The Kingpin

•28•

Amelia

Amelia had forced herself to wake up a bit earlier than usual to get breakfast going. She moved around the kitchen as if gliding, and hummed to herself in a sort of daze. Kalani had been staying with them for a bit of an extended weekend and was to go home this morning after breakfast.

In the middle of flipping bacon over in the pan, she hears footsteps coming her way and smiles. At this point she knows she'll be delighted at whoever it is.

"Mornin', baby," Rafael mumbles after gathering her up in his arms from behind, his lips ghosting the skin on her neck. "You good?"

She gave an easy nod and he could tell that she was telling the truth this time around. "Coffee's on. Breakfast is almost ready if you wanna wake up our girl, yeah?"

The words came so naturally she didn't even think twice about it. "What?" Amelia asks after spinning around in his arms, registering the look on his face as going through a few varying emotions.

He shook his head in near disbelief as the corners of his mouth turned up into the most gentle smile. "Nothing, I'll go up and get her," Rafael had started toward the stairs before turning back to her again. "Fair warning though? She isn't gonna be super down with us this morning."

  She lifts an eyebrow while plating up their food. "Why do you say that?"

  "Because she wants to stay here longer. I tried to tell her I had adult stuff to do and that's why she had to go back with Danielle but then she jus' asked why she couldn't stay here with you."

  "Well why can't she?"

  Rafa bites his lower lip for a moment, hesitating. "Because I'm gonna be away and I didn't want you to have to take care of her."

  Amelia shrugs and comes out from behind the counter to wrap her arms around his waist. "Baby, I'd love to spend time with her. It's no big thing."

  He kisses the top of her head and chooses his next words carefully, "I know but it's not really about that. She's gonna be fine with Danielle. Kid's gotta learn she can't always get what she wants."

  "I don't think that's what this is about either," She mumbles, taking a step back to look up at him.

  "I don't wanna do this with you right now. Can we just leave it alone? Imma go upstairs and wake her up."

  Amelia is left in the kitchen to drink her coffee while her mind goes straight to what he didn't want to talk about.

  Rafael just doesn't trust her with his kid.

  None of it matters though when she comes down the stairs, curls a mess atop her head and her lips in a very convincing pout. "Not hungry," She says with her arms crossed over her chest.

  "But I made all your favorites! We can't let Daddy eat all of it without you, now can we?"

  "I don't want to leave." Kalani is rather matter-of-fact for someone her age but it makes sense when taking into account who her father is. "Wanna stay with you while he's gone."

  "I know, baby, but not quite yet. Maybe next time. How about you eat and get a shower and then we can go get dressed and everything together?"

  Her resolve fades away a little at this proposal and is deemed adequate as she climbs up into the chair opposite the counter.

  Rafael knows his girl isn't stupid. So when he meets her eyes as he enters the kitchen, he mouths a grateful, "Thank you."

                                          ••••