Your Favourite Crime {Carvelli Series 1}

25

Damien

"Were you always a police officer or in the force?"

"Yes. I started off as a Miami-Dade County officer before moving back to Toronto and becoming an OPP officer," I answer Adriana's dad.

"Do your parents like you being an officer?"

"Yeah. My dad owns a law firm and my stepmom worked with him before running for DA and becoming DA of Miami, so they were pretty happy with me being in the field of law," I answer, before taking a sip of beer.

"I'll be honest, I was about scared when Adriana came and told me she wanted to be in the military. I was happy, of course, but I was scared. I've seen so many things, that haunt me and I've been hurt many times too. The things I've seen I wouldn't want my worst enemy to see either, so it was a bit worrisome," He tells

"Well I got minor PTSD and a shot in the leg. Could've been worse," Adriana shrugs beside me.

We're still at the dining room table. The kids have gone to the living room to watch TV. It's the one night Flavia can stay up late so she's definitely taking advantage.

"Still, didn't want you to get hurt. But it's part of the job," Her dad shrugs

"I'm gonna clear up the table. Let you two talk," Adriana says, standing up and grabbing the plates.

As soon as she leaves, Mr. Nelson's whole demeanour changes.

"I like you, Damien. I like the way you work, the way you parent your kids, the way you keep your home... I like the way you look at my daughter and care for her. Do you love her?" He asks

I look out of the room before answering, "I do. But she doesn't know yet."

"And you see a future with her?"

"I do," I nod surely

He looks out the dining room to see if Adriana's near, but I can hear her talking to the kids in the living room.

"Is something wrong?" I ask

"Adriana wants a family. I know that's one reason she left the military... Adriana was a high risk baby. When my wife got pregnant she was told only one of them was going to make it. They never found a reason. It was the 80s and technology was still developing. After my wife died they said there's a chance Adriana could have a problem with getting pregnant or keeping a baby," He reveals

"Does she know?" I ask

"No. I don't know why I won't tell her. I can't bare to see her face when I tell her," He shakes his head

"She needs to know," I counter

"'She needs to know' What?" Adriana comes back into the dining room, a look of curiosity spread across her beautiful face.

Mr. Nelson clears his throat and I stand up.

"I'm gonna go put Flavia to bed. She's up way past her bedtime," I excuse myself and leave the two. Hoping he tells her.

"Princess, time for bed," I call out for Flavia

"No. Not yet!" Flavia whines

"Flavia, come here please," I stand at the entrance of the living room and wait for her.

She walks over with a frown on her face. I squat down to her level before speaking to her.

"Let's try that again. Princess, it's time for bed."

"But King Daddy, I don't want to go to sleep yet," She breathes heavily

"Princess you have to go to sleep now. It's way past bedtime, and you have school in the morning. You need to have enough energy to play with your friends," I explain, "And tomorrow we get to go get Henry and Florian from doggy school and bring them home."