They arrive at the cafe and walk in through the back door. Grazia walks into the kitchen, holding dirty dishes and quickly puts them down on the table. She wipes her hands on her apron and goes straight for the stroller. She looks at the sleeping Leo and smiles.

"Scorpia, what a beautiful child."

Scorpia proudly looks at her sleeping son and says: "Yes, we think so too. Did things go well here?"

Grazia looks at Logan and says: "It went great here, I would love to work here again."

Logan looks at her and asks: "And how often are you thinking here?"

Aunt Grazia looks surprised and says: "I don't mind working an evening every once in a while, but I prefer working daytime to be honest. I've worked around drunk people for years, but I'm getting a bit older."

Logan nods and asks: "And part-time? Or more? What would be ideal for you? We're closed on Monday morning and Sundays.

Grazia says: "I can work eight hours straight. That's no problem. But if I'm really honest I'd rather not work on weekends either."

Logan thinks and says: "Okay. Monday afternoon and from Tuesday to Friday from ten to six. How does that sound?"

Grazia beams and says: "That would be awesome. I have one question though."

Logan waits patiently till she asks her question, looking at her with a friendly expression on his face.

"Am I allowed to use the ovens here to bake? I will serve what I bake in the cafe of course. I just love baking cakes and pies."

Logan laughs and says: "Go right ahead. As long as your work doesn't suffer from it, you can bake all you want."

She hugs Logan and runs back into the cafe.

Logan chuckles and says: "I love enthusiastic people."

"You gave her joy in her life again, thank you."

She hugs him and tries to hide how much her stomach and ribs hurt. Logan kisses her head and holds his breath for a bit. Scorpia notices and looks up at him.

"We're probably black and blue tomorrow. Do you have any painkillers down here?"

Logan walks over to a drawer and pulls it open. He fills a glass with water and hands her the painkillers. She takes two at once and hands them and the glass to Logan.

Logan raises his eyebrow and she pokes his ribs with his index finger. He bites his lip and frowns.

"Being stubborn doesn't help, handsome Scot."

He takes two of the painkillers too and puts the package back into the drawer. Scorpia carefully lifts Leo from the stroller and clenches her jaw. She avoids Logan's gaze and says: "I'm going to put him to bed. I'll be right back."

She walks through the door at the other end of the cafe and forces her body up the stairs. She tucks Leo in lovingly and turns the baby monitor on. She picks up the receiver and goes downstairs again.

She walks back into the cafe and sees Logan and Marco discuss something. She makes her way over to one of the benches next to the window and sinks down on it. She breathes out slowly and feels relieved that the painkiller is starting to kick in. She closes her eyes and rests her head against the back of the bench.

She hears the sound of a cup being set down in front of her and opens one eye. Dino's sitting down across from her and he has placed a cappuccino in front of her. He studies her face while sipping his own coffee.

"Hey sorellina. You look tired."

She smiles at him and says: "Hi Dino. I am. And my body hurts a little. Thanks for the coffee." She takes a sip and closes her eyes. She moans softly as the hot liquid slides down her throat before looking at Dino again.

Dino's eyes connect with hers and he smiles a bit shy. He wants to say something, but Scorpia stops him.

"I'm going to scream if you're going to say sorry too." He cocks a brow and she says: "Violetta called me to apologize."

Dino blushes and says: "Well I wanted... But I don't want you to scream, so..." He runs his fingers through his hair and sighs.

Scorpia takes another sip of coffee before she says: "You like her, she likes you. Done."

Dino's eyes go wide and he asks: "She likes me?"

"No, she licks every guy that crosses her path."

Dino chuckles: "Okay, that was a dumb question."

"Sorry, I'm not in the mood to beat around the bush tonight."

"It's alright sis. You're right. But what are your thoughts on it?"

"Do I have to think something of it? It's none of my business. But I really like her, so if you hurt her..."

Dino holds his hands up and says: "I'm definitely not planning on hurting her. I really like her and she kisses as good as-"

He feels a hand on his shoulder and closes his mouth quickly. He looks to his right, straight into Logan's grey eyes. Logan's eyes shoot daggers and Dino drops his gaze to the table.

