The Beginning (The Life 1)

She was dressed in one of the silk blouses I’d bought her in a soft cream color with dark brown suede fitted pants and matching riding boots that came to her knees. Ma was preening for whatever reason when she ushered everyone from the room with an admonishment not to be long since we were strapped for time. Yeah, it’s my fault they were up here pissing around.

I turned my attention to Gianna after they left. She hadn’t moved from the chair where Sheila had been messing with her hair. “It’s cold in the Met; you’ll need your jacket.” The pants had a matching one, if I remember.

“I know, your mom told me; that’s why she chose this outfit.” I just nodded my head in answer before squatting in front of her so that we were eye to eye.

“I have to do something, so I’ll meet you there, okay.” She looked a bit disappointed but nodded her head in understanding. “If my sisters…never mind. Just wait for me there.” I got to my feet and gave her one last lingering look before leaving the room.

Back downstairs, I nabbed Lance, who was busy arguing with Pop about something or another. “Ma, I’m leaving Gianna with you. I’ll see you guys in a bit. Come along you.” I pulled Lance from the room before he could start shit after Ma promised to look after her.

We’d barely made it to the sidewalk when his whole demeanor changed as if a switch had been turned. “You made up your mind.” It was more statement than question.

“I’m not sure what I’ve done. I just know that she needs me right now.” At least she needs someone, and it might as well be me. “I don’t know where it’ll go, but I know I want to be here for her. At least until she can stand on her own.”

“It’s a start! It beats denying yourself and her. In case you haven’t noticed, she looks at you with stars in her eyes. So, where we off to?” He changes moods like a chameleon change colors.

“Tiffany.”

“Ooh, we’re pulling out the big guns.” He rubbed his hands together and walked ahead of me, his mouth going a mile a minute.

His excitement awakened something in me, and I was for the first time starting to think, what if? What if I let myself go just for a little while? Would that be so bad? I don’t have to go too far with her, don’t have to take her innocence, I just want to bask in her sweetness for a little while without taking too much from her. Is that too much to ask for someone like me? Someone with a monster’s blood running through my veins.

“You’re thinking again.” When the hell did he start walking next to me again?

“Do me a favor, ask Gia what she wants. This is about her right, about making her happy. So why don’t you let her make that decision for herself? It looks like too many people have been making decisions for her without her input.” That’s one way to put it.

“Why do you look like that when you say that? What’s going on with you?” I’ve been so caught up in her lately that I’d missed the signs, but there was definitely something up with him. It couldn’t be a girl, come to think of it, he hasn’t been with anyone in a while. I know better than anyone that when it comes to relationships, he’s all talk. It didn’t always use to be that way, but in the last year or so, he’d been more embellishing than actually partaking. Oh shit!

“Are you in love with someone?” He stumbled over his feet, and I could’ve sworn I saw fear in his eyes before it was replaced with a look of indifference. “Get real. I’ll leave that to you and the other saps. I’m too busy enjoying all the flowers to choose just one.”

His grin didn’t quite reach his eyes this time, and I felt something in my gut. Like Gianna, he’s mine. I can’t stand to see what’s mine anything but genuinely happy. When we get back, I’ll be sure to pay more attention to him until I figure out what’s making his eyes sad.

We weren’t too long at the store since I walked in knowing pretty much what I was after. The silver return to Tiffany heart tag toggle necklace and matching bracelet and earrings were perfect for casual everyday wear and all I was after for now. “Oh, she needs a watch.” I realized I was no longer thinking about Victoria’s reaction; now, I was just doing what needed to be done for Gianna.

That should’ve been my first clue that things had changed. When had it started? Was it when I ordered her the poodle or was it the perfume for her mom? Had I subconsciously known that she was mine since the beginning? Is that why I’d gotten involved from that very first day?