Wow, it's been a long time since I've last updated this story. I'm so sorry that I've been so late, but I've got to focus on my college work as well as the other stories. I might be away for a while after this update but I'll definitely finish it one day.
A lot of time had passed since that day at the hospital, a year if you want to be exact. Since Frankie's arrival, Lino had taken it upon himself to provide in every way for his wife and son. In fact, he doted on them more than he did before, from propping Connie's pillows to feeding Frankie Lino did everything.
"Okay Frankie here we go!" A voice came from the living quarter. Connie opened her eyes and turned to the sound her husband's voice. She decided to rise when she heard a baby's gurgle. She turned the corner of the bedroom, and with what she saw she couldn't help but smile.
There was Frankie strapped into his chair while Lino fed him. The dark rings under his eyes told Connie he was exhausted. Frankie leaned forward to his father to eat the spoonful of minced tuna, which was classed as baby food to sharks.
"There's my boy" she said swimming towards the table. Turning round to the familiar voice, Frankie gurgled happily and held his fins high for his mother. She collected him up into her fins and laughed lightly when he nuzzled himself into her.
"Morning honey" she said sitting next to Lino. After giving him his morning kiss, Connie put one fin on his cheek.
"I'm worried about you D. You've got to get some sleep; this is really bad for your health."
"And miss out on time with you two?" He replied tickling Frankie. "I couldn't Connie I love my responsibility of Frankie too much, I can take it really."
"Well, I can't! You look as if you could just collapse at any moment. If something in you're... 'business' came up; I really couldn't take hearing the news that my husband left my son fatherless because he fell asleep on the job."
Lino rubbed the side of his face with a fin and sighed heavily. "It's my primary priority to provide for my family, even if it's at my expense."
"Think of it this way then; Frankie's birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks, so until then get some sleep ready for the preparations." She reached over to hold his fin. Looking down at it, Lino wraps his own around hers.
"I know you love us, and we love you" Connie started. "And of course I appreciate everything you do, but I'm more than capable of taking care of myself and Frankie while you're working."
"I'm sorry Connie. I know I... tend to smother but I'm just in my habit of thinking that when I got somethin' good, I've got to be around it 24/7."
"It's okay honey, besides, I think me and Frankie enjoy your smothering, don't we Frankie?"
The pup let out a happy squeal when his mother tickled him under his chin. Lino let out a hearty laugh and rose from the table.
"Well then as of tomorrow, I'm officially off maternity leave! I'll see you both later."
And it's a good thing Lino had that rest too, because the week after was chaos in his books. The real work didn't even include being on mob business and planning Frankie's birthday; it was being at Frankie's birthday that proved to be a big problem.
Looking after a countless amount of kids can be hard work with or without parents present. One minute there's making sure nobody gets served twice after pretending they haven't had any cake the first time round, and the next some kid is trying to open his sons gifts.
Lino didn't think he felt such relief when the kids were gone and the party was officially over.
"Remind me never to throw another birthday party for a toddler ever again." He said as he put the last of the yellow tassel tape into the garbage.
"Tired are we?" Connie questioned as she sat down on the sofa. Lino came over to sit by her.
"I mean, all the parents of every single kid was there and still it was just as much work! You think we're doin' somethin' wrong?"
"I doubt it. Besides I know someone who had a good time."
Lino raised an eyebrow, "seriously Connie this was one of the worst days of my life. There's no over reacting ther-" he paused when Connie gave him and look and nodded her head to the left.
Lino looked towards her direction only to see Frankie entertaining himself with his new gifts. Lino smiled as he watched his son gurgle to himself while he inspected the toys. His wife cleared her throat.
"Still sure you weren't overreacting?" She questioned him smugly.
Lino sighed, "Well, if Frankie had a good time, I guess it being one of the 'worst days of my life' is a little... extreme."
He looked over to see Connie smiling with pride.
"You're almost always right aren't you?" He sighed looking back to her.
"More than less."
A/N: I know I'm absent enough as it is, but I'm taking a little break to try and catch up with my other stories and work. While I'm away though, feel free to post reviews on ideas for drabble that you want and I'll try to put them in at some point.
Until next time!
