*Let It Be Me*(A young Criss Angel Story)

SIXTEEN-16

My life as a teen was now over and my time as a mother was here...I admit it was rather an early start for me but it was worth it...and my new family said I was a natural at it after all the help from Mama D, Lynn, and all our friends...Crisstopher went back to work...but always came home to be with me and Johnny for lunch...then sometimes I would have Stoney take Johnny and me down to Amystika to be with him...but for now I was still wearing Papa J's wedding band around my neck...but I was thinking it was about time to give it to Crisstopher just like Papa J wanted me to do all along...I could never ask for a better father than Crisstopher for Johnny...Mama D told me he was born to be a daddy...that he had that instinct and strong desire in him ever since he was little...and he loved kids more than anything.

Our little angel was now 4 weeks old and such a blessing and joy to have...he was a very clean and quiet little boy...and full of smiles and giggles...one day while it was nice outside I took Johnny's little bassinet on the front porch so we both could get some fresh air while I was talking to Rachel on the phone about Stoney hammering on her to go steady with him...because if Crisstopher could have a family...he wanted one too...when I noticed my mother walking off her porch first to the mailbox...then hesitantly came to Mama D's front yard...Mama D saw her and came out on the porch to be with me just in case she wanted to start something...she could run her off real quickly by calling to her two boys, JD and Costa that were in the house watching t.v.

I quickly told Rachel that something was coming up with my mom coming across the street and I had to get off the phone with her...but told her I loved her and I would talk to her a little later when she and Stoney came over to visit...I put my phone on the table as Mama D came out and sat down beside me with her grandson in her arms  now...then Dimitra looked up and asked Julia what she wanted over here...my mom went to the first step and said she wanted to talk to me...about what my father said to me...and that she didn't feel the same way...that she missed her little girl...Dimitra looked at her and said I wasn't a little girl anymore...I was a full grown lady...and mother...then added a little proudly and soon to be wife and daughter-in-law.

Julia looked down and said she would expect nothing less...after him giving her a child...then she took a deep breath in and was about to say something when Stoney pulled up on his motorcycle with Rachel sitting behind him...I closed my eyes and said oh boy under my breath...because Stoney didn't like the way my parents did me...and wasn't bashful about telling anyone off about it...Rachel tried to hold him back but he drug her like she wasn't even there...even with her heels burying into the gravel...it was quite hilarious to witness...Rachel let him go when he reached the steps...he walked right up to Julia and walked her back down the steps without touching her...telling her that she wasn't welcome here...and that she needed to leave right now before he went all off on her rich egotistical ass.

Dimitra stood up and handed Johnny to him and told him to cool off and sit down...that for the time she was allowing her to be there...just to see what she wanted...but if she was to get out of hand...she would call him to run her off...Stoney gave her a little reassuring smirk then sat down beside me on the swing...holding his nephew/godson. Rachel came up and sat on the other side of me and said a little comically that holding him back was like trying to stop a steamroller with her hands...it just wasn't done...I gave her and Stoney both a little hug and told them I was always happy to see them...JD and Costa heard all the commotion outside and came out to see what all the ruckus was about. As soon they saw Julia standing there trying to talk to me...it was self explanatory.

Julia took a deep breath in and said she just wanted her daughter back in her life...and maybe to see her grandson for the first time...and that she knew it was long overdo...but she wanted me to forgive her...even though my father didn't see things her way...and still wanted nothing to do with any of it...well she did...and she wasn't going to live like that anymore. Stoney looked at me and asked me if I wanted him to kick her rich ass back across the road for me...I held onto his arm and said I wanted to believe that my mom was being sincere...Stoney grumbled a little bit saying that he was not wearing a happy face right now...but said he would behave...for now.

I stood up as Klayton handed Johnny to me...then I walked down the porch under the shade tree and showed my son to my mom...right when she saw him her heart fluttered and said how beautiful he was...then asked for his name...and if she could hold him...I told her his name was Johnny Crisstopher Sarantakos...but I was hesitant on her holding him...she looked at me and promised she would be gentle and careful...Stoney jumped off the porch...and stood right beside her just in case she tried something cynical and evil...then I handed him to her...as she supported his head...and held him close and rock'd' him gently back and forth...she looked up at me and said for the first time ever...that I did very good...and that she was really proud of me. I stood there dumbfounded with shock.

She slowly approached me...as she handed Johnny back to Stoney...then she put her arms around me and gave me a hug...and said how sorry she was for not telling my father off for running me out...and that she's been arguing with him ever since...but he won't budge with his stubbornness. I told her it was OK...I didn't want him to apologize...because I wouldn't accept it anyway. My mother looked at me and asked if she could be allowed back in my life...and as Johnny's other grandmother...I looked over at Mama D asking her with my eyes what she thought...she gave me her loving smile...and nodded her head slightly in approval...I turned to her and said OK.