Chapter Eight

Stephen

I’m sitting in bed with my wife, Trinity, in my lap. We’re all tangled up in each other, but I’ve just said the one thing that could kill the mood. I don’t even know why I said it.

Trinity’s trying to read my thoughts, but I’m avoiding her gaze. I’m mentally kicking myself for ruining a perfect moment with my wife.

She reaches out, holding my face, forcing me to look at her. I hesitantly meet her beautiful eyes, trying to understand what she’s thinking.

“Ok,” she says.

“Look, baby, I’m sorry I don’t kno... wait, what?” I stammer.

She smiles at me, almost amused at my confusion.

“Ok,” she repeats.

“You mean, you’ll give me another child?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes, baby. If that’s what you want, then I’m happy. Ok?” she replies.

“Fuck, I love you so much,” I say, pulling her closer and kissing her passionately.

We spend the next few hours wrapped around each other before falling asleep. I was expecting a fight, but instead, my wife surprised me again. She agreed for my happiness. She’s beyond amazing.

A week has passed since that night, and I can’t keep my hands off her. It feels like the first time we decided to start a family. I almost feel sorry for our kids, having a father who can’t wait to get their mother to bed.

I make sure I’m home by 4:30pm to help with the night shift.

“Hi, baby. Where are my little pea pods?” I ask as I walk in.

“Hi, love. Babies, daddy’s home,” Trinity calls out.

I see Trinity walking out of the lounge, followed by our babies. I get down on the ground as they crawl towards me, pulling themselves up using my clothes.

“Hi, babies. Did you miss me? Because I missed you loads today,” I say, showering them with kisses.

I pick them up and walk over to my wife, stealing a quick kiss.

“Hi, beautiful. How was your day?” I ask.

“Good, baby. Your kids were very good for mommy today. We even practiced saying our words again, didn’t we, babies?” she replies.

“Do you want me to cook or bathe the kids tonight, baby?” I ask.

“How about I cook, and you can spend some time with your babies?” she suggests.

“Sounds perfect. See you soon, momma,” I say, kissing her again before heading upstairs with the twins.

I get the kids undressed and into the bath, staying with them the whole time. After about fifteen minutes, I drain the bath and wrap them in their hooded towels.

I struggle to dry them off. While trying to dry one, the other tries to crawl out into the bedroom. I pull them back, but then the other takes off again. Why did I want another one of these? Then I see my babies’ beautiful big brown eyes staring back at me, and I remember why.

I’ve been wrestling with the little rugrats for five minutes when I hear my wife’s voice.

“Need a hand there, daddy?” she asks.

“Thanks, babe. They just don’t sit still, do they?” I reply.

“Not even for a minute. Who’s dry, babe? Pass them over, and I’ll get them dressed,” she says.

I pass her Livy, and she goes to our room where I’ve already laid out their PJs. I dry off our boy and carry him to the room where his momma and sister are.

We get the kids dressed and head back downstairs. Trinity checks on dinner in the oven, and I get our rugrats into their high chairs.

“High five, babies,” I say, holding up my hands. They both slap my hands back as I go get their water bottles and dinners.

Just as I’m coming back to sit in front of them, I hear the doorbell.

“I’ll get it, momma,” I say.

I check out the window and my heart starts to race when I see three police cars parked in front of my house. I quickly go back to the kitchen.

“Baby...” I start.

She looks up and instantly recognizes the concern in my eyes.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Peters is back, with the boys brigade behind him. Stay in the kitchen with the twins unless I say otherwise, ok darling? And don’t open this door,” I tell her.

“Ok, baby,” she replies.

I watch as she scoops up our kids and takes them into the kitchen. I shut the doors behind her as I hear another knock on the door. I open it, annoyed.

“Calm the fuck down. I was feeding my kids. I don’t sit at the door waiting for you to ring, Detective,” I say.

“Mr. Gotti, I’m going to have to ask you to come with us, please,” the detective says.

“Unless you’re actually arresting me, I’m telling you to fuck off. I’m looking after my children,” I reply.

“You’re under arrest, Mr. Gotti. Here’s the warrant,” he says.

“Haha, yeah, ok. What for now, Detective Peters?” I ask.

“The murder of Special Agent Daniel Rodriguez,” he replies.

“Hahaha, yeah, ok, Detective. Let’s play. First my wife for murdering Mike Suarez, now me for Daniel Rodriguez. No problem, I’m happy to play the game with you. Trin, baby, can you come here for a second?” I call out.

I wait for my wife to walk out of the kitchen with our children. She looks confused when she sees the smirk on my face and the detective and cops behind me.

“Baby, can you get my phone and call Benji? Ask him to meet me at the station. Then you know who to call after, just like you told me when they arrested you, remember?” I ask.

“I remember, baby. But wait, he’s arresting you?” she asks.

“Yeah, baby, hahaha,” I reply.

“And you’re laughing because?” she asks, confused.

Detective - “Seems like your husband finds the murder of Special Agent Daniel Rodriguez amusing, Mrs. Gotti.”

Trinity - “Hahahahahahaha! That’s a good one! Wait, you’re serious? Hahaha!”

Stephen - “I love you, Trinity. I’ll have Benji update you as soon as he can, okay sweetheart?”

Trinity - “Hold on a second, baby.”

Stephen - “What’s up?”

Trinity - “I just want to snap a quick photo, baby. You know, just in case Detective Peters here or his buddies decide to get a bit handsy. This way, I’ll have a time-stamped record of when you left.”

Stephen - “That’s one of the many reasons I love you, baby.”

Detective - “This isn’t a game, Mrs. Gotti. If your husband doesn’t step out now, then w...”

Trinity - “Enough, Detective Peters. You’re making a fool of yourself. First, you arrest me for the murder of a non-existent person, and now you’re trying to pin something on my husband that he didn’t do. You’re looking pathetic in front of your colleagues. Do yourself a favor and pipe down.”

I can’t help but laugh as my wife quickly snaps the photo and leans in to give me a kiss. I plant a kiss on each of my babies’ cheeks before stepping out to be handcuffed by the police. The sound of my children crying tugs at my heart as I descend the steps, flanked by cops. I can hear Trinity trying to soothe them.

As they shove me into the car, I look up at my wife and mouth the words, “I love you. Call Benji.” She nods and says something to our kids. I watch as they both start to wave, their tiny hands fluttering in the air, and it melts my heart.

The car pulls away, and I lean back in the seat, a smirk playing on my lips. ~Game on! Time to play!~ I think to myself.