Scorpia laughs and gets up. "Shall I get started on dinner then? Logan and Ciro grin and nod their heads. Scorpia kisses Logan and asks: "Will you pour me a wine then?"

"Of course Bonnie. I'll bring it to you in a minute."

Scorpia walks into the kitchen and looks into the stroller and sees Leo is sleeping like little angel.

She gets everything ready and starts on the sauce. She cuts the vegetables and adds them to the sauce. She softly sings as she stirs.

Logan walks in with a glass of wine and puts it on the counter. He wraps his arms around her and kisses her neck.

Scorpia says: "Mmm yummy."

"The wine of the man?"

She laughs and says: "The man, I haven't tasted the wine yet."

He chuckles and softly bites her earlobe. "Did you make a list Bonnie?"

"Mmm yes."

His hands slide under her blouse and massage her boobs through her bra.

"Logannnn, the sauce might burn."

He pinches her nipples a little and licks her neck.

Her knees buckle and she places her hands on the counter for support. "Logannn." She feels him smile against her neck. "You like that way too much handsome Scot."

"Mmm yes. It is so much fun to hear you say my name. And especially like that. I'll never grow tired of that."

She puts her hands on his abs and slides them down slowly.

Logan gasps and takes a step away from her. She chuckles and says: "You don't play fair Logan. I will remember that."

His voice sounds hoarse as he says: "Oh yeah? You started it this morning with the lingerie. I haven't been able to think about anything else."

She turns around to him and unbuttons her blouse a little. She shows him the bra and he bites his lip.

"Damn Bonnie."

She turns around and stirs the sauce like nothing happened. She closes the buttons of her blouse again and gets the oven dishes ready. She puts some oil in them and sips her wine. She turns around and catches Logan still staring at her.

"Logan? Aren't you supposed to work?"

"What? Yes."

She laughs at his dazed expression.

She hears Leo babble and lowers the fire under the sauce. She walks over to the stroller and Leo smiles as soon as he sees her. "Hello beautiful little man. Are you done sleeping?" She lifts him from the stroller and kisses his cheek.

Logan says: "I bought a baby sling as well. And Violetta explained me how to do it. Do you want to try that? You will have your hands free that way."

She shoots Logan an excited look and nods. Logan brings out a tartan sling and Scorpia laughs. "Really? They didn't have any other ones?"

"Um, I really liked this one." He helps her with wrapping it around her body and carefully lies Leo down in it. "Look at that face. He's very happy about this." Leo smiles a little and looks at Scorpia. "And mommy looks happy too. Daddy's jealous now."

Scorpia kisses him and says: "Don't be daddy. You're still in my heart forever, there's just a little pirate resting on it."

Logan kisses Leo and says: "Be good to mommy, okay? Daddy is going back to work."

Scorpia looks at him with a shimmer in her eyes and says: "Get to work daddy. Mommy is going to finish up the lasagne and put it in the oven." She builds the layers in the oven dishes and puts them in the oven. She sets the timer and walks back into the cafe with her wine.

Ciro is seated at the bar with a whisky in front of him, talking to Logan. "Sorellina, I've sent Dino a message and told him you're making lasagne. I hope that's okay?"

"Of course that's okay. It's about time he meets Leo. He'll be the last brother to meet him."

"Bruno saw him already?"

"Yes, he was here with Enzo this afternoon." She grabs the drawing Enzo made and shows it to Ciro.

"Aww that's precious. I hope he's wearing a mini tuxedo that day."

Scorpia looks at him and softly says: "I don't think my heart will be able handle that."

Ciro laughs and says: "Oh, now I'm hoping he will even more. But who will be looking after Leo?"

"You of course."

He looks at her in shock and asks: "What? Why me? Mamma can look after him, right?"

"Mamma is giving Bruno away, so that's not an option. And Leo already likes you, so you're looking after Leo. End of discussion." She sits down on the bar stool next to him and rests her forehead against Leo's.

Leo puts his hands on her face and makes a happy sound.

She whispers: "Ti amo, Leo."

Logan looks at the two of them, his eyes bursting with love and Ciro says: "That still looks beautiful sorellina."

Logan whispers: "Yes. Breathtakingly beautiful."

Scorpia barely hears them, stuck in her little bubble with Leo. "Are you hungry my little pirate? Want mommy to make you a bottle?" She gets up and walks into the kitchen while talking to Leo.

Ciro studies Logan and says: "You look even more in love with Leo here."

