Page 22 of They Found Us
Leo lays me comfortably on the sofa in the living room. From here, I have a good view out of the bifold doors that lead out into the garden and on into the vineyard, and I can also see into the kitchen through the double doors. Perfect. Once the boys are inside, Zander asleep in his crib at my side and Mark playing happily at the kitchen table, Leo covers me with a blanket.
Watching him care for my children and me fills my heart with so much love. To see him now, this loving, doting father and husband, you would never believe he was the boss of the Guerra. That he has tortured and killed many people. Okay, they all deserved it in one way or another, but to look at him now, you would think he wouldn’t hurt a fly.
A notification chimes on Leo’s phone. “Alex is here.” He goes to the front door and lets him in.
“Hi, Katie. I’m not staying. Just thought I would pop in and see if you needed anything?”
“Thanks, Alex. I have no idea. Leo’s been taking care of everything. Is there anything we need, Leo?”
“I think we have everything we need.”
“Oh, Alex, we’ve decided on a name. Haven’t we, Leo?” I gesture to Leo to introduce Zander.
Leo takes the hint and picks him up. “Uncle Alex, meet your nephew, Zander.”
Alex takes Zander and looks at Leo, who nods, confirming he is named after his uncle.
“From the moment I got pregnant, Leo wanted to call him Alex. It had been his choice of name all the way through my pregnancy. But when we found you, we decided Alex may get a little confusing.
“Zander is perfect. I’m honoured. Thank you” His voice breaks a little when he speaks.
Alex and Vanna don’t yet have any children. They are a few years older than us. I’m not sure of their situation, and I don’t feel it's appropriate to ask. Not unless they were to bring it up, anyway. They are both really good with Mark and Zander, and they seem to really care for children.
While the boys chat in the kitchen, I let myself doze off, feeling very comfortable, safe and relaxed in my beautiful family home.
Chapter Nine
Katie
A few weeks pass, and I’m feeling great. Leo is still trying to wrap me up in cotton wool, although he is tired, and I can tell he is glad of the help around the house and with the boys. While Leo is a wonderful father and husband, I think he has had enough of being the main carer.
There’s a knock at the door, Leo opens it, already smiling, he knows who is behind it. “Alex.” Leo embraces his brother.
Both of them seem to light up when they are together. There’s another level to their happiness when they are in each other’s company. It’s Friday evening, and Alex and Vanna have come for dinner. It’s become a routine that we all really enjoy. Leo especially. It is wonderful to see how close the brothers are once again. It’s like they have never been apart.
Leo and Alex go for their usual walk around the vineyard while Vanna and I prepare the dinner. Tonight, it’s a seafood risotto.
Once the table is laid with fresh bread, olives, and salad, Leo dishes out the risotto. “Ladies, this smells amazing. You’ve spoilt us as usual.”
The evening is wonderful. We all share stories from our past. Some sad, some hilarious. We’ve really bonded over the past weeks. Before we met, I had been worried that being here without family wasn’t enough. I had worried about Leo, as he had started to become quite suppressed. But since he has been around Alex, it’s like Leo’s spark has returned. I do feel like they have some sort of language only they understand. They look at each other in certain way, and the other seems to read exactly what they mean just from a facial expression. They also take these walks together where they talk and can be gone for hours.
“Since you prepared the food, we will do the dishes.” Alex nudges Leo to get up from the table.
They both leave with plates in their hands. But as they approach the dishwasher, both of their phones ping with notifications. I glance down at Leo’s screen to see it’s a notification of activity in the front garden. Both Leo and Alex look in the direction of the table and then back at each other. They throw the dishes in the sink, quickly grab their phones, and exit the room.
“Stay here,” Alex commands as he closes the door behind them both.
“What’s going on?” I ask Vanna, shaken by their reaction.
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, I’m going to find out.” I stand from the table to follow them, but Vanna catches my arm.
“No. We should stay here with the boys.” She gestures to Mark sat happily still eating and Zander asleep in this crib beside the table.
Sitting back down, I try and listen for voices. But I don’t hear anything. Vanna stands from the table and goes to thekitchen window. She peers outside into the back garden. It’s dark outside, so I doubt she will be able to see anything. She then closes the blinds. The next moment, I hear Leo and Alex. They are laughing. The door opens, and they walk in, each carrying a goat in their arms.
“Looks like Upsy and Daisy fancied a night out tonight.” Leo laughs.
