The Mafia's Toddler

Thirty Eight

Natalia

"Breakfast smells delicious!" I kiss Nicholas's head when I enter the kitchen and he gives me a big toothy grin.

"Pancakes, Mama." My son points at the stack of chocolate chip pancakes and I give him a big smile. He is still very soft spoken, but any and all talking I get from him is a win in my books. I want to start homeschooling him now that he is more comfortable with us, but I'm not educated enough to know where he is at knowledge wise. I don't think having him evaluated will go well as of right now.

"I see, buddy. Did you help Nonna?" He nods as his response before Elena takes McKenna out of my arms.

"He is the best helper I have ever had." She winks at him before turning her attention to McKenna who is giggling in her arms. "And how is my favourite granddaughter?" She kisses all over McKenna's face making her giggle and try to hide her face. I turn my head when I hear Nicholas giggling beside me.

"You think it's funny?" I make claws with my hands and smile at him. Nicholas's eyes go big before I attack him with my kisses and tickle him. My son screeches as he tries to get away.

"Mama! 'Top!" Nicholas giggles and I stop instantly. It's important to Ares and I that we teach our children consent.

"Okay, Mama stopped. Can I have a kiss, please." I pucker my lips and my son blushes. I hope he never stops getting embarrassed by me because it's the cutest thing I have ever seen. He puckers his lips and pecks mine before grabbing his cup and heading to the table. McKenna must have saw me giving out kisses because I feel a tug on my sleeve.

"Mama! 'Enna." My baby girl points to her lips and puckers them to me. Elena laughs and leans closer so I can peck McKenna's lips before she carries her to the table and straps her into her chair.

I carry the pancakes out and we all dig in. McKenna is going to need a bath when she is done. I have no idea how she manages to get maple syrup in her hair but she did. I hand her a sippy cup with water and hold my breath. McKenna takes one sip before throwing it. I sigh as I pick it up and set it on the table.

"She still refusing a cup?" Elena asks after taking a sip of coffee.

"I don't know if it's so much the cup or that it's not breast milk." I smile shyly. I don't particularly like talking about my breasts with anyone other than Ares but if I'm going to talk to someone about breastfeeding I guess it might as well be my mother in law. We are close and she has done this before.

"Have you tried pumping and giving it to her in the cup? That way you will know if its that."

"I have a pump, but I don't really use it. McKenna is pretty consistent with her nursing so I haven't really needed too. Maybe we can try that today? Are you sure you want to deal with my cranky toddler?" I chuckle half joking. McKenna will be miserable today when I'm not in the room. She will be even more pissed if I don't nurse before her nap.

"You can pump and leave in on the counter and I'll give her a cup. We'll be fine. Right Kenna?" Elena blows a kiss to my baby, who giggles and tries to catch it. Ares taught her that.

"Okay..." I know how it's going to go. Not well.

********

"What colour is this one?" I ask Nicholas, as I point to the ball beside him.

"Blue." He whispers. I smile at him and nod before grabbing one of the green blocks.

"What about this one buddy?" I hand it to him and he smiles.

"Green. Like.."

"Like what buddy?" I ask when I see his face fall.

"Like first Mommy's eyes." He tells me just above a whisper. I instantly have to fight back tears. Nicholas never talks about his first family. I know he had a loving mother and father as well as a baby sister, because Ares told me so. After collecting my thoughts and calming my emotions I continue with my questions, hoping he doesn't shut down.

"Is it your favourite colour?" Nicholas looks up into my eyes and gives me a slight nod. I smile warmly at him so he knows it's okay. "It's okay to miss them, baby. We will always love you, and I know they are still loving you too, from heaven." Nicholas nods again and focuses on his toys.

We play in silence for a while before I look at the clock. "Do you want to put on a movie buddy?" Nicholas doesn't really need naps anymore but sometimes he will still take one if we have quiet time in the afternoon. "Okay, you pick. I'll be right back."

It's almost time for McKenna's nap as I make my way to the kitchen and find the breast pump. Rosie cleaned it this morning after I'm assuming Elena said something, and my cheeks burn instantly. I grumble and grab a few snacks and a drink for Nicholas before debating on checking on Elena and McKenna. It's not worth the risk of McKenna catching me if she isn't crying so I make my way back to Nicholas.

Nicholas is starting Toy Story. Ares showed him how to work the DVD player and he is a pro at it now. I set the snacks down for him and he is instantly drawn to the veggies. This kid lives for Ranch dressing and will eat every veggie not nailed down if you put it in front of him. Nicholas is not paying me any attention with his eyes glued to the screen, so I attach myself to the pump under my shirt.

I feel like a cow. I hate pumping.

As soon as the mechanical whirling starts, Nicholas looks at me for a brief moment before giving the movie his full attention again. I lose myself in the movie as my breasts are being drained. I don't even notice Rosie beside the couch until she clears her throat.

"Sorry Mrs. but Mrs Elena is looking for umm.."

I nervously chuckle before she continues, "Right. Umm I'll take the milk to her I guess."

"I can do it ma'am." Rosie holds her hands out to me, waiting.

I shut off the pump and unscrew the two bottles attached. I know I produce a lot of milk but it's insane when you actually see it like that. They are both full. If Rosie hasn't come in I would have backed up the machine. I nervously chuckle as I hand them to her.

Rosie gives me a gentle smile before she takes her leave and heads off to my daughter and mother in law. Nicholas is starting to fade, sitting on the floor in front of me so I set the pump aside and bent forward to pick him up.

Laying down with him on my chest so he could still see the movie, I felt him snuggle closer eventually tucking his face into my neck. I felt him breathing even out as he fell asleep but I was content to just lay here with him in my arms.  The credits rolled and I found myself starting to drift off to sleep as well when I hear the front door bang open.

I lifted my head from the throw pillow in time to make eye contact with a very distraught Katia. My eyes widen with the words I heard next.

"Father found out about Henley."