Submitting to My Best Friend's Dad-Chapter 774 : Picnic

*Cat*

The next morning was a rush of excitement as we planned our family day. I fed Emilia for the morning and Elio had breakfast delivered from my favorite restaurant. He’d given the cooks the day off, keeping to his promise that it would just be us and Emilia today.

All through breakfast, I rambled on about all the ideas I had for the day and Elio just played along with a smile, agreeing with whatever I wanted but also throwing in a few bits of his own input to keep me from going too wild.

A trip out of the country would be too short notice, after all, and we didn’t have a passport for Emilia quite yet anyway. I was determined to be outside despite the doctor’s orders of not running or walking too much, so we compromised on my first idea of a nice picnic in the park.

We both settled on Point Ferman Park since it wasn’t too far of a drive and wouldn’t be as crowded. It was supposed to be sunny all day with a bit of wind, so it wouldn’t get too hot. Elio agreed easily, just as excited as I was.

It sounded like heaven, honestly, going to the park and having a nice picnic together under the nice weather and pretending for a day like we were just any ordinary family, just a simple couple taking their newborn on her first outing.

After breakfast, Elio took Emilia to get dressed and pack up what she needed for the drive and stay. I took a shower first, dressing in a nice bright yellow sundress and pulling my hair into a high bun.

It wasn’t the prettiest I had ever been but considering how I was still adjusting to motherhood, all with stitches across my belly, I had to say it was pretty good. I’d even started to lose some of the baby weight I had put on already.

Content with my appearance, I switched roles with Elio, letting him shower and dress as I entertained Emilia in her car seat. She was happy to just watch me finish our picnic basket, moving around the kitchen to fill up anything we might need.

I took the time to dab on some sunscreen on her soft chubby cheeks, which she didn’t appreciate much, but luckily she was soothed by her pacifier and stuffed fox. Once Elio came out smelling of soap and curls still damp, I immediately beamed at him, skipping over for a kiss.

He tasted like mint, but I didn’t mind as he kept a steady hand around my waist, pulling me toward him. I lifted my head so he could get a better angle, wrapping my arms around his neck to hold on as he dominated our kiss like always.

“I’m not going to let you overwork yourself today, okay? The moment you feel uncomfortable, even just the slightest bit, tell me,” Elio warned once we broke apart.

I knew by the serious look in his eyes that he wouldn’t be taking no for an answer.

“Okay,” I said simply, getting one more kiss in before I turned my attention to Emilia.

Due to my restrictions, Elio loaded up the car, including taking the time to make sure the car seat was properly installed and facing the correct way.

Once I gave Emilia her rattle, we were ready to go.

Just as we predicted, the weather was perfect. With blue skies and fluffy white clouds, it was sunny without being overly hot, and late spring was in full bloom, getting ready to turn into the hot summer. Elio rolled the windows down, playing music from the radio. I sang along loudly and out of tune but he didn’t seem to mind, grinning like a fool beneath his sunglasses.

I playfully elbowed him to join in, moving my hands to the beat and he reluctantly mumbled the song lyrics under his breath, both of us bursting out into laughter once I hit my head on the sun visor.

Luckily, the car ride wasn’t long and Emilia stayed patient the whole time, shaking her expensive silver rattle offbeat as she curiously listened to her mama make a fool of herself. I didn’t mind though, seeing as both of the people I loved the most laughed at my misfortune and I got a healing kiss from Elio for it.

Point Fermin wasn’t the busiest park in LA by a long shot, but it was one of my favorites and even as empty as it seemed on such a beautiful day like this, I knew Elio had something to do with it.

We found a nice spot in the shade by the lakeside and Elio unfurled the colorful picnic blanket, layering it on top with one of my favorite plush throws. He even remembered to bring Emilia’s baby blanket, a nice purple color.

As we unpacked, getting out drinks and Emilia’s toys, I looked around at the picturesque scenery around us, down by the calm lake on a perfect sunny day. I realized how lucky I was to have both Elio and our daughter, and how thankful I was to the person who had made that happen but I would never see again–my father.

I fiddled with my father’s locket around my neck, smiling as Emilia cooed softly, her curious wide eyes staring at the trees swaying in the breeze.

The same eyes she shared with me and that I shared with him.

I didn’t believe in the afterlife or the supernatural, but I hoped he could see that I was happy, and how much I missed him.

