Chapter 15: Heart to Heart, Man to Man

"Is that anyway to answer the door for your father? Did I not raise you better than that?" Sean asked raising his eyebrow in mockery. "You know what I mean dad. What are you doing here?" Gage stepped aside letting his dad push past him walking in the house goin got the garage. Looking around seeing the destruction his son tried to cover up, at least the equipment was put back. "I talked to Angelo. He old me what happened we both worried about you." Sean told him as he started working on the arm machine pulling down waiting for his son to start talking. "Well?" He added.

With a heavy sigh Gage sat down on the leg machine. "Look son I know you have a million things running through your head right now, but I'm just going to say something. I have to say after finding out everything you did tonight. After all the things and time you spent with this woman I have to say I'm honestly disappointed." "Yeah I was a little too, I know she didn't mean for it to all go down like this but no mater when or how it happened I think I would have still been this hurt and mad." Gage sighed closing his eyes tight for a moment. "No son, you misunderstand I'm disappointed in you." "Wait… WHAT?!"

"You could have handled it so much better kid. You heard her whole life story from that ass hat who has been barking up her tree for over a decade. Which I think is something else that bothers you but we'll just put a pin in that for now. You heard everything she went through. You spent all this time getting to see a side of her no one in this whole world not only doesn't get to see but never could imagine existed. Now let me tell you seeing your kid being able to finally be the person you know and hope they could be I could tell you how much that was meaning to Angelo as well as here. She brought out the best in you. She never pushed you to be anything than what you could or wanted. Tess never forced you into anything you never wanted to do and I can tell you right now she never will. After everything all the good you seen her to and have done and you called her a soulless monster. Yes I am disappointed in you son." Sean told him with a sad look. Guilt was already flowing through Gage now it was just intensifying.

"You have no idea how hard it is to make it out of a world where we originally came from son. No one starting out with nothing in life can get this far without having some our live able sins beneath their feet along the way." "How can you say that you had the same damn life she had, look at you. You didn't have to kill thousand of people to achieve all you got now." "You are so far off if you think I had the same life as that amazing young woman you had there. I had my brother with me the whole step of the way I was never alone. I was older than she was. She had nothing not even a god damn name Gage. It was kill or be killed in those places before Angelo took control of the government. I will forever be thankful he did and I'm not ashamed to admit that. Those times than. I still am amazed your uncle and I got as far as I did." Shaking his head.

Gage my parents were taken from me. It wasn't their fault they died and I went through what I did. Her parents both left her. They both walked away. They didn't want her. That is so much worse Gage. She rose from nothing because one man looked down and could see everything she probably doesn't even know she is capable of. I get you're scared of everything that life could bring but." "Did you know about them? About who the Alderman's really are. You talk like you have way to much admiration. Holy shit, you knew this whole time didn't you dad? Why the fuck didn't you tell me?" "The only person who needed to tell you was Tessenia and she tried over and over you can only try so many times kid and you didn't help not being available when you could have been. This wasn't anyone story to tell but her. I think you need to think about more open mindedly. You have lived your whole comfortable you never had to struggle for anything Gage. You honestly don't know what pure and true sacrifice really is and I pray to God you never do. That's what your mother and I did we busted our asses so you would never have to." Taking a deep breath.

"You may have one bad time at prom. You may have worked your ass off to get to your dream job your at now. You had help every step of the way. You never had to train your body to go through hell to get ready to take on the roles you had to play that were made just for you. She studied just as hard if not harder like seriously how many languages can you speak, read and write in? She has been pushed to the limit her life. Discovering who she was along the way and she still felt lost until you popped up and no matter what you say I know you feel the same about her you already told me. She is what strength is son. The type of strength you need in your life." Sean told him flatly.

