vivian kulina-eyre;

34. The eyes to the love of my life. The mother to a loving miracle. Proud immigrant. Conductor of harmonies.

[vivianxeyre]

@ofinkandeyre

Danny chortled, looking at his phone. “Ma, look.” He turned the screen so she could see even though she was all the way at the other end of the counter.

He’d come over every afternoon to do his homework and wait for his mother’s shift to end. Sometimes he’d sit with Wesley if he had been there writing, but this afternoon Wes was at work, at an English department meeting. So Danny’s workbooks were all splayed around him on the counter, a milkshake on one end, his half-eaten lunch on the other, some fries tossed around. 

Vivian moved closer, smiling when she saw what he had been laughing at. A picture from 1991, all Kulina children together in front of a church in Rome, at Guido’s first communion. They all wore their best clothes, Maria and Giovanni behind them with the proudest smiles. Vivian was four at the time, her hair was a wild wavy mane at the time and her smile was so big she looked like a happy pony. It was a classic picture from the nineties, and one every Italian child had at home. 

“Aunt Luiza just posted it on her Instagram, something about Sibling’s day.” He explained, still chuckling when he turned the screen back to himself again and zoomed in on all the faces, cackling at each one. 

“Guido looks like the perfect altar boy.” Vivian snorted. At the time Guido would steal the churches’ wine and hide under his robe to bring home and drink with Luiza. He once gave Riccardo and Vivian a sip and they were vomiting for an hour, nothing but little kids at the time. “The priest kicked him out and banned him from church about a month after that, a little before we moved to America.” She told him with a laugh, shaking her head while she went through the menus, writing down what needed to be redesigned and changed.

Daniel went quiet for a moment, staring at that picture with a lose smile on his lips. “You and Pa never thought about having any more kids?” He asked and Vivian looked at him. 

They’d explained it to him when he was a little boy, when he quickly had gone through a phase of wanting a brother or sister. But he was small at the time, and he was fifteen now. It was a different kind of conversation, Vivian knew that. Her son was a little, innocent kid anymore. He was intelligent, understanding, and he sure already knew how babies were made, if not from the actual conversations his parents had had with him before and science class, but from the five hundred people that were crushing on him at school already.

“Well, for one we never really thought one child would happen to us. It was such a distant possibility, for both of us.” Viv closed the menus and turned to talk to him, giving him her undivided attention. “When your father and I were separated in our early twenties, I had health issues, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to get pregnant. And then Wesley lost his sight, and you know... Nobody thought a blind person could be a parent until your dad proved them wrong.” Vivian smiled proudly, and Danny did too, nodding. “One child alone was a miracle to us, I forgot the pill literally three days and you showed up.” She chuckled.

“I’m that good, I know.” Danny teased, making her laugh.

“You are.” Vivian nodded. “And you were a very big baby. Which is not me, in any way, saying not having more kids is your fault, alright?” Vivian was quick to add and Danny gave her an understanding nod. “But I already had a fragile body, in a way, I believe. And then you were huge. When you were born my doctor said my uterus had basically done its final lap. If I got pregnant again, there was a big chance of either having a miscarriage or both me and the other baby dying at childbirth.” Vivian spoke softly.

“Damn, Ma.” Danny’s eyebrows perked up like he hadn’t been expecting something so serious. “Should I- Should I apologize here?” He made a face, looking a bit confused.

“No, my love, never.” Vivian shook her head, moving closer and gently cupping his face for a moment. “You were genuinely our miracle. The one and only for us. The universe wanted it like that, you know? Just one mini Wes for me.” She grinned and Daniel chuckled, kissing her hand gently. “We thought about adopting a few times but we were always just so damn happy with you, Daniel. You have always been our world.” Viv patted his face softly before she let go. “We chose us, we chose what we already had. Your dad got a vasectomy right after you were born, we were both recovering together.” She chuckled.

“Ugh, so the noises you both make at night are legit you two doing it.” He held his stomach, looking nauseated.

“Oh, please.” Vivian rolled her eyes. “We’re married, we’re just holding hands in bed, Daniel. You should be grateful your parents are so in love after thirty years together.” She arched an eyebrow.

“Yeah, gross, whatever.” He waved his mother off, making her smirk. “Seriously though, Ma, that was heavy. Thank you. For telling me, you know?” Danny smiled at her. “And for choosing us.” He grinned.

“Always, amore mio, always.” Vivian smiled back.

They heard the door opening, the little bell ringing on top of it and the walking stick gently tapping the floor. There he was, their favorite man in the world.

“Hi, pucci.” Vivian smiled widely and Wesley mirrored her smile, always finding his wife no matter where she was. 

“Hi, my love.” Wesley folded the stick and stuffed it in his bag. “Son.” He greeted Danny, walking over to him and patting the arm Danny extended to his dad until Wesley could give him a quick hug and kiss the top of his head (which Danny had to bend over already to let him do). 

“Hey, Pa.” Danny helped his dad to the stool next to his. “So I heard you got your penis chopped off.” He provoked and Vivian burst into laughter at Wesley’s face.

How could she not have chosen what they already had, when what God had given them was pure perfection?

[vivianxeyre]

@ofinkandeyre

“Ge-la-tto.” Vivian spoke slowly, breaking the syllables while Danny watched her with wide eyes, sitting on the counter of the dinner, her arms around him.

“Geedoodoo.” Danny repeated, smiling proud of himself and making her chuckle. 

“Ge-la-tto.” Vivian repeated, her voice firm but low and Danny moved like he was following the movement of her lips, his chubby hands holding on to her forearms.

“Geedadoo?” He tilted his head with a smile on his lips and Vivian grinned, kissing his cheeks as he laughed. He was so smart, Vivian was amazed daily by his discoveries. He paid attention to everything they did, to every story Wesley told him. He’d gotten much more used to his father’s reality and had even started to push toys away from common areas after seeing Wesley trip a few times on his blocks. Sometimes Vivian just stared at him for what felt like hours, still incredulous. They had made a whole human and he was there for over a year already, about to celebrate his second Christmas with his family.

