Page 82 of The Boss and the Adoption Mess
“Well, ladies, I hate to break it to you, but I’m already dressed and you’re not. So… who’s going to get all the pancakes? You—or me?”
Nowthathits like a shock. Rosie and I stare at each other in panic. We know perfectly well he’ll eat everything if we don’t hurry up. Quick, quick, quick!
In record time, Rosie and I have freshened up in the bathroom, dressed, and are ready at the hotel room door—where Gabriel is already waiting like the gentleman he is.
Rome is warmer and more pleasant than London, so Rosie and I end up almost twinning in a mother-daughter look: both in red pleated skirts. She wears hers with white pantyhose, ballerinas, and a matching white sweater. I’ve got nude pantyhose, black boots, a white blouse, and a black blazer. Gabriel, meanwhile, has gone casual: blue jeans and a black sweater. On a man, that always looks fantastic. We head for the breakfast buffet and then on to the museum. But what would a trip to Rome be without gelato? Rosie and I treat ourselves to two scoops—in cups, not in waffle cones.
That evening back at the hotel, I give Rosie a little insulin to stabilize her levels before the device beeps.
“You’re so good at that. It hardly hurts at all when you do it,” she praises me.
“I’m glad to hear that,” I say, pulling out my own insulin so I can inject myself too. But I notice her curious gaze. “Have you ever tried giving an injection yourself?” She shakes her head. It would be good for her to learn—just in case. “If you want, you can practice on me.”
“What if I hurt you?” she asks, worried.
"It's not that bad. I've had doctors who couldn't give injections properly. Besides, you need to practice. If you’re careful, nothing can go wrong.” Rosie’s full of curiosity, though a little nervous. She kneels on the bed, and I carefully show her how to hold the syringe. Quick as that—the needle is in.
“See? That didn’t hurt at all.” Well, maybe a little, but she’s doing great. “Now press down slowly.”
She takes such care—it makes me admire her. “Wow, that was wonderful,” I praise, beaming as she pulls the needle out again.
“Did it really not hurt?” she asks eagerly. I shake my head and tuck the syringe safely away. Rosie is delighted, glowing with pride.
“You’re a natural,” I tell her, making her smile even brighter.
“I think I want to be a doctor. And then I’ll find a cure for diabetes, so all kids can eat sweets all day long!”
Now that’s ambition.
“That would be amazing. Honestly, I can’t think of anything better,” I say dreamily. Of course, such a wish may not be realistic—but who knows? Maybe it is. I want to encourage her dreams. Tomorrow she might want to be an astronaut, or work with animals. Whatever it ends up being, the most important thing is that Rosie is happy and lives her life to the fullest.
Gabriel and I read her a bedtime story. She’s fast asleep in no time, and soon after we quietly leave her room.
In the living area—dark, except for the light from our bedrooms—we come dangerously close again. We don’t speak, but our eyes say everything.
Could I possibly manage to banish Caroline from his life? If he had me, he wouldn’t need her anymore, would he?
“I love my job,” I whisper, as he takes my hand in his. “Not for the money, but for the memories I get to create. In a few years, I’ll look back fondly at how it all started.”
“You mean your job?” he asks, brushing his thumb gently across my hand—a tender touch that makes me smile.
“Yes, that too. But also, how sweet Rosie was as a little girl. Soon she’ll start school. Then she’ll be a teenager. She’ll fall in love. Get married. Have children of her own…”
“Slow down,” Gabriel whispers with a soft laugh. “One thing at a time. That’s many years away.”
“Her life could go in two completely different directions. She could grow into a strong young woman full of self-love and confidence—or she could break, if she stays with her mother.” I sigh softly, squeezing his hand to show how much I treasure his touch. “We’ll make it work.”
“And what about us?” he asks me outright.
“Us?” I smile back at him. His eyes shimmer, catching the faint light. Maybe I see a flicker of hope in them. Who knows?
“Yes, I mean…” he begins—but we’re interrupted yet again, as if cursed, as if fate refuses to let us enjoy one quiet moment together.
Gabriel’s phone rings in his bedroom. “Damn it.” He drops my hand instantly and goes inside. I follow, closing the door so Rosie won’t wake up. “My sister,” he mutters. “At this hour?”
Of all people—it’s her. He glances at me, then at the display.
“Maybe she just wants to know how Rosie’s doing in Italy? After all, yesterday was her first flight.”