"I'm, like Scorpia, not very patient today. And I didn't punch you in the face yet but I could change my mind about that. Boxing went fine tonight too."

He sits down next to Scorpia and wraps his arm around her. She rest her head on his shoulder as she grins at Dino. Dino stares at them completely confused and doesn't know where to put himself.

Scorpia starts to feel a bit sorry for him and asks: "What do you need me to say Dino? That I'm okay with it? Or did you want to know if I spoke to Violetta? Or are you just here to have coffee with me?"

Her phone rings and she pulls it from her pocket. She doesn't recognize the number and answers it with: "Scorpia."

Logan tries to guess who she's talking to and listens to her side of the conversation.

"Oh hi. Nice to talk to you!" (...) "Oh yes, it's fine. Yes, Bruno came up with it." (...) "Um sure. I don't think I stand a chance but I would love to." (...) "What? Tag-team? (...) Ah yes, Logan. Yes, that sounds like even more fun. I'll let you know. (...) "Thank you! Enjoy you evening!"

She hangs up and stares at her phone in shock.

Logan asks: "Who was that Bonnie?"

She softly says: "Duane."

Logan asks in a shocked tone: "Johnson?"

She nods and says: "He asked me if I wanted to fight against him at the tournament. But not alone. He wants us to tag-team against him. And he promised he wouldn't knock us out."

Logan beams and asks: "The two of us? Against him?" Scorpia nods and grins. "Cool! I would love to Bonnie."

"So would I Logan. But we might have to stop sparring till then." They laugh together and Dino looks confused. Scorpia tells him about their sparring session and Logan feels bad again as he listens to her.

Dino looks at Logan and says: "Wow, you're better than I thought. Because I thought my sister was invincible."

"When she spat out blood, I lost it. It suddenly wasn't fun anymore. I never want to see that again. At least not by my hand."

Dino nods and looks at Scorpia. "To answer your questions... I didn't come here to ask for permission but I do want to know what you think if her... of us. Just because you're my sister and because I don't know a single thing about being in love since..."

His eyes flit to Logan and he sighs. "Dannazione sorellina, I don't know shit about all of this!"

Scorpia smiles at him and rest her hand on top of his. "Dino, you don't need to know a single thing. Just follow your heart, even when it's scary. Especially when it's scary. She's a great woman and I think you suit eachother."

Logan softly says: "And it gives you a Scorpia of your own to fondle."

Dino looks at Logan all wide-eyed before bursting out in laughter. "Ah, it's for your own benefit Logan. But I can't promise I won't touch her when I've been drinking. Or when I'm sleeping next to her."

"I won't let you come anywhere near her in those cases. Especially not when you have a girl of your own. Don't fuck it up Dino. Girls like that don't forgive easily. I should know."

Dino nods and Scorpia says: "He's right. All or nothing fratello. If you can't give your all, walk away and don't look back. "

He rubs his face and sighs. He looks Scorpia in the eyes and nods. He gets up and walks out of the cafe.

Scorpia snuggles up to Logan and closes her eyes. Logan kisses her forehead and says: "Just go to bed Bonnie. I know you're tired and if you stay seated here, you run the risk of someone else coming in to talk to you. Come, I'll tuck you in."

She lets Logan guide her upstairs and he gasps as soon as she takes her shirt off.

"Bonnie..."

She looks at the black bruise on her stomach and dark purple-bruise on her ribs. She walks over to the mirror to check on her cheekbone, which is starting to sport a nice dark bruise as well.

She grins and says: "Wow, it's been a while. I have to show my bruises to Bruno tomorrow."

"Fuck, Bonnie. How can you possibly be happy about it?"

Logan, I love it. I've been bored for years. Boxing against people and knowing from the first jab that I was going to win. This is wonderful. I'm going to train more and harder to make sure I get stronger and faster."

Logan can't look at her anymore and turns his gaze towards the door. He swallows the lump in his throat down and runs his fingers through his hair.

Scorpia makes her way over to Leo's crib and stares at the sleeping boy, completely in love.

"Logan? He still needs one more bottle tonight."

"I know Bonnie. I'll take care of it. Just get into bed."