“He’s adorable.” Vivian heard a strange voice and looked to her left, finding out a customer had come in and sat on the counter. It was the middle of the afternoon and the place was usually pretty empty at that time, only a few customers that came in for coffee and cake like Mrs. Delaney sitting on the corner booth doing her crossword puzzles while she waited for her husband to come out of his drawing class for the elderly a couple blocks away.

“Thank you.” Vivian smiled politely, straightening her back but keeping her arm around Danny. “Can I get you anything?”

“Some coffee would be nice.” The man smiled back at her and Vivian nodded, gently pushing Danny back a bit until his back was against the tallest part of the counter and he was safe with his legs crossed, holding on to his sippy cup and babbling to her. Vivian grabbed the coffee pot and filled a mug, setting it in front of the man with a nod. He looked a bit older than her, but there was something about him that instantly annoyed her. An air of a man that found himself to be much more charming than he actually was, and someone that was sure everyone found him charming as well. “Thank you.” He grabbed the cup, raising it lightly before he sipped from it and hummed. “Your mom makes real good coffee, kid.” He spoke to Danny.

The boy looked at the man and then at Vivian, confused. “Mama?” He mumbled and she booped his nose, making him giggle. 

“You got good bosses here, letting you bring him to work.” The man tried to start a conversation and Vivian didn’t bother looking at him.

“I own the place.” She answered simply, handing Danny a piece of bread that he immediately shoved in his mouth. “Right, my love? Mama is the boss.” She smiled at him and he smiled back, his mouth full of bread. 

“Ah.” The man chuckled to himself, which Viv thoroughly ignored and not only because she didn’t care much about that man but because she had the most beautiful boy in front of her, why would she care about anyone else? “Independent woman and all that.” He added. “The father not in the picture then?”

Vivian looked at the man for a moment, trying to understand how he’d made that connection and why did he think he had anything to do with her life. “Father is very much in the picture.” She said calmly, looking back at Danny. “I guess mom and dad need a bigger wedding ring.” She whispered teasingly to him. “Dov’è tuo papa, amore mio?” She smiled at him and he grinned widely.

“Papa!” He pointed at Wesley, sitting on his regular booth, typing nonstop on his laptop with Poe by his foot. “Papa, papa!” He called and Wes perked up his head, waving at the boy and smiling. 

“Molto bene, very good, baby.” Viv hugged him and kissed his face, making him laugh when she lifted him up and propped him on her hip, holding with one arm.

“The blind guy?” The man asked with a snort. “You’re joking, right?”

Vivian stopped breathing for a moment and Danny could feel it, he always could. He held onto her body tight and cooed, looking at her and then at the man, frowning like he was trying to understand why that stranger was not making his mom smiling like she was just now when his father smiled at her. Vivian had always been fiercely protective of Wesley, but something about watching him become a father had made her even more of a lioness when it came to protecting her family. Danny wouldn’t be the happy, healthy boy he was now, looking as big as a three year old at merely one year and three months, if not for his father. 

“I’d like you to leave my establishment now.” Vivian said calmly, though her voice had gotten dangerously firm. 

The man was taken by surprise and he sat up, startled, blinking at her like he hadn’t heart her correctly.

“I’m not joking, I’d like you to leave.” Vivian repeated.

“This is absurd, I’m a customer.” The man protested. “I was trying to pay you a compliment, you deserve better than this.” The man insisted and Vivian’s eyes were suddenly darker with anger.

“Get out out my establishment. Right now.” It was a warning. And a very mild one at that. 

“This is ridiculous.” The man got up, pushing his mug forward and nearly splashing all of the coffee on the counter. “I thought this was a family place.” He bit at her.

“Baby, cover your ears.” Vivian spoke with grace, mimicking the gesture and Danny covered his ears with a chuckle, thinking it was a game. “Get the fuck out of my restaurant or I will call the police.” She hissed at the man, taking a step forward and watching triumphantly as the man nearly fall back from his stool, stumbling on his own feet as he ran off the building. 

“You want me to take care of that?” Miley, one of the waitresses, pointed at the spilt coffee and Vivian smiled at her, nodding.

“Thank you, Miley.” Vivian touched the girl’s shoulder and made her way around the counter, watching the man still out on the street, looking through the window like he was yelling curses at her but wasn’t brave enough to do it when there wasn’t a glass window between them.

“Papa, papa.” Danny cooed as they came closer to Wesley’s booth and Vivian sat down next to him, sitting Danny on the table as he was blabbering again, telling his father everything that had happened.

“You two find way too many adventures a day.” Wes teased, wrapping an arm around his wife and patting the table until he was tickling Danny’s socked feet and the boy’s laughter was filling up the whole restaurant.

“We do alright.” Viv smiled softly, kissing her husband’s temple and brushing her nose on his bearded jaw. No one had the right to say even a simple diminishing word about that man, not in front of her, not in a million years. Not when she had the best husband in the world and Danny had the best father he could possibly get in Wesley. Not when her whole world was him and that little boy. Viv scooted closer and leaned against his chest, bringing Danny a little closer so he could touch his father’s face and kiss his nose. And the blind guy knew just how to hold his son and his wife all at once, while working, while loving them with everything he had, and while seeing them more deeply than anyone would ever see. 

[vivianxeyre]

@ofinkandeyre

“Ciao, ciao, ciao! Morettina bella, ciao! Che prima di partire un bacio ti voglio dar...” Vivian sang softly, rocking the big boy in her arms. Danny was awake way past his bedtime tonight. He’d just started walking, learning way too early how to take his steps and both her and Wesley were beyond exhausted, chasing him around and making sure he wouldn’t get hurt. 

Danny still couldn’t fully understand that his father didn’t see thing like his mother did but Viv would see him slowly noticing something was different and he’d tap Wesley’s leg or hand every time he ran by him, giggling. “Uno alla mia mama, un altro al mio papà, cinquecento alla mia bella e part via soldà.” She sang and he smiled his partially toothless smile, his big cheeks looking even rounder when he did so, a tiny dimple forming on them like his father’s. By now Danny wasn’t breastfeeding much anymore but before bed he still liked suckling on her breast if only for the comfort so he had his lips around her nipple but barely held onto it, his eyes on his mother watching as she sang for him. 

