The Mafia's Undoing-Chapter 156: New Normal

One week after Katherine had made her decision. I moved into an apartment in her town.

It was small but classy, a one-bedroom apartment with modern finishes and fully furnished.

Nothing like my penthouse in Manhattan and nothing like home.

Because home is where Katherine is. Where my child was growing.

So this is home now. A temporary home, until Katherine realizes we belong together.

Luca was helping me unpack. There were boxes everywhere labeled clothes, books, laptop, and essentials.

"You’re really doing this?" he asked. "Leaving Manhattan for a woman who won’t even marry you?"

"This is for my child. Not just for her."

"Keep telling yourself that." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He was not wrong. This was about Katherine as much as it was about the baby.

Maybe even more.

I was unpacking a box of clothes when I found it. It was Katherine’s sweater. The one she left at my place months ago.

I held it close to me. It smells like her. Jasmine and vanilla.

"Pathetic," I muttered, putting it in a drawer anyway.

"What?" Luca asked.

"Nothing. Just unpacking."

"Right." He was smirking, knowing exactly what I was thinking.

Katherine’s apartment was visible from my window.

It was two blocks away from mine. Close enough for me to be present and far enough to respect boundaries.

At least that’s what I told myself.

Truth is, I chose this apartment specifically for this view.

So I could see her building. Know she was close and safe.

"That’s not creepy at all," Luca observed, looking out the window.

"I’m being protective," I answered him.

"You’re being obsessive."

"There’s a difference."

"Is there?"

I didn’t answer, maybe because I knew he was right.

Eight weeks pregnant. It was her first official OB appointment.

I picked Katherine up at 9 AM. She was waiting outside her building and did not. I’m guessing she doesn’t want me in her space.

"You didn’t have to come," she said, getting in the car.

"I want to. I told you, I’m all in."

"Right."

The drive was quiet and awkward. We used to fill silences with conversation, laughter, and teasing. Now we sat in uncomfortable silence.

The OB office was in the next town over. It had better facilities and was better rated.

"I researched the doctors," I said. "Dr. Andy Patel has excellent reviews and specializes in high-risk pregnancies-"

"I’m not high-risk."

"You’re over thirty-"

"I’m thirty-one. That’s not geriatric."

"I didn’t say geriatric. I said we should be careful-"

"Tony. Stop. I chose Dr. Patel, and I did my own research. I don’t need you managing this."

Wow! already off to a great start.

The waiting room was full of couples.

Happy couples holding hands, rubbing pregnant bellies, and excited for their future.

Katherine and I sat two seats apart. Not touching. Not talking.

The receptionist probably thinks we’re strangers who happened to arrive at the same time.

"Katherine Blaire?" A nurse calls.

We both stood, and I followed her back.

"First pregnancy?" the nurse asked cheerfully.

"Yes," Katherine answers.

"And dad’s here! That’s wonderful. So many fathers don’t attend appointments."

I wanted to say that I’d be at every appointment, every ultrasound, in every moment.

But I stayed quiet, didn’t want to seem overbearing.

Dr. Patel is warm and seems very professional. She’s an Indian woman, in her mid-forties, with kind eyes.

"Congratulations. Let’s take a look at the baby."

Katherine lay back and lifted her shirt. There was a slight curve to her stomach now, which was barely noticeable but there.

My child, growing inside her.

Dr. Patel applies gel and uses the ultrasound wand to start searching.

Then... there, on the screen, was a tiny form. A barely recognizable human, but alive and moving slightly.

And the heartbeat was fast and strong, fluttering on screen.

I couldn’t help the tears that appeared on my eyelids.

Katherine was also crying as she stared at the screen.

"That’s our baby," I whispered.

She nodded silently.

"Everything looks perfect," Dr. Patel said. "Measuring right on track. Due date September 15th."

September. That’s seven months away. It seems like forever, but with no time at all.

Leaving the appointment, Katherine and I walked to the car.

It was a moment of connection and shared joy as we were both thinking about that heartbeat.

Then Katherine pulled back, and I could feel the emotional walls rising.

"Thank you for coming."

"I’ll be at every appointment. You don’t have to thank me."

"I know. I just... this is new. Us being co-parents but not together."

"It doesn’t have to be this way."

"Tony-"

"I know. I’m not pushing. Just stating a fact."

The drive back home was in silence again.

Over the next week, I tried to help. To be present, supportive, and involved.

But Katherine resisted everything.

"Let me hire a cleaner for your apartment. You shouldn’t be exerting yourself-"

"I can clean my own apartment." Was her reply.

"Prenatal vitamins. I researched the best brands. These have optimal folic acid-"

"I already have vitamins. Dr. Patel prescribed them." She countered.

"What about a pregnancy pillow? Studies show they help with sleep-"

"Tony. Stop. I can handle this."

I was hovering. I knew it, but couldn’t help it.

"This is exactly what I was afraid of," Katherine said, obviously frustrated. "You trying to manage everything."

"I’m trying to help!"

"I need space. Autonomy, remember? That was the agreement."

"Fine. I’ll back off."

But I didn’t. Not really.

I was sitting alone in my apartment one late afternoon, looking out the window at Katherine’s building.

It’s pathetic, but I couldn’t stop myself.

She’s living her life. Seemingly independent, without me.

Working from home, consulting for her clients, and building her firm.

And I was two blocks away. Watching, praying, and waiting.

For what? For her to need me or to realize she can’t do this alone?

She could, and that was the problem. She doesn’t need me.

She wants me involved with the baby, but not with her.

And it’s killing me.