"What if I can't be that type of strong? What if I don't want a whole life of possibly having to look over my shoulder of being in danger because of the person I'm with. What if I can't be that type of strong where I could handle people in monstrous, heartless ways? The things in those pictures some of them you had to have shut off your humanity to even do. No one should ever have to go through some of those things they did. I know they did horrible things but does that give us the right to play God, Judge and Jury? It was selfish to hold this back from me. What about the things I want in life? What about my kids would even get a say in how they are raised or will they be trained like soldiers too, always possibly in danger. Having to work their ass off to be the head of the mafia families, can I be the parent to let them be able to do that to witness these nightmare acts? I know I will screw my kids up somehow but never did I think like that." Gage running his hands through his hair.

"No one can tell you anything about the future. Yes any kid you would have with her will need to take their rightful place. That kid all of her kids will be the luckiest ones to walk this Earth because they will have the best support system in the entire world. All the love and everything else they will ever need. I know that because people like Tessenia and I will always do everything we can to make sure our kids never got through alone the way we did. Her kids will be amazing and do incredible things for this world. You would be so lucky to be able to father them. Whether you do or don't those kids will still be amazing. It's up to you if you're willing to throw the best thing that ever happened to you away out of fear and worry. You want to go back to staying in and being alone in your own little world than go for it son." Sean said standing up.

"You really want to go back to wishing and knowing there is more to this world than what you were doing than go ahead and do what you need to son. You want to go back to being a hermit in your shell while your friends are enjoying their life that's fine. If you honestly think you can go back to that life I will support you. If you can look me in the eye and tell me you can wake up without seeing her smile. You can go to bed knowing she can be in anyone else's arms other than yours. If you can go through your day and when you get information you can't wait to share with her but you no longer can. If you can go back to your regular cooking and losing the little things that she did for you to prove she loved you everyday and be ok with that than by all means go ahead and let the best thing that ever happened to you go. I gotta ask though would that really set you aside from all the woman who try to get in your pants because of who you are, or would it make you the same in the way you turn her down for who she is." Gage asked in mockery he was purposely calling out his son hoping to stop him from making a stupid choice.

Gage was started seething to his father. His anger built up from frustration of feeling so lost on how to feel. He missed her. He wanted to protect her, which now he felt was stupid yet he still had the urge to do so. The thought of any one else touching here the way he does was rubbing him in the wrong way. "I feel that anger inside you boy. Don't do this. Don't be that guy. I know all to well how much the thought of any other man touching your woman who aint you what it does making your skin crawl; but you can't be that guy who doesn't know what he has until it's gone. You can't be that guy where you don't know if you want her but no one else can have her either it aint fair son it aint right." "Well what she's done now isn't fair either. The things she'd done, the shit she hasn't told me doesn't make her right either!" Gage yelled back stepping closer ot him.

The door creak brought both of them to the attention of Dre' at the door with the phone in his hand. "What are you doing here?" Gage snapped at him with confusion all over his face. Dre' was looking at him like he wanted to cut him down. "Tess wasn't sure if you were ready to see her yet. She needed a few things to wear for a meeting. She was actually on the phone right now hoping to say something to you she just hung up. She heard it all. I'm just going to go though, I can stop by Macy's or some shit and grab her something. You know Gage I really thought the world of you for a moment there. I really thought man this girl lucked out on this guy. Now I just think man she could have done better. Maybe Dimitri was right this whole time and she needs to be with someone from our world. Someone she'll never have to change her whole life for. Someone who doesn't make her feel this big. If you excuse me I won't disturb your time anymore and I'll take my monster ass back with the others." Dre slammed the door behind him.

Gage looking at the door to the kitchen. He heard the car start up and peel out. He didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings with his words like that. His heart was hurting now that she heard everything. That's not how he really sees her. He wanted to pick up the phone and call her. He was so close to getting in that car and going to where ever it was she was at but what the hell would he say. He wasn't even sure if he could be the type of man she would need. Could he live that life. Could he be ok knowing his wife was out killing monsters worse than Hitler. Can he sit back and wonder if she would come every night what if she got shot, or hurt. What if she got killed. His heart was bleeding thinking of these things.

