Chapter 25
This ones a little angsty...
Steph POV:I stood in the foyer, and couldn't believe the sight before me. Carlos stood with Julie strapped to the front of his body as he cooked. Music played softly over the radio, Carlos moved around the kitchen, making a meal. The lights were dimmed down low, candles strewn across the counter and other surfaces. The table set, rose petals in a path to the table.
He looked up and saw me. I saw him let out a breath. "What's all this?" I asked him.
"An apology." He said softly, watching me.
I smiled softly and walked over to him. I pulled Julie from the holder and into my arms. I looked down to see her outfit was different. I grinned while reading it. My Mommy Loves Me, Daddy, and Pizza. I stood on my toes and kissed him softly. "Thank you for this."
"Babe." He said softly.
"Let's lay her down in the Nursery and then we can eat." I told him. He followed me to the bedroom. I rocked Julie to sleep, knowing by the bottle on the counter Carlos had fed her recently.
Laying her in the bassinet, I turned to Carlos, ushering him from the room. We made our way to the dinning room where he made us plates bringing them into the dinning room. Carlos took my hand over the table.
"I'm sorry, Babe." He started. "You're more of Julie's mother than Rachel already. I undermined your relationship with her, and I shouldn't have."
"This is new for the both of us, Carlos. I'm not making excuses for what you said, because it really did hurt. I've been taking care of Julie since she was a day old. Rachel hasn't even asked if she can see her or if she can take her home with her. It's been almost 2 weeks. Julie is more my child than she is Rachel's and it wouldn't matter if I had more children with you because Julie would be just as important as any child we had together. "
"I was an ass for saying that earlier babe. I know you treat Julie just like she's your own. I just hope you can forgive me."
"I already have just to make sure it doesn't happen again." I smiled at, "Carlos you're damn lucky you're cute oh, it's hard for me to stay mad at you. "
Carlos grinned. "Julie onesie helped seal the deal didn't it? "I laughed Softly.
"It sure is cute. "I smiled at him. later tonight you can show me just how sorry you are." Carlos growled as I grinned.
"I went into Rangeman today and picked up the last of my paperwork that I need to finish before I leave. Do you think Rachel is going to want to see Julie before then? I want to see her before I leave so that I can spend some time with her before being gone for a couple weeks."
he ran a hand through his hair and Shrugged, "I'm not sure babe you never know with Rachel but then again she hasn't asked to see her since we brought her home."
"She could be waiting for me to get out of the picture so she can have you to herself," I chuckled. Carlos rolled his eyes.
"Don't jinx it Babe."
XXXXX
Rachel called the day before I was supposed to leave. Carlos tried to get her to let us keep her a few more days but she refused. So Carlos and I stood in the foyer of Rachel's apartment.
She picked up Julie and tried to hold her to her. Julie wasn't having it. She was screaming and crying. Her arms flailed and her face was red and crinkled.
I lifted her from her arms, not bothering to ask permission. I shushed Julie, bouncing her gently. Her cries slowly turned to hiccups before she calmed. I led her against my chest, and her face found my neck. I locked eyes with Carlos and he gave me a helpless look. He didn't know what to do either. It wasn't like he could just take Julie.
We had to let Rachel see her. This was keeping him from having to go to court. The agreement they had signed and agreed on visitation between the both of them. There was a lot that went into this to keep Julie protected until Carlos could gather all of the proof to take Rachel to court to get full custody.
"Give me my baby." Rachel said, shooting me a glare.
"You need to calm down." I told her. "She's picking up on your vibes. I was only trying to calm her."
I lowered Julie back into her arms. I brushed my fingers over the top of her head. Carlos kissed the top of Julie's head.
"I'll be back to pick her up on Friday for the weekend." Carlos said. Rachel nodded. We stepped out into the hall and I waited as the door slammed. Carlos wasted no time pulling me into his arms. His face was buried in my hair. He took deep shuddering breaths.
I felt the tears in my eyes, stinging as I tried to hold them back. One of my hands tangled in his hair massaging his scalp as one of his rubbed my back. When the both of us got a hand on ourselves we pulled apart. Carlos kissed my forehead.
"Let's go home." He said softly. I nodded, my throat tight. He wrapped an arm around my waist and I did the same. We walked to the elevator and rode it down.
When we got home, Carlos dragged me over to the couch and pulled me down on top of him. I buried my face in his neck and Carlos wrapped his arms around me tight. "That was so fucking hard." I whispered into his neck.
"My heart got ripped out of my chest." He rumbled.
