*Artemis Mariano*
Relief had washed over me after sharing most of the truth with her, for the first time in my life I felt nothing but relieved. I hated showing my emotions, expressing them, and most of all I hated talking about that shit, but with Ella it came almost naturally.
I knew eventually I would have had to tell her rather than her to find out on her own.
I also knew that I would have to tell her the rest of the story but that was enough for me for a day. The reason why I moved here was not pretty, I did not want her to run the second I mentioned it.
Still I was relieved, she sat and listened, and never pushed.
I cried.
Something I have not done in a long time, keeping it buried and putting on a smile for my daughter although I felt hallow. But, my god, when Ella comforted me I had never felt more complete, and I fucking cried not giving a shit that she witnessed me in a moment of weakness.
We just arrived back to my home, our flight on her father's plane was early, it was a little past lunchtime.
Ella was smiling giddily, holding the two gift bags in her small hands as she exited the car with sheer excitement. I chuckled, my chest swelling at her excitement.
Her car was here at my home, we had taken mine the day we left to go to the airport to catch her father's jet. It worked out perfectly, she expressed all morning how excited she was to see Athena and Mable.
I followed quickly behind her into the house, hearing small conversations in the living room and Athena's small voice. A smile graced my lips hearing my daughter.
Ella was quick, practically racing to the living room and I took long strides to catch up with her.
Mable sat on the couch with Athena in her lap as Athena excitedly talked about her show that was playing on the television, Mable just listening intently with a smile.
"Athena," Ella called out, both their heads snapped up in shock.
"Principessa," I smiled, kneeling down on my knees and holding my arms out, waiting for my hug.
Athena giggles as she looks at me, her eyes lighting up but to my utter dismay and sheer shock she runs straight to Ella first.
"El!," Athena squealed, Ella dropped to her knees smiling widely and sending me an apologetic glance.
I can't tell that she isn't in fact apologetic in anyway, she was eating it up as she peppered Athena's face in kisses and squeezing her small frame to her in a tight hug.
I was utterly dumbfounded by what had just happened but I couldn't stop my smile as I watched them interact.
"Am I invisible, Principessa, hm?," I drawled out sarcastically in a playful tone.
Athena giggled, shaking her head but finally released Ella and ran over to me, giving me one of her right hugs as her small arms wrapped around my neck. My fingers slid smoothly through her hair, happy to see her as I placed a kiss on the crown of her head.
Ella was now standing, talking to Mable who was smiling at the interaction and squeezing Ella's cheeks lovingly.
"I came barring a gift for you," Ella speaks up, smiling at Mable, "And before you try to deny the gift. Returns are not approved," She warned, giggling.
She handed Mable the bag who gave her a soft smile. I reach into my back pocket, remembering Mabel's check written for a large sum for all she has done these past few days on such a short notice.
"Mrs. Ruth," I smiled, handing her the check, "Thank you for everything. I really appreciate you staying with Athena," Adjusting Athena on my hip.
Her eyes went wide seeing the money I had placed on there, tears welling in her eyes.
"Mr. Mariano-," Mable starts but I quickly cut her off.
"No," I say sternly, "I frankly believe that you deserve more. You will keep that check," I smile, "I am grateful for all you have done."
"Thank you," She sighs, smiling, "I have to get home, dears," She hugs Ella, "I will open my gift at home, thank you, sweetheart."
Ella smiled, kissing her cheek and giving her a small nod. Mable gives Athena a hug, squeezing my cheek and lightly patting with a lingering smile on her lips. She motions with her finger for me to come closer, setting Athena down, confused, I do leaning my head down for her.
"Marry that girl," Mable whispers in my ear, my eyes snap to Ella who is now sitting on the couch giggling with Athena.
My heart thumps in my chest, a smile growing on my face as my eyes stay on Ella and Athena.
"I plan on it," I state with no hesitation.
Mable smiled, nodding her head in approval, kissing my cheek as she sends us all one last wave before leaving.
Taking a seat beside my daughter who is now sitting in the middle of Ella and I. Ella's eyes light up pulling Athena's gift from behind her back.
"I couldn't forget to get the princess a gift, now could I?," Ella teased, smiling widely.
Athena's eyes went wide, bouncing with excitement and squealing. She softly took the small bag from Ella, taking out the little velvet box with curious eyes. Opening the box, she squeals louder causing me to wince from the loud unexpected sound.
"I love it!," She beams, taking the bracelet out, "Will you put it on me, El?," She asked.
Ella nodded, giggling at the little girl's excitement. Kissing her nose, she took the small child sized bracelet from her and hooked it around her wrist.
The moment it was secured, Athena bounced into Ella's arms. Ella looked up, catching my eyes and I couldn't take mine off of her. Ella gave me a sly wink, hugging Athena tightly as she smiled.