"I know you're scared son of all the other possible what if's in your mind. That's life though son. She can just as easily get hit by a car than get hurt on her other jobs. There is never going to be any way to keep the one's we love safe all the time. We just have to trust in them and ourselves to wake up and do the best we can with all that we have. You have one life to live son. We gave you life so you could live it so what are you waiting for, get out there and actually live it." Sean told him stepping closer to the door. "I'm sorry for not telling you. I'm sorry you going through what you're going through. No great love story was ever simple and easy. Whatever choice you make I will back you up on it. I love you Gage." Walking out the door, Gage was left standing there looking in the mirror he had in the garage as he heard his father pull away. 'How can I move forward when I feel like my compass is broken.'

It was now Friday. Tess hasn't been in the office all week. In fact she has stopped her daily check in text once she over heard the conversation from Wednesday night with his dad. Jaxon, Dre' and Hunter have kept their distance as well, making the guilt feel that much stronger. He finally saw someone he's been looking for standing waiting for the special elevator. "Kane! Where the hell you been all week bro?" Gage as confused and a little mad. "I had H.R start looking for a new P.A for you." He told him not making eye contact with him. "What for you? You couldn't pick up the phone and answer any texts like what the hell man." Kane's face snapped to look at Gage in his eyes stepping toe to toe with him now. "I didn't see the point in sticking around when the presence of my kind are nothing but heartless monsters who have no humanity." Stepping back away and getting back in the elevator as the doors open.

"Kane I didn't really mean that." "I'm not the one you got to apologize to Mr. Brooks. Think you know that already though. Seeing as it's been almost a week think it's safe to assume you made your choice." The doors shut the shame and guilt Gage felt now struck his heart to make it feel still and beat rapidly at the same time. Getting his stuff he texted Axel he was leaving since it was now late. After driving for a few hours to no where in particular, he pulled over to the building got his stuff and got out. After changing he made his way onto the floor. With his headphones on he never noticed how the whole place cleared out after thirty minutes. Looking around as he placed the weights on the bar and locked them into place as he laid his head down he saw him and sat straight back up.

"You look like crap son." "Well got to match the inside I guess. How you been Angelo?" "Lot better than some people I guess but not by much." Angelo shrugged as he went around to get ready to spot Gage. "Wait are you waiting for get over here don't start slouching on me now boy." Gage nodded and laid down. He knew sooner or later this was coming. He couldn't help all the respect he still felt for this man. Something about Angelo aura always demanded respect. "Ready." Nodding Gage started pressing the weights up. "I stepped back and gave you about a week. Knowing how logically you think and over think things through figured maybe you could use some advice." "From you? Really you been in my position?" Gage asked him in a mocking voice.

"Don't disrespect your elders boy. I have more turns around the sun than you have you may just need to hear what I've got to say. Smart ass." "Sorry." Gage said he really meant it though. "I may not have been in your spot exactly. I have been in plenty when I had to decide if I should keep people who withheld things from me around in my life as well. There was always a reason why someone would hold back from me. I had to see things from both my side and their side of things. Otherwise it would be a blind decision, lead by half facts and there fore most lead by anger and even a little fear. Fear of what I could have lost if things went south. Fear of who could have been effected. Anger because I felt betrayed and lied to. Wondering how to get that trust to come back to where it was but that's jus the thing about trust in this types of situations." Angelo told him helping him adjust the bar.

"You will never get the trust or your relationship back with that person. Based on the reasoning and the way things took place it either gets worse or better. I know the things we've done in the past may not seem ideal. Let me ask you something else do you believe in the army, do you respect them and the police force?" "Yes, it's one of the hardest jobs out there. Defending the country and all I think a soldier should make more than NFL Stars." "So why is it ok for a soldier to off someone to save others but were monsters when we do it? You know damn well we saved more than we've killed. I have proof no one under my rule has ever killed an innocent person. If they have then you seen the length of the mercy I bestow. Soldiers have hurt more innocents than I ever have. Your world leaders have abused thousands of innocent people before I took over. They didn't give a flying fuck about you people they wanted you to just die if you thought against them. You seen all the proof how I stopped that." Angelo told him flatly.