“Che vado via soldato von vado più alla morte. Se Dio mi da la sorte, aspetto di tornar.” Vivian sang in her mother language, the song her father sang to every one of his five children when they were little and had trouble sleeping. Giovanni would sing it loudly to Danny when Viv brought him to the restaurant and the boy loved it, but now, in his mother’s much softer and melodic voice, Danny’s eyelid began looking heavier and heavier. 

Slowly, while Vivian hummed the chorus again, his head dropped back on her arm, long and wavy locks of brown hair following as he relaxed, and his lips kept their “o” shape but let go of her breast as he fell asleep. Hopefully for the whole night, Viv thought, and she gave Poe a look as he set guard by the crib. Keep him in this crib, sir, she mouthed and Poe blinked, tongue out. She took another look at her son. Her son. Looking like he was long over one year old already though having just turned ten months. Teeth in his mouth, hands much stronger now, his little toes round and chubby. It had been such a hot summer Vivian and Wesley decided he could sleep in diapers and shorts only, maybe a soft tank top otherwise he woke up covered in rashes because of sweat. 

“Ti amo.” She whispered, kissing his forehead and carefully putting him down on the crib, making sure he had his stuffed fox close by. Her mini Wesley, sleeping in peace, getting ready for another day of running around the apartment. Viv put her night gown back in place, covering her breast, and scratched Poe’s head before closing the door only halfway and stepping out into the living room. Wesley had been trying to finish an article all day long, interrupted countless times by his athlete of a son and maybe now that Danny was asleep he’d be able to. 

“He’s down and-” Vivian pursed her lips close the moment she stepped into their room, lips curling in a smile. There he was, the real life-size Wesley, head dropped back on the pillow and the laptop open, falling to the side of the bed as he was sound asleep. Lips in that soft “o” just like his son’s, hair all over the place, pajama shorts and no shirt. Vivian noticed the baby monitor was on, Wesley had heard her singing to Danny. Her heart swelled in her chest. She was the luckiest woman in the entire world right now. Viv tip toed towards the bed and grabbed the laptop, making sure to save all his work before closing it and putting it on the dresser. Wes moved only a little bit, sighing out in his sleep and turning to the side on the bed, facing her side. 

Careful as she had been to put Danny on his crib, Viv climbed on the bed and made herself comfortable right next to the love of her life, turning off the lamp before she turned to face him. She could still see him with the light coming through the creeks of the curtains, beautiful. The one and only owner of her heart since she was 19 years old. Her only ex, only boyfriend, only love, only everything. Viv leaned closer and kissed his forehead gently. “Ti amo.” She whispered, feeling Wesley touch the bed until he found her hand and held it, bring it close between them, against his heart. Viv sighed contently and closed her eyes, leaving her head close to his and breathing in her husband’s scent, only then relaxing. 

It appeared all Kulina-Eyres would sleep the whole night that day, a night full of rest, love and peace. 

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

“Because my mother holds onto the hope that maybe one day I will see the light and suddenly realize that my destiny lays within the business and taking over. Because for them, the importance of legacy is important. They can’t just hand the business and all their assets over to any outsider or family member. It’s like American royalty. They want to keep it in the family and outsiders are unwelcome. If I marry, I have to marry into another upper class family, preferably one with their own business and assets that could then be merged with our family,” explained Wesley. “And yes, she wants to make sure I’m not a complete disgrace to the family, because imagine if I was and that got out, then however would they be able to preserve the Eyre name?” Wesley shook his head. 

Wesley nodded and then turned towards the building, Poe following his lead and waiting for the door to be opened. Wesley reached out a hand, feeling around for the handle and able to find it on his left, just as Vivian said. He opened the door, allowing for Vivian and Danny to go through first. He was able to tell when they were inside because as soon as they were, Poe began to work again, leading him over the threshold and inside the business, maneuvering Wesley easily into the door. 

.

“Oh well, you did marry an upper class family. Just not as up as them.” She chuckled teasingly. “And immigrants, in another line of business. Not to mention you went for the musician in the family. You really make some bad choices, Wesley.” She provoked, shaking her head. “I don’t hink your mother understands the extend of my family’s money, to be honest. Or maybe she does, she definitely has had her investigators run my family all the way back to Italy. She just doesn’t like that we’re loud and stained in tomato sauce while we’re rich.” She shrugged it off. In the end, Vivian had gotten the one good thing the Eyre’s had and that was Wes himself. “Her loss, like I said. She doesn’t get to experience the most intelligent man on Earth and the cutest little boy either while this chubby immigrant here gets them both daily.” Vivian grinned, pushing the stroller inside when Wes held the door for her.

Danny’s eyes widened even more. His extent of knowing businesses for now was his once or twice going to the restaurant. He was looking at the shelves, the displays, possibly being met by a bunch of new smells and colors. He was babbling nonstop now, most definitely telling his parents about all the fun things he was seeing. “What do we get, pucci?” Viv stopped looking around, reaching out to gently caress his arm. “Everything is prepared to-go already so there are so many options for sandwiches. What do you want in yours?” She asked. “I’m going to grab a basket, can you hold on to the stroller for a moment? Danny is just telling us about the place.”

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

“I know you do. I know you love being everything my mother happens to hate,” said Wesley with a smile. “She’ll hate that we’re married. She’ll hate that we have a son. She’ll hate that I write freelance. She’s definitely out there still trying to find me, find us. Probably has a private investigator trying to figure out where I am right now.” It made Wesley very nervous, if he was being honest. His mother would no doubt find him one day, after all she had endless money and resources and, more importantly, endless time. “If she does find us, though, we can’t move,” he said. “I don’t think I could handle moving again.” Vivian and Wesley had all but established their roots here. 

