Never Say Love (24 page)

Wandering out into the corridor, Benito took his phone from his trouser pocket. The first call was to Lucy’s parents and then his father. Scrolling down he tapped the words on his screen,
Dad—Franco,
before putting the phone to his ear. Answering quickly, Franco’s Italian voice boomed down the phone, “Well, Benito.”

“Hey dad,” Benito laughed as he spoke, “and how are you?”

“I’m fine son. Now tell me what I want to know!” Franco laughed, “Don’t wind me up!”

Laughing, Benito leant against the wall and sighed deeply, a happy sigh. “Dad, you’ve got another grandson.”

“Oh, fucking hell Benito, that’s fantastic news, and Lucy? Is she okay? Are you looking after her?”. T, there were no complications, and dad, I love her you know.”

Benito’s statement was greeted by a long silence.

“Dad?”

“I know. I know you do.” Franco paused, Benito listening to him talking to Marco, “You’ve got a brother my little man.”

Returning to Benito, Franco spoke once more, “Your mother would be so very proud. God bless her, she loved you and Adrianna so much. It breaks my heart that she can’t be here to see her grandchildren, you know,” Benito heard his dad’s voice waver as he took a deep breath, trying to bring order to his mind. “She loved children so very much.”

“I know,” Benito said quietly, “I really miss her too.”

Silence fell over them again, “You can’t dwell on the past son. We all miss her, so very much. You have Lucy and two wonderful boys to look after now, so you do that, you look after them. You understand me?”

“I do dad, really.”
Benito replied, his tone subdued.

“Well, go back to her then and, Benito, you make me so very proud, you really do.”

“Thanks dad. Is Marco okay? Not running rings around you too much I hope, he’s a live wire you know.” Benito asked about his two year old son, who was staying at home with his grandfather as his new baby brother made his entrance into the world.

“He’s fine, absolutely fine. We’ve been making pasta, from scratch, just like your mum used to do with you.”

Smiling to himself, Benito said goodbye and cleared the call. Walking back into the delivery room, passing the midwives as they left and smiled at him, they left the parents alone with their new arrival. The TV now on with the early evening news just starting, neither Benito or Lucy paying any attention to the newscaster.

Looking at his girl who was sat propped up with the tiny bundle at her
breast, Benito could do nothing but smile as he watched his new son, Nico, held firmly against his beautiful girl.

“He’s gorgeous,” he approached them both, placing a kiss on Lucy’s forehead.

“I love you both.”

Turning away from her new son and looking up at her partner, Lucy smiled. “You once told me you’d never say that again.”

“I know, but people change Lucy,” a half smile beaming across his beautiful mouth.

“Yes, I suppose so.” She said as she let her baby grip her little finger, looking down at the scrunched up little face eagerly feeding.

“Maybe one day we’ll marry,” Benito mumbled.

Keeping her focus on the tiny bundle in her arms, she stayed silent for a moment. Thinking about what he’d just said, running her thumb over the baby’s knuckles she thought of everything they’d been through. He protected her, saved her and worshipped her.

Turning towards him, she put her hand up to his cheek. “If you ever asked me, I would say yes. You know that, don’t you?”

Smiling, Benito leaned forward, pulling her into his arms. He held her, “Oh God, Lucy, I love you so much.”

Overtaken by emotion, Lucy felt a single tear fall across her cheek, “I love you too, all of you, so very much.”

Brushing his lips across hers, he kissed her deeply. Their moment interrupted by the entrance of a midwife.

“Just come to check on you Lucy. Are you feeling okay?” The midwife asked as she approached the bed.

“I’m fine. Well, as well as can be expected.” Lucy raised her eyebrows, wincing as she shuffled up the bed.

Fussing around, the midwife did what she needed to before glancing at the TV, “Have you seen this, it’s terrible?” She shook her head.

Lucy and Benito both looked towards the television and listened to what the newscaster was saying.

“Police say that the four dismembered bodies were found hidden in shallow graves a little way into the forest. Early reports suggest that they have been there for at least two years.”

Lucy turned to Benito, a stunned look appearing across her face. Frowning, she mouthed, “You didn’t. Did you?”

As the midwife bustled out of the room, Benito turned back towards Lucy, his girl, leaning towards her, his lips brushing gently against her ear. “You’re part of my family now, and we look after our own in this family.”

~ The End ~

Sarah is a
new British writer. Born and raised in the Midlands county of Staffordshire where she still lives today with her family, a dog and a rabbit.

Forbidden to use her 'real' name by her children
, Sarah had been saying for years that she had a book "in her". Finally finding the time, she quite literally let the words flow as her first novel, Freeing Alex, was created and subsequently followed by Loving Alex, Eternally Alex and now Never Say Love.

She describes herself as a true Piscean with an over-active imagination and says that it took a great deal of courage to release 'Freeing Alex'
and her subsequent work.

“
It started as a hobby, now it’s a passion.” – Sarah E Ashley