"We're different kind of solders Gage. Tessenia is the most deadly, smart and feared of all. She will keep this world in check and keep making it a better place. Wasn't that the whole reason you busted your ass off to end up in my company that is doing just that in every legal possible way and even you know that working there." "I know Angelo. I can respect that." Honestly he did. "I know that you should be thanked for so much and fo the other many things your teams are yet to do." "No, not my teams. You know very well in the next Saturday it won't be my teams anymore. I'm just apart of the advisement council Tessenia runs the show not this Saturday but the following." Walking around he took a leg press seat in front of Gage as he still sat straight up on the bench.

"You know I've been waiting years for this moment. I spent so many years training that girl pushing her beyond her limits in every possible from physical training her studies and other mental ways. She always had an emotional problem; you know that already. I faced many situations in my life that would leave others shaking in fear, yet I've never been afraid of anything. That was true until one day at an orphanage I looked down to the most beautiful little flower after realizing she was mine I slowly started to understand fear. The fear wasn't because of what happened with her slaughtering those evil men who killed Ian and the others. It was the pure fear of every father around the world. I know she can handle herself in a fight and she will be safe. I know my men will protect her with their lives like she has for them. I know she will never struggle for food, shelter, clothing or money because I have worked hard to set her up and she's smart enough and has earned her own way. I know she's smart so I know how far she is really going go. I know she will never be alone with her little self-built family we have." Taking a big sigh.

"I know I will always be there to help catch her when she falls. The fear came from people like you Gage. People like you scare the living fuck out of me and knowing there is nothing I can do about it. People like you only see the bad things we have ever done, and never think about the good. Never think about the justice we have brought for the victims and their families. The justice for those who have been wronged by those they should have been able to trust. Mostly you Gage. The moment she met you was the true moment I lost her. She hung on to everything you said. Looked at you like you hung the damned moon yourself. Put her heart, soul and trust into you believing and hoping you would never hurt her. You both have made mistakes in your relationship. This holding this huge part of her life back from you was the worse she ahs done. You using her life like a slap in the face against her is yours."

"My fear was that of ever fear of a father. My beautiful little girl would get her world crushed by some man she loves. Her heart getting beat emotionally in a way I can't help fix or heal. Watching her suffer in a way I never thought possible she would. I know it's a right of passage to get your heart broke. I thought she already went through that with Ian. She didn't love Ian the way he did her. Although I do believe she would have died for him, hell she could have." "I don't even know what I would do if I was in her place seeing someone who loved me so much get a bullet in the head for not giving me up." Gage told Angelo as he felt truly lost in that moment.

"You would do what she did, had you been raised and rained the way she had because that would be who you were. However it's not who you are is it? Who are you really Gage do you even know? You do realize the only other person to beat me even in sparing is Tessenia right? No one else walking this Earth can honestly say they beat me in a fight and still have all their limbs beside you and my daughter. I think if you were really more open minded like I thought you were you would see all the things you are truly capable like Tessenia and I do. You could be so great in this world of ours Gage. You are a man to be respected just for who you are. You know you had that too the respect of all the men, just by being yourself around them."

"Yeah I doubt I have any of that now. The things I said, the feelings I hurt, the way I acted." "True you said some shitty things, however in your position every man could respect and understand why. It's not an ideal situation you are in. However you know nothing has to change Gage. You can still go on living your legit life everyday while still being with Tess. It's totally your choice. Your not required to be apart of that kind of business. However if you are just going to worry about being scared living this kind of life than you can bow out to. Not many people get this chance Gage. You made me a promise you shook on it to really think everything through when something pops up. I just ask that really do that. I know the kind of person you are and how hard it is on you. You and Tessenia are the same in over thinking things over like a million times.

