" People hurt people all the time Aaron, and sometimes when your life is filled to the brim with hurt, you can't help but wait for things to start fall apart again. "
~ the best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart ~
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Everette glanced up at me with wide eyes, "You weren't lying when you said his house was big." she comments, prancing up Rossi's steps like she owns the place.
I chuckle, pulling my red satin body con dress down a bit. It was spaghetti strapped so I had a jacket hanging over my arm in case I got cold. "Baby, I told you it was a mansion." I follow behind her.
She knocks on the door, "Well I forgot." she mumbles, stepping back a bit. The door opens, a perky Rossi standing there.
"Welcome, welcome, come in, come in."
I appreciated the fact he didn't bombard my daughter, though I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She just smiled widely at him and walked into the house towards Penelope who looked to be telling a very graphic story.
Rossi smiles warmly at me, "Come on in." I nod, walking inside, "You look belissima Dani." he states.
I nod again, hanging my coat up. Scanning the room I note that everyone was present except for Aaron, and as if he was reading my mind the man walked in with Jack. Seeing me he smiled widely, Jack mirroring his expression, "I thought you'd flake." he admits, shoving his hands in the pockets of his black dress pants.
Jack hugs me tightly then walks away giving me the inkling feeling the child knows more than he was letting on.
I shake my head, "No, I have something important to tell you." I say, sending a look to Rossi. He get's the message because he walks away, though I know I had about 2 minutes at maximum before he sends over Eve scared I'd change my mind about telling him.
"I really hope you are not engaged."
I breath out a laugh, "No, but- jesus there is no way I can say this that makes it any better or less awkward. I can't even think of the right words to get the words I want to say out and that's weird because I never have nothing to say I mean I was in communications, my whole job title was speaking. I just-"
"Mommy?" I freeze as does Aaron, although his eyes never leave mine as Eve approaches me. I break eye contact with him as I look down at Everette, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, "Pop told me you wanted me?"
Rolling my shoulders back, a nervous tick that hadn't shown in awhile, I nod, "Yeah," I breath out, "This is Aaron." I state, motioning to the suit clad man in front of me, "Your biological father." Swallowing thickly, I don't dare look at him.
Everette hums, "Is your middle name really Everette because that's really funny." she asks, looking up at him with wide curious eyes.
I laugh lightly, emotion thick in the sound. Aaron drops to his knees, studying the child's face, "Ya," he murmurs reaching out with a shaking hand. He holds her face in his hand a smile falling onto his normally stressed features.
He glances up at me he smile not faltering, "She's mine?" it wasn't a question. I nod, tucking my brown hair behind my ear. He glances back down at her, "What's your name?" he questions.
She smiles widely, "Everette Jane Hotchner." she proudly states, sticking out her hand for me to shake. That simple introduction reminded me of Jack when I first met him causing me to smile.
Aaron looks back up at me, "You gave her my last name?"
I shrug, "The kid's a ghost, non-existent to most so I didn't see a reason in not-" I was caught off guard when he stands up abruptly, pulling me into a hug. I stand stalk still as he holds me, not used to affection from someone other than my kid.
Pulling back he glances down at me then at Eve. Understanding, I smile down at my daughter, "Eve can you go help your pop make dinner?" I ask gently. She nods, bouncing away.
I bring my attention back to Aaron, his honey eyes bringing back memory after memory. He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear, the same one I tried to tame earlier, "Before you called me I was going to come find you," he admits, one warm hand cupping my cheek the other holding my waist, "I tried to just let you- us go but I couldn't stop loving you and I was willing to go search the whole fucking world to find you and bring you back to me." he claims, voice thick and gravely, his thumb rubbing against my dress rhythmically.
Licking my lips I bite down on my bottom one, "Rossi told me I had two weeks to figure out what to tell you to make you want to stay. And I could use Eve, I could call connections and keep you in the states but the truth is baby I just want you happy. I've seen you happy, you've lost that spark, that's on me. I won't do that to you again. So I guess what I'm trying to say is if you don't want this," he nods his chin between us, "Us. I understand. I won't let you go easily especially now that Eve's in the picture but Francesca I love you, I always have. From the moment I saw you. It's cheesy and completely crazy and probably a lot to ask, but I don't want you away from me again. I want- I need you to come home."
*
"He crossed a boundary!" Eve exclaims, pointing at Derek with a fierce look in her honey eyes. He throws his hands up in surrender, shaking his head, "I didn't do nothin'" he claims, wiggling his fingers.
She grunts, "Papa, he stole my food." she whines, earning wide looks from us all. The kid had only met Aaron tonight but they seemed inseparable, never leaving each other's side through the night.
Aaron didn't looked shocked at what she called him, him being the only one, and instead copies her glare, "Derek why would you do that?" he asks, no hint of playfulness in his tone. JJ holds back a chuckle and instead shoves her mouth full of pasta, smiling up at Will.
Derek swallows, scared, "Uh, I didn't?" his statement came out as more of a question causing Penny to laugh.
Rossi chuckles throatily, "It's okay piccolo, there is plenty of food."
"Grazie, il cibo e ottimo." she mumbles, shoving pasta in her mouth too.
I nod, "Lei ha ragione. La cena e fantastica." I state, holding my fork up in a celebratory manner.
Rossi smiles warmly, "Un enorme grazie a voi due belle ragazze."
Derek clears his throat, leaning over to Emily, "Did you understand any of that?" he questions in a stage whisper.
I chuckle lightly.
Spencer takes it literally. "Thank you, the food is great. She is right. Dinner is fantastic. A huge thank you to you two beautiful girls." he recites, translating the Italian into English.
"Thank you." Derek expresses, going back to eating like nothing happened. I shake my head lightly, a smile gracing my lips, I missed them all so much.
