Chapter 52

The sound of footsteps comes through the baby monitor. I run into my bedroom where my son is sleeping. And I find Luciano curled up with his uncle.

"Vin, what the hell? You gave me a damn heart attack," I whisper with a hand pressed firmly to my chest.

"Sorry," he says. But he's not looking at me. He's staring at the baby sleeping in his arms. "He really is cute. I never would have thought Gabe would make such a cute kid. You must have the stronger genes."

"He looks like a miniature version of his father." I grin as I walk over, lean down, and kiss my son on his chubby little cheek. Then I land my gaze back on Vin. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't I just be here to visit my sister and nephew?" he asks me.

"You can, but you usually call first," I remind him.

For the past year, Vin has really been my rock. I shouldn't be leaning on a teenager so much. He should be at school, enjoying his life. Instead, he's been here. My one constant in a world of uncertainties. And the only connection I have to Gabe, besides my son.

Luciano is five months old. He's getting bigger and bigger every day, and I couldn't be more in love with him if I tried. He's absolutely perfect. And, like I said, the mirror image of his father.

"It's time for you two to come home." Vin smiles at me.

"We've had this talk, a million times over. My answer isn't changing, Vin. I can't go back there."

"Gabe was released today. On parole."

My heart stops. I'm almost too scared to believe it. To hope I'm not dreaming. It's happened before, only for me to wake up and realise it wasn't real. "What?" I need to hear it again.

"He's coming home, Daisy. And if he gets there and you're not there, he's going to go apeshit. I'm sure I don't need to remind you what the thought of you leaving does to him. Remember that little kidnapping episode?"

I roll my eyes. "Your brother didn't want me visiting him. Went as far as to make sure I couldn't even if I tried. How do you know he wants me now that he's out?"

"Because I know my brother, and I know how much he loves you. I also know how much you love him. So do us both a favour and just come home, Daisy."

Nerves take flight in my stomach. I don't know why. I've been waiting for this day. I always planned to go home when he got out. I didn't want him to find out about Luciano while he was locked up, though.

But now, the reality of going home and coming clean about this secret I've been keeping from everyone is hitting me hard. So is the fact that he didn't want to see me… That he never answered my letters when I did try to write… I stopped trying after I left. I didn't see the point. He wouldn't have a return address even if he finally decided to write me back.

It's not just about him rejecting me. "What if he doesn't want him?" I voice the question that's been running through my head since the moment I saw that positive pregnancy test.

"Come on, Daisy. You know him better than that. He's going to want him. He's going to be in his own head for a bit when he realises everything he's missed. But my brother will be a great father. I have no doubt about that. And I don't think you do either."

I sit down on the bed and look around the room. I've gotten used to living here. Alone with Luciano. Vin set us up in this house. I don't know who owns it, but I've been staying here rent free for the last year.

"Why aren't you packing?" Vin asks me.

"I'm scared," I admit.

"Daisy, if you don't come home, I promise you he's going to come for you. And if he does that, he'll also be breaking the terms of his parole. Which means he's going straight back to jail."

"He doesn't know where I am." I shrug and cross my arms over my chest like a petulant child. "And unless you tell him, he won't know."

I asked too much of Vin when I begged him to keep my secret, but he has kept it. And he's done it without complaint. He visits me every month and stays for about a week each time.

Vin's phone starts blaring from his pocket. It startles Luciano, who whimpers and squirms. Vin passes him over to me. My son cuddles against my chest and is back to sleep in seconds.

"Hello…?" Vin takes the call and is walking out the door when he pauses and turns back around. He places his phone on speaker while gesturing a finger over his lips to stop me from asking questions.

"Sorry, bro. Something came up," Vin says, eyeing me.

"Something more important than seeing your brother after a year?"

My hand covers my mouth as I hear his voice for the first time in so long. Too long. Gabe.

"Yes."

"Vin, what are you doing in Adelaide?" Gabe asks him, and I frown.

How does he know where his brother is?