After a while of sitting and talking with Athena, telling her all the things we saw in New York and answering her abundance amount of questions she had, she finally fell asleep.
My hand that was wrapped around Ella's waist curled, grasping her tightly as I pulled her into my lap. She gasped lowly at the sudden move, her small delicate hands resting on my shoulders.
Running my hands up and down her sides, I pulled her closer, leaving no amount of space between us as I just admired the pretty girl in my lap - fuck, was my heart beating fast.
Every time I look at her my heart lurches and every time I swear I am having a heart attack, but it feels so fucking good. Her brown doe eyes drown me, pulling me in, like a siren singing her song.
"Sei l'epitome della perfezione, Raggio Di Sole (you are the epitome of perfection, sunshine)," I voiced, moving a hand up I tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
She smiled, leaning up she kissed my nose and I was shocked at her movement, my chest swelling. What was even more shocking, humiliating - I was fucking blushing.
I could fucking feel the warm tint on my cheeks and I knew I was the moment her eyes widen and she let out a soft giggle.
"Don't even think about saying a word," I grumbled, saying it slowly as I dragged out each word.
She rolled her eyes chuckling as she shook her head. Her small hand moved from my shoulder, grasping my jaw as she leaned in pecking each of my pink tinted cheeks.
I lowly groaned knowing she wouldn't forget this. Me, a thirty-two almost thirty-three year old man, blushing.
This is what this pretty girl does to me.
"I have to leave soon," She mentions, frowning, forming a small cute pout, "What time do you drop Athena off at school?," She asked.
"Seven," I hummed, confused as my eyebrows punched together, "Why exactly, Preziosa?"
"I will be there," She smiles, mischief swimming in her eyes, "Wait for me in the parking lot, Darling."
Darling.
Shit, when she calls me that endearment I feel like a teenager seeing his crush the way my heart stutters. I would hate it if it were anyone else, but it sounds so perfect coming out of her mouth while calling me that.
"You are not answering my question, Luce Del Sole," I raise an eyebrow.
"I am going to have a friendly chat with the principal with her teacher present," She shrugs, I could hear the underlying threat.
I had never seen this innocent girl sound so angry, determined. She was still mad about what happened to Athena, I could see it in her eyes and the way her body went rigid for a moment.
I was just as angry, out for blood angry but seeing Ella stick up for my child has my heart racing.
"I will wait for you then, yeah?," I smile, "I love how you are willing to stick up for her, not to mention everything you have done for her. I have not seen her smile like this in a while, not since she met you," I confessed.
"She is a good girl," She turned her head, smiling at Athena's sleeping frame, "I think I would do just about anything for her," She admits, I felt like my heart stopped at that moment.
I grasp her jaw, turning her head to face me as I plant my lips on hers softly. This kiss held so much more, not lust or passion, no this kiss meant more and I poured all my feelings into the soft kiss.
My hand that still laid on her hip loosely, tightened as I deepened the intense kiss. Her soft lips felt like heaven on my own, every kiss I shared with her felt like a taste of heaven - shit, I go there every time she just looks at me.
This was utterly crazy, we were both utterly crazy for pursuing this but I didn't give a fuck. We were both consenting adults, the only problem was me being her professor, and at this point my career and that college can go fuck themselves.
Her arms slipped around my neck, pulling me in deeper. Her lips parted and her soft tongue slid across the seems of my lips.
My lips parted eagerly, humming in approval. The second her tongue slips in, I catch it with my lips sucking on her tongue and grazing my teeth enticing a soft moan from her - I believe I just heard angels sing.
Breathlessly she pulled away, my forehead resting against hers.
"I have to go," She sighed, "I will see you at seven. Don't be late," She chuckled.
Frowning, I felt empty as the cold embraced me as she stood from my lap. I knew she had to though but I didn't want her to. Nodding my head, I glanced at Athena before standing up myself.
"I will help you collect your bag and walk you to your car," I sighed, mopping already and she hasn't even left yet, "Come, Preziosa."
I placed my hand on the small of her back walking her towards the garage door in the kitchen. Helping her collect her bag from my car, I walked her to her own as she unlocked it and popping open the trunk where I placed the bag before shutting the truck door closed.
Turning towards Ella, I smiled lightly and opened my arms. She giggled, flinging her small self in my embrace and hugging me tightly as she kissed my clothes chest, sighing in content as her body practically melted into my arms.
"See you tomorrow, hm?," I mumbled against the crook of her neck.
She released me from the hug, unwrapping her arms from around my waist as she pulled back and peering up at me with her bright smile - sunshine.
"See you tomorrow, Darling," She nods, leaning down I pecked her lips, lightly tapping her round ass.