Logan grins and looks at Ciro with a sparkle in his eyes. "I can't deny that. Scorpia as a mom is a completely new level of love. She is so beautiful with him."

The entrance to the cafe opens and Dino walks in. "Hey bro's. Where's my new nephew?"

Scorpia comes out of the kitchen with a bottle and says: "He's here. But he's hungry." She turns to Dino to give him a peek in the sling.

Dino says: "Hi Leo. You go and have your meal first, I'm not going anywhere."

The little boy stares at the bottle and Scorpia laughs softly. "Logan? The lasagne needs fifteen more minutes. Is it okay if I sit at the table and feed Leo?"

"Yes, you do that Bonnie. Us men will serve dinner when it's done."

She sits down at the table, lifts Leo out of the sling and holds him in the crook of her arm. She smiles at him and says: "Are you ready for your dinner Mr. Man?" She picks up the bottle and his eye opens up wider. He eagerly drinks as soon as the bottle teat touches his lips.

The three men look at her and Dino whispers: "Wow."

Ciro and Logan whisper: "Yeah."

Dino smiles and says: "I already thought she was beautiful, but now..."

Ciro says: "You should walk up to her and look at her eyes."

"Huh? Why?"

Logan says: "Just do it."

Dino gets up and walks over to Scorpia and Leo. He sits down next to her and she makes eye contact with him. "Caspita, sorellina! Your eyes..."

She smiles at him before turning her gaze to Leo again, who is drinking the last drop of milk. She pick him up and holds him against her shoulder, patting his back softly. He burps and extends his hand towards Dino.

Dino moves closer and Leo pulls his hair. "Ouch! You're just like your mom. She's strong too."

Leo giggles and does it again.

"Ouch, that hurts!"

Scorpia giggles along with him and says: "Well done, Leo. This is the uncle you should tease the most... Do you want to hold him Dino?"

"I'd love to."

Scorpia looks him straight in the eye and places Leo in his arms.

"Hello Leo. I'm your uncle Dino. Welcome to the family. You picked the best mom in the world. Very smart of you."

Scorpia looks at him with her eyes full of tears and breathes out slowly.

Logan walks up to them with the lasagne and Ciro runs after him to put a pan coaster and a stack of plates on the table. Logan notices the emotional state Scorpia's in and asks: "Bonnie? Are you okay?"

She nods and haorsely says: "Dino said that Leo chose the best mom in the world."

Ciro nods and says: "He did."

Dino is still talking to Leo and Leo listens to him speak in fascination. "Your mommy's eyes are beautiful, but yours is stunning. It's a good thing you only have one. Two would be too much to handle and daddy would have to protect you from all the people madly in love with you."

Logan chuckles and starts scooping lasagne onto plates. Ciro grabs a bottle of wine, glasses and cutlery and puts it on the table.

Dino says: "I don't think I can let him go yet."

Scorpia looks at him and asks: "Do you want to wear the sling?"

"Can I?"

She says: "Hand Leo over to Ciro for a second and I'll put the sling on you." Dino reluctantly gives Leo to Ciro and can't wait till he has Leo back.

He looks at Ciro and says: "Hold it. Ciro has it too?" Ciro looks confused and Dino says: "The eye thing."

Scorpia smiles and says: "Yes, Ciro has it too. With Leo that is. I've never seen it with the other kids."

Logan says: "You don't have it with the other kids either Scorpia. It has to be about Leo somehow."

Scorpia has tied the sling to Dino, takes Leo from Ciro and puts him in the sling on Dino's chest. Dino beams as he looks down at Leo. They all start to eat and Dino eats carefully, worried he might spill food on Leo.

Scorpia stares at Leo and softly says: "Look at Leo when Dino takes a bite."

Dino takes another bite and Leo's mouth moves along with it. Dino laughs and asks: "Can I give him some. Or is that taking things to far?"

"You can, as long as you make sure it's not too hot. And just give it to him with your fingers."

"With my fingers?"

"Yeah, our cutlery is way too big for him."

Dino picks up a little bit of lasagne with his fingers, blows on it and moves it towards Leo's mouth. He chuckles when he sees Leo's little mouth open wide. He pushes the tiny piece in Leo's mouth, who sucks on it immediately. As soon as the taste hits him, his uncle gets graced with a toothless smile.

Dino says: "Oof. In love."

Scorpia laughs and says: "Another lasagne lover added to the mix. And someone who loves Leo."

Dino looks at her with happiness in his eyes and nods. Scorpia rests her head on Dino's shoulder and looks at her son. Leo smiles at her and babbles a little.

