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Governor Martinez was waiting inside the foyer of the state capitol building when the Visconti's were escorted in. The man gave a big smile. "Hello! It's so great to see you both." He walked over to meet them and held his hand out to Ricardo. "I'm Governor Martinez, but you can call me Liam."
Ricardo took his hand to shake with an equally big smile. "Nice to meet you too. I'm Ricardo and this little guy-" he gestures down to the anxious boy hugging his leg hiding behind it "-is Nico. Say hi, Nico."
Nico poked his head around shyly "Nice to meet you, sir. Thank you for inviting us." He squeaked out politely.
"Hi Nico," Liam gave him a little wave. "Thank you for coming." He turned back to Ricardo. "Genuinely, having you both here has made such an incredible difference. We have practically double the reporters waiting for the speeches, and our tickets to the gala have sold out."
“Anything to help out. Just let me know what I can do to help out,” Ricardo responded.
"Thank you, we really appreciate it. Oh! I should also mention that your protective escort should be here soon." Liam checked his watch. "We asked if she'd touch up her makeup a bit for photos after the speeches."
"I already told you, I really don't need one, " Ricardo light-heartedly declined him.
"I'm sure you have top-of-the-line security, but The Samaritan owes me a favor and agreed to be your bodyguard. So, hopefully, you'll make an exception for the night," Liam responded.
Ricardo internally was panicking but kept his composure for Liam. “Oh, The Samaritan you say? I don’t believe you mentioned that before.” After the initial panic, he was a little intrigued by the idea. There’s no way out of the situation without issues so he might as well go with it. It’s a chance to get close to his enemy without her hopefully knowing.
Liam’s face suddenly seemed a bit flustered, worried that Ricardo might turn the idea down. “I hope it won't be a problem. I just thought it would be in the best interest of everyone to at least have some photos of the two of you at the gala."
"No, it's a brilliant idea, just one I was unaware of," Ricardo quipped with a light smile.
"Oh, good!” Liam replied relieved, “Well, like I said, she should be here any moment. I'm going to go prepare for my speech, but I'll see you at the podium at 3. If you need anything at all The Samaritan should be able to help, she knows her way around here."
“Thank you for all the help,” Ricardo graciously said. There was a gleam in his eyes that could easily be mistaken for a fanboy about to meet his idol. But he’s no fanboy and this isn’t his idol.
The Governor left, and a few minutes later, Samira walked out of a door at the end of the hallway walking towards Nico and Ricardo in her publicity hero costume. She looked far more at ease than Ricardo had ever seen her. She gave a small, polite smile upon seeing them.
"Hello," her voice boomed down the hallway without even trying. She met up with them in the middle of the hall. "You're the Visconti's, right?" She looked him over with a bit of curiosity.
Ricardo gave her a wave and began to speak, but before he could Nico peaked out from behind his dad, recognizing the name and face. "Daddy, it's The Samaritans!" he whisper-yelled to his dad. Just old enough to know she and his dad fought but not old enough to realize the severity of it.
Ricardo gave him a soft smile and ruffled his hair, "Yes, it is kiddo. Why do we go say hi, okay?"
Nico hesitated before he started to lightly tug his dad along to meet her halfway, excited to meet her but still too shy to really show it. After all, his daddy always told him that she was the hero, and his dad was his hero. So, maybe their fights aren't all that bad.
Samira gave a small, but very genuine, smile and knelt down with her hands on her knees so she wasn't as imposing. "Hello there, your name's Nico isn't it? It's such an honor to meet you. I'm Samaritan." She held out a hand to him with a soft smile.
Nico looked up to his dad as if asking for permission. Ricardo gave him a small nod and a nudge, and with that, he gave Samira a smile and a timid handshake. "Hello, Misses The Samaritan, it's very nice to meet you." It was so polite yet so youthful. Ricardo gave a look up to Samira. A little 'kids am I right?' with all the love for Nico he had.
"Oh, please, Misses The Samaritan was my mother. Just Samaritan or Sam is fine." Samira responded playfully to Nico before glancing up at Ricardo and standing up. "It's nice to meet you as well, Visconti." Her tone wasn't cold, but it was certainly less bright than when she spoke to Nico. She stiffly held her hand out to him.
Ricardo gave no telling of noticing any difference in her tone and with a big smile took her hand from underneath. "Oh, please, Visconti is my parents. Call me Ricardo." With a small bow, he brought her hand up to his mouth, giving it a small kiss. Holding her hand to his mouth for a second, before removing it a bit. He looked up at her with kind eyes. "It's very nice to finally meet you."
This certainly wasn't how she was expecting one of America's most famous and richest men to be treating her. Like she was a little princess. She tried not to laugh, but let out a small snort of amusement. "You must be a fan." She couldn't say he wasn't charming.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he responded with a small chuckle.
Nico not wanting his dad to not be believed chimed in, "My daddy tells me you’re the best superhero ever. I think you’re his favorite. Sometimes, when he tucks me in, he tells me about all the cool fights between you and Salvador." He gets a little shy after his outburst and hides behind his dad again.
"Really?" She smiled fondly at Nico in that god, I hope life treats you well, and your happiness and innocence are protected kinda way. Her posture completely softened. She looked smaller than Ricardo remembered."Well, I'm very flattered, but you know fights aren't the only way you can be a hero. As long as you help protect others and treat them kindly, you're just as much of a hero as I am. Also," she put a hand to her mouth pretending to whisper, "I have to say, you and your dad are already heroes to me. I've seen some of the charities your dad's helped and all the lives he's helped change, so I'm positive you have that hero spirit in you too, Nico."
