I opened my eyes and immediately squinted. Damn, I forgot to close the drapes. I felt something heavy lying on my naked waist and looked down to find a heavily muscled arm. I turned around very slowly. Trying my hardest not to wake my bed partner. He looked blissfully serene while asleep. I lifted my hand and daintily smoothed the stray strand of hair which had fallen to his forehead. I didn't want anything in the way of my perfect visage. God the man was beautiful!. I blushed profusely when I thought of the festivities which had landed us in such a precarious position. I bit my lip thinking of all the different positions he had me in last night. Alejandro certainly was insatiable. I started to feel a familiar tingling at the apex of my thighs but quickly admonished my girl parts to calm the fuck down. I was acting like a horny teenager who just recently discovered sex.

« If you keep biting your lip like that, then I refuse to take responsibility for my actions »

I let out a soft gasp and looked back up to find those mesmerizing emeralds already trained on me, « You've been awake all this time? »

« Yes. While you admired my beauty and reminisced on our less than holy nightly activities », he had an arrogant grin planted on his face

I racked my brain for a quick comeback but came up short. The man was positively gorgeous. He started rubbing his palm up and down my arms and nuzzled my neck. Thats when I felt his hard member poking my thigh.

I looked at him with wide eyes, « My God Alejandro. You're so insatiable »

He merely laughed, « With a body like yours, what do you expect?. I would make endless love to you every hour of every day if I could »

I subtly pushed him away, « Well you're gonna have to cut back on those ours mister. I've got a busy day ahead »

« Busy day doing what? », he asked

I got out of bed and started picking up the clothes we had so carelessly thrown around the room. I picked up my ripped lace panties and glared at Alejandro who just offered a smug grin, « Those were my favorite pair Ale »

« I'll buy you a thousand more », I rolled my eyes, « What are you gonna be busy doing? »

« I promised Benjy I'd take him to the park. Between school and work and everything that's been going on I just feel I haven't been spending as much time with him lately. And that's the last thing I want. He already lost one parent. I don't want him to think he's losing another »

« Benjy has me too Diana. I know he's not my blood but I want to be there for him »

I smiled. Could he really get any more perfect?, « Thank you for being there for him. For me »

« Anytime. Do you um...do you mind if I come with you guys? »

I was certain I was smiling like a crazed lunatic if the weird look Alejandro was giving me was anything to go by, « No. Of course not. I'm sure Benjy would love to have you there. At least he'll have someone who understands all that basketball mumbo jumbo »

« Well then let's go shower and get ready », he pushed me toward the bathroom.

« Oh noo. You know what's going to happen if we gat in that shower together »

« I have no idea what you're talking about »

« Really Alejandro? »

« If we shower together not only is it going to save time but water as well. Think of all the helpless dolphins out in the Pacific D. Remember when you were an avid advocate for marine life in high school »

« Fine. But no funny business », I warned

« I'll be a perfect gentleman »

************************

Perfect gentlemen my ass.

As soon as he got me in the bathroom, I was promptly placed against a wall and ravished while the shower rained hot water down on the both of us. I came out of the bathroom walking funny which just made Alejandro laugh at me. I scowled and resigned not to talk to him. But said resignation didn't last for long as he started placing butterfly kisses at the juncture between my neck and shoulder.

We descended the stairs to find Benjy talking Paco's ear off about our impending trip to the park.

« Alright Benjamin that's enough. Let Paco's ears rest for a little while yeah?", I asked. Paco gave me a grateful smile and turned to Alejandro

"I'm ready Signore. Just tell me where we are headed to", he said

"Oh there'll be no need for you to drive me around Paco. I'll be driving my family today"

My heart swelled at the mention of the word family. I rushed to the kitchen to get the picnic basket I ahd asked Lola to prepare beforehand. I went back to the foyer and grabbed Benjy's dainty little hand in mine, "Ok little guy, you ready to go?"

He nodded enthusiastically. I turned to Alejandro to find him already looking at me.

He then grabbed my hand, "Let's go wife"

**********************

Immediately I parked the car, Benjy ran of in the direction of the jungle gym. "Benjamin be careful", I yelled after him but I doubt he heard me.

Diana chuckled softly, "He hasn't been outside in a long time. He's gonna make the most of today. He's probably gonna forget we're around"

I shook my head, "Let's go set up under that tree", I pointed toward a tree which was to the east of the play area. It was in close proximity so we could see Benjy and he could see us if he needed any help. I took the rug and smoothed it out on the perfectly mowed grass. I placed the picnic basket down and help her sit down. I then took out a pair of juice boxes and handed one over. "Cheers?"

"Cheers"

We observed the area quietly, occasionally stopping just to take in the splendor of nature's beauty. I turned to her and found her with her eyes closed. Just basking in it all. I felt the words leaving my mouth before I could shut it. "Can you tell me about your life with Michael?". She opened her eyes and looked at me. I could see her pale significantly. I could only imagine how much of a touchy subject this was for her. Leave it to me to ruin the mood, "You don't have to if you don't want to. Just forget I said anything"

"Why are you asking that?", she asked quietly

"I just...I spoke with Benjy not too long ago and the impression he gave me was that it was less than ideal and I just wanted to know. I'm sorry if I upset you"