“Oh, I bet you could outrun most people in heels,” said Wesley. “Except maybe a drag queen,” he teased. “They’re on another level entirely.” He paused. “We have to be near the deli now, right?” he asked. Wesley hadn’t had a chance to wander too much around the city on his own. He had learned the area immediately around their apartment due to taking Poe on daily walks, but as he had been trying to keep his exposure outside limited, he hadn’t had a chance to really get to know their neighborhood in the way he would have liked. Not yet, anyway. He hoped he could go out more on his own, take Poe and figure his way around. 

.

“I will never understand your mother.” Vivian shook her head. If she didn’t understand the woman before, now that she had her own child she understood her even less. “If she rejects your existence as a normal person, why even keep tabs on you? It’s not like you ever expressed any interest in taking over the business or just stepping in and stealing all their money, clearly the one thing she cares about.” She rolled her eyes. “Maybe she just wants to make sure you’re not a complete lowlife because even if they leave everything they have on a will to someone else, you can protest that and get the whole thing.” She reasoned. “Oh, we are not moving. If you thought I was feisty against your mother before, wait until you see me now that we also have Danny.” That woman would not run them from their home where they were going to raise their son. 

She laughed at Wesley’s words, shaking her head. “No, drags are definitely a whole new level, they’re a superior kind of humans.” She chuckled. “We are here, yes, if you could hold the door open, please. So I can push him in.” Viv stopped slowly in front of the deli and Danny was now observing the front of the shop. “Right to your left there, pucci, the handles on the door are enormous, you’ll feel them right away.” The door was just as elegant and fancy as the inside, with big, curved golden handles. 

.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

“I’m sure she’s just trying to get all perspectives, yes,” agreed Wesley. “Plenty has changed. Especially now during a pandemic, too. That’s a very unique experience.” Of course, most of the birthing process had been fairly standard and straightforward one way or another. At least Wesley felt it had been. He laughed at her words at his family. “Yes, they do lose out on a lot. My mother would be so mad to find out she has a grandson, too. In the sense that there’s a grandson to continue on the family name, but upset to know that she never got to know about it in the first place,” he said. It gave him a sort of satisfaction, if Wesley were being honest. 

Wesley smiled as he could hear Vivian filming and speaking to Danny. “He definitely is. His wide eyes and expressions, getting to see what he looks like for the first time experiencing all this.” Frankly, Wesley was always excited the first time Danny did anything vocal. First time he laughed, first time he started to talk and babble in his baby talk. “Just wait until he starts really being able to move and explore even more. We’ll have to start chasing him down before long.”

.

“Most certainly, yes. Not that I’d know what it is like to be pregnant outside of a pandemic, but I’m sure there’s been quite a big portion of it that was different.” Vivian didn’t think about that much because to her in many ways her pregnancy had been perfect. The two of them weren’t too big on exposing themselves anyways, they didn’t have a gigantic group of friends and while they all had to keep a distance, she still managed to have her family support and the girls as well when needed. “I absolutely love the thought of your mother being angry at anything we do.” She scoffed. “To know that now we actually have a child, you have a child. She’ll freak the hell out if she ever finds out. You think she’s still trying to keep tabs on you and finding it harder now that you’ve changed your name?” She asked.

Viv laughed lightly at the mental picture of Danny running around, but those were moments she feared. The only ones, actually. Ninety nine percent of the time, Wesley would be able to have Danny on his own like any father could. But Viv worried about those days when Danny started walking and wondered around, mostly because she knew Wesley would worry too. She’d have to teach Danny from an early age to never let go of their hands. But she didn’t dwell on it. “See this is why I’m getting used to wearing flats, so we can do the chasing.”

.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

“No, it’s not. If I can do it, then Danny certainly will be able to do it,” said Wesley. “Yes, but his mother had children almost thirty years ago. You had a baby just six months ago. It’s much more recent experience. Plus, I’m sure there’s plenty that was different thirty years ago than today.” He felt her squeeze his arm and smiled. “You did, and although her circumstances are vastly different, she still has a nice support system one way or another, which I think is what matters in the end. Luckily, a family nothing like mine.” 

Wesley listened to Vivian. He listened to the way she spoke to Danny, telling him about how he’d get to grow up here and meet all kinds of people. He smiled when she talked about how Danny looked, taking in his surroundings. He could picture his son just looking around, eyes wide and bright, taking in his first walk around the city. “You should take pictures of what he looks like. Show him when he’s older his first reactions of the city. Show your parents when we get there. Maybe even take a video.” Even if Wesley couldn’t necessarily enjoy a picture or a video in the same way anyone else could, he still wanted Vivian to document everything for herself, for her parents, for Danny.  

.

“She did, but she had three of them. Her expertise is beyond this world.” Vivian pointed out. “But I doubt Rhiannon hasn’t talked to her mother, so you’re right, she’s just looking for a more recent perspective. I’m sure a lot has changed regarding details, doctors, baby stuff; I sure as hell didn’t have a stroller like this one when I was a baby, especially in Italy.” She chuckled. They hadn’t exactly gone for the fancier stuff, only what would be the most functional for the type of family they were, a family with a blind parent, so Danny’s stroller had some sensors and differently texturized handles so Wes could be the one to push him around whenever he wanted to. “She surely does have a big support system. Well, a family like yours loses an amazing son and the chubbiest most delicious grandson, so they can suck it.” 

Wesley’s suggestion made her smile and stop for a moment. Vivian quite liked taking pictures of Danny, of Wes, of them all as a family and Poe always with them. But sometimes she got lost in the beauty of Danny discovering new things and forgot to save those memories. “Okay, let me just film him then, a quick video to show my mom and the girls.” She fished her phone from her purse and went to the side of the stroller as she started walking again and began filming him as he found out new things for him to see. “The world is pretty incredible, isn’t it, buddy?” She grinned as Danny responded with a babble, particularly interested in a bright yellow roof of a shop they were passing by. “He’s so cute.” Vivian laughed, ending the video and putting her phone back in her purse.

