Yes, he didn’t ask.
He commanded it.
And how can I deny a man who gave me not just a new life, but a new heart.
Victor
Two years later
I watch Sofía alongside her father as they walk down the garden, behind her are our two-year-old twins. A boy and a girl, who are perfect, just like their mother. I never thought I would want a family, but the moment I realized I loved Sofía, I knew the moment I could, I would fill her belly with babies.
We stopped at the two, even though I wouldn’t mind seeing her swollen with more kids. Even though I know she’s healthy, and her heart is strong, I wanted her to be here until we’re both old and gray. The fear of losing her suddenly is always there, at the back of my mind. And I would much rather have her here, than have a brood of children without their mother.
They look up at my office window, as if she knew I was watching, and they offer me a happy wave. Sofía and I are magnets. It doesn’t matter where I am, I feel her nearness, and she feels mine.
“You’re a lucky man,” Javier says behind me. The kids love him to pieces, and every time he’s around, they climb up his leg and into his arms.
“I am.” I turn to regard him, there’s something bothering him, and I wonder if it has anything to do with our new shipments coming in. “What is it?”
“I wanted to ask you if I could travel to America to meet with Monaghan,” he asks. I was meant to travel in a couple of days to see our newest client in Los Angeles, and while there, I wanted to see Franco Moretti.
“Alone?”
“If you trust me,” he says with a smile. “You should be here for the twins’ birthday.”
“And what are they going to do without their Uncle Javi?” I chuckle.
He laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners, but there’s still something he’s hiding from me. I can read him better than any book in my overstocked library, and I know when my best friend is hiding something from me.
“You know, Javi,” I turn to my desk, opening the top drawer, I pull out my cigars. Handing one to him, I place another between my lips before I light the end. Pulling deeply, I savor the fragrance of the cigar. It’s one of my favorite past times, besides fucking my wife. “I’ve known you for a long time, longer than most people in this house.”
He nods.
“And when you lie to me or omit something from me, then trust is something I would think twice about offering.” My voice is low, serious, and I keep my expression schooled with him.
“There’s someone I’d like to see while I’m up there,” he finally admits, and it’s not what I was expecting. Javier has had women and men in his bed, some who I’ve sent to him, but he’s never once given any of them a return visit and I wonder if he’ll ever find what I have with Sofía.
“Oh?” I arch a brow, waiting for him to continue, because now I’m intrigued by Javier. There’s a squeal coming from down the hall, and I know our conversation will be shelved for later.
“Papá! Papá!” The little voice of my sweet girl comes the moment she steps over the threshold. She’s wearing a pink sundress that’s swishing around her little legs as she races toward me. Not long after, we’re joined by my son who’s in a pair of dark jeans and a T-shirt with some sort of dinosaur on it. I’m not sure what Sofía buys them most times, but that has to go.
“Julio, Juliet,” I call to them as they slam into my legs, nearly knocking me off my feet. Can the King of Colombia be so soft with his heart? Certainly. Not with everyone though. “Uncle Javier was just telling me he won’t be here for your party tomorrow,” I tell them, knowing I’m causing trouble for him with the two monsters.
“Awwww,” Juliet mumbles, just before sticking out her lower lip and pouting as if it’s the end of the world. “Where are you going, Uncle Javi?” she asks him, her wide eyes locked on his. She looks just like her mother, with those beautiful green eyes that, at times, flash with gold, which I know comes from me.
“Victor,” Hector greets me as he enters the office a few minutes later, along with Sofía who’s got her hand on her stomach, which has my interest piqued.
“Good to see you, Hector,” I greet my father-in-law who settles in one of the wingback chairs opposite my desk.
“Uncle Javi,” Juliet calls to him, “Why can’t you come to my party?”
“Our party!” Julio shouts, causing us all to chuckle.