Page 21 of The Godfather’s Christmas Twins
“What are we doing today?” Daniella asks Gia.
“Today is a school day.”
I study Gia, compare her to the woman I knew six years ago. She's different now. Stronger, more assured. I noticed this about her last year but didn’t allow myself to think about what it meant because it would highlight how I'd failed her. She’s a woman who's weathered storms I should have shielded her from.
Back then, I told myself I left to protect her. Gino's threats still echo in my mind. But watching her now, seeing how she's raised these beautiful kids, I see now that I was a coward. I should have fought harder, found another way.
But regret is useless, so I'll guard her, keep her safe, and pray I don’t fuck things up with these unbidden feelings.Yeah, good luck with that, I think as I sip my coffee feeling overwhelmed by the domesticity of this morning. Making pancakes, hearing children's laughter, seeing Gia mussed but beautiful right out ofbed, it's everything I never let myself want. Everything I walked away from.
“We’re going to school?” Dario asks around a mouthful of pancakes.
“Well, sort of. You’re going to have school here.” Gia wipes his face with a napkin.
“Who’s our teacher gonna be?” Daniella asks.
“I am.”
Dario smirks. “You’re not a teacher. You’re a mommy.”
I’m enjoying this way too much.
“Right now, I’m both.”
“Is there anything you need, Professor Cantore?” I ask, joining in the fun.
She gives me a look. “No, thank you.” She turns to the kids. “You two, go brush your teeth and get dressed. School starts in half an hour.”
The kids grumble but do as they’re told.
I reach for Daniella’s plate just as Gia does. Our hands brush. The jolt of electricity, as always, sends shockwaves through me.
The truth claws at my insides—I'm still in love with her. Never stopped. But I'm her protector, her brother's right hand, her godfather, for fuck’s sake. Each role alone should be enough to end this crazy obsession.
“I’ll take care of this. You cooked,” she says.
“Please. Let me. You have to get ready for school.” I take the plate, along with Dario’s and hers, putting them in the sink.
“What are you doing today?”
“I have to go into the office for the day. You’ll have the run of the house. Maria will be here if you need anything.” I want to stay here, work from home. Because I do, I know I need to leave. I can’t let these silly fantasies fog my mind. I have to fight them. I can’t continue to be taken in by Gia, by the way she tucks herhair behind her ear or how her lips curve when she’s watching her kids. I can’t keep reliving how perfect she’d felt in my arms.
I rinse the dishes and put them in the dishwasher to distract myself and keep from doing something stupid like take her in my arms again. I wonder what she’d do if I did? The Gia of six years ago would have melted into me. The Gia of last year… I can’t say for sure, but I think she would have accepted me perhaps after a little groveling. But now? Now she’s polite but treats me like her bodyguard, which is technically what I am.
“I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Gia slips down from the stool. “Thank you for watching them this morning.”
“I enjoyed it?—”
“But you don’t need to do that. We’re here for our protection. I can’t expect you to take on domestic duties.”
It’s ridiculous how much that hurts. “We’re living under the same roof. Domestic duties are part of the deal.”
She shakes her head. “Not parent—childcare.”
I frown. I feel like she doesn’t want me near the kids. “Did I do something wrong?”
She blinks, like she didn’t expect me to react like that. “No, ah… I just… I don’t want us to be in your way.”
“You’re not in the way, Gia.”