Chapter 204 - Only You Could Stop Them - mdtres
Veronica
She looked at me again and kissed my forehead.
"I gave you something to think about, didn't I?"
"It's a theory. I'll wait for the meeting with Rata and Alessandro on Skype, and from there, we'll know what to do. Your idea isn't crazy, but I find it weak. The mafia would rather die than show weakness and give up their throne."
We settled in more comfortably, and sleep called to us. I felt it embrace me tightly; I was home again. The children's cries woke me; I felt like I hadn't slept at all. Poor Roland had been dealing with this every day. I got out of bed. Just then, Ines came in with the thermos and bottles with their first dose. Roland was still fast asleep.
"My Vero, you can tell you're back. As soon as the kids would fuss, he'd get up, afraid something was wrong. I picked up Liam, and Ines picked up Enrique, who were the ones crying. "The others won't take long to wake up."
"I'm so happy to be back home."
"Your father has already arrived. Santiago is still asleep."
"Did you ever imagine this, Ines?"
She looked at me, then at Enrique, who was drinking his bottle just like Liam in my arms. Her eyes filled with tears.
"I prayed every day, for years. I watched those seven men be consumed by their demons, each with his own story. The one who suffered the least was Gustavo. He experienced the absence of his father's abandonment, but he was born to a strong woman.
"Josefina is strong-willed. The rest all suffered abandonments, deaths, murders of their mothers, except Roland, but we learned that story later. He grew up with that void in his soul. That's why I prayed for each of them.
"Vero, you can't imagine how much I prayed for an angel to come to each of them as one had come to Daniel. Clarisa was the refuge where my Cherry would rest at night, where he became human, and that's what I wanted for all my sons. But God is wiser. He sent light to the head, though they respect their hierarchy when they were the cartel.
"They were friends, more than friends, they are brothers. They are all strong, reserved men, not quick to express love, they show it through actions. I wanted to see them as they are now, but from thought to deed...
We burped the babies. Liam spit up, and I cleaned him, showering his little face with kisses before putting him back in the crib. I took Enrique and kissed him too. We waited for Dante and Victoria to wake up.
"It's strange to see such tough men turn to mush with the women they love. Now that Roland, Simon, Miguel, and Daniel have children, I see them stronger. They were hard on the outside. Many might have felt fear of them, but now they are becoming truly strong. Love, my Vero, that's what makes one an oak. I give infinite thanks every day that you came into Roland's life. He is greatly admired; if he decides to act, his people follow."
"Well, now you just need Gustavo and Arnold."
"Only Arnold." I looked at her, wondering what I had missed. "Gladis came to ask for forgiveness, to propose, and since yesterday afternoon, they haven't left their room. Last night, I brought them dinner. I gave Gustavo a talking-to, but I allowed it because their reconciliation was necessary. Tomorrow, I don't want any cohabitation." She laughed. "They both were as shocked as you."
"Don't be so strict with them."
"I only slept with my husband after we got married, and you did the same. You slept with the boss, but nothing happened. Miguel respected the house, though not outside of it. Gustavo and Gladis could do the same." I covered my mouth to keep from laughing hard.
"Ines, invite everyone to breakfast at the house. Whoever is here, I want to see my family."
"It will be a pleasure. How wonderful to have you back! Has the boss told you?" I nodded.
"Something tells me they need Roland's help, and the reason they're looking for it is what scares me."
"I don't understand, ma'am."
"It's just a feeling. They want to get out or save their families like Roland did. They trust his ingenuity to succeed, but they must be under pressure to do this. And it's those pressuring them that I fear. We don't know what we'll find, and I don't want Roland to backslide on his path to redemption."
"Now you've made me worried, ma'am."
"I'm not afraid of that. They know how to do their job. Their priority now is to protect their families." I hugged her. "Let's wait and see what happens, but let's stay close to God. So now you just need to marry off Arnold. In a month and a half, we'll celebrate three weddings at the estate, in four months Anibal and Shirly's, and finally, in six months, Gustavo and Gladis's."