About an hour passed and Elio walked by the bank, carrying Emilia in his arms as he squatted to show her the turtles and frogs swimming in. She was fascinated by nature and grabbed every little plant or leaf she could, even attempting to reach out to grab the frog.

Unfortunately, she came back with a handful of water, which caused little tears to well up in her eyes as she wailed over her disappointment. I gasped and watched Elio cheer up Emilia, wishing I was healed already so I could go play with them but unfortunately, I was sidelined this time.

As I went to get a drink from the cooler Elio had brought, I heard the familiar ringtone of Elio’s phone going off. I didn’t pay it much mind at first, focused on quenching my sudden thirst, but by the time I looked up, Elio had Emilia in one hand and his phone pressed to his ear in the other and there was a gloomy look on his face.

I caught his eye and he grimaced, mouthing an apology as he headed back toward me. I accepted our daughter as he passed her to me and he rounded a bit away, pacing like he did whenever he received a distressing call.

So much for just us today, I sighed disappointedly.

I understood, however, that these things came up. I played with Emilia and kept an eye on Elio as he was on the phone for a while. I couldn’t overhear the conversation from where he was, but I knew it ended as he tucked his phone away and headed back to me.

I could tell by the tense look on his face that it wasn’t good news.

“New threats?” I asked as I glanced at Emilia playing with a fallen leaf.

Elio took a seat beside me, shaking his head. “It was Franky, actually. The Feds have started asking questions. They tracked down one of our guys to ask questions about the incident, claiming it was just to cover their bases, but they were incredibly interested in who he worked for.”

“You suspect they know?” I asked worriedly. That would be incredibly bad news.

“Probably.” Elio sighed. “At least they suspect something. Our guys know not to bring me, Franky, or Leo up and we have enough aliases that they shouldn’t be able to connect us to anything, but you never know with these guys. I doubt they know how big our organization is, but it’s clear they’re keeping an eye on us for the time being.”

“You’ve got a deal with the LA police, right? They look the other way and you provide them with low-level criminals and cash, right?” I said, hesitant to bring it up because I knew how much Elio disliked buying people for money. “Could you do the same with the Feds? I know it’s different because they’re higher ranked and government bought, but it might be worth striking a deal with them or at least a few of their members.”

“I would like to avoid that if I can but–” Elio sighed, shaking his head. “It’s more complicated than a couple of crooked cops looking the other way. Nobody asks questions in LA but the federal government... they’re harder to buy loyalty in. It’s something we’re considering though. Cat, I... I’ve got to....”

He avoided my gaze, staring at Emilia with a soft but apologetic look, and I knew instinctively what he was trying to say. I hid my disappointment, giving him an understanding look as I grabbed his hand.

“It’s okay. You have to go in, right?” I smiled sadly.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted, looking incredibly frustrated and angry with himself.

I could tell he was berating himself on the inside. It was killing him to break his promise but to keep us safe, he had to do what he had to do.

“I have to go in and talk with Franky about what to do. Al’s got some instructions for us and it’s... a mess. I don’t want to leave. You know that, right?”

“Of course I do.” I smiled, leaning my head on his shoulder as I savored what remained of her little outing. “I’m sad and disappointed, of course, but I understand. I’m not angry with you, Elio. Just give me a few more minutes and then we’ll pack up and leave.”

“I love you,” he whispered, holding me closer so I was practically draped over his lap.

I sighed, glancing up at the sunny skies above us that I had barely any time to appreciate.

“I love you too.”

Elio made sure me and Emilia were comfortable at home, apologizing over and over. I kept reassuring him I was okay and that we’d be waiting for him to come home, no matter what time it was. After much of my persuading, he reluctantly left.

I knew things would probably get worse before they got better, but I had faith in Elio that everything would be okay.

Not wanting to be home alone, I sent a quick text to Anna, who rushed over as fast as she could, bursting in with a grin. I could always count on her to brighten my day, and we started a movie marathon of all our favorite childhood movies, showing them to Emilia.

Anna happily carried Emilia around, singing the loud animated musicals we’d both grown up with to her heart’s content. I smiled, watching my baby giggle delightfully at my best friend. Even if the picnic was cut short, we could still have fun here.

I ignored everything else in the world, enjoying my time with my best friend and beautiful daughter for the rest of the day. I didn’t want to think about anything else that was going on.

I trusted my soon-to-be husband. He could handle it.

Everything would be fine.