“Here, Leo, eat the tiramisu I made your dad. I know it’s his favorite, but I am sure he won’t mind you having the last piece,” Little Red says to him from the other side of the breakfast bar as she pushes a small bowl of my favorite creamy dessert across the bench. She made it for me? She knows it is my favorite, and other than Maria, no one has ever made me anything. I am in awe of her, and my body relaxes even more on the exhale as I watch this woman, all domesticated in my kitchen, looking after my boy. It all fits. She fits.

“Hmmmm, just this once, Leo. Next time, I am not sharing,” I say to try and lighten the mood, and I get a brief smile from him. I decide to push him a little more and dip my finger into the cream before he can dig in his spoon, shoving it into my mouth.

“Mmmm, on second thought…” I begin to say as I reach out to grab the bowl, but he is quicker. Tiramisu is also his favorite, so he snatches it away, and I smile, ruffling his hair again. He looks up at me and gives me a big grin, scooping up a big spoonful before I can take anymore from him.

Little Red seems unsure, and I fucking hate that I did that to her. It is the first time I have had to think of anyone aside from Leo, but I defrost a little more as I take her in, the joy in her eyes at watching Leo devour her cooking, the light as it reflects off her bright red hair that flows down her small frame in waves. Looking at her, I am enamored. I am totally and utterly amazed by this woman.

21

Annie

I have no idea what just happened, but I get a sick feeling in my stomach as I watch Leo start to scoop up the cream and eat the dessert like it is his last chance to ever eat again. He is shaking slightly, but seems okay now, completely focused on the bowl in front of him, as his father stands by his side. My eyes flick between him and Dante as I try to sort out in my head what the hell is going on.