Family Part II
“Hi Thisbe.”
“Hi January. How was your lunch date?”
“Good,” she wondered where Thisbe was going with her question but then Thisbe grinned at her.
“Kaylee said Darwin’s dad is very handsome,” she shot Gulliver a teasing look.
“He is. He’s very nice. He came with me to look at the house
I’m interested in.”
“You took him with you?” Gulliver asked and then looked embarrassed that he’d blurted out the question, “not that you couldn’t or shouldn’t.”
She smiled, “I’m learning Ernst has a very blunt manner of speaking and he tells me truths even if I don’t like to hear them. I figured he’d be best to tell me whether I was looking through rose–colored glasses. Gulliver would just buy it for me because I love it. I needed objectivity.”
“Gulliver is one to spoil, that is for sure.” Thisbe nodded, “especially when he’s guilt–ridden.”
1/6
“Are you guilt–ridden. Gulliver?” Ford asked mockingly. “I
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wonder why you’d be full of guilt, Gulliver?”
+16 Bonus
Gulliver waited until the two kids weren’t looking and extended his middle finger to Ford.
“Are we buying a new house, Mom?”
“I think so. I’m going to get your dad to come look at it with me to make sure it’s worth the money it costs but I really like it. The bedrooms are big and bright; the kitchen needs some work but it’s very homey and there’s a huge back yard which leads into the woods.”
“When you and Dad go look at it, can I come?” Kaylee bounced excitedly.
January was rubbing slow circles on Mitsos‘ back as the child still had not relinquished his hold, “sure.”
“Can I come?” the boy asked seriously.
“If you are around, then yes, you can join us but just like Kaylee comes to visit you, you’re always welcome to come visit her, if it’s okay with your father.”
Glenn gave her a grateful smile, “of course it’s okay. We are family.” He reached for the boy, “however you are a big boy and you’re probably wrecking poor January’s back. Come now 276 January needs to meet Grandfather and she can’t do that if
< Family Part II
you’re clinging to her like plastic wrap.”
“Me too!” Kaylee demanded Glenn pick her up too.
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January couldn’t help but smile at the way her daughter was comforting Mitsos. January turned her attention to the man sitting at the table in the room with a pensive expression on his face.
“Grandfather,” Gulliver spoke as the man rose from his seat and crossed the room towards January, “this is Kaylee’s mother January. January, this is my grandfather, vovoiof our family and the man who makes me insane every single day with his incessant demands on my time and business.”
She extended her hand, “it’s very nice to meet you.”
The man surprised her, as, very much the same way Mitsos did, the older man, grabbed her and yanked her into his arms and hugged her tight and then sobbed against her neck. “I’m so sorry.”
January made wide eyes at the surprised glances of the men in the room and then patted his back, “it’s okay.”
“It’s not. If I’d not pressured Gulliver so hard back then, he wouldn’t have felt torn between his heart and duty. I broke your heart with my pride.” 3/6
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“Okay, that’s enough you old fool. You’re making me wonder how the hell you’re vovoi,” Gulliver pulled him off January. He leaned and whispered between them, “he was a made man by thirteen and he’s crying like a schoolboy.”
“You call me Grandfather,” the man ignored Gulliver and cupped January’s cheek. “Even if you never take this idiot back, you call me Grandfather and I will always protect you. You have raised a wonderful daughter.”
“Careful January. Before you called, he was trying to convince me that Kaylee should be trained to be vovoi as my successor.”
“Could she?” January asked curiously. “I thought only men were given that role.”
Gulliver stared at her in disbelief. “Traditionally yes but it is entirely possible she is my only heir. We will train Mitsos.”
January turned her attention to the boy clinging to Glenn’s neck, clearly still emotional. “Uh, you sure about that? No offense, Glenn, but he seems more a lover than a fighter.”
“January!” Gulliver hissed at her.
“I’m just saying, between the two kids in the room, the one I can picture putting a gun to someone’s head isn’t the boy.”
4/6 “What are you saying?”
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“I’m not opposed to her learning to defend herself.”
“There is a difference between defense and offense.”
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January shrugged, “I can defend myself. I find it empowering and it makes me feel strong to know I can take care of myself. I mean, I kicked the mafia prince in the balls and bloodied his nose. That was kind of cool. Imagine how amazing it would be if she was your successor.”
“You are serious,” Gulliver was in awe.
“I mean I don’t want you putting a gun in her hand today, but I keep thinking of the cop you intimidated her and I’d rather she could stand up for herself than to be a doormat.”
Grandfather wiped a tear from the corner of his eye, “I have never been so ashamed as I am in this moment to have told you that you could not follow your heart, Gulliver because she is perfect.” He kissed January’s cheek. “I humbly ask your forgiveness, January.”
She returned the kiss to his cheek, “you are forgiven, Grandfather.”
“My turn,” Thisbe called out and moved to get between them, “I’m sorry for being a bitch the last time we talked. I was hurting because you didn’t instantly forgive me. I know it’s 5/6
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going to take time, and I will wait as long as it takes to earn your trust and love back, January. Please tell me it’s not too late to be your friend again, even if I’m never your sister again.”
“Sure.” She shrugged carelessly, “but if you ever pull any of this shit again, I’ll beat you up the way I beat up Gulliver.”
“Deal!” Thisbe squealed and threw her arms around her neck and kissed her cheek loudly.
She met Gulliver’s eyes and saw the happiness shining there and decided even if for just the night, she was going to do her very best to leave the past behind and enjoy the happy feeling
in the room.
5
