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“Strong genes apparently,” I mumble awkwardly.
Enzo reaches down to unbuckle Ares and lifts him out. Julius watches with suspicious eyes the whole time, I pet his head to tell him it's okay. Considering Ares isn't around many men he doesn't seem fazed. Ares babbles away making grabby hands. Enzo blows a raspberry whilst going cross-eyed and Ares does a small giggle. I swear the warmth from my heart floods through my whole body. Some days when it got particularly dark, I’d let myself dream of this alternate universe where Ares was Enzo’s and we were a family. I knew how to cook and we’d sit in our garden and have picnics, Alek would visit and everything was soft and happy and perfect. Then I'd wake up.
We head upstairs whilst Enzo casually holds Ares with just one arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world to him. I wonder if it was just me who it didn’t come naturally to.
I push the door open and Fran runs over to me wrapping her arms around me like she’s been waiting. “Cas, I'm so happy to see you.”
I squeeze her tightly, getting a face full of brown curls, I don't mind. “I missed you.”
She pulls back holding both of my hands and smiling at me in a way old friends do. She looks different. Her hair is shorter. No more long feminine curls but a chin-length bob. There's something else I can't put my finger on. Older obviously but maybe a little thinner and a little more pale? “I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, I can't even imagine it.” Her eyes hold a look of knowing and I give her hand a squeeze.
“It's okay. Enzo told me about your dad. Seems like we've all been through the wringer lately.” She smiles but it doesn’t reach her grey eyes. Julius sniffs at her legs and she jumps as if she didn't notice him. “Oh my god. Look at you.” She croons crouching down and gives him lots of enthusiastic cuddles. He gets excited, pawing at her some more and wiggling his butt. I glance at Enzo. “That's how you win him over.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He says in amusement. She stands up and quickly turns her attention to Ares. “Oh, aren't you just the most handsome baby ever.” She says in a high-pitched baby voice. “Can I hold him?”
I shrug motioning to Ares as he fiddles with a thin gold chain around Enzo's neck. “Yeah, of course, he’s not shy.”
She takes him from Enzo effortlessly. She's clearly a natural with babies too. Definitely just me the maternal gene got lost on. It took me weeks to get used to even picking him up. Hannah had to constantly assure me I wouldn’t hurt him.
She walks to the lounge and sits on the sofa placing Ares on her knee as she starts to play peekaboo with him. Julius joins them, sitting himself at her feet whilst Ares giggles away, reaching out for her hair to pull on.
I stay stood in the doorway watching the two of them with a smile. Ares hasn't met any of my family yet, only Hannah, Alexis and a few girls from the club. My mum can’t afford it and I'm not working nearly as much as I used to, so we're surviving off my savings mostly. Enzo wraps his arm around my waist, head resting on my shoulder. “I told you, she loves babies. And dogs apparently”
“I wasn’t expecting you to be such a natural with them too,” I say, raising a brow.
He shrugs with his mouth. “I’m the eldest of five, I’ve had practice.”
I lean back into him. My god I've missed this. “I didn’t know how you’d take him.”
He spins me around in his hold so I'm facing him. “He came from you; How could I not like him?” His eyes analyse my face although I'm not sure what he’s searching for. I press my face into his chest, hugging him tight.
Benny saunters in from the patio doors, his boyish features still there but he's gotten taller if that was even possible and I believe I’m starting to see some facial hair. “Was wondering when we would see you again.” He says breezily.
I beam at him. “How have you gotten taller?”
“I'll be giving Enzo a run for his money soon. I'm already the best-looking sibling and might as well be the tallest too.” He shoots a wink at Enzo.
“Think again,” Enzo says as he pushes the back of Benny's head.
He swerves out of Enzo's reach, coming to lean against the wall beside me. “Did you miss me?”
“Of course I did. I had no one to talk Marvel with.” As soon as the words leave my mouth I think of Alek and my smile drops.
Benny and Enzo exchange a look and Benny moves closer to me, jabbing me in the side lightly. “I got a new bike. You want me to take you out on it?” I can tell he's just trying to distract me and I'm grateful for it.
I plaster a smile on my face even though it feels broken. “As long as you promise not to drive like a maniac.”
He rolls his eyes playfully and takes a seat next to Fran on the sofa, leaning down to scratch Julius' big head. “Don’t get any ideas,” Benny says pointing a finger at her with Ares.
She scoffs. “As if any of you would let me.”
“Not a chance,” Enzo adds, giving Fran a pointed glare.
Enzo hooks his arm over my shoulder, bringing his mouth close to my ear to whisper. “You're not getting anywhere near his bike.”
37
Enzo
