Lorenzo was still anxious to play, and Shade held him tight across his chest. "Settle down, I have something to discuss with you, little warrior, while your Mommy is here with us."
Lorenzo stopped his struggle and settled into his father's chest. "What would you like to scuss, Daddy?"
"Discuss.” Shade shook his head, chuckling. "Now this is serious, so I need you to listen. Daddy is taking Mommy out on Saturday, for some alone time. Luca, Shannon, and Theresa will be here with you. But, you must be on your best behavior. No dragon fights, no swords. And what is my rule about going outside the house if we are not here?"
Lorenzo threw his hands in the air. "But Daddy! It's warm outside! Uncle Luca can protect me, and Warrior and Aegis. What if something exciting happens and I'm stuck in the house?"
"I know it is warm, but you should be in bed by the time we leave, and no matter what happens, we have rules for your safety. I need my little warrior to be safe. Your baby sister is on her way, she needs you to protect her, so you need to grow into a fine warrior. You will listen to Luca while we are gone, or there will be a great punishment."
Lorenzo struggled from his father's grasp. "Okay, Daddy. I don't want a great punishment. Will I get more cards?"
"If you behave like a good little warrior, of course you will. I will make you a deal."
Throwing his feet over the side of the bed, he realized he was buck naked and quickly grabbed a sheet, tugging it free to wrap around his waist before standing. Lorenzo was already scrambling across the bed to snuggle with Kate, as Shade walked to his dresser, fumbling for something to wear. "I will double the cards if Luca gives me a good report on your behavior."
Looking over his shoulder, he already saw Lorenzo in his mother’s arms, snuggling into her neck. "And your mother will not change these rules no matter how much you wish it."
Lorenzo nestled into his mother's embrace as his father left the bed. He whispered to her, "I love you, Mommy," as his mother covered his tousled curls with kisses. He broke free and stood on the bed, jumping up and down. "I think I need a trampoline."
Shade took a deep breath. His son wasn’t taking anything seriously lately. "Bel, I think it is time you call in Enzo. We need to get our figlio on a schedule before the arrival of Sophia."
Kate laughed. "Poor Enzo. Does he know Lorenzo has an attention span of three seconds? I'll talk with Theresa and get it scheduled. I’ve been working on the school room already."
"Grazie! Lorenzo needs to learn how to concentrate. Enzo will teach him those skills. It won’t happen overnight. Are the pools completed yet?" He slid a t-shirt over his head, and quickly slipped on a pair of low slung jeans.
"The outdoor pool is scheduled to be finished this weekend, but the indoor pool will take about two more weeks, which is fine. The outdoor pool is the one we’ll use first. They’d probably finished sooner without Lorenzo 'helping' the workers so much." Kate slid from bed as Lorenzo continued to bounce up and down. She slipped on a robe and walked to Shade, sliding her arms around his waist. "I don't know where he gets all this energy. And what will we do with two?"
"We will learn as we go, mi amore. No one said this would be easy. One day at a time. Theresa is here for you. You do too much, but you must learn to juggle them and cut back. He will never forget he needs you. I have not forgotten, now have I?"
She gave him a squeeze, knowing he’d leave for the camp soon. But she’d be counting down the hours until their private date. "I’d never let you forget."
Spinning around, he kissed her, his arms holding her tight before turning his attention to Lorenzo. "Lorenzo, would you like to go to camp with Daddy tonight?"
Lorenzo responded by jumping higher on the bed, “Yes!”
”Then go get on some shoes, so you can come with me."
Lorenzo didn’t need a second invitation. He loved to go to the camp! “Okay, Daddy!"
He leapt off the bed and ran to his bedroom. “Tressa! I need my shoes. Quick!"
Kate laughed at her son's enthusiasm. "I hope your warriors can handle him."
"You let me worry about him tonight. Do something for yourself, that is an order! I will bring him back when he is exhausted, have no fear, I can manage that." Kissing her long and hard with passion boiling, he slapped her ass and headed for the bedroom door.
"Come along son, we have young pups that need to be turned into warriors!"
34
Shade thought Saturday night would never come, but it was finally here, and he was more than ready to take bel out for a night alone. The spring evening was beautiful, the air was cool, and everything was in bloom. The scent of newly sprung flowers permeated the night air. He dressed casually in jeans and a white dress shirt, and loafers with no socks. Walking to the garage, he decided to take the red Alfa Romeo Spider. Driving the car to the front door of Bel Rosso, he spotted Aegis and Night Stalker roaming quietly around the grounds, stopping to glance his way. Willing a red rose in his hand, he walked to the front door, holding the rose behind his back and rang the doorbell.
Kate was pulling a light shawl from the closet to carry with her on their date when she heard the doorbell. They weren’t expecting company, but she stepped into her sandals and grabbed her handbag before heading down the stairs. She detoured to Lorenzo's bedroom to find Shannon sitting inside the teepee, reading Lorenzo a story. Kate crawled on the floor in her sundress and poked her head inside the tent, "Give Mommy a kiss and be good for Auntie Shannon."
Lorenzo planted a wet kiss on her cheeks and nodded. "Okay, Mommy."
Kate looked at Shannon and said, "I owe you one."
Shannon laughed and said, "You owe me more than one, now get out of here. Go have fun."
Kate backed out of the teepee and heard the doorbell again and wondered why Gi hadn’t answered it. She scrambled down the stairs and opened the door to find Shade waiting for her. "Can I help you, sir?" Shade's grin was as big as his head.
She answered the door in a beautiful sundress, and her crimson hair down. She looked relaxed and ready. He bowed his head and pulled the rose from behind his back, presenting it to her. "Si, my lady, I am here to escort the beautiful Kate Medici on our date. Is my lady ready?"
Kate took the rose and held it under her nose, smiling up at him. "Lead the way." She took his hand as he escorted her to the bright red sports car.
Opening the door for her, he held her hand and she slid inside, as he fastened her seat belt for her. Once he was satisfied she was safely locked in, he closed her door and walked around, climbing inside the driver’s seat. Firing up the Alfa Romeo, he loved the sound of the Italian sports car.
"Mi amore, I left the top down, but I can easily put it up if you feel the air is too cool for you. Now, have you decided where you wish to spend the evening?"
"The night air feels perfect, and I think I want to go to the Skybar, so we can be under the stars."
He nodded. "Good choice, it is a beautiful night." Leaning over, he kissed her cheek, and her rose scent overwhelmed him. "You look beautiful, and you smell... edible."
Putting his hand on the gear shift, they took off slowly down the long drive leading away from Bel Rosso. "So, Main Street, Charlottesville, it is. How did Lorenzo take you leaving?"