I don't know how long we laid there for but the sun was setting. Mag laid on the floor next to the couch. "We should probably eat something for dinner." I told Carlos softly.
He nodded, but didn't let me go just yet. Finally we got up and ordered some food. We fell into bed, cuddling close, whispering to each other. We made love into the early morning hours, falling asleep just before dawn.
We were up late in the morning. My flight left at one and I would be arriving in St Petersburg at almost three in the morning in their time, ten in Miami time. Carlos helped me carry my bags to the car and drove me to the airport. He came with me to security, pulling me close and kissing me deeply. "Call me when you get there?" He asked softly.
I nodded. "I love you." I told him.
He kissed me again. "I love you too Babe." He whispered against my lips.
"I hate leaving you to deal with all of this." I told him.
He smiled softly. "I hate you leaving."
I smiled up at him. "I'll be back in three weeks."
"Three weeks is a hell of a long time Babe." He said.
"It's not the longest we've been away from each other." I said as I threaded my fingers through his hair. "And this time we'll be able to talk and see each other."
He nodded. I kissed him again, "I need to go."
He sighed. "I love you Babe."
"I know. I love you more."
He chuckled and I wrapped my arms around his neck. He kissed me again this time desperate, hard, and fast. He finally released me and watched as I walked over to security. I gave him a finger wave as I made it through security. I felt Carlos's eyes on me until I went around the corner.
I boarded my plane, and settled into my seat in first class. I sighed and picked up my phone. A picture of Carlos and Julie was my back screen, I smiled looking down at it.
XXXXXX
Thirteen Hours Later ~ St. Petersburg, Russia
I sighed stepping off the plane. I powered my phone back on from the flight, as I walked through the terminal. I had already passed through security. I saw a man, holding a sign with my name. I walked over, "Mrs. Manoso?"
"Yes."
"Mr. Kamenski sent me to pick you up and drive you to your hotel." He said in English, his voice accented.
"I'll have to thank him then in the morning." I smiled as he helped me with my bags. He escorted me out to a town car and put the bags in the back seat, as he pulled away from the curb. I texted Carlos that I would call him when I got to the hotel, before putting the phone away. I watched as the city went by. It was really a gorgeous city, with gorgeous architecture if you were in the right part of the city. In other parts you could tell they weren't as well off.
It didn't take us long to get to the hotel. The driver helped me with my bags, giving them to the bellboy. I walked to the counter with him trailing me.
"Reservation under Manoso, made by Kamenski." I spoke in Russian. The man nodded and began to type on his computer. He nodded.
"Yes, you're on the 33 floor." He said. He handed me a set of keycards. I smiled and thanked him, before motioning for the bellboy to follow. We got off the elevator on the 33rd floor and I matched the number on the card to the room number. The bellboy followed me and helped me get the luggage in the room. I tipped him 1500 rubble and he thanked me. I walked into the room and smiled looking around.
It was a gorgeous room, not that I expected any less. I clicked on some of the lights and made my way to the king size bed, kicking my shoes off and sprawling out in the bed. I pulled my phone out and called Carlos. It took him one ring to answer.
His hair was mussed, shirt off, lights dimmed and Mag was laid out in the bed next to him. I smiled. "These are my two favorite boys." I smiled.
Carlos smiled at me. "How was your flight?"
"It was fine. First class was nice as always. It would have been better if you would have been with me."
He grinned. "Admit it, you're happy to be rid of me for a few weeks."
"I'm not sure I'm going to be able to make it the full three weeks without flying home to see you, even if it's only for a few hours." I smiled at him.
He chuckled. "It's been quiet here, and I don't like it Babe."
"Is Mag giving you trouble?" I asked him.
"He's perfect." He smiled.
I laid on my side and propped the phone up, so I could look at him. "How was your day?"
"Boring and lonely without you here." He said.
I grinned. "Sweet talker."
He smiled at me. "What time do you have to be up?"
"Eight o'clock this time." I told him.
"That's only five hours." He frowned.
"I get less sleep when I'm at home with you." I grinned. He laughed.
"That might be true." He said.
"20 days." He sighed. "20 days before I get to hold you again."
I smiled. "You're such a softy." I shook my head. "I love you Carlos."
"I love you too Babe. Get some sleep, I'll talk to you in the morning."
"Your morning is my night." I told him. He laughed.
"Smartass."
"You love my ass."
"It's on my list of my favorite things about you."
"I think I'm going to have to know more about this list."
He smiled. "How about I tell you when you get home?"
I laughed. "Sounds good Carlos."
"Goodnight Babe."
"Goodnight Carino."
He groaned, and I grinned before hanging up.