Chapter 126 - 123

Ermanno entered the gym after a long run and saw Elisio on the treadmill.

"You should run with me outside. Why don't you join me? Fresh morning air is clean and good for you." Asked Ermanno 

"I hate you," said Elisio looking at Ermanno.

"Love you too dad," said Ermanno smiling and picked a dumbbell and sat down on the bench.

"I told you I can convince Xavier to not have that dog. But you had to go and bring him that dog" said Elisio.

"Xavi was asking for it for a long time. Anyways mom doesn't mind. Give it a chance." Said Ermanno.

"Your mother wouldn't mind giving away her kidney if someone asks her nicely. I would tell them to go to die. I don't like animals." said Elisio.

"You don't like children either," said Ermanno.

"I still don't. With only a few exceptions." said Elisio and stopped the treadmill and got off and looked at Ermanno and continued "I saw Rosalyn with a guy yesterday. They were cosy"

Ermanno stopped what he was doing and said "it may be her ex-husband Jack. They are working out things between them. He didn't like that we were dating for 4 years and still not married. She had to come clean to him and he wants her to give them a chance" 

"What about you both?" Asked Elisio.

"We were just f.u.c.k buddies and event dates for eachother. We were quiet clear where we stand in our relationship. We were never in love." said Ermanno.

"So, what now?" Asked Elisio.

"Don't know? She is on her way to be happy and I am happy with you, mummy and my Xavi." said Ermanno.

"Fine," said Elisio and walked out of the gym.

Elisio didn't push the topic too much and left the gym.

Two years back Elisio and Ermanno had a huge fight where Ermanno wanted to leave the mansion with Xavier.

Elisio wanted Ermanno to marry Rosalyn but Ermanno was getting fed up discussing the same topic again and again.

"What are you waiting for?" Asked Elisio.

"I am not waiting for anything. I have everything I want. I don't need anything more" said Ermanno.

"I am not convinced you have moved on from that girl. She is nothing but distructive. Rosalyn is a good girl with a sane mind, respected family and looks perfect beside you. What's stopping you from marrying her?" Asked Elisio.

"Dad I am done discussing this. Mummy, if this has to be every day topic between me and dad. I will leave with Xavier" said Ermanno.

"You are not taking Xavier anywhere" said Elisio.

"He is my son. I will take him anywhere I go. Dad I am a f.u.c.k.i.n.g grown up man. You cannot control my life for god sake" said Ermanno.

Elisio didn't want Xavier to leave so Elisio promised to not interfere in Ermanno's personal life. In return, Ermanno lived in the mansion with Elisio, Sabrina and Xavier.

He used the villa near the mansion to bring Rosalyn often. But now that Rosalyn was working out her relationship with her ex-husband she had not been visiting Ermanno.

After his workout Ermanno finishes his shower and dresses up and walks to Xavier's room and sees him all dressed up for school with skull, his dog bouncing around him.

"Aren't you my good boy?" said Ermanno.

"Good morning dad," said 5 years old Xavier wearing his socks.

"Want some help buddy?" Asked Ermanno.

"No. I want to learn" said Xavier struggling to wear his shoes.

Ermanno looked at Xavier and asked "what's wrong? You got dressed by yourself and not letting me help" 

This was the first time he saw Xavier trying to dress himself. It was always Sabrina who helped him freshen up and dress up.

Xavier looked up at Ermanno and said "Raffaele says I don't have a mummy so I should learn to do things by myself. Romeo and Raffaele's grandma's don't do so much work for them but mama helps me so much and gets tired sometimes. So I am learning to do things by myself to help mama"

Ermanno felt a dragged being pierced in his heart seeing his son talking all grown up and accepting he doesn't have a mother.

Ermanno hugged his son and said "you have me. I'll help you do things, okay? Then we both can help mama"

"Okay," said Xavier.

"What do we have here. Is my big boy ready already?" Asked Sabrina coming inside Xavier's room.

"Mama, look I am ready," said Xavier.

"I can see. Aw.. Baby. Don't grow up so soon. I'll miss dressing you" said Sabrina.