She crawls into bed and pulls the comforter up to her chin. Logan sits down at the edge of the bed and strokes her cheekbone with his thumb. He looks at her with worried eyes and she sticks her tongue out at him. He chuckles and shakes his head.

"Kiss me, handsome Scot. And stop worrying."

He kisses her softy, tucks her in and watches her fall asleep. "Sweet dreams Bonnie. I'll take care of our little lion cub."

He walks downstairs and collects the receiver for the baby monitor from the table, setting it down close to him as he gets behind the bar.

Grazia comes up to him and asks: "Did Scorpia go to bed? Logan nods. "She looked tired Logan. But very happy too. I don't know what you're worried about but let it go. I've known her for a long time and I've never seen her this way."

She looks at him with her warm brown eyes and rubs his arm.

Marco sets some dirty glasses down on the bar and asks: "What happened Logan? Scorpia looked exhausted but very pleased at the same time. And you look like you're carrying a heavy burden."

Logan sighs and says: "I boxed against her Marco."

Marco grabs a tumbler and pours a generous amount of whisky in it. He hands the glass to Logan and says: "And you won. And made her very happy with it. All there's left is for you to come to terms with it. Cheers."

Logan takes a sip and closes his eyes.

Grazia looks him over and says: "You truly gave her everything she could wish for. A worthy partner, in bed and in the ring. A dad for Leo. Let it sink in how wonderful that is for her. That you didn't hold back in the ring is the best gift you could have given her. Because everyone still sees her as a little girl."

Logan smiles carefully and says: "A little girl is something she's definitely not. I will never see her that way. And during the match all I saw was a worthy opponent. But when she was laying on the floor... That's when she suddenly changed into the woman I love and I realized her pain was caused my me. But I think I get what you mean."

He downs the rest of his whisky and says: "I'll do my best to let it go. I shouldn't turn it into a problem when she sees it as a gift. And to be honest I had no clue I'd be that strong. That was kinda nice to find out."

He hears Leo babble on the receiver and walks into the kitchen to prepare his bottle. He races up the stairs as soon as it's done. He watches Scorpia; relaxed facial expression and her arms are above her head. He hears Leo whine and quickly turns around to the crib.

He smiles at the little boy and Leo smiles back at him. He shows him the bottle and his little eye opens wide. Logan whispers to him: "Are you hungry little man? Daddy made you a bottle." He lifts Leo from the crib and walks into the living room to sit down on the couch. He lays Leo down on his arm and feeds him his bottle. Leo drinks from it eagerly, while staring at Logan the whole time.

Logan pets his hair and looks at him with eyes full of love. "I still can't believe that I'm allowed to be your daddy. You're a special little man and I love you. And mommy loves you too."

Leo drinks his last bit of milk and Logan puts the empty bottle on the table. He holds Leo against his shoulder and pats his back gently. Leo burps and Logan says: "Well done Leo. Daddy will hold you for a little while longer, if that's okay with you. To enjoy this moment of just the two of us."

Leo babbles and Logan holds his breath when he hears Leo practice.

"Dada... Dadddda..."

Logan smiles and says: "You're so smart Leo. Daddy is proud of you."

Leo continues to practice saying daddy en Logan cuddles him. He hears the little boy yawn and he gets up. He walks into the bedroom and Leo sees Scorpia.

"Mommy!"

Logan chuckles and says: "Shhh, mommy's sleeping Leo."

But Leo keeps saying mommy and waves his arms towards the bed.

Logan whispers: "Okay, okay. Calm down. I will lay you down next to mommy, okay?"

He walks over to his side of the bed and kneels down on the bed to lay Leo down next to Scorpia. Scorpia bends her arm, as if her hearts knows Leo is near and Logan lays him down in her arm. Leo sighs contently and Scorpia smiles in her sleep. Logan kisses Leo's head and carefully crawls out of bed. He walks over to the other side and kisses Scorpia on her cheek. He watches them for a while before going back downstairs.

He finds Grazia yawning in the cafe and says: "Grazia, go home. And feel free to take a day off tomorrow before starting your day shifts."

Grazia smiles and says: "No way. I'll me here tomorrow morning. Have a good night!" She takes her apron off and walks out of the back door.

Marco grins at Logan and says: "You made her very happy boss."

