As The World Goes Down

"Well, Tyler, who is 5 years old, my name is Victoria. Most people call me Tori," I said back to him, holding out my hand towards the little video. His little fingers grabbed my hand, barely wrapping around my own fingers.

"Can I have chocolate milk Tori?"

"Of course you can little man." I answered him back. We kind of sat there in silence, after that. Daniel and I kind of staring back and forth to each other. Tyler just sat there, blissfully coloring away, unaware that he would eventually change our lives forever.

The waiter came back a couple times, each of us ordering our drinks and then finally our meals. After our food was placed in front of us, Danny's father decided to speak.

"I'm offering both of you a way out. Right now. At this very table." I looked over at Danny raising my eyebrow.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Daniel questioned, curiousness reaching his voice.

"I want you to adopt this little boy. Make him your own. Protect him. I'll move you guys back into the states where me and my men can offer you protection as well. And if you do this...you won't have to be next in line as heir." My mind began racing. The possibilities. I'm only seventeen and taking on the responsibility of caring for a little boy at my age. I new I could do it, without a doubt, but Danny? What did he think about all this?

He wouldn't have to risk his life anymore. I wouldn't have to be worried sick, waiting for the call that he wouldn't be coming home to me anymore. We could live together peacefully.

"Where is Tyler's family?" I asked, raising my vocal cords a little higher to be heard.

"They were killed, his mom, my best friend, made me promise to look after him. Look, I know this seems like a lot. But I wouldn't be asking you this if I didn't think you were capable." Daniel looked over at me. I could almost read what he was thinking. This was all up to me. I was supposed to make the final decision.

"What's the catch?"

"That you guys stay in our lives. You don't disappear forever. "

"And what about Charlie and Thomas?"

"They have agreed to act as you protection detail." He answered back.

"Protection?"

"Moving back to the stated and still staying in contact with us means you are still known in the Mob world. It means that you won't be forgotten and it means that there will still be people looking to harm you." I breathed in deeply. Trying to let all the information passing in between my ears settle into the deep contours of my brain. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and I looked up to face Tyler again.

"Will you care for me like a real mommy?" And I stared at the darling boys deep eyes, I felt all my worries disappear.

"Come here." I whispered, inviting the little boy into my lap. He climbed onto me, wrapping his little arms around my neck and shoving his nose into my hair. I hooked my arms around his miniature waist and nodded my head in the direction of Danny and his father.

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"Mommy?" I heard a little angel call out.

"Yes baby?" I asked looking back to the backseat, seeing a 5 year old little boy, giggling in his car seat.

"How did you and Daddy meet?" As these words fell out of my adopted sons lips, I couldn't help but to think back on everything that had happened to me that past year. Smiling up in the direction of my husbands seat, I felt his hand slip into mine, our rings clashing together, my wedding ring and his family's insignia.

"How about we get Charlie to tell you at your birthday party, alright love?" Danny answered, looking back in the rear-view mirror. As I felt the suns rays beaming into the car, I couldn't help but to think of what this new year would bring.