.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

“I could definitely go for some tiramisu,” said Wesley as they were now on the streets of the city, walking down the sidewalk. Wesley could feel that the usual flurry of movement was tame compared to what it could be. Certain there were people who were rushing by and he could feel the wind they left in their wake as they rushed pass, but it was nothing like the tightly packed streets that New York City was known for. “And yet one day, he’ll start springing up and probably end up taller than you,” mused Wesley. 

“Well, we’re the first ones in this group to have kids, aren’t we? It would make sense to refer someone he knows to you, my love. Besides, everyone knows what a good mother you are,” said Wesley. “And knowing how Andrew trusts people far and few in between, he probably trusts you to be honest.” Wesley smiled at Vivian’s narration of the city and Danny’s soft response from his stroller, already so responsive at his six months and so observant. “And this is where you’ll get to grow up.”

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“It isn’t that hard being taller than me.” Vivian laughed and Danny looked back at her for only a second before he was back exploring the world with his eyes. “We are, but his mother alone had three children. I didn’t think they’d be reaching out to me, but I’m glad they did.” Vivian smiled at his comment on her being a good mother and reached out to give his arm a gentle squeeze. “Ah yes, I will be honest. Though I did have a considerably easy pregnancy overall. But I’ll do my best to help her. I know she must be nervous.” Vivian could only imagine. “I was nervous and I got pregnant while in a serious, already long-term relationship and financially stable.” She pointed out. 

“Yes.” She reinforced Wesley’s word. “You’ll grow up here and know every street like the back of your hand.” Viv could already see him walking around as he got older, coming and going from school. “And you’ll meet all kinds of people here, from all over the place. People from other states that came once and never left. People from other countries that came looking for a better life, like your mama and your nonni.” She looked down at Danny and couldn’t help the smile on her lips. “Pucci, he is absolutely mesmerized. His eyes are wide and his lips are pursed in a curious frown, his little hands extended like he’s trying to grab everything he’s seeing.” She whispered to Wesley, chuckling.

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[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley nodded. “Yeah, we can stop there. Maybe even ask your parents if they want to give us some dessert so we can take it with us when we stop by them,” he teased with a soft nudge. He could fee the elevator stopping and the soft ding as the doors open. Poe was moving forward and Wesley went with him, exiting and allowing Poe to guide him to the front of the building before stopping, making sure Vivian was by his side still. 

“Yeah. I like to think he’s talking about us,” smiled Wesley. It was fascinating to listen to the way Danny spoke in his incomprehensible babbles, something that likely made perfect sense to him and yet before long, he would slowly learn to speak and forget all about his baby babble. “By the way,” he added, “I imagine Andrew has text you, right?” he asked. “About his sister being pregnant?”

.

“We are definitely doing that, my mother probably has leftover tiramisu in the fridge. Or zuppa.” Vivian smiled at the thought, chuckling with his nudge. The elevator was finally on the ground floor and Viv waited for Wes and Poe to step out so she could push the stroller out and walk with them to the streets. “I think he is, yeah. It would make sense, right? We are the biggest things in his life right now, even literally. He’s small and we’re much bigger than him.” Viv mirrored the smile on Wesley’s lips, loving how mesmerized he seemed to be by every detail of being a parent, of being Danny’s father. 

“He did, yes! She’s going to give me a call soon, I think.” Vivian nodded, adjusting the hood on the stroller a bit back so Danny could see more of the city. “I must admit I feel rather proud of being their reference in these matters.” She grinned as she began walking slowly on the sidewalk. It felt both amazing and odd to be out like this, for a walk, with her family, without that overwhelming fear of getting sick and exposing Danny and Wes. “Daniel, welcome to New York City.” She could see his eyes wide as he looked around at the sky, the buildings. The streets were still much quieter than usual but their did live in a calm neighborhood anyways. “This is where mom and dad met, where your dad grew up. Where you were born too.” She told him and he cooed in response.

.

[ofinkandeyre]

vivianxeyre​:

“Doesn’t daddy look handsome?” Vivian whispered to Danny as she put him down on the stroller and he was immediately entertained by the animals that hung from the hood. She put the bag under the stroller and hung hers on her shoulder, following Wes and Poe out of their place and locking the door behind her back. “Well, your son looks absolutely amazing. He has a brown sweater on and a denim jumpsuit on top, and black Converses because he is very stylish.” She described his little outfit. “His hair I gave up and I’m just letting it flow but he’s got a little wave on top like yours.” Viv chuckled, calling for the elevator and checking Danny on the stroller while he had a conversation with the toyy animals.

“Your wife is wearing a dark green mid-lenght flowery dress, a cream colored knit sweater on top and - brace yourself - actual flats for once.” She chuckled, reaching out to gently adjust the neck of Wesley’s shirt. “I was thinking we could stop somewhere to get our picnic food. What do you feel like eating?” 

.

Wesley laughed as Vivian said she gave up on his hair. “Yeah, that Eyre hair will get you. It’s very unruly.” He smiled as she described what she wore. “You look beautiful. I love your dresses.” He stepped into the elevator as he heard it ding and nodded at her suggestion they should stop somewhere to get food. “Let’s make it an actual picnic. Get some sandwiches, maybe some salad, bread, cheese, crackers, some wine. Maybe some soft fruits for Danny to chew on. Bananas and grapes.”

The elevator started to move, taking them to the ground level. Wesley could hear Danny happily in his strolling babbling away with his stuffed toys. It really sounded like he was having a conversation, something he could understand. Many times, Wesley felt like he could almost hear Danny on the verge of speaking, feeling like he sometimes hear him on the verge of being able to utter full syllables, but he knew that he Danny was likely still a few months from speaking, especially considering his teeth were only starting to come in and that was a huge part of being able to speak in the first place. “What do you think he’s saying?”

.

