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The Mafioso's Children's Nanny

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Episode 5

Logan emerged from the bathroom deep in thought, then, having dressed, he lay back down and called for Celina.

Logan: Help me with these bandages.

Celina: It looks pretty bad this time.

Logan: One of my own men betrayed me; I couldn't get away.

Celina: I so wish you'd leave that life behind.

Logan: Not an option Celina, I can’t leave it.

Ow, your touch is heavy.

Celina: I'll get Esther to help; she's got a gentler touch.

Logan: Just hurry up.

Celina went to Esther's room to fetch her. Esther was surprised and a bit embarrassed when she found out, but followed Celina to the room and hesitated on how to start.

Logan: Are you going to just stand there?

Esther: Sorry, excuse me.

She begins cleaning the wound, applies some medicine with a gentle touch, to which he mutters in pain, then she wraps the dressing and moves to another injury on his abdomen.

As Esther was about to clean it, Logan grabs her hand and looks at her.

Logan: If you make it hurt again, you're fired.

Esther: I don't mean to, but you've let a stitch come loose, I'm doing my best.

Logan: Make sure it's your best effort.

She repeats the process as she did on the thigh, and he grumbles again.

Esther: If I may ask, what happened to you?

Logan: Took two shots.

Esther is shocked, and he notices her expression.

Logan: Robbery. I didn’t want to give up my phone and wallet.

Esther: That's terrible. Criminals are everywhere; I'm always scared of running into one.

Logan: The guards will protect you.

Esther: Did they protect you?

Logan: Don't make me fire you.

Esther: Sorry.

Logan: I’m going to sleep. I’m not available to anyone.

Esther: Understood.

Esther leaves him alone and spends her afternoon watching cartoons with his son Ben, only rising for dinner.

The children have dinner with Logan in his room. Esther puts them to bed and then rests herself.

Two weeks pass, and Logan's recovery is going well. He and Esther argue a lot; he wants to be up and about, but she forbids it, daring to defy him.

Logan: I'm the one who gives orders here, Esther. Move aside.

Esther: I won't.

Logan: You're fired.

Esther: No, I was specifically instructed not to let you get up.

Logan: But I'm the boss here.

Esther: To fire me, you'd need to sign a paper in your office, which you can't do if you don’t leave this room so technically, I'm still employed.

You’ll thank me when you’re back on your feet, not laid up in a hospital.

He grumbles, complains, but she pretends not to hear. This is how the two weeks go by.

Inside the house, Logan’s mobility is improving and his wounds are healing rapidly.

Esther spends a Sunday with the kids, opting not to go out. They play a lot, and at night, she puts the children to sleep.

Esther: Didn’t you enjoy spending Sunday with me? You seem down. Want to talk?

Ben: No Esther.

Esther: I’ll be worried.

Ben: I don't want to go to school tomorrow.

Esther: Why, little one?

Ben: There's a soccer tournament.

Esther: And that’s bad?

Ben: I’m not going.

Esther: Why not? Did your friends say you can't play?

Ben: Yeah, but Dad won't let me play. He says too many people will be there, so I can't go.

Esther: Don’t be sad, darling. Have you asked him this time?

Ben: No, he never lets me anyway.

Esther: What if I ask?

Ben: Do you think he’ll agree?

Esther: No, but I can try.

Ben: What’s the point of playing if there’s no one to watch me? Their dads will be there, but mine won’t.

Esther: I could come and cheer for you.

Ben: Really?

Esther: Of course, I'll cheer you on.

Ben: Can you tell my friends you’re my mom?

Esther: Why Ben? I’m not your mom, and your father might not like that.

Ben: They make fun of me because I never have anyone at school. There’s also a Mother’s Day event I'll miss. I didn’t prepare anything, but Dad will make me go.

Esther: Have you talked to him about this?

Ben: I have, but he says I don’t need a mom and it doesn’t matter what the boys say.

Esther: Don't worry, I'll try talking to your dad, okay?

Ben: Okay.

Esther: If you hear a scream, it’s him.

Ben: And if he sends you away? I don’t want to lose you, Esther.

Esther: You won’t lose me; I'll always be here.

Ben: Promise?

Esther: I promise.

Now sleep, my little prince. Sweet dreams and good night.

Ben: Good night, Esther.

She kisses him, tucks him in, and leaves his room.

Taking a deep breath upon leaving Ben's room, Esther had no idea Logan had overheard the entire conversation. It saddened him to learn of his son's feelings, regretting that he hadn’t been more attentive.

Esther then went to the kitchen, drank some water, and bumped into Logan arriving.

Logan: Can you get me a glass of water?

Esther: Yes.

She pours and hands the glass to him.

Esther: Mr. Logan, may I speak with you? I understand if it’s too late.

Logan: Speak, Esther.

Esther: Could you let Ben partake in his school's tournament? I promise I’ll be there, and if it gives you peace of mind, the guards can accompany us too. He’s quite upset about not being able to join in. Please, I only ask you for this.

Logan: Breathe, Esther. You’re rushing your words.

Esther: Sorry, I was scared to ask.

Logan: You think this will make him forget my failings as a father?

Esther: Mr. Logan, we all make mistakes and have flaws. But it's up to us to want to make changes, to fix those mistakes and try to do better. You're a good dad, Ben loves and looks up to you, but you should get closer to them. They miss you, even though you are at home. I've never seen you play with them, go to the playground or read a story to Ben. That's all he wants, it doesn't take much effort. Ben has never had friends over, at least not since I’ve been here, and neither has he been able to go out. The boy needs a childhood, needs to get out sometimes, preferably with his dad.

Logan:I'm a lousy father. I heard your talk with him. You can accompany him to the tournament and the Mother’s Day event. You’ve done more for them than I have since you got here, at least they have you. But there are things I can't explain, secrets that must be kept; everything I do is to protect them.

Esther:I understand, and I believe in your love for them. Don't be too hard on yourself, but for instance, make things different with Zaya’s upbringing, be more involved.

Logan: Thanks for the talk, Esther. I hope you won’t leave, though I’m still considering firing you.

Esther: I'm not leaving these children, not a chance.

Logan: You really care for them, don’t you?

Esther: Very much so. When I arrived, I was scared I wouldn’t know how to take care of them and scared of getting attached because I knew it wouldn’t be forever. But now, I'm completely devoted to them.

Logan: You never wanted kids of your own?

Esther: Only if I find the man of my dreams. Haven’t met him yet; most men these days aren’t worth it.

Logan: Except me.

Esther: Not sure, I’ve only ever met bad ones.

Logan: You’ll find someone eventually.

Anyway, I’m off to bed; you should too.

Esther: I will. Good night, Mr. Logan.

Logan: Good night. Call me Logan, Esther.

Esther: Not daring enough to do that, sir.

Logan: It's an order.

Esther: If you insist, good night then, Logan.

They head to their rooms, settle in, and rest.