"It's ok Ale", she turned back to the play area and focused on Benjamin, "He wasn't always so bad. At first, I thought that maybe we would be ok. I could learn to love him. He was nice. Always opening doors for me, pulling out my chairs, getting me flowers. All in all, he was a gentleman. One day he took me out to dinner, it was a real fancy restaurant. When the waiter came to get our orders, he complimented me. Told me I looked beautiful. Michael's mood changed. I thought it was strange but I brushed it off. He was silent on the ride home. Whenever I would try to start conversation, he made it clear he didn't want to talk. As soon as we got home, he pulled me out of the car. I was scared but mostly surprised. The man that was in front of me was completely different from the man I had come to know. As soon as we got into the house, he smacked me so hard, my vision blurred », she chuckled. I wondered how someone could find the courage to laugh when recounting such a terrible memory, « I begged him to stop but he didn't. He just kept hitting and kicking till I couldn't move a muscle. Then he spat on me and told me I should never disrespect him again. The next day when I woke up, he had left for work. I tended to my wounds and waited, dreaded the time he would come back home. When he did, he showered me with gifts and jewelry. Said it was a mistake. Said he was never going to lay his hands on me again. And as naive as I was, I believed him »

« You weren't naive Diana. You were just being forgiving », I tried to reason

« After that, things just got so much worse. Anytime I would talk to a male or even look at one, he would go ballistic. Call me a cheating whore and beat me all over again. », she wiped furiously at her cheeks, I pulled her close, trying to offer the little comfort I could, « He never forced himself on me though. He respected my boundaries. Respected when I said I wasn't ready. Until one night. We were at a gala when his business partner walked up to me and started making conversation. I could see Michael out of the corner of my eye. He looked so furious. I wanted to walk away but I couldn't, I knew it would reflect bad on him if I did. So I stayed. That night when we got home, he pulled me to the room. He hit me harder than he ever did before and started to pull off my clothes. I begged him to stop but he wouldn't listen. He got on top of me and pushed himself in. I wasn't even ready. It hurt so much. I couldn't stop crying and that just made him angrier. Two days later and I could still feel him down there, ripping away my innocence. Taking away the one thing I had that was truly mine », she took a deep breath, « That's when I got pregnant with Benjy »

« My God. Benjy was the product of... », I couldn't bring myself to finish it.

« Of rape. When I found out I was pregnant he was ecstatic. He didn't dare hit me during the pregnancy for fear of hurting his 'heir'. I couldn't stomach the fact that I was carrying his baby. The child of a monster. There were so many times I considered abortion but the security he had around couldn't let me push through with my plans. I never wanted Michael in the room when I gave birth. I thought I could give him away. But as soon as I laid eyes on my little man, it was love at first sight. I couldn't imagine someone else raising him. So I set out to do my best to protect him from his father. To make sure he doesn't turn out like his father. The beatings continued after Benjamin was born. I tried my best not to let Michael make him watch but I could only do so much », she took a deep breath and exhaled. I knew retelling such a horrible encounter couldn't have been easy on her. « I promised to give my baby the best life could offer but instead I gave him a deadbeat for a dad and a weakling for a mother »

« Don't you dare say that. You're an amazing mother Diana. Don't blame yourself for your husband being an asshole. You got your son out of a bad situation, you pulled yourself together to make a life for him after abuse. You are the definition on a strong woman. The epitome of strength. Never doubt that »

She looked at me with sad eyes then moved them down to my lips. I moved toward her but our magical moment was interrupted by the sound of Benjy's voice.

« Momma I'm hungry », he mused

Diana wiped at her cheeks and tried to get rid of any evidence that she had been crying. « Well you're just in time. Ale and I were about to eat. Do want a club or PBJ sandwich? », she asked

« Club please », he answered

He found a cozy spot against and quickly dug into the sandwich. He chewed furiously. « Slow down Benjy or you're going to choke », I warned

« Sorry Ale »

« It's ok »

« So how's school baby? », Diana asked

Benjamin shrugged dismissively, « It's ok Momma »

I looked down at him. « Just ok Benjy?. The last time you were so excited about school. What changed? ». He looked at me with a forlorn expression. « Benjamin what's wrong? », I asked

« Did anything happen at school baby? », Diana pressed

« Well...I wanted to join the soccer team Momma but the other kids made fun of me »

« Made fun of you?, why? »

« I'm not so good at it. And I don't have anyone to teach me. Ethan said I didn't have a daddy so I couldn't learn to play soccer. Then everyone started laughing at me. Cause I don't have a daddy ». I could see Diana trying to hold in her tears.

« Well they're wrong Benjy. You do have someone to teach you. Me"

He looked at me with hopeful smile, "Really Ale?"

"Of course", I answered

"But you have work. Are you gonna have time to train me?"

"For you, I'll make time"

He wrapped his little arms around me, "Thank you so much Daddy". I froze. Diana looked at me with wide eyes, like she was scared of my reaction. I was scared of my reaction. Benjy untangled his hands and gave me a petrified stare, "I'm so sorry Alejandro. I didn't mean to. It just came out. I promise I won't do it again", he cried

"Shhhh little guy, it's alright. I'm not mad"

"You're not?", he asked

"No. Not at all. To be honest, I feel honored that such an amazing little boy would call me Daddy"

He gave me a shy look, "Really?"

I nodded, "I know I share no blood with you Benjy and I know I have no right to claim you as my own, but I would love to be a father to you"

He looked at me with tears in his eyes, "Do you really mean that?"

"Every word", I replied

"So I can call you Daddy now?"

"Anytime you want bud", He once more wrapped his arms around my body

"Thank you Daddy"

I smiled. I looked up and saw Diana mouth a thank you to me. I just nodded. So this is what fulfillment felt like?.

***********************

We walked into the house after a long day at the park. I had come to the conclusion that Benjamin was a hyper active child. He just didn't stop. Even now as I tickled him, he laughed endlessly. Loud enough to wake the dead. Diana just rolled her eyes at our antics but laughed along. If my little family and I weren't so stuck in our own little bubble then maybe we could have noticed the person giving us a cold stare.

"What is the meaning of this?"

At that voice, my wife, son and I turned to the culprit.

Valeria