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“That isn’t your fault,” I said, shaking my head. “Never think that what you feel is stupid. It may look a little different in hindsight, but the emotions were real, or you wouldn’t have walked out on me as you did. And to be honest, I never should have let any of it happen in the first place. I should have been firmer with both my mom and Rachel.”
“But you didn’t know,” she defended.
“But I should have guessed,” I countered. “You knew mom wanted me to marry Rachel, and I still spent time with her in front of you, and without you, while you knew that. I expect you to have full trust in me, but that still wasn’t right. I should have drawn clear boundaries so you wouldn’t for a moment think I could replace you with anybody.”
That had been stupid on my part. I managed to do both, but it could have all been too late.
After my talk with Rachel, she had gone crying to my mom, who had then called me. It was the same old thing she kept saying before, only instead of sweeping it all under the rug; I confronted her about it. Her scheming almost cost me something precious. Of course, she had stopped entirely when I told her she was a grandmother, and she had nearly missed out on meeting her first grandson.
“I want another chance to make things right, Alessandra,” I continued. “I did hear you say that you would do so, but I wouldn’t mind hearing you say it to me. I was confused at that time, and I was hurting and stressed about everything that was suddenly thrust on my shoulders. I let Mom dominate me, and I didn’t speak against her, because she was hurting just as much as I was. That was wrong of me, and I’m sorry.”
She smiled. “Why are you the one apologizing? I have way more to apologize for.”
Like she knew how badly I wanted to touch her, she shifted closer to my side, and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, holding onto my arm with her other hand. She laid her head on my shoulder.
“If you’re asking me for another chance, the answer is okay. But can I ask for the same? As long as we take things one step at a time.”
I chuckled and leaned my head against hers.
“Okay,” I said readily. “And I don’t have a thing against one step at a time. It’s just perfect for us.”
Chapter Sixteen
Joshua
Ever since we had our talk, and decided to give our relationship another try, Alessandra and I had been getting along well, even better than the first time.
Aside from meeting up frequently, whenever it was convenient for the both of us, we got to have several dates with our son. She even brought him over to my home where they both slept over for an evening. It had been pretty eventful. Trent wasn’t too happy about being removed from his usual habitat and kept us up in the middle of the night.
Far from finding it annoying, though, I was up early the next morning to go to work, feeling sleep deprived, but grinning the entire time. My secretary and other people stopping by my office gave me strange looks, because of the broad smile and eye bags combo.
Everything was going well. Alessandra even finally took me home to her house, where I met her parents again. They didn’t hide their displeasure about our separation, but Alessandra must have talked to them because they were both accepting of me.
There was only one thing that kept it all from being perfect.
“I think I should take you to meet my mom.”
Alessandra looked up, eyes wide. “Huh?”
We were out on another date, this time to the park, and Trent was with us. It was early morning on a Saturday, and we were seated at an outdoor café just at the edge of the park that had opened up a couple of years ago. I was holding onto Trent while watching Alessandra eat and having a cup of coffee, with Danny’s stroller standing beside our table.
“I want to take you to meet my mom,” I reworded my statement because she was staring at me, dumbfounded. “I think it’s about time she meets you again.”
Alessandra sat back in her chair, her eyes intent on mine. Her expression was unsettled.
“Um, do you think that’s the best idea?” she asked, unsure.
I nodded firmly. “Definitely. I haven’t talked to her since we argued. She’s had more than enough time to think things through. And this is important if we’re going to move forward because it’s something that bothered you before.”
“What if your mom and I just can't get along, though?”
“I’m not asking you to get along with her. You can't force some things. But I intend to marry you, and I would love for her to be at the wedding, instead of refusing to attend because she still doesn’t support us.”
Her mouth dropped open, and she gaped at me. Then, she laughed.
“When did I say I would marry you? I don’t remember you even asking.”
She was teasing, but there was an undeniably happy look on her face.
