First Born

35. It all comes together

35. It all comes together

Talon

I stared at my daughter in awe. She was so tiny and she'd already captured my heart. It's only been a few days, but I was already in love with her, my little Angel.

"Congrats," Alessandro said while clapping me on the back. "Who would have thought you would be the first one among us to have a child."

"The first one that we know of," I said.

He laughed.

For all anyone knew, Alessandro had a whole football team running around out there that no one knew about. He didn't seem to care either. No one would be surprised if some random woman shows up claiming she's carrying a next generation DeLuca baby.

"How is Kara doing," he asked. I shook my head from side to side. "She still doesn't want to see her?"

"The delivery was difficult for her and adding the scare we went through leading up to that, it really took a toll on her. She's suffering. I don't know what to do."

"Maybe you should give it time."

"Yeah. I'm hoping that will help."

"Me too."

Alessandro left me alone to bask in the presence of my daughter. I knew she would be the only one, the only child I would ever have, and I would give her the world because of it. However, Kara was my top priority right now, so even if I have to yield to my younger brother, I would. He knew Kara better than any of us. Because of this, I decided to make a call I never anticipated making.

Nikolai had been ignoring all calls from his family, which is understandable, so I was rather surprised when he picked up my call.

"What," he asked in a groggy voice. 

"Before you hang up, listen to what I have to say. The past...let's forget it all. I won't hold any grudges against you. No matter what you did, I want you to know that I forgive you. I forgive it all. Kara needs you. I don't know what to do or how to handle it." The entire time I was explaining the situation, he never said a word. "Come home, Nik. Please." There was silence on the other line for about a minute before it went dead. I sighed. He'd hung up. There was nothing else I could do. I extended the olive branch. It was up to Nik to take it or not.

Nikolai

I tried to roll over to reach my phone but got tangled up in another set of arms and legs. I sighed. 

Hana...

She was still asleep. It was too soon to tell if I'd regret the decision I made last night or not. I was instantly attracted to Hana when I met her and I felt it was the same for her. I had no intention of sleeping with her when I met her but somehow it ended up that way.

I answered the phone without looking at it, which I realized was a mistake after hearing my brother's voice. I listened while he explained the situation and went into details, but he'd already gotten my attention when he said Kara needed me. I never said a word the entire time he spoke. I was already thinking about how soon I could be on a plane back home.

When he'd finished speaking, the silence continued for about a minute before I hung up and immediately got out of bed. Hana stirred awake. This wasn't a conversation I wanted to have. I felt guilty and didn't know why I felt that way. We were adults who both consented to having sex. We didn't owe each other anything.

"I have to go back to Italy immediately."

"Okay." That's all she said before getting out of bed and leaving the room. She didn't ask for an explanation and I didn't offer one.