The Boss's Heir

Chapter 86

Cay felt like she had died a little each day for the past two weeks.  That's how long that bastard had their son.

Ever so often when he felt magnanimous, he would send a video and other than Julian looking a little dirty, he still had life in his eyes, which told them he wasn't being mistreated, and for that she was grateful.

She was seen long enough to eat and shower, but then she disappeared inside his room, laying in his bed, keeping it the exact way it was the day he was taken.

She had screamed at one of the cleaning staff when they had tried to come in and straighten up.  She hadn't meant to, but no one was going to come in there and touch anything.  Not even God himself.

Crying out all day long, you could hear praying, asking for his safe return and for the other families.  It was heartbreaking.

Marco was doing everything he could to find him, they all were.  But to no avail.  Something had to give.  It just had to.

Failure.  That's what she felt like.  A failure.  She couldn't keep her child safe and here she was getting ready to bring another innocent being into the world.  She just shook those self-deprecating thoughts from her head.

Sliding to the edge of his bed, she went and picked up the stuffed dragon that Marco bought him when they took their honeymoon in Russia.

Next, she looked at the photo of Julian and Nono at the cabin when Julian caught his first fish.  She could see the family resemblance in both their faces.

Both flashing that signature DeLuca smile, as Julian held up his catch and Nono's arm around him, looking so proud.

"I miss you so much, Nono.  I miss your strength and guidance.  I'm heartbroken that you won't get to meet your great granddaughter, she would have loved you so.  Please keep Julian safe." She prayed, finishing with the sign of the cross.

Julian's pjs laid across the table, staring at them for a moment, she couldn't help but smile at the dragon print.

Her little knight.  Always so thoughtful of others, such a tender heart.  Her eyes watered at thoughts of her son as she brought the shirt to her nose and inhaled.

His scent was everywhere in the room and she couldn't stop the sob that caught in her throat, as she began to wail at the loss she was feeling.

One more time, she needed to hear his voice, or see his little face scrunched up as she ruffled his hair.  Those were the things she took for granted, but no more.

"God please. Please help him find his way home.  He's so innocent and pure.  Please keep him safe, I beg you.  If you've never heard any of my other prayers, hear this one, por favore."

Exhaustion was beginning to set in and she managed to crawl back onto his bed, wrapping her arm around his dragon, her eyes no longer doing what she willed them to do and that was to stay open.

"Cay, baby.  Cay, please wake up" she heard the faint pleading getting louder and was finally able to stir her aching body and open her eyes.

It was Marco.  Bless his heart, how he had aged.  His hair was longer, his beard scruffier and his eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep.

"Marco, tesoro" she sighed tiredly.  "Baby you look exhausted.  Come" she said, patting the space next to her on Julian's bed.  "I need you next to me and you need to rest for a moment."

Thankfully he didn't argue, he kicked his shoes off and climbed in front of her, laying on his side.  Cay's arm automatically went around him and his body totally relaxed.

She knew he was hurting and felt at fault, the same as she did.  Now was not the time to crumble.  They needed to present a united front.  They needed to be for each other's sake.

His shoulders started shaking, then she heard the pained sob escape his lips.  She didn't stop him, what would be the use?  This is how he needed to express himself.

He'd sought her out for this purpose.  This is what he did now.  She was his respite, when he needed to get things off his chest.

His sounding board when all other notions and ideas had eluded him.  It was how he dealt with things now instead of the anger taking hold.

She placed soft kisses on his shoulder and neck, giving him some small comfort where she could.  "I got you baby" she cooed.

The shaking had finally subsided as he sniffed one last time and turned to face her.

He put his large, capable hands on her belly, another source of strength.  "How are you feeling today?" He asked, his glassy eyes even more red-rimmed.

"I'm okay, now that you're here" she spoke honestly.  He leaned in and pecked her cheek, then pulled back, looking deep into her eyes.

He kissed her again and then again; and once he started they couldn't quit.  Sex was the farthest thing from their minds, but this, the intimate connection of kissing?  They craved it like the flowers crave the rain.

"I promise you Cay, I will find our son.  I will bring him home and we'll be a family again.  I promise.  I promise" he chanted over and over.

"I know you will tesoro.  We know he's fine.  That's the only thing keeping me going, is the videos.  I'm clinging to that and the fact that I happen to know his father is pretty aggressive when going after what he wants." Cay told him, smiling slightly.

Her comment afforded her a slight smile, the first she'd seen in two weeks and she cherished it, with all her heart.

She couldn't explain the sudden peace and serenity that washed over her, but she got an overwhelming sense that everything was going to be okay.

Had God answered her prayer?  Is that the peace she was feeling?  Or had madness finally crept in and she had one foot inside the looney bin?

No, this was firm.  It didn't feel like a feeling.  She couldn't put a finger on it, she just knew.

Just as she started to speak again, Andre burst in the room.

"Valkin's contact found them!  They're at the port!  His men, Mac's and ours are already in route!  Come on, man!  Let's go get your son and my nephew!"

Marco kissed her with a renewed sense of purpose as she rolled to her back and sobbed.

Their boy was coming home!  He'd been found!  "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She sobbed out.

When she left his room, Jules came running up the stairs, looking like Jules again, smiling wildly, grabbing and hugging Cay.

They were both on their way to shower and clean up.  She couldn't have her son seeing her looking like a hot mess.

"Pizza.  We'll have pizza tonight and I'll bake him a cake.  His favorite chocolate cake" she muttered to herself while stepping in the shower.

Two weeks felt like an eternity to them, but it was about to be over and he would be home son.  She couldn't wait to hold him in her arms.