"You know it's amazing you are not the only thing I feared Gage. I feared what would become of my baby once her heart got shattered. I fear her what was the phrase you used. Oh yeah turning off her humanity permanently. I will not walk this Earth forever and I guess I was hoping to meet my grandkids before I die. Walk her down the aisle to a man worthy of her and not one of these fucking Dons like Tony, Nico or Dimitri. I worry about who will be there to help support on hard times because who knows if another man catches her interest whose to say he won't react like you calling her all kinds of horrible things and leaving her when she needs someone with her the most. Making her think she will be forever alone. That was my fear Gage to have get so broken she gives up on emotions completely. I pray once you get grown enough to have kids you never have my fear as a reality, because let me tell you it's the worst feeling in the world." Angelo told him a little misty-eyed shaking it off though.

"My kid has been through hell back Gage. She doesn't carry my blood but she has so much of me in her she is every bit mine baby. Always my little flower. Every part of my fatherly being wants to beat you to death with my bare hands. The other fatherly side of me cares for you Gage, I see you like my own as well. I think you know that though. You are under the protection of my family Gage which is probably the very reason why no one has thumped you yet, out of respect for disrespecting our future Queen. I need you to understand you have the word of the Don, I will never lay my hand against you. I also want you to know that I am taking back my approval the Don approval of your claim on Tessenia. In a manner of days it would be irrelevant any ways, however though you will always be a legend for having Don Angelo's approval to begin with. If you walk away from Tessenia you walk away clean slate no one will ever come out for you ever. If the mafia marks and approvals are off of you, there is no need for you since you will not be connected to us. I figured I could gran you this kindness."

"Wait you're rejected my relationship with Tessa?" "No, I approve of it I was really over the moon when you proposed to her on her birthday you know before later when you walked out on her again on her birthday. I just need you to know all your options to help that what if brain you have. If you wanted to walk away you know now it will be a clean break. Yes you will see each other at work but not as much as you think. I just want both of you to be happy to have happiness. How you get it, or whatever it is that's all up to you guys though. You're on your own with this." Angelo said walking out to the front door. "Thank you Angelo. This actually really helped. Is she…is she ok?" Gage asked him in a choked voice. "You kept radio silence from her over a week. You made no effort in to check on her. You don't get to have that information from me." Angelo told him walking away as an angry father it was his right to protect his kid and he will not betray her by telling him how she really is no matter how much the truth hurts Angelo at least he can keep this walking out into the car that was waiting for him.

Saturday morning she was already typing away working on her laptop she finally got the Swedish mafia family, the traitors. The new Don was also around town somewhere as the rest of them were starting to fly in and take some time to themselves before her party. In fact the new Don to be of the Sweden new family has already been trying to get her alone a date even. Apparently good news travels fast of the question of if she may be single or not. To Tessenia the answer was no, she was still taken. However hearing all the colorful new terms of endearment he had for her she was preparing herself for him to back out. Dimitri was right I guess. Once he found out he tucked his tail and ran. One week not answering back, has made her believe that was his answer. The knock on the door brought her back to reality.

Getting up and answering the door in her shorts and tank top. Opening the door looking at him in shock. Holding some smoothies, donuts and her muffin up to her with a shrug. "Can we talk?" "I don't Gage can we? Can you sit down to have a civilized conversation with such a human less monster?" Asking him in the sweetest voice she could muster. "Can you have a civilized conversation with blind asshole?" "Guess we'll find out." Walking away leaving the door opened. "Didn't think you would show up after Angelo revoked his approval from you." "Why would you think that?" Setting the stuff on the counter. "Once you didn't argue or fight him on it. I was taking it as you were pretty much just done fighting. You know like you had nothing left here to fight for." Shrugging to him crossing her arms.

"Well you should win first place in the long jump for jumping to those bad conclusions." "Really you think I was able to jump to those all on my own?" "I know what I said and I want you to know that's not how I see you or anyone of your family or friends or even your crew. I was angry. I was hurt. I was stupid. I said things I should have never said. I was in shock. I think you can accept that I have that right after seeing everything I saw." "Yes, I knew it was going to be a hard awkward conversation I knew I deserved some of the things you said in the heat of the moment. I just didn't know I deserved to hear them twice. It's nice to know how you really think about me."