"Oh, with Arnold it's a different story. I just hope someone comes along who can show him strength, loyalty, and courage. Arnold enjoys women, but to him, they're all flighty except for you two."
"Has he told you that?"
"His mother left a big mark on him. He knows there are good women, but they're rare. And those are for others; he doesn't deserve one. I don't like that he hangs around with older women. I wish he'd look elsewhere."
"Like to Mexico, maybe."
"I wouldn't mind at all. At least she's shown strength; she's a tough girl, doesn't back down from anything, hardworking and very responsible. Shall we play matchmaker?"
"Subtly, like we don't mean to." I hugged her, and Dante woke up. "You handle breakfast, I'll take care of my kids."
When I peeked into the crib, Liam and Enrique were asleep, Victoria smiled, and Dante began his concert demanding food. I picked up my doll and placed her on her father's chest as he stretched.
"Good morning, Cielo. I'll leave you with your princess, I need to tend to Da..."
"My number one intruder."
He hugged the girl, I picked up Dante. Our lives had undoubtedly changed, and I love it. Thank you, God, for giving me the privilege of being a mother.
......
Roland
Having my Beautiful back close to me was the best thing in the world. She said we'd have a breakfast in honor of her return. After taking care of bathing and dressing our kids, quite a feat. It was a marathon, but I loved the rhythm and teamwork we had.
While she bathed Enrique, I held our princess, showering her with kisses and making silly faces, but impossible to avoid. Once he was bathed, she wrapped him in a towel, set him aside, took Victoria, and I carried Enrique to the bed, dried him off, and covered him with his blanket.
She went to the girl's tub, poured in hot water from the thermos. I had filled all the tubs with cold water. I took out Dante, showering him with kisses during each wait. "This dad stuff was total foolishness." That was our routine. She set Victoria beside her tub and took Dante to his blue tub.
I took my daughter and picked up the third of our kids. We had a baby barracks; in the room I had joined, there were five cribs, four individual ones with their names, and one big one where they slept next to our bed. Four tables where each had their tub in their assigned colors: blue, green, white, and pink.
Another table held all their food supplies. I designed several compartments for their blankets; Veronica loved them. The closets for our kids looked like a painted panel in their colors. Press it, and a long drawer unfolds where each child has their clothes.
I carried my princess, dried her off, and placed her on the bed with her pink towel and blanket beside her brother. I went to get Liam, who was the last to wake up this time, handed him to her in the white tub, and returned to Dante. Watching and listening to her, talking to the kids, seeing the love she radiated for our children, I don't know how to repay her. I hit the jackpot with this woman.
When she finished with Liam, she dried him off and took Enrique out of the crib. I carried Dante and my princess, and we sat on the balcony to let them get some sun. When Guadalupe and my mother arrived to help bathe them, they were surprised to see Veronica had already done it.
"Well, it's clear that mom is back," my lovely lady commented. She kissed each child. "Do you need me, Vero?"
"For now, I want to do everything for my kids myself."
"I understand, but you will need help, you'll see."
"I know."
"Mrs. Veronica, I've cleaned the tubs, should I help dress them?"
It was Lupe who asked. I needed to talk to my wife about how much to pay her because this young girl had worked hard to care for them.
"Lupe, tomorrow. Today, let me spoil them."
"Alright, we'll help Inés more in the kitchen. Your father wants to see you."
"My dad can come into the room whenever he wants."
"Don't say that, Love."
She turned red as my father-in-law entered the balcony. She blushed even more. After the proper and enthusiastic hugs, they left us alone. Together, we dressed the kids. I took care of Enrique and Dante, my Beautiful handled Victoria and Liam. We were about to pick them up when they started their concert for food. Always, after bathing, my little gluttons demanded food, all four crying would overwhelm anyone. We looked at each other and smiled.