Chapter 3

"Grab your coat and your backpack and let's get going." Dante knew Stefan still had his backpack filled full of games and books from flight home from boarding school, and he thought the boy might need some distraction at the airport if Brenda's plane was late. He really wasn't looking forward to fighting the traffic and the crowds in Rome on Christmas Eve. Leave it to Brenda to turn a simple task into a PR event.

The ride to the airport was silent. Dante had too much on his mind to make small talk, and Stefan was engrossed in his video game. It was a cloudy day, and Dante could see tons of people on the streets and in the stores for last minute shopping as their driver paused at a redlight. Everywhere he looked there seemed to be families. He changed his focus to the little boy sitting next to him in the backseat. What will his memories be? Dante's memories weren't of an average family Christmas shopping together, but what his family lacked in "average", they made up for in love. He never doubted how much his mother loved him, and his large extended family of aunts and uncles made sure he never lacked in anything as a kid. He missed his mom. Their relationship had cooled over the years with the distance, and the fact that Olivia couldn't stand Brenda. At least he was happy knowing his mom wasn't alone. It was too early to call, almost 1 am in California where she and Steve were living. Dante couldn't believe how easily his mom transitioned from New York to LA when Steve got a postion as Chief of Surgery out there. He would call her later tonight and pretend to be happy like he did every Christmas. He knew it was for the best.

They finally made it to the aiport and found their way to the waiting area for international arrivals. Brenda's flight was on time amazingly enough, and with the traffic Dante and Stefan had gotten there right on time. They watched as passengers came through the doors, and Dante was surprised Brenda wasn't one of the first few out. He knew she never flew anything less than first class, and that group was always out ahead of the "less fortunate" passengers. They continued to watch and wait as the last person made their way through the plane exit.

"Where's mom?"

"I don't know. That's a good question."

Just as Dante was about to pull his phone from his jacket to call Brenda, it began to ring. Dante could see Brenda's number on the screen. I'm going to kill her.

"Where are you?"

"I've decided to stay in Paris Dante."

"You decided to stay in Paris? Didn't we discuss this a month ago? "

"We did discuss this, but my plans have changed."

I'm definitely going to kill her, he thought.

"Your plans? What about our plans? What about spending Christmas with our child?" Dante whispered into the phone as he moved away from Stefan who was watching with curious eyes.

"I do plan on spending Christmas with my child. I bought him a plane ticket and I need you to put him on the next flight to Paris."

"Excuse, me? What did you just say?"

"Dante, I said you need to put my son on the next flight to Paris. Don't worry about clothes or anything like that. I'll have that taken care of when he gets here. I know he always has his passport in that backpack of his. "

"Would you like to explain what the hell is going on? You want me to put our kid on a flight to Paris on Christmas Eve without me? Have you lost your mind?"

"Look, I've made some decisions while I've been here in Paris. I'm not happy and I've decided I think I think we should take a break from each other."

"Take a break? Brenda our entire relationship has been a break. What the hell is going on? He's there with you isn't he? "

"I don't know who you're talking about."

" You know very well who I'm talking about. Sonny is with you in Paris, isn't he? "

"Dante, I don't love you and I never have. This little arrangement isn't working for me anymore. Put my son on the plane right now, and we can discuss this after Christmas."

"What if he doesn't want to go to Paris? What if he would rather stay here with me? "

"Don't make me remind you that he isn't your son, and I'm not above calling the police and reporting you for kidnapping."

"I can't kidnap my own son!"

"If you don't put him on the plane, I will make sure you regret this the rest of your life. Who keeps a child from his mother on Christmas? You know he wants to see me, and you don't have the heart to keep us apart."

" I can't believe this is what it's come to. After everything I've done for you in the past ten years, this is how you treat me? I sacrificed my job, my life and my heart to keep you safe, and this is how it ends. Merry f*cking Christmas."

Chapter 4

The car ride home was miserable. Dante couldn't stop replaying the scene over in his head. Stefan standing at the ticket gate with tears in his eyes. How do you explain to a child that their mother is a cold hearted bitch that only thinks of herself? It ripped his heart out to put him on the plane. He knew Stefan was torn into two pieces, wanting to stay here with him, and yet always longing for attention from his mother. Funny, he hadn't cared when Brenda said she wanted a break. The only thing that mattered at this point was the boy. She could have her greased up mobster, but she would not keep him away from Stefan.

How did I end up in this living hell?

Dante leaned back on the leather seat and closed his eyes.