"THAT! That is not how I think about Tess, alright. I was just lost. I had a lot to think over. It's not easy for me to comprehend. I haven't been around this my whole life Tess. In fact I spent most of my days away from all kinds of crazy shit dangerous shit like this because I have locked myself in my own little nerd world. I trapped myself in my little world away from actually living life and you know that. It's difficult for me to comprehend everything because you of all people know damn well how much I get in my own way and head. How much I get in my fucking way. I just need you to know how big this actually was for me to not only hear but see. ESPECIALLY from hearing it against that fucking little twat waffle Dimitri. Who I bet got off on the whole damn show he presented. He took what should have been our private moment and made a big show with it."

"I am sorry he did that. I haven't spoken to him either. Unlike you though he at least ahs been trying to reach out. I wasn't asking for much Gage just to know you was still alive you could have sent a fuck you text or something. I was trying to give you space but I needed to know you were ok as well. Well at least until I got to hear you and your dad." Tess trailed off looking away rubbing her arm for a moment. He wanted to reach out and comfort her. Grab her kiss her. It just wasn't the time. His dad was right. Gage couldn't just be ok not sleeping without her, holding her, letting any other person comfort her the way he wanted to. This is where he belonged right here with her just Tessenia just his Tessa.

"If he didn't tell me everything, would you have?" "Yes. I was going to tell you the following morning no matter what it took I was going to tell you the next morning. It's just for a few hours that night I finally had everything I ever wanted. I had a whole future in front of me and a whole future just promised on my finger. I owed it to myself for jus tone night to let myself be happy truly, blissfully, honestly happy with you. I know what kind of shit storm we would have had the next day I just… I would have done anything for that night to end differently than it had. I told everyone the only person to tell you of all this was supposed to be me." Leaning ack to the kitchen counter still facing him.

"When one of the child traffickers hit you in the head. Jaxon shot him in his. You are under the family protection and it is a sin to put any type of violence on you, especially in front of me and when I just had to free six hundred and seventy-five children from those bastards who half were for labor and slaves, and the other half were for the secret unmarked brothels to be sex slaves. They had it coming! Anyways once you went unconscious I took you back to daddy's house it was closer the doctor checked you over you were in my old room on my bed. I left you there to go check on other matters I figured I had a few minutes until you came to. I sent Lincoln in with some water and aspirin. There were fresh rags in my bathroom to help clean yourself up. Only when he got there you were gone. You had a small blood trail and that is how I found out Dimitri had moved you into an old interrogation room we also used for surveillance. I didn't know. I didn't know he was telling you my whole life story. I guess he thought maybe if he told you from top to bottom you wouldn't think so badly of me. It was a nice thought no matter how wrong it turned out to be."

"He should have never done any of that and I am sorry. I am also hurt one of my oldest friends would go behind my back like this. I think he was trying to help in his own way." "Yeah he was trying to help himself Tess. He told me everything made sure to show me every damn detail because he thought I would leave you. He thinks I'm not cut out to live your life since I'm a lowly nerd from a high-class family. He wanted me to walk away to show you he was right. That you could do better that I'm not the man you need because I can't be here for you the way you need." Gage was yelling at her pist off at Dimitri.

"Well you didn't much of a job proving him wrong did you Gage?! The first thing you did was insult me, than you did just what he knew you would you left." She choked out. "You left me. Heart out and bleeding for a week not even pretending like I existed to you. Only to insult me some more I don't know what you really want me to say Gage. I am sorry. I am so sorry I didn't tell you for so long. I just loved you so fucking much and I know I promised I would always tell you things even though I'm scared you would bow out. I will never do it again. You know everything there is to know now. This is me. All of me Gage. I never lied to you though, I also have given you a part of me that no one else has ever seen or known. I know I fucked up royally but maybe…maybe you did too."