[vivianxeyre]

“Thank you, my love.” She smiled at him. “You look rather dashing as well.” But he always did, she thought. Vivian didn’t remember one single day when Wesley wasn’t well dressed since they met. She pushed the stroller into the elevator and settled next to Wes, resting her head against his shoulder for a moment. “I love that, yes. So maybe that deli on the way to my parents’?” She suggested. Danny was in a serious conversation there with his toys and Viv looked at him when Wesley asked what she thought he was saying. “I’m not sure, maybe he’s telling them something about his day, about us or Poe.” She reasoned. “He doesn’t know much more than that yet so I guess that’s it. Maybe he’s just mimicking us as well. He can hear us talking to each other and to him and he’s just trying to do the same.”

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley couldn’t see it, but he could hear that smile in her voice, even when she said a single word. He could hear the way her nose was scrunched and the way she moved towards him before she left a kiss on his lips. “Je t'aime,” he whispered back to her. He nodded when she took Danny so they could get ready and Wesley called out for Poe, hearing the dog come to him and sit by his feat. “There we go,” he said as he found his head and patted him before he went to grab his harness and put it on him, a sign that Poe was on duty. 

Once he had done that, Wesley quickly grabbed his own sweater and smiled as he heard Danny and Vivian rejoining him. “Wonderful. Poe and I are ready as well.” He grabbed the harness and Poe led him to the front door so they could head out. “How do my wife and son look today?” he asked as they made their way down the hallway and towards the elevator. 

.

“Doesn’t daddy look handsome?” Vivian whispered to Danny as she put him down on the stroller and he was immediately entertained by the animals that hung from the hood. She put the bag under the stroller and hung hers on her shoulder, following Wes and Poe out of their place and locking the door behind her back. “Well, your son looks absolutely amazing. He has a brown sweater on and a denim jumpsuit on top, and black Converses because he is very stylish.” She described his little outfit. “His hair I gave up and I’m just letting it flow but he’s got a little wave on top like yours.” Viv chuckled, calling for the elevator and checking Danny on the stroller while he had a conversation with the toyy animals.

“Your wife is wearing a dark green mid-lenght flowery dress, a cream colored knit sweater on top and - brace yourself - actual flats for once.” She chuckled, reaching out to gently adjust the neck of Wesley’s shirt. “I was thinking we could stop somewhere to get our picnic food. What do you feel like eating?” 

.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley smiled at her suggestion that they do a picnic. “I love that,” he said. “It’s perfect weather for that, too.” It was still cool, but not too cold that being outside for too long would be unbearable as long as they had sweaters and jackets.

He could feel Vivian reaching out to Danny and smiled as she described the fact that his eyes were getting darker. “Bet you he’ll still have your cheeks, though,” he smiled. And more importantly, all of his family would be hers. Danny still had plenty from Vivian to cling to, even if his looks were strongly influenced by himself. “And, you know what, he’s going to have your softness of personality, I bet. He’s going to have your energy for life and your strength. Those things are all much. more important to pass on than just looks.” He rocked Danny again gently. “Right? You’re going to learn a lot from mom, aren’t you? You’re definitely still more than half her.” 

He smiled at the image of Danny holding onto her hand, looking at Vivian as if to reassure her. Danny was definitely going to have all of that compassion. “Yeah, let’s get ready. You take him, and I’ll get Poe,” he said as he then held Danny out for Vivian to take hold of now.

.

"Picnic it is, then!" It had been so long since they spent any quality time outside and enjoyed the city. It would be great to finally be able to go out and enjoy each other as a family. "Oh yeah, the cheeks are all there still." Viv smiled widely, leaning in to kiss those chubby cheeks while Danny laughed. Vivian stopped as Wesley spoke and she looked at him, her smile growing at each word of his. "Pucci..." She scrunched her nose and leaned closer to him, stealing a lingering kiss from his lips. She loved that man so, so much. She teased but she wouldn't mind at all if Danny was all his dad because then he'd be absolutely perfect. "Ti amo." She whispered before pulling back and taking Danny in her arms. "Let's go, mini Wes, let's get dressed as ready to go out with mom and dad." She hugged him and he hugged her back happily, babbling all the way back to his room and while Vivian had him on the changing counter. Soon enough she was back in the living room, Danny looking adorable with a sweater and a denim jumpsuit on, and baby Converses, his bag on her arm and stroller ready as well. "We are ready here, Mr. Kulina-Eyre."

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley smiled as Vivian stood up and gave them both a kiss. “I think we should go to the park. Maybe take a walk around. We’re all vaccinated, and in six months, Danny hasn’t really seen much of the city, has he?” he said as then bounced Danny gently. “We can maybe even drop off the gifts to your family while we’re out. Take Poe for a walk. Make a nice, family day of everything, you know?” he said. 

“What do you think?” he asked as he addressed Danny now, once again bounding him. Danny reacted with a babble and a laugh. “Want to see your nonni?” he said to him. “And this way we can get back out there, do something special today,” he added to Vivian. “Stretch our legs, let the world see what kind of beautiful baby we were able to make together.”

Vivian let out a playful gasp, looking at Danny. "Six months? Who are you and what have you done to that tiny little thing that came out of my belly?" She teased, blowing a raspberry on Danny's neck only to hear him laughing. Time was going by so fast it scared her sometimes. Danny would soon be walking, talking, going to school. Viv shook off those thoughts and smiled at Wesley. "I love that idea. We can have an improvised picnic at the park even." She suggested excited to just be out of the apartment for a moment, show the world to the Danny and her family to the world. "Yes, buddy, let's go see your nonni and the city. You'll fall in love with it just like mom and dad." She grinned, gently brushing his hair back from his eyes that were already getting a little darker like his father's. "You know he's losing the green eyes already. Can't even have a full year of this kid looking even a little bit like me." Vivian joked, letting Danny take her hand and coo at her like he was trying to reassure her of something. "He's holding my hand and looking at me as if he's saying 'it's okay, mom, I'm still half you'" She chuckled, squeezing them both in her arms. "Let's get ready and get going."

[ofinkandeyre]

Wesley had Danny in his arms. Danny was flailing happily. He had just hit six months now and he was getting big. He was already teething and as a result, Wesley had to stop letting him bite on his finger as it now could really hurt. Additionally, both Vivian and Wesley had been able to get vaccinated along with Danny. 

