Chapter 18- The Talk

                                    

                                          


                          
Dante Jr POV
                          
Nadia had kept her word, and stayed at the closest hotel, and texted me every morning and night that her and the babies were okay.
                          
Today was Friday, and she was coming home tonight to have the talk. The talk that would decide our future. Of course I wouldn't force her to stay with me, but she would not walk out that door without an agreement of shared custody of our babies. I would also make sure I was at every single appointment that she had for our baby on the way. 
                          
I try to shake the thoughts out of my head, to calm down, but no matter how hard I try, I won't be calm till I see her back here.
                          
"Son, can I ask you something?" My mother enters my office. 
                          
"Sure mother."
                          
"Nadia is the love of your life, and the mother of your children. But she can't accept this lifestyle. What are you going to do if she comes back today and says she's leaving?"
                          
I want to be mad at my mom for asking such a question, but I know she's just trying to prepare me for the worst. 
                          
"Truly mother, I don't know. I can't force her to stay with me, but I'll be damned if I let her take my children away from me. They are Constantino's and they belong here."
                          
She nods her head, and takes my hands into hers. 
                          
"Jr, you know I want the best for you, is this woman the best for you? I mean, I forgave her for what her mother made her do all that time ago, but this? I mean taking your children and running, that's not okay. How do you trust her?" 
                          
"Your mother is right," I hear my Dad's voice come into the room.
                          
"This is your destiny, you've been trained to take over your whole life. She knew what she was getting into, and yet, she runs every time it gets hard. She hasn't even tried to make it work," He continues.
                          
Before I can defend her, mom cuts in, "honey, we love her too. But you are OUR son, and we will ALWAYS watch out for you. When I met your father, I knew what I was getting into, and I stepped up. That's part of this life, and if she won't, you'll have to find someone who can." 
                          
"I know, you guys are right. I've been open about things since day one, I've been patient with her, and now it's time she tries as well."
                          
It was 7 PM and I was nervously waiting in my bedroom for Nadia's arrival. I hear my door open, and I jump up, "Nadia!"
                          
I pull her into a tight hug, and it made me happy when she returned it. 
                          
Stepping back, Nadia starts, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have left like that. I just, I get scared, and I'm not sure I want to raise our children in this world."
                          
"Nadia, I've been up front and honest from the beginning, and you still moved forward with me. I didn't force you to sleep with me, I didn't force you to date me, you did on your own. You've left me twice now, so you need to tell me, once and for all, can you handle this? Because next time you leave, I would fight you till the end for custody of our children, because they are Constantino's and honor and responsibility comes with that name. If I lose you, I won't lose my children too."
                          
She looks guilty, "I know, Jr. I know I signed up for this when I moved forward with you. A couple days away from you, and I had a bunch of time to think things through. I want to stay with you, of course, I want you to raise our children together. I may not want to deal with the violent side of the mafia, but I will go through the training to learn how to protect myself, and I will do the things that don't include violence."
                          
Smiling, I grab her again, kissing her hard.
                          
"That's great with me, baby. Now, have you set up an appointment to check on our little one?"
                          
Nadia bits her lip and nods her head, "it's Monday at 11 AM, can you come?"
                          
"There's nowhere else I'd rather be. Now, come here and let me show you how much I missed you."