Claimed By The Mafia Don (Ariella and Asher) novel Chapter 277

ARIELLA

When Asher arrived, I had already packed my bags. I’d already had that talk with Leon and Maria. I told them we were leaving, that Asher was coming to get us.

Leon was super excited, almost too much. Every five minutes, he’d ask, “Is dad coming? Is he here?” and I had to keep telling him to be patient.

Maria, on the other hand, said she was going to stay behind a few more days at the house until she decided what to do. I told her we could wait for her, that we could go together, but she just smiled and said she needed a few days to herself. So, I had to let her have her way.

When Asher finally arrived, the moment he opened the door, Leon was already there waiting. He had been sitting right in front of it, lunch plate and all, determined not to miss a second.

And the moment the door opened, Leon ran straight into him, no hesitation, no pause, just pure, overflowing joy.

“Dad! Dad! You came! You came! You didn’t lie!”

For a moment, Asher just froze in the doorway, startled. I could see it, the surprise flashing across his face, the way his body stilled at the sound of that tiny voice calling him dad.

Then, as if something inside him finally clicked, a bright smile spread across his face, and a laugh, deep and warm, escaped him as he scooped Leon up into his arms.

He held him tight. So tight. And I just stood there watching the two of them. That was my favorite thing to do, watching Leon with his father. I don’t know why, but seeing the two of them together just melted my heart. It filled something inside me I didn’t even know was empty. It made me so happy.

Leon just wouldn’t stop talking. He immediately went into a tirade about packing his favorite shirt, his favorite toy, and about how he was ready to go with his dad. He couldn’t wait for his dad to teach him things like riding a bicycle like his friend at school. And he kept talking and talking, and Asher actually listened. He wasn’t just nodding or smiling but zoning out; you could tell he was really listening, really invested, asking questions.

These two were my whole world. When Leon finally ran out of breath, Asher put him down, and Leon said he was going upstairs to get his bag and started running up the stairs.

“Careful with the stairs!” I shouted at him.

“Yes, Mom!” he shouted back, and I heard him continue running up the stairs.

I let it pass. He was so excited.

We were staring at each other, and he was coming closer, and I raised up on my toes in order to meet him so I could kiss him.

Then Leon’s voice shouted from upstairs,

“Dad, the bag’s so heavy, can you help me?”

Asher and I laughed together.

“You’ll get used to it,” I told him.

He laughed, kissed my forehead, and then turned towards Leon. “Okay, I’m coming!”

We heard Leon laughing as Asher went up the stairs.