Page 76 of Sebastian's Baby

“Because he was drugged.” Lita rolls her eyes. “We’ve talked about this. I told you all about the interview, Tino.”

“I wasn’t really listening,” he shrugs, and I burst into laughter.

“Just how much time do you spend annoying your family with stories about us, fangirl?” I tease Lita.

She half-shrugs, and her face turns red. I’m amused by the idea of her boring her brother with gossip about us, but my amusement fades quickly as I think about why that story happened.

I need them to be there for Lita whenever I’m at home in Chicago. “I do have to warn you all, Lita will really need your support. I don’t know how bad this could get.”

It’s not exactly true. I have some idea how bad it could get, but I just don’t want to think too hard about it because it scares the shit out of me.

“I do expect that when people figure out who Lita is to me, and that she’s having my baby, the pressure might get really intense. Lita was right when she said the most important thing is the safety of her and the baby.”

I realize that there’s a very obvious solution to the problem. When it gets out that she’s having my baby, I think I’m going to need to organize protection for her.

“Depending on how bad it gets, I might end up getting her a bodyguard or something.”

“You’ll what?” Lita whips her head around to look at me.

“Yes, princess. As someone who was once drugged against his will, I won’t hesitate to get you a bodyguard if you’re starting to be harassed on a daily basis,” I shrug.

“You haven’t even discussed this with me before now,” she says while narrowing her eyes at me. “Now you’re saying it like it’s a foregone conclusion?”

“Because it didn’t occur to me until just now, Lolita. When I think about you being followed by assholes trying to get some kind of information about your pregnancy, it makes me feel sick.”

It was bad enough sending her out through the paparazzi today to get to the limousine. The thought of her being alone with them and no protection, with all of their attention on her, is terrifying. She has no clue what it’s like, and I feel terrible that I’ve brought her into my world.

“I know how bad it is, and I hate that it’s my fault you’re in this position. I don’t think I’ll be able to function if I don’t know you’ve got security to help you and to make sure you’re both safe.” I rub my face with my hand and shake my head.

She looks up at me with wide eyes full of fear and says quietly, “This is scary.”

“I know.” I give her a wry smile. “I do. We’ll make sure we do everything we can to keep you safe, okay? Even if that’s getting you a bodyguard, maybe?”

Lita smiles at me. “Okay. I trust you. If a time comes when you think I need a bodyguard, I’ll accept that. See how well we compromise, Seb? We’re going to be the best co-parents ever.”

“Bad news, princess, you just gave me what I wanted, so that’s not actually a compromise. But agreeing with one another on what course of action to take is a step in the right direction.”

I laugh, and Lita laughs as well. It’s so different from the first conversations we had about this pregnancy. I’m glad that we’re a team now, and I’m also incredibly relieved that she’s willing to consider getting a bodyguard. I didn’t realize how concerned I was about her safety until the idea of her having protection came to me. I’m so relieved.

“I can’t pretend I’m ecstatic about this situation,” her mom says from where she’s still standing in the kitchen, and Lita jumps next to me. “But I can see you care about my daughter’s wellbeing, and that of your baby, Sebastian. So, I guess I’m going to be a nonna again. Come here, bella, and give your mamma a hug.”

Lita finally lets go of my hand, stands up, and walks into the kitchen to hug her mother. I watch as her dad hugs her, then he comes over and actually shakes my hand.

“Congratulations…but if you hurt my daughter, you will want to stay out of Seattle,” he tells me in a grim tone.

I’m not sure if he’s joking or not, so I just nod and say, “I won’t, Mr. Ciccone.”

Her mom finishes dishing up lunch for everyone, and we talk while we eat. Both of her parents are less hostile toward me when they find out I have Italian heritage.

When they wish us farewell a few hours later, I say, “Thank you so much for a great afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Ciccone. I’m sure we’ll see each other again.” Then, I feel compelled to promise them, “In the meantime, I promise I will always put your daughter’s wellbeing and safety first.”

I really mean it. I will do everything that I can to make sure that Lita is safe, and I want them to know that. They thank me, and finally, Lita and I make it back into the safety of the limousine that’s still parked near the curb in front of her parents’ house.

“Well, that went well, don’t you think?” Lita teases me once we’re inside.

“Very funny. Holy shit, that was the scariest four hours of my life, princess,” I groan.

“At least it’s over. All we have to do now is wait for the other shoe to drop. Until then, I guess we just go about our lives the best we can.”

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