Work dragged but my body was already shutting down before my mind caught up. I was packing my things ready to leave when my phone vibrated in my hand.
A message... Alessandro…..
Are you done?
Come outside. I'm in the private car park.
Without hesitation I grabbed my bag, said a quick goodbye to Camila and my colleagues and walked out faster than I meant to. The air outside was cooler.
The private car park sat at the far end of the building, isolated and well guarded.
I spotted the car immediately, black, well polished, ridiculously intimidating just like its owner.
Antonio stood beside it in a dark suit and shades posture rigid, head moving slowly as his eyes scanned every angle like he was prepared for war at any second.
My pulse picked up as the back door opened and he stepped out.
Dark fitted suit, sharp lines, power stitched into every movement. His long hair fell loosely around his shoulders framing a face that looked carved rather than born.
I stopped walking without realizing it but then I picked back my pace moving closer to him.
I don't think I'll ever get used to how fine this man is.
Antonio moved ahead instinctively giving us space, athough I noticed the way his hand remained close to the small gun beneath his jacket, grip tight and alert.
Alessandro stopped in front of me and for a moment neither of us spoke. We just eyed each other in silence. Silence heavy with things unsaid, with love that never died but was wounded too deeply to rush forward.
We loved each other but there was a pit between us and trust doesn't leap..... it crosses slowly.
His voice finally cut through my thoughts.
"You look beautiful."
It caught me off guard causing heat to rush to my cheeks before I could stop it.
I blushed...… hard.....
A low chuckle slipped from him which made me cover my face instinctively, laughing softly under my breath, embarrassed and flustered but then I got my act together.
"How was your day?" he asked tone calmer now.
"Long." I admitted.
"Yours?"
"Productive."
Definitely.....
We stood there for a few seconds longer then he spoke again.
"I want to take you and Lorenzo out tonight."
"To the park... he's wanted to ride a ferry wheel for the longest time now and i thought it's a good way for us all to bond together.
Warmth spread through my chest before I could even stop it.
He was trying and I could see it...….. not in grand gestures but in effort.
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"I know this isn't easy for you "
"And I don't expect you to forgive me overnight or pretend like nothing happened."
"But you're still here."
"That means so much to me," he continued.
"It tells me you're willing to try...….That.... you still want us to work."
His gaze held mine intensely.
"And for now..." he finished quietly
"that's enough..... Thank you."
My heart twisted with so much emotions but I didn't speak, I just nodded slowly.
He opened the car door for me.
"Let's go home."
......…..
The fair was already alive when we arrived. Lights flickered into the evening sky, soft music drifting through the air, laughter everywhere. Lorenzo pressed his face to the window the entire drive, bouncing in his seat, pointing at everything before we even parked.
"Mama! look! Look at that one! And that one!"
As soon as we stepped out, Alessandro placed a hand lightly at the small of my back. It looked like an innocent move but I know him too well. He's laying a claim, his way of letting everyone know who I belonged to.
Lorenzo ran ahead, stopping every few steps to make sure we were following.
"This is where my friend said they have the big wheel!" he announced seriously like a tour guide.
Alessandro crouched beside him.
"Then we'll start there."
The Ferris wheel creaked softly as we got on with Lorencio sittings between us, legs swinging, eyes wide as the ride lifted us into the air.
When the cart swayed slightly Alessandro instinctively pulled him closer, one arm firm around him, the other resting casually on his knee. Lorencio leaned into his chest so naturally. Like it had always been this way.
I looked away quickly throat constricted at the bond between father and son but my joy knew no bounds.
From above, the fair looked unreal...…. lights scattered like stars..... Lorencio gasped clapping his hands.
"Mama! Papa! We're flying!"
We both beamed at his contagious smile.
......…
After the ride, he bought cotton candy...…. pink for Lorenzo, blue for me. When the sticky sugar clung to my fingers, he wordlessly pulled out a handkerchief and wiped them clean slow and patiently.
"Thank you." I murmured.
........
At the shooting game stall, Lorencio begged to try and Alessandro stood behind him, guiding his small hands over the toy gun.
"Focus" he murmured.
"Slow breath."
He missed the first two shots.
The third hit and he screamed in joy.
Alessandro paid for the prize...…. a small stuffed lion and handed it to him without comment while he hugged it like treasure.
"I'm keeping this forever," he declared.
......…..
We sat on a bench later sharing snacks. Lorenzo talked endlessly about school, about games, about what ride he wanted next. Alessandro listened to every word, responding when needed, remembering details.
At one point Lorenzo climbed into his lap on his own curling against him, exhausted but happy.
My heart kept aching at the sight.
Alessandro noticed my stare. He met my eyes with a warm smile but then neither of us said anything.
When the cold crept in, he draped his jacket over my shoulders without me asking pulling us closer to his side a wide grin plastered on our faces.
As we walked toward the car Lorenzo fell asleep against his chest his stuffed lion tucked under his chin. Alessandro adjusted his hold instinctively careful not to wake him.
I watched him...… the man I once loved, the man I never stopped loving...… carrying our son preciously and my heart swelled with guilt. Guilt of the lost times he spent without his son.