“I’ve got his cup. Thanks.”
I can barely breathe around the huge lump that settled in my throat the second I walked into this incredible house. I’m not sure what I pictured when I imagined where he lived, but it wasn’t anything like this. I’m further surprised when his brother Milo walks into the room, wearing only a pair of basketball shorts, his muscular chest on full display.
“Oh, hey, Sofia,” he says. “I was wondering who was out here.”
“Did we wake you?” Nico asks him.
“Nope. I was up and getting ready to go to Mom’s. Merry Christmas.”
“Same to you. We’re headed there, too. I just need to shower. I heard you saved our asses last night. Thank you.”
“No problem. It got me out of Mass, so…”
Nico laughs at the face his brother makes.
Milo waves to my son. “Hi there, Mateo.”
“Santa came,” Mateo says with Christmas Day excitement.
“What did he bring?”
“I got a bike!”
“His new tricycle is his favorite thing,” Nico says. “We’re going to try it out in Mom’s driveway.”
“That sounds fun.”
“Ride soon,” Mateo says.
“I hear you, little buddy,” Nico says. “I’ll be quick. Be right back.”
After Nico leaves the kitchen, Milo pours a cup of coffee and asks if I’d like some.
“Sure, thanks.”
“Cream and sugar?”
“Just a little cream, please.” I scoop up Mateo and bring him with me to take a seat at the kitchen table that looks out over the beautiful pool.
“Swim, Mama.”
“Not today, sweetie.”
“Mama. Swim!”
“Can he put his feet in?” Milo asks.
“Sure. Why not?”
He brings his coffee and mine to the pool deck as I follow with Mateo. I sit on a sectional sofa and remove his sandals.
Milo puts a mug of coffee on the table next to me and holds out his hand to Mateo. “Want to put your feet in, buddy?”
“Feet, Mama.”
“Just your feet. Don’t get your clothes wet.”
While I sip my coffee, Milo sits with Mateo on the edge of the pool and puts his feet in to show Mateo what to do.