Chapter 97 - 96

"Son-in-law, come to the dining room so we can eat," Mrs. Russo invited as soon as the meal was ready. She was oblivious to Dimitri's identity, and she was ready to embrace him as her daughter's husband and nothing more.

Dimitri smiled and followed his family into the dining room. The table had been arranged so Aurora could sit beside her mother while Dimitri and Nicholas sat with Enzo in between them.

They made for a funny group, just because when Nicholas tried to spoon-feed Enzo, he replied that he was a big boy and knew how to feed himself. He even pointed out the dishes he wanted to eat without difficulty.

Dimitri beamed with pride as his son looked at him, "Good job, son." Enzo was happy that Dimitri had praised him in front of all his new family. 

Nicholas glared at Dimitri over the kid's head, mad that he was rejected. He wanted to pamper the kid, and yet his offer was shot down. Dimitri just glared at him back to tell him, my kid, my rules.

"Dimitri, I think you should have some of this lobster. It's nicely seasoned," Aurora tried to diffuse the situation she could see brewing between her husband and her brother.

After the initial tension was gone, lunch became a pleasant event. Enzo took most of the stage, entertaining everybody with the narration of his love for his favorite dishes and his days at school.

It was almost nighttime by the time Enzo started yawning and nodding off in Aurora's arms, which meant it was time for them to go.

Mrs. Russo looked worriedly at Aurora when she heard Dimitri announce that it was time for them to head out. "Why are you leaving already. You can spend the night here. We have prepared several rooms for you to use," she pleaded.

"Honey, we need to let them go, I bet they'll come back soon enough, won't you?" he looked at Aurora pointedly.

"Yes, mom, we'll visit again one of these days. Enzo has school tomorrow, and I have work. Don't worry, we'll come by often. I'll ask for a leave of absence so we can spend more time together," she tried to pacify her mom. 

But Mrs. Russo did not want to hear any of it. "No! I want them to stay. Make them stay!" She was starting to get hysterical. Thinking that she would lose Aurora again.

A dark cloud passed through Dimitri's eyes, but he kept to himself. This is what he was afraid of, that the Russo family would want to detain Aurora in their house, and he might never see her again. 

"Don't worry, I'm not disappearing again. I will come back. I promise," Aurora replied.

"But no… my baby…," she was starting to cry again, and Aurora could do nothing but hug her again, whispering and soothing her.

So Nicholas had to step in. "Mother, Aurora will come back soon. Don't worry about it," he added.

"Grandma, I will come back. Don't cry," Enzo said, trying to help. He knew he was cute and that most adults listen to him when he says cute stuff. And it worked. 

The Russo family looked at the retreating backs of the Santoris family, as they said their goodbyes.

-=-

Violet's mother had been discharged from the hospital, and in order for her to tend to her mother's needs, she had to quit her job at the cafe. She had been so tired the past couple of days that she had no time to do anything else other than going to work, and then head home by the end of the day. As her mother's health progressed, the more optimistic she became that her mother would recover wonderfully. 

Gabriel, on the other hand, was happy with her mom's recovery, but that meant they never got to see each other anymore. He was so used to seeing her every day that he felt deprived. 

He had been practicing self-restraint, but after a week and there was no sign of them seeing each other soon, he got impatient. He knows that their relationship was new, but if he went one more day without seeing her, he was gonna go crazy.

Violet answered her phone when she saw that it was Gabriel, "Be ready tomorrow. I will take you out after work," he instructed. She was used to Gabriel's way of talking on the phone now, he rarely beat around the bush, and used sweet words, always giving out instructions when he wanted to see her, but she could always forgive him for that because he treated her differently when they were alone together.

He gave her his whole attention and he took care of everything she needed, so what else could she ask for?

"I promised mom to take her out for a walk tomorrow after I come home from work. Plus, I need to make her dinner, and what if something happens to her?" Violet kept coming up with one excuse after another.

"Stop with the excuses, Violet. You leave your mom at home during the day, and I haven't heard of her death yet. She can take care of herself a couple more hours without you," he replied, "Plus, don't forget you still owe me a favor," he reminded her.

"But…," Violet hesitated.

He had been prepared for all these excuses, but he will not agree to her request, "No more buts. If you don't come with me willingly tomorrow, I will abduct you," he threatened.

Violet giggled, "Gabriel, that sounds over the top. You're just kidding right?"

"Try me!" he said in a harsh tone. She thought he was kidding, but knowing Gabriel's personality, he might just end up doing it.

"Okay fine. I will be there, you can pick me up after work," she agreed because, in reality, she missed seeing him the past week as well.

He smiled, and she could hear it in his voice, "Good. I can't wait to see you."

"Where are we going?" Violet asked, a little bit excited because this would be the first time they would be going on a proper date.

"It's going to be a surprise," he said.

"But how am I going to know what outfit to wear?" she whined.

"Just wear something casual, nothing too formal," he said.