“He’s awake,” he announced as he came into the living room where Vivian was. Danny still moving around in his arms. Danny even perked up as he saw Vivian, Wesley was able to feel the motion, but even more so he could hear the gleeful yelling out and babbling of Danny at the sight of his mother. Possibly because he was excited to see her, but possibly because he knew that his mother was his primary source of food. 

“He’s especially awake today,” he chuckled as he moved towards Vivian and reached out a hand, after hitching Danny securely, so he could find her. “I have a proposal for today.”

@vivianxeyre​

[vivianxeyre]

Vivian had been finishing wrapping the Easter presents they were planning on sending to their family and friends when Wesley walked into the living room with a bouncing Danny in his arms. As always - like she didn’t get that view 24 hours a day - seeing them brought a wide smile to her lips and she put aside the wrapping paper and tape, chuckling at Wesley’s announcement followed by Danny’s greeting. Those two together would forever melt her heart completely, she knew it. Danny would be married and have kids and she’d still grin at the sight of him and his father. “Yeah? Had a great nap, huh? Sweet dreams of milk and cuddles?” Viv grinned, taking Wes’ hand and getting up.

She wrapped her arms one around his waist and one around Danny. “One kiss for the most handsome little man in the world.” Viv gave a smacking kiss on Danny’s cheek. “One kiss for the most handsome man that gave me the little one.” She teased, kissing Wesley’s cheek. “Tell me what you have in mind, my love.” 

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[vivianxeyre]

@ofinkandeyre

From outside she could see Wesley working on the dining table, laptop open, fingers typing nonstop. Vivian smiled. How beautiful he was. Her husband. She felt the soft tug on her hand and looked down at - not so little anymore - Daniel, lips right at work as he fed on her right breast (his current favorite), all packed up in his baby parka, winter clothes and a beanie. Viv found he got calm when she took him out in the snow while Poe played around in the piles of ice. Danny was tugging on her left hand as she had been subconsciously drawing circles on his forehead. His big hazel eyes were on the shiny ring on her finger, her wedding band.

Every time she looked at it, she felt her heart skipping a beat. She’d been married to Wesley at heart for much longer than she’d noticed. But it was official now. They shared their names. The world knew they had chosen to be a unit in every sense of the world, romantically and legally. That little man right there was Daniel Kulina-Eyre, their son. He looked at the ring though his lips didn’t stop and for a moment Viv didn’t even mind how much it hurt now that Danny had started teething. Because as much as it was painful, every day she saw how much he grew just by breastfeeding. She was keeping her child healthy and strong. 

“You know what this is?” She wiggled her finger and his eyes widened even more. “This is mom and dad’s wedding ring.” Viv whispered, sharing secrets daily with her boy. “Inside it, there’s your birthday, because it’s the date we knew more than ever we were meant for each other. The day we gave life to the most beautiful thing in the world.” She told him, carefully wrapping him up even more in her blanket. The snow had stopped but it was still cold and she needed to protect him and her breasts. “It’s my dream.” Viv told him and Danny cooed softly, a drop of milk running down his cheek and making her chuckle. 

“Fifteen years ago, mom was making music when I saw from the stage this gorgeous, gorgeous man.” Viv began moving lightly, rocking him as he grabbed onto her boob and squeezed it, hungry as ever, but kept on looking at her. “He had this luscious brown hair, pale skin, the most charming smile in the whole world. Mom’s heart skipped a beat.” She told him and Danny seemed to gasp. “The minute I saw him I knew I wanted to have a little version of him to myself.” She grinned, Danny mimicking the move with lips pressed against her. Viv began walking back inside, snapping her fingers so Poe would follow and he shook off the snow before getting in.

“That gorgeous man saw mom too.” She continued in a low voice, stepping into their living room and closing the door to the balcony. “And he was even more charming than that smile. Mom was in love, at first sight, can you believe it?” Danny cooed a bit louder at the twist in the story - or so she believed - and gave up on his food, eyes locked on his mother so tight he didn’t even feel as she moved him to cover her breast again. “And he fell in love right back.” She smirked, using the cloth she had on her shoulder to wipe his lips. 

“We were happy and young. Mom got sick one day. Dad needed to figure himself out.” Danny seemed to notice the change in her tone and his lips formed a little O while she moved towards the table still rocking him. “We went our separate ways and we were both very sad. Until a few years later, we found each other.” She continued, her son’s full attention on her. “It was hard at the beginning, but that was because we both loved each other very much and we were afraid of hurting each other. We don’t hurt the people we love, do we?” Danny squealed in response and she nodded. 

“Mom got really angry one day and just told him she wanted him back, forever. And he said he wanted mom too.” She brought him close to whisper that part and he giggled. “We got together, for real this time. Forever. Fell madly in love all over again and decided it was time to share a home.” Viv pulled a chair next to Wes, taking a sit but still concealing him from Danny’s view behind the blanket. “We found the most beautiful place to make it our own. With an extra bedroom we thought would be an office.” She chuckled and Danny did too. “Only we got too excited celebrating and two months later, mom actually peed on a stick that told her she would finally have that mini version of the gorgeous man.” She glanced at Wes, catching the smile on his lips as he continued to type. He only had one earbud now, she noticed. 

“They were so happy to find out that child was coming, Danny. The happiest in the world. And that child came. Big and strong with all the hair in the world and cheeks just like mine.” She kissed his big cheeks and he giggled loudly. “And then, a week ago, we decided it was time to make it official. To tell the whole world we were united for the rest of our lives, that we will always love each other and give all that love to that little boy.” She booped his nose. “That little boy is you.” She whispered and he touched her face, smiling widely. “And you know who was that gorgeous man?” Viv wiggled her eyebrows then dropped the blanket and lifted him up to see Wes, the big reveal that he was waiting for. 

He cooed loudly, a sound she was beginning to notice was the one he always used to call for Wesley’s attention. “Daddy!” Viv cheered, shaking him in her arms and making him laugh. Wes laughed along with them, leaning in their direction to get a kiss from his wife and one from his son, a smacky kiss on the forehead before Danny decided chewing on his nose was a good idea too.