Everyone at the table is under Leo's spell, who is getting sleepy. His eye closes a little and Dino looks down at Leo's sleepy face. "He's not going to fall asleep, is he?"

Scorpia speaks softly. "Yes he is. It happened with uncle Ciro too. Your calm heartbeats make everyone sleepy, especially little pirates."

Dino smiles and says: "A very beautiful and sweet little pirate."

Leo yawn and Scorpia says: "Come with me upstairs Dino. We can but him in his own crib there."

Dino looks at her and seems to search for something in her eyes.

"What is it Dino?"

"Um, nothing." He gets up and walks over to the door at the other side of the cafe. Scorpia follows him and they make their way upstairs. Dino supports Leo with his arm underneath the sling and walks into the bedroom. He stops in front of the crib and says: "I have a gift for Leo. Totally forgot about that."

Scorpia picks Leo up and tucks him in. She switches the baby monitor on and kisses his little cheek. "Sweet dreams little man."

They walk out of the bedroom and Scorpia closes the door behind her. She looks at Dino and he says: "Beautiful."

"What?"

"You. Mommy Scorpia."

She blushes a little and says: "Thank you."

"Oh yeah, gift." He pulls a small package out of his pocket and hands it to Scorpia.

Scorpia rips the wrapping paper off and smiles. "Oh Dino, that's so cute!"

"Yeah, I figured it's never too early to stimulate that love."

Scorpia looks at the plushy Harley Davidson key chain with two teething rings in the shape of a key attached to it. It rattles and Dino squeezes the Harley logo and it plays the sound of a revving motorcycle.

Scorpia hugs him tight and thanks him again.

"Congratulations sister. With your beautiful baby boy. It's clear to see how happy he makes you. And I am grateful that Logan didn't rob you of this chance. I don't think any other man would have gone for it."

"Yes, I realize that all too well. I wasn't even convinced of the idea yet. But it was all crystal clear to him."

They walk downstairs and Dino says, as he pushes the door open: "He saw what we all see. You are Leo's mom, there's no doubt about it."

Scorpia walks over to Logan with joy shining in her eyes and shows him the key chain.

"That's so cool Bonnie."

She shows it to Ciro and he says: "Excellent gift for Scorpia's child. Well done Dino."

Dino looks a bit shy and says: "Yeah, I went to the Harley dealer. I wanted to see if they had something for babies."

Logan gets up and asks: "What do you want to drink guys? Another whisky for you Ciro?"

Ciro nods and Dino says: "I'll have a beer." He subtly nods at Scorpia and Logan shoots him an understanding look.

"What would you like Bonnie?"

"I'll have a water."

Logan walks off to get the drinks and talk to Marco who is working behind the bar.

Scorpia sits down next to Ciro and he wraps his arm around her. "And? Are you going to prioritize yourself from now on?" She shakes her head and Ciro raises his eyebrows at her.

"I'm choosing him." She nods at Logan and smiles. "And him." She points at the ceiling.

Ciro kisses her forehead. "Good. That means choosing you in the end too."

She leans into him and watches Logan as he prepares the drinks and talks things through with Marco.

Ciro says: "It's worse for you too right?"

Scorpia mumbles: "What's worse?"

"Being in love, the love for him."

She nods. "Yeah a lot worse. Hold on... What do you mean by too?"

Ciro chuckles and says: "Because it's the same for him, that beautiful Scot of yours."

Logan walks up to them with the drinks and shoots Ciro a questioning look. Ciro pretends not to see it and Scorpia turns to Dino.

"Dino, are you training tonight?"

"Um yes. Why?"

Scorpia looks at Logan and asks: "How about you?"

Logan smiles and says: "Yes. I've just discussed it with Marco."

Scorpia smiles and says: "Great! Is Bart joining too? And Ricardo?"

Dino says: "Yeah, all Scorpions are supposed to be there tonight."

The door opens and Ricardo walks in, holding hands with Freya. Scorpia waves at them and he makes his way over to her, looking all proud. He introduces Freya to her and Scorpia hugs her lovingly.

"Nice to meet you Freya."

Freya says: "The feeling is mutual Scorpia. You were already famous in the bar, but I think Ricardo just might be your biggest fan."

Scorpia laughs and says: "I think that might be the same for me. He has a special place in my heart."

Ricardo hugs her and says: "Yeah, I thought being honest about it from the start was the smart thing to do."

