Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 258

ASHER

The food was perfect. The pasta was tender, the sauce savory. Ariella had clearly put thought and care into the food, and I could see why Leon was ecstatic.

Once the plates were cleared, Ariella brought over the ice cream. Leon’s little hands clapped together in delight.

“Ice cream!” he squealed, digging in immediately with a little spoon, not caring about neatness at all.

I smiled as I served myself, stealing glances at Ariella. She seemed more at ease now, letting herself enjoy the moment, laughing quietly at Leon’s messiness. I reached across the table and took Ariella’s hand gently. She looked up, eyes meeting mine, and I could see everything, the past, the pain, the secrets, but also the promise of what we could have now.

I didn’t want to ruin the moment by bringing up the past. We were having such a great time, and I didn’t want to disrupt it. So I asked the question I probably should have asked earlier.

“Where is Maria? I thought she decided to stay back with you?” I said carefully.

“Yes,” Ariella answered softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. “But she’s still in bed. She struggles to get up and help with her arm, and the pain meds… they just keep her off the wagon. After she takes them, she goes straight back to bed. But I’ve kept the food for her in the fridge, so whenever she wakes up in the middle of the night, she has something to eat.”

“Oh,” I said, smiling at her thoughtfulness. “So now she’s not the one taking care of you, you’re the one taking care of her.”

Her little smile widened, insistent and warm. “I’m so glad she decided to stay because she’s great company, and I don’t feel so lonely.”

“You have Leon here to protect you,” I said, my voice cheery, teasing slightly.

“Yes!” Leon shouted, diving right into the conversation. “I protect Mommy!”

“Yes,” I replied, ruffling his hair. “You’re the man of the house when I’m not around.”

Ariella swatted me lightly, and Leon clapped his hands gleefully, digging into his ice cream again with that little-boy abandon.

Once everything was done, we all pitched in to help clear the plates. I even started on the dishes, but Ariella stopped me.

“It’s Leon’s bedtime now,” she said, her tone gentle but firm.

I looked at her, hoping, testing the waters. “Can I get him ready for bed?” I asked softly, trying to gauge her reaction, wondering how she would take my suggestion.

Before Ariella could answer, Leon jumped right in.

“Yes, Daddy! Daddy’s gonna read me a story!” His excitement was off the roof, practically vibrating in the small kitchen.

I couldn’t help but smile. The boy’s energy, his trust, his Love.

Ariella hesitated for a moment before she asked, “Do you know how to give him a shower? He has to brush his teeth. And then he has to…” She trailed off.

“Why don’t you let me help?” I interrupted, stepping in.

She stopped, looked at me, and after a brief pause, said, “Okay.”

So we did. We went upstairs together, and I watched her, careful to follow her lead. She would occasionally ask me to help, maybe get him clothes, or hold things steady, just little things, knowing my boy at that moment would change, would grow.

“Yes, Daddy, I remember. You told me it’s a secret between you and me.”

“Yes, but this is a family secret,” I said, smiling at him. “If you have questions, you can ask Mommy too, okay? But this is a secret just between you, me, and Mommy.”

“Okay,” he said, nodding seriously, “I won’t tell anyone but mommy.”

“Well, I came today because I miss you and your mom very much,” I began.

He replied softly. “I miss you too, Daddy. I’m so happy you came.”

“I know, son. I’m very happy too,” I said, feeling my chest tighten at the honesty in his little voice.

“But you see,” I continued, “I wasn’t finished with the job I was supposed to do, the job that would make me come back for good, the job that will make it so you get to wake up every day and mom and I would both be here.”

“What does that mean?” he asked, tilting his head with that innocent curiosity that always made my heart ache.

“It means,” I said, swallowing hard, “that when you wake up in the morning, I won’t be here.”

“You’re leaving?” he asked, his little face falling.

“Dad…”