"And she me. She's an enthusiastic, hard worker. I could easily hire more of those. Shall we discuss the hours you're going to be working? And for Freya and the boys. Janet will come here every Saturday for the daytime hours to make coffee. And if I match you up with your aunt, would you be okay with that?"

Marco nods and says: "I love working with her. I learned most of my skills from her, in her bar. We're a good team. But you know I'm available whenever you need me. And when it's needed an army of cousins."

Logan nods and writes Marco's name down on the schedule, mostly working with Grazia.

He looks up when he hears the bell at the entrance ring and sees Freya and Ricardo come in. They sit down at the bar and order two beers. Logan drafts the beers as he welcomes them. "How are you two doing?"

Ricardo smiles wide and says: "We're doing great. Started editing the footage we shot with Scorpia. It's starting to look amazing. I talked to Ciro and he said we could have some sort of premiere in the cinema in the hotel."

"That sounds good Ricardo. Do you think the interview will open people's eyes?"

"I'm sure of it. We can't edit it without tearing up. It has to touch people's hearts, there's no other way. And the story on paper alone made the mental health specialists curious."

Logan looks Ricardo straight in the eye and says: "You are the only one I trust with it all. If it was anyone else I'd be worried they would take advantage of her."

Ricardo blushes a tiny bit and says: "I would never do that!"

Freya rests her hand on his leg and says: "Logan knows baby. But this world is filled with people who would have tried to make her break on camera, because that's the footage that sells. And thanks to your special bond with her there's a fair balance between interviewer and guest, nurse and patient."

Logan looks at Freya and says: "Exactly. How are you Freya? Have you stopped working for Frank yet?"

"Yep. And he didn't like it. But when I told him Scorpia was going to pay for my education and I didn't have to work for school anymore, he calmed down a little. He knows the girls aren't going to work for him till they're sixty."

She chuckles and sips her beer.

Logan laughs and asks: "Do you still want to work here?"

"If it's still an option, yes please. "

"Do you have a preference, hours wise?"

"I prefer to work in the evening for as long as I'm still going to school. It's what I'm used to. But when it's a holiday I don't care. So pick what's easiest for you."

Logan studies her and says: "I think it's fair to assume that you learned the same things Scorpia did in Frank's bar. Which means you can do it all. From drafting beer to making coffee and cocktails. Am I right?"

Freya smiles and says: "Indeed. I'm used to working three nights a week. I don't know if that's possible here."

Logan peeks at the schedule and says: "Okay, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. You'll be working with me. And Saturday afternoon? Would you be okay with that too? Janet is here on Saturdays to make coffee."

"Really? That would be great! And Janet?"

Logan explains to her who Janet is and why she's making coffee on Saturdays.

Freya looks right at him and says: "Wow. So it's not just Scorpia who helps young people out."

Logan says it all comes from Scorpia's heart and company and that they have a few young boys helping out a couple of nights a week too.

He shows the schedule to Marco and Freya and they both take a picture of it with their phones. Marco says: "I'll send it to auntie Grazia."

Logan asks them for their phone number and says: "My name is on the schedule for the times I have to be here. But I'm here more often than that, I'm sure you get that."

Marco and Frey nod and Logan walks over to the long table to ask if someone wants a refill. He comes back with empty glasses and fixes a few more drinks. He serves them to the guys at the table and walks back behind the bar.

Freya gets up and says: "I'll see you tomorrow night boss!"

"Till tomorrow!"

He looks at Marco and says: "You can go home too Marco. You're opening tomorrow. That gives me time to sleep in a little."

Marco winks and says: "Okay boss. See you tomorrow. Sweet dreams for later!"

He walks out through the front door after waving at the regulars.

Logan cleans up behind the bar and cleans some glasses. The last guests walk up to the bar to pay before going home.

Logan locks the front door and quickly tidies the cafe. He counts the money in the register and puts the last of the dishes in the dishwasher. He turns the dishwasher on, throws the garbage away and locks the back door too. He turns all the lights off and makes his way upstairs.

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I tried to get it up last night, but decided against it.
I don't like rushing my writing.

What did you think of this one?
What are you hoping for?

Have a great Saturday! ♡ Hankie