The Empire's Descent (First Draft)

Chapter 8: Understanding

The next morning, Luca woke with a happily snoring Lia in his lap. When did she get here? The fact that she made it here and he didn't know disturbed him, but he settled again and decided to wait for her to wake. He looked over to the girls and found Ada staring at him.

"Good morning, Adaku," he gave her a soft smile.

"ï bölachï, kedu?" (Good morning, how are you?).

This was some sort of test, Luca was sure, and he hoped he would pass. The girls were coming with him, regardless, but he would rather it be on amicable terms.

"Good morning, Ada; my Igbo is rusty, I would hope you would help teach me my heritage?" He prayed he responded correctly; it had been so long since he last spoke Igbo. He understood well enough, but to speak it, was a whole different kettle of fish.

Ada understood; she was pleased he was willing to learn.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Ada, I would love to learn," he spoke firmly. She nodded in response and looked down with a small smile. That was a good answer...

"Quite comfortable there"? she pointed with her mouth to Lia... on his lap.

"How did she get there?"

"She's too big to sleep anywhere else so, it was your lap or the floor," Ada stated.

Luca looked down at the woman and smiled. They fell into an easy silence, both reflecting on things far too heavy for their individual shoulders.

A moment later, Lia began to stir, she stretched and hit Luca in the face. The shock on both their faces was enough for Ada to let out a short laugh.

"Oh, I- er-," Lia floundered to explain. She hoped to have woken up before him, kept him entranced, as she did to make it onto his lap without him knowing, and got off him. Alas...

"It is quite alright, Ms. Banks," he bailed her out. He quite liked how they fit and waking up to her tangled hair, morning breath and racoon eyes.

"You look a mess, Lia," Ada supplied.

"You look beautiful," Luca corrected. A beautiful mess...

Lia squeaked in embarrassment and brought her hands to cover her face, but she still hadn't moved.

"Cara, you're still in my lap," he said low enough for only them two to hear. Lia rushed to the other side of the room and her face was tomato-red. Cute... (Dear).

"I must be going now," she grabbed her things and her cell phone began ringing. She turned her back to the other occupants of the room and answered.

"Where in the fuck are you?" Adam's monstrous, dark voice growled out. Lia gulped at the tangible, unbridled rage Adam exuded.

"I am at the hospital with my kids, baby," she softened her voice in hopes of placating him and so, her company didn't hear her conversation.

"Get home now," he snapped and hung up the phone.

"Okay, bye," she pretended to amicably end the call to save face.

"Well, I really should be going," she said as she spun to the brother-sister duo.

"Luca, we'll be in touch, Ada," she gave a firm nod.

"Indeed, Cecilia," he gave her a genuine smile.

A knock sounded at the door shortly after Lia left. It was Doctor Swanson.

"Mr. Giordano, I would like to speak with you regarding the girls' medical conditions," she informed.