"Fuck, Gabe, don't do anything stupid. I'll be home with what you're looking for, okay? Soon. Just give me time." Vin sounds more panicked now.

"Where is she, Vin?" Gabe hisses through the phone, and my heart races. He's home, and I'm not there. He's looking for me.

"She's here, but I'm bringing her back. Just… stay there. Don't break the terms of your parole and land your ass in jail again." Vin cuts the call and glances over at me. "Does that answer your question about whether or not he wants you?"

I nod my head and tears form in my eyes. "He's really home," I say.

"Yes, and we need to leave. Grab enough stuff for Luciano. I'll have someone come and pack up the rest," Vin tells me.

"Okay, hold him for a sec." I hand my son over to Vin and run into the closet. Where I fill a bag with clothes for Luciano. Then I rush to the change table and grab nappies and wipes, enough to get us through the next couple of days without having to go to a store. Next, I run into the kitchen and pack up his bottle, my breast pump, and everything else I think he may need.

"You might want to get changed," Vin tells me when I step back into the room.

I look down at myself. I'm wearing a pair of pjs with Mickey Mouse on them. "Give me thirty minutes. I need to shower. Are you okay with him?" I ask while nodding towards my son.

"Of course I am." Vin rolls his eyes at me. "Go shower."

An hour later, I walk out of my bedroom and find Vin playing with a now-awake Luciano in the living room. Vin looks up at me and his eyes widen. "Holy shit, if you weren't my sister, I'd tell you that you're giving off total MILF vibes right now," he says.

"Too much?" I run my hands down the front of my clothes. I'm wearing a loose-fitting blue sundress. It's nothing fancy, but it's probably the nicest thing I have on hand. My body has changed a lot since giving birth, and I haven't exactly had the funds or the time to go shopping for myself.

"No, but you really don't need to do any of that. You've got that natural beauty thing going on," Vin tells me.

"Thanks. You know, Gabe used to say the same thing…"

"Because it's true. Come on, let's go. Jet's ready to bring you two home."

"I don't know how I would have gotten through this past year without you. I just… well, thank you. For everything you've done for me. And for us," I tell him.

"Anytime. That's what family does, Daisy," Vin says.

I pick up the baby capsule and set Luciano inside, making sure his seat belt is plugged in and adjusted properly. Then we're off to see his father…

The car pulls into the driveway, and I gulp down a few breaths of air. I'm so freaking nervous I feel like throwing up. I don't know what to expect.

What if we look at each other and whatever we had is gone? What if he sees me now and doesn't want me?

Then there's Luciano. I know I have to give Gabe the chance to accept him. I never intended to keep him from knowing he has a son. I just didn't want him to find out while he was locked up. It would have messed with his mental health too much and ruined his chances of getting out as quickly as he did. It might have felt like forever to me. But one year is better than the five I was prepared to wait.

"Don't be nervous, Daisy. This is your home."

"They're all going to hate me, Vin. I left without a word. I've kept this secret from everyone."

"They'll be shocked. Upset a bit, sure. But they won't hate you. And, honestly, who cares if they do? Gabe won't, and that's all that really matters." Vin takes the bag from the boot of the car and I unplug Luciano.

"It's time to meet your daddy," I whisper into my son's ear as I follow his uncle up the stairs and to the front door of the house.

As soon as I step foot in the foyer, I stop and look around. And then I hear him. Gabe.

"Vin, I'm going to fucking…" His words die off the second our eyes connect. "Daisy?" Gabe pushes past his brother to get to me. Then his gaze goes from my face to the baby I'm holding.

"Gabe…" I don't know what else to say. Everyone is staring at me. Gio, Marcel, Santo, even El. They're all just standing in the foyer, staring at me. "Can we go somewhere private and talk?"

"You all need to give them space." Vin claps his hands together to get their attention. "Now," he yells louder when no one moves.

"Let's go," Gio says before pivoting on his heel. Everyone follows him without another word. El is the only one daring enough to look back at me with a whole lot of questions dancing in her eyes.

I choke back my guilt and peer up at Gabe.