The all-consuming need and fire in Ottavio’s eyes told Ivy he was ready, so he pulled his fingers out and nudged his hole with the tip of his cock, then gently pushed inside. The lovemaking was slow and tender, just what Ottavio needed. With each deep thrust, Ivy brought his man closer to the edge, turning him into a moaning, whimpering, writhing mess.
His own orgasm coiling in the pit of his stomach, Ivy couldn’t hold back and spilled inside his lover, who came without stimulation, splattering their chests and stomachs with his load. The happiness on Ottavio’s face as he wrapped his arms around Ivy was indescribable: their relationship had now come full circle.
CHAPTER 11
The next day, Galen was the first to come down for breakfast. “Whoa, bruschetta! Basile, you are a legend!” he exclaimed, hugging Basile. “How did you know this is what I wanted for breakfast?”
“Grazie, Signorino, but I’m just a man who likes to examine, notice, and pay attention to details. It’s the best way to be of use in my line of work,” Basile replied with a grateful smile. “I hope you’ll enjoy your breakfast; it’s time for me to check on your little siblings.”
“We already did. They are now fed and changed, and the fluffs keep them entertained. Good morning, everyone.” Ottavio smiled as he descended the stairs, holding Ivy's hand.
“Good morning,” Galen waved to Ivy and offered his father a weak smile. "And let’s eat because I’m starving. Soft-boiled eggs and bruschetta with tomatoes, garlic, and olive oil,” he gestured to the table. “The best combination.”
“I completely agree with you, son.” Ottavio pulled up a chair for Ivy, then took a seat. “I couldn’t get enough of it when I was your age. Also, you should try the caprese salad someday, or anything with mozzarella. Or mozzarella, period.”
“Basile promised to introduce me to Sicilian cuisine step by step, depending on what you order for dinner,” Galen said with his mouth full. “Sorry, bad manners,” he blushed.
The doorbell rang before Ottavio could reply. “Please, continue your breakfast,” Basile said, halting his attempt to rise. “I’ll take care of that, and then, with your permission, I’ll go upstairs to check on the little ones.” A few minutes later, he returned, visibly distressed. “There’s a lady looking for you, boss. She…she says she’s from CPS and has two police officers with her,” the man stammered.
“Oh, this is probably just another pre-adoption inspection,” Ottavio waved his hand dismissively. “Oops,” he covered his mouth with one hand and grinned playfully. “This was supposed to be a surprise.” With that, he left the kitchen and headed to the entryway. “Hello, I’m Ottavio Sforza. How can I help you?”
“Hello, I am Susan Briggs from CPS," the woman in her early forties said as she handed the man an envelope. “This contains the court's decision to grant temporary custody of Galen Wade to Robert and Jenna Dixon. The judge determined that the child’s moral and physical well-being would be at serious risk if he remained here.”
“What?” For a moment, the house and the entire world spun wildly, and Ottavio couldn't understand or process what was happening. "When... those people can’t do that. What kind of judge is this, anyway? Those two clearly stated they didn’t want my son in their lives and that he’s a burden... so what made them change their minds?"
The woman sighed, her heart heavy as she watched him cry without realizing it. She thought, 'Poor guy, he doesn’t even know he’s crying.' She then addressed him, “Look, Mister Sforza, you appear to be the type who can afford a good lawyer. Why not settle this in court? I understand that sometimes the rulings aren’t completely fair, but there’s little you can do at the moment. You probably don't want the police to get involved, do you?”
“No, of course not.” Ottavio wiped away the tears on his cheeks with the back of his hand. “May I please have a few minutes with my son? I promise neither of us will cause you any trouble. In the meantime, may I offer you coffee, a drink, anything?” He gestured to a chair. “Please, sit.”
“A coffee would be nice, thank you,” the woman offered him a pale smile. “And please, take all the time you need. We’re not in a hurry.”
Ottavio nodded and went back into the kitchen. “Basile, will you please fix a plate for the lady waiting in the entryway? Also, bring her a mug of coffee.” Then he knelt beside his older son’s chair. “There’s a court order, and… the judge decided you should go back there and live with those people.”
Galen’s eyes widened with shock, disbelief, and terror. “But…why? How? They dumped me and told the social worker they can’t afford to raise me anymore.” He stood and wrapped his arms around the man’s neck. “Please, I don’t want to go! I want to stay here with you, Ivy, Ives, Poisoned Ivy, Basile, my siblings, Snow White, Sansone, and the fluffs. Please, do something, Papa.”
Papa.The word shook Ottavio to his core, planting a new hope within him, like a seed growing into a strong, tall tree. “Listen to me, figlio mio,” he said, his eyes fixed on his son. “I’ll take a photo of the court decision and send it to your zio Baldassare. He’ll message you with advice on what to say and do during your stay.”
“But…” Although his father’s firm voice gave Galen hope, he still doubted his words, not because he didn’t trust him but because he knew what his relatives were capable of. “I won’t have a phone; they will take everything away from me, like they did the first time.”
“No, they won’t,” Ottavio said, pointing to the open envelope. “This paper grants you and us many rights, and whenever they overstep your boundaries, you should either contact Baldassare or firmly put them in their place.”
In a raspy voice, Ottavio asked Ivy to go upstairs and pack a few suitcases with Galen’s favorite clothes, shoes, and books. Then he wrapped his arms around his older son, hugging him to his chest with all the fatherly love and despair in his heart. 'You have to stay strong for him,' he told himself, even as he felt his world was falling apart.
Baldassare will handle everything; he knows the best family law lawyers. You're going to win this custody battle, Ottavio thought, holding Galen tight. He hoped some of the confidence he felt in his heart would transfer to his son's soul, making his stay with that terrible family much more bearable.
Ti amo, figlio mio, ti amo tanto. The man expressed his feelings in his native tongue. I love you deeply, my son, and I will do everything I can to bring you out of there quickly. You're no longer alone in this world. Ottavio telepathically conveyed to the child, who was holding on to him like a tiny koala clinging to its mother’s back.
Ivy and Basile came downstairs, carrying two large suitcases, two big bags, and a backpack. Their eyes misted, and their hearts ached at the sight of the father and son, tightly hugging and making enormous efforts not to burst into tears. The two felt helpless; nothing they could do or say could ease the pain and sorrow in Ottavio’s and Galen’s hearts.
They did the only thing they could: carry the baggage to the door and, with pleading voices, almost in sync, ask for a few extra minutes, which the social worker agreed to. Thanking her, Ivy and Basile returned to the kitchen and joined Ottavio in hugging Galen and saying their goodbyes. A hug puddle, as the teen liked to call it when the four kitties climbed onto the chair, bed, or couch he occupied and claimed him as their own.
Almost at the same time, the four broke apart from the embrace and, without a word, began walking toward the entryway, with Ottavio protectively holding Galen’s hand while Basile and Ivy flanked them. None of them said a word. It wasn’t the heavy silence before permanent goodbyes; on the contrary, the hearts of the four were filled with hope that they would be reunited soon enough.
The social worker left the seat upon seeing the small group and, with a friendly smile, took Galen by the other hand whilehis father let him go. On the way to her car, parked at the far end of the driveway, the woman assured Ottavio that she would give Galen’s case special attention, stay in touch with the boy, and ensure that every requirement of the court decision was met.
Once the bags and suitcases were in the trunk and all the documents had been double-checked, the three men hugged the kid one last time and helped him into the back seat. As the car pulled away, they stood in the middle of the driveway, waving, and didn’t go inside the house until it was completely out of sight.
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