Love's Requiem

“Daedalus,” I said quietly realizing it was a Thrice song.

“Yeah, what can I say you got me in to them.” He chuckled lightly. “Everything okay?” He asked me.

“Yeah,” I told him awkwardly.

“Look the way I approached you when you got back was messed up.” He began.

“I was a dick,” I admitted. “Look, I went there and decided the best thing to do was just end it with Niko.” I told him.

“Did you tell him why?”

“I didn’t tell him I was pregnant I told him I didn’t want to give up my job or New York just yet.”

“How’d he take it?”

“He agreed, and told me he saw it coming.”

“Oh”

“Yeah, I think I’m going to nap since I have to drive back to New York tonight.” I told him
getting up and heading to my bunk.

Vinny woke me up later on when we had gotten back to Baltimore. It was 7 am and we were parked in front of Alex’s house.

“Put that down,” Alex told me as I began to help unload the trailer.

“What?” I asked confused.

“Heavy lifting isn’t good for you.” He told me as he moved me out of the way.

So I helped carry the lighter things seeing as any time I grabbed something over 5 pounds Alex would grab it from me. When all the unloading was done, I said goodbye to Rian, Zack and Vinny. Jack still was being distant with me, so I gave him his space.

“You should rest before you leave.” Alex told me while I was packing up my trunk once everyone had left.

“I’m fine, it’s only 4 hours.” I told him.

“You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.” I told him, “Can I use your bathroom though before I leave?” I asked him.

“Yeah, the doors open.” He said as I ran in, and went upstairs to do my business.

When I came back down, Alex was behind the wheel of my car, with the engine already on.

“What are you doing?” I asked him as he rolled down his window.

“I packed up my shit, I’m going to drive you back to New York.” He explained.

“Why?”

“Why not? It’ll be like old times.” He grinned.

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“Negative, now get in.” He instructed so I listened and got in.

After I put my seatbelt on Alex reached in back and pulled out a blanket that normally he had
on his bed.

“So you can sleep better and not get cold.” He told me as He wrapped me in it.

“Thanks,” I told him with a small smile.

“Don’t mention it.” He said as he pulled out of the driveway and left.

I fell asleep for a good majority of the ride, when I did wake up we was crossing the Verrazzano Bridge, which was about a half hour away from my place.

“Good morning,” Alex chuckled as I let out a yawn and snuggled in to the blanket.

“What time is it?”

“Almost 11”

“After we settle in I have to go to my parents to pick up Zita.” I told him.

“Who?”

“Jack never told you?”

“Told me what?”

“I adopted a dog right after new years, her names Zita.”

“You finally crossed over to the dark side, well at least now Sebastian will have a playmate.”

“Yeah,” I nodded as I glanced out the window.

Once we got to my apartment, I dropped my bags in my room, while Alex settled in to the
guest room when there was a knock on my door.

“Bella?” I heard my mom’s voice echo through my apartment.

“Ma?” I said as I came walking out of my room. “What are you doing here?”

“I figured I’d leave Zita off and save you the trip.” She explained as she put her set of my keys back in her purse, as Zita barked and ran to me.

“Moje beba!” I exclaimed bending down and picking up Zita while she liked my cheeks.

Alex walked out of my room, and I thought my mom was going to have a heart attack by the shocked look on her face.

“Hello Mrs. Sladovic.” Alex said sheepishly as he stopped next to me.

“Hi Alex, how are you? Can’t say I’ve seen you in a while.” She said with a smile, as she hugged him.

“I’m fine, how are you?” He asked

“Doing well, how are your parents?”

“Good, thanks.”

Well at least she’s civil; then again regardless my mom always liked Alex.

“Can you excuse us for a second,” My mom told Alex as she pulled me in to the kitchen.

“Niko’s mother called,” She began switching to Croatian so Alex couldn’t understand.

“Look, it’s so much more complicated than you can imagine. It was the right thing for me to do trust me.”

“I understand it, its your father and brother who I think are let down. Baka was even happy.”

“Oh Jesus” I said shaking my head, “Him and I aren’t together.” I told her looking at Alex playing with Zita.

“He’s the reason why you broke up with Niko though isn’t he?”

“No, no he’s not.” I said shaking my head.

“Well I better get going.” My mom said switching back to English. “Alex it was good seeing you finally, takes care of yourself.” She told him hugging him.

“Always a pleasure seeing you Mrs. Sladovic.” Alex told her as she left.