Nothing like taking your kids to work.
"Why don't you just bring the kids, Alessio?"
The question popped out of nowhere just like that. The mention of his children prompted Alessio to look down at his old friend and employer. "Sir?"
"If you can't find anyone trustworthy enough to look after your children, you could always bring them over. I wouldn't mind." Crimson puffed out smoke from his cigar. "It's been a while since I saw Pietro and Giulia. How is she, by the way? She must be around nine months old, right?"
"She'll turn ten months old tomorrow, sir," Alessio sighed. "… It's complicated. Bianca asked me not to involve them in the Family before she passed, and I intend to honor her wishes."
"It's because of what happened two years ago, right? You stopped bringing your boy after that."
"Pietro was only three years old, and you put a rifle in his hands, Crimson." was the curt reply, but the Don didn't miss the undertone of anger in his consigliere's voice.
Alessio still remembered it. How could he not? It was the first time Bianca had been really mad at him. She'd made it clear she didn't want any of her children to be involved with that life. He agreed. Jawns had gone through that too with Cecilia; she never let him bring Arianna over to Crim's place, fearing that Crimson might be a bad influence on their daughter.
"I said I was sorry, didn't I?" Crimson pointed out. "You don't have to get them involved in the Family, Alessio. That's your decision. I'm just saying that keeping them around where you can keep an eye on them might take a weight off your shoulders…."
Alessio said nothing as he looked at the green flames in the fireplace.
A week later, the unthinkable happened. Cecilia couldn't look after the children because Arianna had caught a cold, and she had to take care of her. GaGarret was unavailable, too, as he was visiting some relatives on his father's side of the family. With no way to get another decent babysitter in such little time, Alessio had no choice but to do what he'd been trying to avoid.
Alessio briefly glanced at his children from the rearview mirror. Giulia was tucked into her car seat, her curious eyes looking at everything outside the window. Last night, he'd sat down with Pietro and explained the situation. Since neither zia Cecilia nor their cousin GaGarret would be able to come, he'd have to take him and Giulia to his… workplace. His son didn't seem to remember what had transpired two years ago, much to his relief.
"Are we there yet, papa?" Pietro asked from the backseat.
"We're almost there, figlio," he said. "...Remember what I told you yesterday?"
"Stay inside the room?"
"That's right. Crimson was kind enough to prepare it for you and Giulia. One of his workers will stay around in case you need something, but I'll be downstairs with the boss anyway."
"What's your job, papa?"
Alessio inhaled. "I make sure Mr. Crimson doesn't get hurt." At last, it's part of his occupation. And that's all he's willing to tell his son, at least for the time being.
Twenty minutes later, they finally pulled up at Crimson's place. Alessio was having second thoughts as he went to the backseats to pick up Giulia, but Pietro hopped off the car before he could stop him. Alessio barely managed to wrap his tail around the pup's waist to keep him from running off. The last thing he needs is Pietro wandering into the target practice again.
"Stay close to me, Pietro," he told him sternly.
Giulia's little hand grasped his tie while her little head turned around in all directions, taking in the new sights and smells. He was entering the house when he ran into Cleo and Marcella. The two females gave delightful, high-pitched cries as soon as they spotted Giulia. Pietro shyly hid behind him as they approached.
"OMG! Is that little Giulia? She's so big now!"
"And cute!"
Alessio glanced down at his daughter. Giulia was looking up at the two sharks with wide eyes. Then she shyly buried her face into the crook of his neck.
"My gosh, Ale, she's looking more like her mamma with each day that passes!" Marcella chirped.
"Indeed…" He looked down at Pietro to gently prompt him out of hiding with a hand. "Come on, figlio. Say hi."
His pup slowly stepped forward, though his hand still grasped his pants. "Hi…" he whispered timidly.
"My, my, Pietro! You've grown up quite a bit yourself!" Cloe picked the pup up. "The last time we saw you, you were a tot!"
"Huh…"
"Oh, right, you probably don't remember." Alessio cleared his throat as he gave the females a stern frown. They got the message. "Ale, you could have told us you were bringing the kids over."
"It was a last-minute decision, I'm afraid. Arianna had a cold, and my nephew is helping my mother with some stuff in Mint City, so they couldn't look after them."
"I think Jawns did mention his daughter got sick yesterday." Marcella recalled.
"Well, we don't have any tasks today, so we could keep an eye on the kids while you work." Cloe offered.
"That's nice of you, Cloe. Crimson lent me one of the vacant rooms for the children to hang around."
"Oh, yeah, Moxxie's old room," Marcella whispered with a mild undertone of sadness. Alessio didn't blame her. She and Cleo had been very fond of Moxxie when he was just an impling.
"Well, I better start preparing Crimson's coffee. Pietro, Cloe and Marcella here will take care of you while I work. Be sure to do as they say, alright?"
"Okay, Papa…"
As Alessio tried to hand Giulia over to Cloe, the little dolphin cried out loud while clinging to his suit. After several failed attempts, he gave up.
"Looks like she doesn't feel comfortable about strangers." the consigliere sighed as his daughter snuggled into his embrace. "I suppose I'll have to bring her along for the time being. I'll take her to you once she falls asleep."
This is going to be a long day.