"I will dress. Teacher says I should keep my private parts hidden and not show it, anyone. Not even Raine" said Xavier.

"I don't like that girl. Stay away from her" said Sabrina.

"Romeo likes her," said Xavier.

"That boy is living up to his name even at this early age. Now come on, you will be late for school." Said Sabrina and went to pick Xavier but Xavier stopped and said "I'll walk. I am a big boy" 

Sabrina pouted and said "fine. But I am crying later"

"Don't cry. I don't want you to be tired." Said Xavier.

"I won't be tired even if I have ten more like you," said Sabrina and picked Xavier and said "see. I am strong as hulk"

"Haha.. malnutrition hulk," said Ermanno and Sabrina narrowed her eyes at him and left the room with Xavier and skull following them.

Ermanno stopped smiling and knew that Sabrina was getting tired at times taking care of Xavier.

Sabrina walked in the dining room and saw Elisio reading news on his iPad.

"Papa look I dressed myself today. With no help" said Xavier and Ermanno walked in behind Sabrina and took his seat.

Skull saw his bowl and started eating his food.

"I used to dress myself too when I was five. My mom wouldn't help me but dad was always there." Said Elisio.

"You didn't have mummy too like me?" Asked Xavier taking a seat near Sabrina for breakfast.

Ermanno, Elisio and Sabrina looked at eachother.

"Who said you don't have mummy?" Asked Sabrina.

"My friends in school and Raffaele and Romeo say that. Isla has two mummies. Liam has two daddy's and Mason has only mummy and I have only daddy. But I am luckier than all." Said Xavier.

"How so?" Asked Ermanno.

"I have papa and mama too. No one else has their Papa and Mama close to them" said Xavier.

Sabrina smiled and ran her hand in Xavier's hair and said "we are the lucky once that we have our little Xavi with us" and kissed his forehead.

"I am a big boy mama" said Xavier.

"Oh yes. My little big boy" said Sabrina and served him his breakfast which Xavier insisted to eat himself.

Elisio looked at Ermanno and he looked at Elisio but both didn't say anything.

They all were almost done with breakfast when Sabrina said "before I forget. Elisio, we have to take Xavier for his Halloween costume shopping. You promised to come with us" 

"Sure. I'll come. I love the costume shop. It has all the creepiest and scariest things I love to buy and use on kids who come for trick or treat" Said Elisio.

"That's just mean dad. And hey I want to come too," said Ermanno.

"No. It's our thing every year. You are not allowed" said Elisio.

"And we have to get something for Thomas's son's birthday. It's in two days" said Sabrina.

"I can beat up Caden easy," said Xavier talking about Thomas's one-year-old son.

"Oh my god. No. He is your cousin and only one year old" said Sabrina.

"Exactly. He is easy to beat up" said Xavier.

"No boy that's wrong. You have to wait for them to grow up." Said Elisio.

"Dad"

"Elisio," said Sabrina and Ermanno together and Elisio laughed with Xavier and both fists bumped and skull barked out loud.

Ermanno, EJ and Julius took turns to drop all their three boys. 

Their school had high security and the personal security was always there for all the Devonte's but the fathers insisted dropping the kids themselves at times.

The three boys were only few months apart and were inseparable and did everything together including all the mischiefs.

Today was Ermanno's turn to drop the kids and all three boys were as usual talking and screaming together.

"Boys one at a time" said Ermanno.

"Dad, tell me who is the strongest? Me, Romeo or Raffaele" asked Xavier.

"You three boys are very strong individually but even more stronger together. When you are together, No one can beat you" said Ermanno.

"See, I told you we three can beat up Josh when we are together" Said Xavier.

"No. No one is beating up anyone. Xavi I am serious. One more complain against you. I promise I'll put you in boarding school" warned Ermanno.

Xavi looked at the other two and said "papa will bring me back"

Ermanno heard that and shook his head. 

Elisio had too much influence on Xavier.

Ermanno dropped the three boys and was smiling at them seeing them get in the school's play area.

He was about to leave when he noticed a very familiar face. 

He walked out of the car and went to the person and called "Rose"