"I know I should have been back here for you sooner than now. We both know we needed some time to get situated with ourselves. I think we both needed this time to think about everything. I wasn't even sure what you would want me to say. I wanted to come straight to you or call you when Dre' was standing there holding the phone chewing my ass a new hole eternally. I just didn't know what to say." "So you're here just to tell me you don't know what to say to me?" "No, yes but no. I had a lot of time to think about this. Trust me it's all I can do is to think about it. It's not all I thought about though." Making his way to be toe to toe with her not trying to cross the line just yet.

"I thought about if you were eating. If you were sleeping. If you were cold. If you were having a panic attack if someone was next to you. I couldn't sleep because you weren't next to me. My morning's sucks because it didn't start with us having our daily drinks, that smile I grew to need to get my days going. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did. I'm sorry for taking as long as I did to realize how much I need you. I don't care who you were because it made you who you are. I love you Tessa. My angel. The one I got to know. The one you trusted me to know. I don't care if you are a Queen or Donna. Whatever the hell y'all call it. It doesn't make you who you are. It's just something you do. I am still proud of you and everything you have achieved in your life. I am so sorry for the early stages of it and I wish I could somehow go back and shield you from it but than you wouldn't be who I love today. I know you don't need me to but I will always have this strange need to protect you. I want to. I want to be the one to protect you in any way you need me too. I am just sorry for hurting you the way I did. I just wan to move forward. I love you my angel." Gage told her reaching his hand to run along her cheek. Tears starting to stream down silently for both of them.

"You had every right to react some of the way you did. I fucked up by keeping this in for so long. I love you with everything I have in me Gage. That doesn't mean that you weren't wrong in me being selfish in this. I was selfish when I didn't tell you because I was scared you would leave and I guess you right in I didn't think this through on what it could really mean for you. I don't know if we can move forward with this though." "What are you saying?" Gage hand dropped as more tears flowed out. "I'm saying maybe you were right in some of the points you made with your dad. Any kids you have with me will have to go through this type of thing. Do these things, see these things. I don't know if you could really be able to be ok with that."

"I can though. I will love and support whatever kids you give me. If this is what they are destined to do than we will train them to be better and smarter than us and maybe a day when things will be easier we can make this world easier for them just like your dad did. We can do this together. They will be so much more than us." "I just don't know if I can trust you to be ok in this world. I don't know if you will actually be happy or just end up resenting me for being this." "What if I can prove it to you?" "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into gage. The trails alone are dangerous." "You didn't answer me. What if I can prove it? Would you believe me? Would you take me back?" "IS this something to prove to me or yourself Gage?" "Why can't it be both? IF I can prove to you I can be in this world of yours, can you still be mine?" "Your serious?" "As a heart attack."

"Ok how about this. I'll give you until Saturday to prove it to me until than we are jut on a break. Neither one of us dates around, sleeps around. It's just a break we still together until you get this test of yours out of your system. Than we see where we stand?" He held his hand out to shake. "I want you to shake like a Donna. We both know what that means." Knowing very well neither one could back out of this he would have to do one of the many trails to prove his worth. This is how people got in the inner circle with Angelo and only Angelo would be allowed to push him through it as long as he is still the Don. She knows how hard he has been training with Angelo hopefully he would survive what's coming. "Aright my word as future Donna of Dons. I will pray for you Gage. I really hope you know how much I love you. I just want you to be happy in a life you want to live whether it's with me or not. I will always love you Gage." Looking at her for a moment. He grabbed one hand to her waist, one hand behind her head and hair. Smashing his lips to hers, she met him with the same intensity. "I love you my angel. The only future I have is with whatever one you give me. I didn't start living life until you came in it. I'll leave you just for now but you better be ready for me when this over Mrs. Brooks." He growled to her walking out the door. Touching her lips with her hands she was now feeling back tracked. 'What the hell just happened.'