Logan asks if they want something to drink and they both order a coffee. Ricardo because he still has to train and Freya because she's working tonight. Scorpia follows Logan behind the bar and he leans against her from behind to make coffee. She pushes her ass back and he rests a hand on her hip.

"Bonnie, ti amo."

"I love you too, Logan."

He kisses her neck and she moans softly.

They take three cups of coffee with them and put two in front of Ricardo and Freya. Scorpia sits down next to Freya and looks at her. "Can I ask you something Freya?"

Freya looks at her with an open expression and nods.

"Would you still be working for Frank if you didn't need the money?"

Freya smiles and says: "I love people who are direct. I will answer accordingly. No, probably not. Especially now that I'm with Ricardo. But I need the money to pay for my education."

Scorpia nods and thinks for a second.

Freya says: "I would love to hear your answer to that question about the time you worked for Fred."

Scorpia looks at her and says: "I certainly didn't do it for the money alone. I really enjoyed doing it. It gave me a sense of power. And I didn't stop stop doing it out of my own free will."

Freya looks at her a bit shocked.

Scorpia laughs and says: "You were honest, so I'm being the same. I wouldn't mind doing it again."

Logan chokes on his coffee and Ciro pats him on the back.

Scorpia shoots Logan a seductive look and licks her lips.

He stares deep into her eyes and shakes his head.

Scorpia turns her attention to Freya again and asks: "But Freya, would you want to work in a cafe? With your clothes on I mean."

The girl looks a bit confused and Scorpia patiently waits for her answer.

"Yes, because I love doing that."

Scorpia makes eye contact with Logan, who nods at her before continuing his conversation with Dino. Scorpia smiles because he even knows what she wants without spelling it out.

"How would you feel about working here?"

Ricardo and Freya stare at her wide eyed. Scorpia sips her water in silence, waiting for it all to sink in.

Freya asks: "Here?"

Scorpia nods.

"Yeah, in theory I'd love to. But..."

Scorpia gets up and taps Ciro's shoulder. "Could you do something for me? Pay for Freya's education?"

Ciro nods and asks: "Do you want to join the guys in the gym tonight?"

"Yes, but I'm Leo's mom now, so I can't."

Ciro says: "He should be asleep till after ten tonight, right?" Scorpia's jaw drops and he chuckles. "I already discussed it with Logan."

Scorpia turns her gaze to Logan and he winks at her.

Ciro says: "Just go with them. And if you can't miss Leo any longer, you come home."

She kisses Ciro's cheek and says. "Thank you brother."

"You're welcome sorellina."

She makes her way back to Freya and Ricardo and Ricardo asks: "What did you mean just now, Scorpia?"

Scorpia looks at Freya and says: "Scorpia Enterprise is going to pay for your education. That means you can work wherever you want to. It would be fun if you would come work here. We could use an extra pair of hands. Especially in the evenings."

Freya blinks a few times and needs a moment. Ricardo grins and wraps his arm around her. She looks at Scorpia and asks: "What if Ricardo and I break up?"

Scorpia chuckles and says: "If that happens you'll have to pay it all back. So I would stay with him if I were you."Ricardo laughs and Freya giggles a bit.

"Honey, I'm offering this to you, not Ricardo. But I hope that idiot never lets you go." Ricardo kisses Freya's cheek and shoots Scorpia a grateful look.

Scorpia gets up and walks over to the other side of the cafe. She climbs the stairs silently to pack some workout clothes for Logan and herself. She looks into the crib and looks at Leo, who's on an adventure in the land of dreams. She smiles at the little man and tiptoes out of the bedroom.

She reaches the top of the stairs and sees Logan come up. "Bonnie. Stay there." She shoots him a challenging look and he rushes up the steps. He grabs her ass, pulls her close and kisses her slowly. "Mmm Bonnie. Did you pack clothes for me too?"

She kisses him back as her fingers slide through his hair. "Mmm yes. And stole your shower gel. Which means we'll have to shower together, because we only own one bottle."

He picks her up and she wraps her legs around his waist.

"You're not showering with Bruno tonight?"

"Not unless you're up for a wet threesome this time."

Logan growls and says: "Hell no."

They kiss wildly and Logan puts her down gently.

──────────────────

This chapter came together a lot smoother.

I might be getting my groove back.

"Get into the groove 

Boy you've got to prove 

Your love to me, yeah 

Get up on your feet, yeah 

Step to the beat 

Boy what will it be"

Hey, it's Madonna's birthday today. It seemed fitting. ;) 

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

Laugh a little. Even when you don't mean it.

XO Hankie