“I thought telling him stories was my job.” Wes teased and Vivian chuckled, running one free hand through his hair and kissing the top of his head.

“Well, I got some I thought he’d like to know.” She whispered into his hair, taking a deep breath. 

Knowing she was holding her heart and all her love in her arms.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley smiled as Vivian recounted how she couldn’t believe they were married and had a baby together. Wesley couldn’t believe it on most days either. It felt like a dream, especially the easy days like this, where Danny was perfect and Vivian was right by his side and they were in pure bliss. He allowed them to step away so Vivian could put Danny to sleep. Wesley closed his eyes for a moment, just thinking about how things had ended up here. It had been such a long journey for the two of them, together and then on their separate paths only to end up together and so happy. He wouldn’t have been able to ask for more if he tried. 

His ears perked up and he opened his eyes as he heard Vivian announce that she was back. He could hear her stepping lightly and then felt her move back between his legs. “We are amazing parents,” he agreed, feeling the way her hands moved over the fabric of his pants, a reassurance of her presence. “Yeah, I know, those two kids have really come a long way, haven’t they?” he said. His eyes were closed again, enjoying the way her lips felt as they kissed his jaw. “Now we get to have this beautiful life together, you, me, Danny.” Wesley’s heart swelled when he thought about how much he had lucked out with ending up with her. He didn’t even want to think of what his life might be without her in it. 

“Those kids came the longest of ways.” She chuckled, reaching back to cup his jaw, gently scratching his beard as she looked at Wes. He was beautiful even from that angle, his beard there for her to touch and nuzzle, his lips close to her, his neck at easy access. “Yeah.” Vivian grinned, kissing his jaw softly. They did have a beautiful life, a beautiful family. And so, so much love to give, so much love for each other and for their son. Sometimes Vivian feared she’d wake up and it would have all been a dream and she’d be back in those years she spent sick and away from Wesley, the darkest and worst years of her life. But it was all real, it was all true. She’d found him again, she’d married him and she had birthed his son. “Ti amo, amore mio.” She whispered in his ear. 

Viv moved forward only a bit so she could reach behind her and unzip her dress. That corset was killing her and right now her husband deserved his quality time with her nakedness. Viv pushed the fabric down, thankful she’d chosen a strapless dress for the night, and let it fall to her hips, then lifting her body up a bit to fully step out of it and kick it to the side, returning to her seat between his legs. She kicked her heels as well, now there on her panties alone, a new pair she’d gotten to fit her post-baby hips and ass and hadn’t shown Wesley yet, all covered in lace so he could feel it. “Your wife is almost naked here, sir. I believe you had said something about mom and dad private time.” She whispered in his ear, nibbling gently on his lobe. 

.

[vivianxeyre]

ofinkandeyre​:

Wesley laughed at the image of Vivian putting his hair into a small ponytail. He could picture it just standing up directly on the top of his head. “Yeah, that sounds about right,” he said. He could feel Danny’s weight leave him as Vivian took him and laughed at his giggle. “You ever feel like that’s the best sound in the world? His little laugh?” said Wesley while he moved so that Vivian could sit comfortably between his legs. When she sat against him, he put his arms around her, able to sense Danny on her lap. “It is, isn’t it? Just one long cuddle train.”

He hugged Vivian tightly fro behind, putting his head on her shoulder while she began to massage him. “Maybe if we keep something on in the background, it won’t be so bad. Play music as he we get down to the New Year. He might hear something, but it’ll be drowned out, it won’t be as scary. If he’s awake too late, he might just get cranky and tired. Plus, if we put him to sleep, then maybe we can have some private mommy and daddy time before the New Year,” he murmured into her ear, his head turning so he could nibble on her lobe gently, before he buried his face into her neck, breathing her in. 

.

“It is.” Viv laughed with him, that giggling sounding better than a whole orchestra. “My three favorite sounds are your voice, his laugh ad when he does that curious coo like he’s understanding what we’re saying.” Viv admitted, sighing out just how in love she was with those two. Her family. Ten years ago she’d be laughing hard if someone told her she’d have a family, a family with Wesley even. Yet there they were, one long Kulina-Eyre cuddle train, her husband with his arms around her and their son on her lap. “I can’t believe I married you and I have your child.” Vivian whispered, gently resting her head against Wesley’s on her shoulder. “That you love me so much you wanted to marry me and you gave me him.” She continued to keep her voice low, nodding at Wesley’s suggestion and keeping the massage on Danny’s little toes. Wes was nibbling on her ear and she shivered, smirking and turning her head to whisper in his ear.

“You’re very convincing, Mr. Kulina-Eyre.” She teased, nibbling on his lobe now and then pulling back slightly. “Mom and dad time is exactly what I need.” Viv agreed, watching Danny slowly drifting, his hands still moving a bit like he did when he was feeding and he squeezed her for more milk. “I’m going to put him in bed and ask Echo to play his playlist.” Viv murmured and gave Wes a kiss on the cheek before she very, very slowly got up with a passed out Danny in her arms and rocked him gently all the way to his room. She loved it when he slept so quickly with her like that, looking peaceful and happy. Viv put him down on his crib, his stuffed animals around him, and brought Poe’s pillow closer to the crib so he could sleep there and guard his brother. “Echo, play Danny’s playlist.” She asked and the speaker went on, an assortment of classically rendered lullabies starting to play. Viv got the baby monitor and stepped out, leaving his door slightly open. 

“Mom Viv is on break, switching to Wife Viv now.” She let Wesley know, walking back to him and sitting between his legs again, making herself more comfortable this time. She rested her head back on his shoulder and held onto his thights, gently scratching over the fabric of his pants. “We’re good parents, Wes.” She whispered. “We’re great parents and a happy couple with a healthy love and sex life, can you believe it? Those kids at a gala become wife and husband, mom and dad.” She grinned, turning her face to him. “I can’t wait to celebrate fiftee years loving you, pucci.” She whispered, kissing his jaw. 

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