When the Past Becomes the Future

Why Don't You Have a Daddy?

The pair had been having a great day together. Now it was almost dinner time and they were lounging on the couch together. Brian's doorbell startled the two. "Who the...?" He said as he got up to answer.

"Greetings!" He was met with when he opened the door to Joe, Bessy, and their little daughter, Milana.

"Umm...hi?" Brian said very confused, "What are you doing here?"

"We were in the neighborhood and just thought we'd drop by." Joe answered.

"You were in the neighborhood?" Brian laughed knowing exactly what was going on. "You live on Long Island, not exactly close-by."

"I don't like what your insinuating." Joe said acting insulted. "We were visiting Sal."

Brian smiled and shook his head, "Nice try, he's still outta town. Checking up on me?"

Bessy slapped her husband's arm, "See I told you it was rude to just drop in."

"It's fine guys, come on in." He reassured them stepping back to let the Gattos in. "Hey babygirl." Brian knelt down greeting the littlest Gatto.

"Hi Q." She smiled.

As they made their way into the living room Bessy stopped in her tracks when she laid eyes on the little boy, "Woah." She whispered to her husband. "You weren't kidding, looks just like him."

After Brian introduced Levi to Joe and Bessy, him and Milana were off like two rockets. "Let's play hide and seek!" The little girl giggled as she looked for a good hiding spot. Off in the distance the adults could hear Levi counting.

"So how's it going?" Joe asked.

"Honestly?" Brian responded. "It's going great." He smiled as he talked. "I never thought I would say this but having a kid is pretty damn cool."

"Told ya!" Joe smiled. He would be lost without his daughter, she was his entire world.

"He's your twin, Q." Bessy said.

"I know." Brian smiled, "It's crazy looking at him sometimes. My mom was in hysterics over it."

"So he still has no idea who you are?" Bessy whispered.

"Not yet. That's the shitty part of not being in your kids life from the beginning, you have no say in anything." Brian said sarcastically rolling his eyes.

"Good thing is you're in his life now. Just got some lost time to make up for." Bessy tried to reassure.

"It's all gonna be okay bud." Joe added.

As the adults were talking, the kids were having a conversation of their own. "Is Q your daddy?" Milana asked.

"Q?" The little boy questioned. "Who's that?"

Milana pointed down the stairs to the adults that were wrapped in their chat. "Brian?" Levi asked. "No, I don't have a daddy." He answered sadly.

"You don't have a daddy?" Milana asked. "How come?"

Levi looked down at his hands and said very softly, "I don't know."

Milana Gatto, although very young had her parents compassion and realized she shouldn't ask anymore questions since it was making her new friend very sad. "Hey!" She exclaimed, "I have crayons in my bag, lets color silly pictures!"

"Ok!" Levi smiled running down the stairs following Milana.

______________________________

Okay changed into pajamas, face washed, teeth brushed, inhaler was on the nightstand, nightlight turned on, and they already read 2 books. Brian was going over his mental checklist as Levi got settled in bed. The little boy was fighting yawns everytime Brian looked at him.