated, popping her nose with his index finger. 

"It brings me joy, daddy."

"I want to be lawyer," I announce jumping into Mommy's arms.

"How did I know it?" She laughed taking me next to Daddy and Rosy.

"Does it have anything to do with those cop shows, you and Daddy are always watching?" She asks, and I nod frantically.

"A lawyer and a teacher. My two smarty pants are going to grow up to be excellent people, uh," Daddy asks, and we both giggle at his remark. Daddy starts moving his legs so Rosy is bouncing.

"Giddy up, mommy!" I exclaim and she begins to follow Daddy's lead, so I'm bouncing too. But like really bouncing. What's going on?

Lilly suddenly wakes up to the relaxed face of Al. "Good morning ... again. You're at work," he whispers softly. Lilly slowly lifts her head from the seat and sure enough they are in the parking garage. Another day, Lilly thought to herself, but she didn't miss the way her eyes drifted towards Al, contently getting out of the driver's seat and collecting their breakfast. 

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To be continued...

Hey fellow bookworms!

Just doing a quick translation for the little Italian used. Fratello means brother, and Ci manchi means we miss you.

Thank you so much for all of your support! Love you all!