Raven stood and hugged Kate, kissing her cheek. "I love coming back to Bel Rosso. Even though my heart is in California, coming here is like coming home. Mica sends his love."
Placing his ring covered hand over her belly, he smiled at Shade. "Oh, this feels like a princess." Raven looked at Kate. "Fun times with this one. Boss man will be in a mood when she arrives. I need to be getting back, can’t stay away too long, miss Mica already."
Kate laughed as he described the baby she carried. "Oh you have no idea. Shade doesn't know it yet, but this one will require reinforcements. Give our love to Mica."
The words were barely out of her mouth when Raven teleported out, disappearing in an instant. Madison stepped back, blinking her eyes rapidly, shocked by how quickly he was gone.
Kate laughed at her expression. "You'll get used to it, I promise. Come inside." She slid her arm around Shade's waist as they walked back toward the house, with Cory and Madison behind them.
Getting inside the house, Cory looked at his dad and nodded, letting Shade know tonight was the night he’d be going over to the camp.
Shade smiled at Madison. "I apologize, Madison, for not greeting you properly. Raven tends to steal the show whenever he is around. Welcome back to Bel Rosso, it is good to see you again. I seem to be always apologizing to you."
Madison looked at him before looking away, finding it hard to maintain eye contact. He still made her so nervous. "No, no need to apologize. I'm uh, happy to be here."
Kate smiled at her, recognizing how ill at ease Madison was around him. She took Madison's hand and pulled her close as she whispered, "You'll get used to him too. He left me tongue-tied in the beginning as well."
Madison smiled back at her, disconcerted her nervousness was so apparent, but glad for the reassurance.
Shade noticed he intimidated her and knew it would take her a while to feel comfortable here. "Mi amore, I am heading over to camp. I will be back in time to tuck our son into bed, but he is not allowed in the camp tonight. I have already told him, but that does not mean he will not try like hell to convince you otherwise." Taking her in his arms, he kissed her. "I love you bel, always and forever."
Turning, he hugged Madison and she stiffened in his arms. "Have a good night, enjoy your stay, you are always welcome here." He hugged his son and telepathically sent him a message. “Don’t let her get overwhelmed at camp, if she gets too nervous, bring her back to the house. Kate and Shannon can calm her down.” "Love you, son, see you later."
As Shade headed out, Cory grabbed Madison's hand. "Come on, let’s go up to my room and you can put your things away. Kate, Maddie is spending the night. She can stay in my room, if that is okay."
Kate smiled at her. "Of course, you're always welcome here. Let Gi know if you need anything. I'm going back to the pool to keep an eye on Lorenzo. You two have fun."
Cory grabbed her hand and led her to his rooms. Taking her bag, he put it in his bedroom before he flopped down on the couch and pulled her down to his lap. "Sorry about all that, it’s always a circus here this time of night. I’m so glad you got to meet Raven. He’s like a brother to me. He was my first real friend when Shade hired me and sent me to live in Florence. We have a lot in common. He’s a great warrior, and he’s funny too. Are you okay?"
Madison nodded her head. "Do I look okay? I try not to let my nervousness show, but your dad still makes me a little anxious. I tell myself you're all just people, and then something happens, like Raven disappearing and it reminds me I'm out of my element."
"I understand why you’re nervous around my dad, he takes some getting used to, but it will come with time. I know you’re still struggling with all of this, but I think spending more time here will help you to feel more comfortable. If you’re not ready, I can take you back home later. I can always just stay at your place.”
"No. I want to be here. I really do. I love Kate and Shannon, and Lorenzo. And I can't learn if I'm not exposed."
Cory smiled back at her. “Then let’s work on that exposure.” He was relieved she wanted to stay. “I have a surprise for you tonight."
“Really? What's the surprise?" She was wondering how many more surprises there could be with Cory.
He kissed her cheek quickly and took a deep breath. "I want to take you into the warrior camp and show you my shop. Show you what I do for a living, but you’ll be exposed to the warriors. Interested?"
Madison beamed. "Yeah, of course. I've been asking to see your leather shop. And I saw some of the warriors here, remember?"
He shook his head and grinned. "Seeing a few warriors in the house is not the same as seeing a lot of them together training. I just want you to be prepared. I really do want to show you my shop. It’s important to me.”
"Lead the way. I'm ready."
He lifted her off his lap and took her hand. Leading her outside, they walked along the road that led to the camp when Cory heard Lorenzo yelling at the top of his lungs. Cory smiled but was a bit frustrated. He wanted this time alone with Maddie. Looking at Madison, they both stopped in their tracks. "He won’t give up until he talks to me. Sorry about that."
Turning around, he saw a dripping wet Lorenzo running as fast as he could, with Luca and Shannon on the chase. As Cory crouched down, Lorenzo ran straight into his arms. "Lorenzo, are you racing Uncle Luca?"
Lorenzo landed, dripping wet, in Cory’s arms. He’d been playing in the pool when he saw Cory heading toward the camp. "I saw you, Cory! You wanna come swim with me?"
Luca and Shannon arrived behind him, Shannon doubled over, catching her breath. "This kid is going to kill me."
Luca chuckled and rubbed her back as he addressed Lorenzo. "I think Cory has other plans, Lorenzo."
Cory laughed. "You know, little dude, I have some things to do tonight at camp. But maybe tomorrow we can go swimming. Madison is going to spend the night and we can all go swimming. So, you need to go inside with Luca and Shannon and get ready for bed. Theresa needs to give you a bath and I know Dad will come to tuck you in. I promise, I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?"
Lorenzo flashed his eyes at Madison. "Are you sleeping in the guest bedroom next to my room?"
Madison was caught off guard. "Uh…" she looked at Cory, unsure how to answer this child. "I'm not sure, yet, where I will be sleeping."
Luca picked him up to carry him back to the house before this conversation got more complicated, as Lorenzo kept talking. "I have a sword. You can sleep in my room if you get scared."
Madison laughed and said, "Good to know."
Shannon laughed and shouted over her shoulder, "I'm pretty sure Cory has a sword too."
Cory blushed from his toes to his eyebrows and shouted at her, "Shannon!"
He could hear her and Luca laughing as Lorenzo was still gabbing on. "Sorry, Shannon has no filter."
Taking her hand, he shuffled his feet and continued to walk toward the camp. The closer they got the louder the noise level. The sound of swords clashing, and orders being shouted out above the fray was all part of the routine here. Cory stopped before he opened the gate. "Are you sure about this?"