Loved By You

Eighty

Angelo

"Angelo?" I looked to my right seeing Mj look at me with caring and sympathetic eyes. "You okay?" she asked. I smiled grabbing her hand. "Of course, baby," I said. I looked back out the window taking a deep breath. "You want me to go with you?" She asked. I smiled looking at her I felt a lump forming in my throat and I couldn't talk, so I just nodded my head.

"Okay," she said softly. She gave me a moment to gather myself before I climbed out of the car and walked around to help her out. I stood looking in the distance when I felt Mj's fingers lace with mine. I looked down at her before kissing her forehead. I led the way walking a couple feet near a large oak tree. I looked at the words that were displayed across the headstone. A beloved mother and wife who will live on eternally in our hearts. "Hi, mom," I said.

I wiped my hand over my face. "I can't do this," I said. "Just take your time. There's no rush." Mj said rubbing my back. "Just talk." She said. "I know it's been a while since I came." I started. "It's just that coming here has always been so hard for me." I paused. "But I know you've been watching out for me and dad all these years," I said. I looked over at Mj and she smiled softly at me. "I got married a couple months ago. To this amazing woman. I think you'd like her. She's kind and caring. She brings out the best in me." I said squeezing Mj's hand. "I like to think you brought us together." I joked as Mj leaned into me. "Go sit on the bench," I told Maja. "You sure?" she asked. "Yeah, if you get to hot go sit in the car," I told her. She nodded her head. I took a seat in the grass taking a moment before I began talking.

--

After another 20 minutes later I stood wiping my face. Maja walked over grabbing my hand. "I hope I've made you proud and I continue to make you proud," I said closing my eyes to take a moment. "Look," Maja said. I looked up seeing a butterfly land on my mother's headstone. It sat there for a moment before flying off. "Well if that wasn't from mama Rossi," Maja said smiling up at me. I chuckled looking at her chubby face before kissing her. "Thank you for coming with me," I told her.

"You're welcome, papa." She said giving me another quick kiss. Maja and I walked back to my car where I help her in before climbing into the driver's seat. I pulled off and headed home. Maja reached over lightly wiping the remaining tears I had left on my face. We got home and Maja went to the bathroom while I went to grab a bottle of water.

A few minutes later Mj joined me. "How are you feeling?" She asked. I took a sip of my drink before speaking. "I'm good," I told her. "Gelo." She spoke. "I feel relieved, I guess," I said with a shrug. "I haven't gone to visit my mom's grave in a couple of years, but I think my therapist was right," I told her. She looked at me curiously. "I've been thinking a lot about her lately. I wish I had the chance to know her. Have her see the man I've become. The life I'm making with you." I said shaking my head.

"I love my step-mom. She's been amazing but I always wonder what my life would have been like if I had my mom." I said. I turned and looked at Mj seeing her soft eyes gazing up at me. Her eyes began to water before she held her arms out for me. "Oh, you poor baby." She cooed pulling me down into her arms pressing my head against her chest. I chuckled before wrapping my arms around her.

"I'm okay, really. I just want to work through some of these issues I have before the twins get here." I said standing rubbing her belly. "I am so proud of you, you know that, right?" She asked. I felt my chest warm at her words. "Thank you," I mumbled with a soft sigh. She caressed my cheek for a while before she spoke. "Are you going to be up for the party tomorrow?" She asked. "I know this week has been a lot for you with your mom's anniversary. You can sit it out, Sami will understand." She said. I shook my head. "No, I'm fine. Sami's been so excited for this party I and I can't lie I'm kind of curious to see what you and Dimitri have planned." I said. She smiled. "Not mention I want to see what this mystery gift is that you got me," I added. She laughed. "I think you'll be pleasantly surprised." She said smirking.