132 - Benjamin Scott

132 - Benjamin Scott
Benjamin Scott

The days have been passing slowly, and yet, we are happy and complete with our family at home. I always wondered what my life would be like after making such a drastic decision as leaving the priesthood, but I never thought it would be like this.

Lying on the couch in our children’s playroom, with Camilla by my side, watching our babies on their tummies, staring at the mirror in front of them, I felt my heart lighter. Light in a way that not even the weight of being part of the mafia could take away.

Camilla was in full swing, trying to organize a routine for our little ones like a true professional. As she lay on my chest, I ran my hand down her back while we admired our babies. Camilla always had something about her that showed how strong and determined she was, and how much she liked to take control. Now it was even more evident. Amid laughs and knowing glances, our children were teaching us about chaos and love.

“Benjamin, I still don’t understand how you can stay so calm amidst the mess they make…” she said, raising an eyebrow at me. “You’re like a rock.”

I smiled, and before letting her get off me, I kissed her lips and watched as she walked over to where our quartet was. Our babies had already reached the five-month mark and were getting smarter by the day.

“Am I a rock? I’m just waiting for you to tell me what to do so I can obey my organized little devil!” I replied, laughing, as I got up to pick up Julian, who seemed ready to cry.

Camilla rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her feigned irritation.

“Do you feel it?” she asked, and from her expression, I knew exactly what she meant. “Come on, darling, you have a very important role here too.”

With Julian now in my arms, Camilla held Gio, who was trying to put his hands in his mouth. With their teeth coming in, we were going through a phase where all four were cranky and tearful, leaving my lovely wife frazzled whenever one of them started crying.

“Seriously, did you choose me for this?” I asked, holding Julian up, who smiled and drooled all over me.

I narrowed my eyes at my baby with suspicion. Julian had an expression that made it clear he knew exactly what was coming. I had already become much better at changing my kids’ diapers than when we first brought them home months ago.

But something in my little one’s gaze made it obvious he was enjoying knowing he would probably cause a huge mess while I cleaned him up. I walked with him in my arms, smelling the evidence of his diaper disaster, and headed to the dresser decorated with little cars.

As I entered the room, I saw one of the nannies on her phone. The moment she noticed me, she stood up.

“Do you need help with Julian, Mr. Scott?” she asked.

“There’s no need, Anya. I’ve got Julian, but I think the others might be dirty too,” I said, and shortly after, Camilla entered the small room used as a resting spot for the nannies.

“Anya, could you help me with Vincenzo?” Camilla asked, holding Will and Gio in her arms.

“Of course, ma’am,” our nanny replied.

I walked over to the changing table with my boy and started taking off his little outfit. As expected, he was completely messy, which earned me a series of grimaces and plenty of laughter from my little devil by my side.

“How can someone this small be such a messy little thing?” I was genuinely amazed at how much he had managed to soil his clothes.

“You’ll manage, Bishop. I’m sure there are enough wet wipes to handle this masterpiece…”

Camilla laughed as I cleaned my young Da Vinci and his Renaissance artwork. Almost an entire pack of wipes later, I was dressing my wriggling baby again.

“It’s amazing when we get to see the true Molloch!” I jumped at the sound of Jackson’s voice and Ravi’s babbling.

“At home, I’m always just Benjamin. Molloch and Bishop only exist beyond these doors!” I said, holding Julian and Gio in my arms.

I left Camilla changing Will and approached my cousin. If he came all the way here, I figured he needed something from me, or maybe he just came to drop off Amelia so she could spend some time with Camilla.

“Did something happen?” I ask curiously.

“No, I just came with Ravi to play a little with the cousins…” he says, but I see something in his eyes that doesn’t convince me.

“Try another one!” I reply and turn back to the toy-filled rug, placing my children there.

Jackson does the same and sits next to Ravi, who isn’t too interested in lying down and just wants to keep bouncing on his dad’s legs.

“Amélia was tired. Ravi is in this phase of jumping around, and I’m afraid my girl might end up feeling depressed or think she’s a terrible mother…” His voice trails off as he expresses his concern.

“I don’t think that’s the issue!” Camilla says, and a smile starts to appear on her face, surprising me.

“If you know what it is, then tell me. I’m afraid she’ll end up feeling awful…”

“Don’t worry; this will pass, I promise!” Camilla says as she sits back down between our babies.

I lift my head when I hear footsteps approaching, and from the whistle, I know Oliver is coming toward the room, undoubtedly with his baby in his arms.

I smile as I see my mischievous cousin playing with his son, who beams a big smile and laughs every time his dad moves him, tossing him up or flipping him upside down. Right behind him, Sophia walks in, sighing in contrast to my cousin’s antics.

“Look, Aiden, we’ve got a cousin festival here at Uncle Ben’s house!” he says, and I watch as he takes off his shoes.

“How’s it going?” I ask, only now realizing I hadn’t planned for anyone to come over. “What are you doing here?”

I was about to respond when Oliver, with his usual irreverent and energetic way, let out a loud laugh that made the whole house vibrate.

“Can’t we visit Uncle Ben and my cousins?” he asked with that mischievous smile everyone already knew.

Aiden, cradled in Oliver’s arms, laughed nonstop. The baby loved the moments when his dad swung him in the air like a toy. Aiden’s sincere laughter echoed through the house, squeezing my heart with happiness.

“Of course, you can!” I said, quickly getting up.

But I hesitated slightly, realizing I wasn’t quite prepared for more company at home. Not that I didn’t enjoy the visit, but today, I was hoping for a moment alone with my wife once our quartet went to sleep.

Camilla, as always, was calm and smiling. She stood up when she saw Oliver and Sophia enter and immediately went to kiss Sophia.

“It’s almost feeding time. Did you bring Aiden’s bottle?” Camilla asked.

“Of course, of course,” Oliver replied with his usual laughter. “Just a quick visit. What’s going on around here?” He looked at me with that knowing glance, as if he sensed something was happening but didn’t want to be too obvious.

I sighed, feeling the day’s tension ease a little with everyone’s presence, even though I felt my house was fuller than I was used to.

“We’re just trying to manage our routine of diapers and giggles,” I said with a smile, trying to lighten the conversation.

Oliver laughed, and Aiden’s laughter mingled with his, filling the room with lightness. I glanced at Camilla, who was caressing Gio, who had a teether in his tiny hands.

Sophia sighed, as usual, and settled down next to me. She always had this calm energy, almost as if she were pondering something she was about to say. I had no idea if they knew about my intentions for tonight, but since they were here, I was sure they’d be very helpful.

“So, what did I miss?” she asked with a curious expression.

“Not much, but today I want to know if any of you have plans for the evening,” I ask, looking at everyone and especially my wife.

“Nothing for us!” Camilla replies.

“As far as I know, Sophia hasn’t planned anything for tonight, right, darling?” Oliver says, looking at his wife.

“Good to know because tonight, you’re all drafted to stay here and keep the quartet company while I take my lovely wife on a nighttime date!” I smile as I share my plans for the evening.

With a sly look, my wife smiles and walks over to where our nanny was, undoubtedly to inform her that we’d be going out tonight.

This is the first outing I’ll have with Camilla since the birth of our children, and I hope she can relax a bit outside the house. We need this to have a moment together…