Benjy's meeting Alejandro today. I'm fucking scared. What if he doesn't like him?. I mean I know Alejandro isn't Benjy's real dad or whatever but I would definitely want them to get along considering the fact they may spend the rest of their lives with each other.

But what if Alejandro doesn't like Benjy?. I know for a fact he's mad at me even though he won't say it, but he's not gonna extend that anger to Benjy.

Right?

"Momma, I'm ready", Benjy squealed.

I take in his outfit. With his navy blue button up shirt and black Levi's, it's obvious he wants to make a really good impression, but my heart hurts for my little guy.

What if Alejandro just dismisses his efforts?, well he'll have to deal with me.

"Momma! "

"Yes baby, let's go", I ushered him out of the apartment and we made our way to the garage. We got into the car and drove off.

It took us barely 15 minutes before we stopped infront of Benjy's favorite ice cream spot. He and I would come here any time Michael got drunk and I thought it unsafe for Benjy to be around him. The few times I could sneak him out at least. This place had shielded Benjy from several nights of traumatizing encounters with his deadbeat, drunk father. It greatly helped that the place closed quite late into the night.

We got out and made our way inside. As we stepped in I looked around the well decorated room for Alejandro. I saw him in a secluded booth and I led Benjy. As we approached him, he stood up.

"Diana", he said and gave me a peck on the cheek.

I was stunned to say the say the least. Not only had he referred to me by my given name, he displayed an act of affection. Well, fuck. I'm really done for now. I looked into his eyes with a tiny sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, his feelings for me were still alive. Until...

"For the boys sake"

Only then did I realize that Benjy was already seated and I was still in Lala Land. And only then did I realize that, he did it to make Benjy think we had an amiable relationship. To make him think that we had a certain degree of affection for each other. It hurt to think he didn't mean anything by the action, but I heart swelled knowing that he considered Benjy's feelings. I quickly nodded and took a seat.

"What would you like baby?", I asked him when the waitress came over

" Extra large chocolate milk shake ", he beamed

The waitress wrote down his order and turned to Alejandro, " And for you sir?"

"I'll have coffee flavored ice cream with shaved chocolate toppings"

Then she turned to me, "Ma'am? "

"Oh I'm not ordering. You can go", I said

" You're not ordering?, why?", Alejandro asked

"I can't stay long. Davy's getting released today and I have to go pick him up. It's a 2 hour drive to the state penitentiary. If I don't leave now, I may not get there in time".

"Ok"

"Baby, momma's gonna go pick uncle Davy up OK?, be a good boy to your uncle Alejandro alright. He's gonna drop you off at your aunt Stelly's house when you're done OK? "

"Ok momma, bye I love you"

"Love you too", I stood up to walk out and to my surprise, so did Alejandro. I looked at him in confusion. He seemed to understand my odd stare because he replied not a moment later.

"I'll walk you out", he said

I wanted to argue but I couldn't because Benjy would get suspicious, so I just nodded and led the way. We walked all the way to my car. I was about to get in when I was stopped by the sound of his voice.

"You know I'm surprised Miss Prichard", one step forward, 2 steps back. I looked at him, waiting for him to continue, "You're so at ease with leaving your son in my care. Do you trust me that much? "

Why the sneaky sexy bastard. He was trying to play with my head, but I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction. No, no. NO.

"I don't know if I do Signore Delmanti", ha, two can play that game motherfucker. " If you're anything like the Alejandro I fell in love with, you won't lay a finger on my son. If anything, you'll treat him like your own"

With that I got into my car and drove off.

Damn! I forgot how very well Diana knew me. Even better than my own self if you'd care to add. I had asked her if she trusted me that much to throw her off her game, so her feelings for me could show themselves even a little bit and I could console myself that I hadn't lost her all together.I wanted to punish her and I was going to, but I couldn't deny my feelings for her just like that. I mean they don't just evaporate into thin air like poof and it's gone,c'mon people this isn't the movies.But instead I'm the one who got thrown off. Sneaky. Very sneaky. I walked back into the ice cream parlor to continue my date.

I found Benjamin already halfway done with his milk shake. Benjamin. I smiled at the memory of when Diana and I had talked about kids.

*flashback*

"If we have a boy we name him, Alejandro jr. ", I told her

" God no, that makes him sound like some member of Congress or something. Way too formal", she retorted

"Ok what do you propose? ", I questioned

" Benjamin"

"What, I'm not Jacob here D"

"Oh c'mon, it's simple and cute. And if you think it's too long we can call him Benjy"

"Well, I guess that could suffice but what if it's a girl? "

"Then we call her Gianina"

I looked at her in awe, "My mom's name? ", she nodded, I pulled her lips to mine and kissed her fiercely, "I love you"

"And I, you", she responded.

*End of flashback*

I believed her. I really thought we were going to get married and have 2 beautiful kids and love each other for the rest of our lives. Boy, was I stupid.

Here I was, still heartbroken, unmarried and with a kid in front of me that wasn't even mine. Life comes at you fast.

I wanted to hate Benjy I really did but like his mother said, 'if you're anything like the Alejandro I fell in love with', which I am, 'you won't lay a finger on my son', which I won't.

I sat opposite him and stared at him.

"Hi. I'm Benjy", he said

I chuckled, "I figured", I started picking at my ice cream before I dropped the spoon, " So Benjy how about we get to know ourselves a little better? "

He nodded eagerly and I smiled.

Here goes nothing.

I had been in the parking lot of the state penitentiary for almost an hour. What the fuck is wrong with this people. It's just to open a fucking jail cell. Right?.

I was about to go complain to the guard on duty when I saw a familiar head with blonde hair and blue eyes I could spot from a mile away. Then my baby brother came into full view.

I was putting on stilettos but I didn't care. All that mattered was being close to possibly the only friend I had besides Stelly. And so I jumped into his waiting arms

"D! ", I yelled

" D! ", he yelled back, " God I missed you sis"

"I missed you too baby bro"

"Diana! ", he whined. He had always had an issue with me calling him baby bro.

I laughed, " You ready to go home? "

"Yeah", he looked around a bit, " I'm gonna miss this place "

I looked at him in complete, utter horror. Who in their right mind misses jail.

"Kidding", he burst out laughing, " God, D, you should've seen your face"

"Ok, Al Pacino. Let's go"

He got into the car, "Let's light this bitch up", he yelled and with that I drove off

😍😘