Nico looked up at her with awe. This. This has to be the reason his dad spent so much time with her. She is every part of a hero his dad is. Ricardo looks down at Nico, as his tiny hand lets go of his pants and he stands a little taller. Ricardo's eyes soften looking at his son starting to realize the worth he's always seen in him.
Nico looked up at his dad with his big doe eyes, starting to water a bit in the joy of the moment. "Did you hear that Daddy? She thinks we’re heroes. She thinks I'm a hero. Daddy, can you teach me to be a real hero like you?"
Ricardo should be more disappointed by the situation, but seeing Nico now, with more confidence than he's ever seen, disappointment is the last thing on his mind. Fighting and secrets are the last thing on his mind. His nemesis right in front of him is the last thing on his mind. His baby boy is the only thing on his mind. He kneels down to him, putting his hand in his hair. "Yeah, buddy," his voice cracks a little as he is filled with love for his son. "Yeah, buddy, I can do that. Maybe today you can ask Samaritan for some help on that."
Samira's guard was down entirely. This was everything she wanted. A family. A baby. Someone to inspire and nurture. Part of her considering just grabbing up Nico and taking him. She was fast enough and she could definitely outrun Ricardo, but she decided against it. Besides, she had to hold on to hope that this time it would work. She turned to Ricardo. "You and your wife must be so proud of him."
Ricardo looked down sad, looking at something not there. He finally took a deep breath and stood up keeping his hands on Nico needing that point of contact. "His mom- Mariana and I- we uh- we ended up not working. We got divorced a few years ago. She uh- wasn't as proud of Nico as I was." Nico sensing his dad was upset reached out his hands for his dad who picked him up without a second thought. "He was always my little bundle of joy, but she had a life to live. It wasn't a marriage of love but I respected her. I thought we could have a family together. I thought Nico would have a mom who sees how special he is." Ricardo gave his forehead a little kiss. "He's just my special little guy," he says softly.
Samira's heart dropped. Feelings rushing back of her own mom leaving. Of the constant fear of losing Marco. Of trying to have a baby but never- she stuffed those feelings back down where they belonged, locked away until she was with Salvador, but one of those feelings slipped from her mouth before she could stop herself.
"My husband and I have been trying for a family for years. It's been hard with this job. I- I would give it all up in a heartbeat for a chance at what you have with Nico." She paused trying to level her head. This wasn't about her. How dare she make their pain about herself. "I'm sorry she couldn't see how perfect he is."
Ricardo could hardly think about her outside of the suit. He knows she has a life without him but he never imagined a husband, a plan for a family. He can’t think about the jeal- the gross feeling that started bubbling inside him. “I’m so sorry to hear that. I know the busy life makes it hard to raise him sometimes. I can’t imagine planning it as a superhero. I wish y’all luck.“ he has to mean it. He can’t feel what he’s thinking about her, he just can’t. Maybe with her preg- with her unable to work he can do his job unchecked for once. No other hero will ever match her. In fighting him.
"Well, I'm 16 weeks along currently, so-" she gave a small breath. "Fingers crossed this time around." She said with a pained smile. "I'm actually here today as a favor to Martinez for finding someone to watch over the city while I take some time off."
Ricardo was dumbfounded. If he wasn’t standing here holding Nico in front of her he would have tumbled. He masked his surprise as much as possible only letting a bit peak through. “Well, I’ll be damned congratulations.” Fuck. Shit. She can’t leave like that she can’t. He’s about to win the game but by default. He needed to be the one to do it. The one to finally beat her. She can’t be the one to forfeit. He’s one consistent can’t be gone… But, but it’s a baby. A precious little baby she has worked so hard for. A baby she is going to bring into this world and raise it right. He can only imagine how good a mom she will be. The countless babies she’s kissed the foreheads of. The way she inspired his own baby. He- he can’t think of this right now. “Wow second trimester, sounds like you might finally be in luck. I’d send a baby gift basket but I guess that would be hard. The whole secret identity.” He says a little sheepishly forcing emotions into his voice.
Samira gave a small laugh. "Thank you, Ricardo." She pat his shoulder, the gentlest she's ever touched him. "Well, hey, I'm sure I'll be back to it in a year or so. Maybe we'll meet again." Her heart swelled at his kindness. She had originally been worried. The only rich men she knew were corrupt and often at the other end of her gauntlets, but Ricardo and Nico seemed so gentle, kind. She hoped that they'd meet again.
Ricardo tried not to think about the relief that went through him. Tried not to think about how nice her touch felt. How soft but reassuring her contact was. Tried so very hard to push down all of the emotions swelling inside him. “Yeah, maybe.” He said softly he said as he held Nico just a bit tighter.
Samira gave him a hopeful smile. "I think it's about time for your speech, Ricardo. Did you want me to hold Nico for you while you speak?"
Ricardo shushed his internal turmoil, "Oh, well that's all up to him. He doesn't really like being held by anyone else," he sheepishly said. "How about that, buddy? Would you be okay with Samaritan holding you while Daddy does his speech?"
Nico happily reached his hands out to her, gripping and ungripping his little hands at her.
She gave a little laugh and gently took Nico up into her arms. "You excited to watch your Dad's big speech, kiddo?"
Nico gives a shy nod, "Good luck, Daddy. "
Ricardo gives him a kiss on the forehead. "Thank you, baby," he ruffles Nico's hair then looks up to Samira, "And thank you for taking care of him." He gives her a bright smile, but looking at her, seeing her hold his son, does things to him. Seeing them-
Ricardo quickly says goodbye to them and takes his leave to get ready. Nico, a little rushed by the emotions of being held by her and having his dad tease him, rested his head into the crook of her neck.
Samira's heart ached for the closeness that Ricardo and Nico shared. She felt lucky to even hold Nico. He was such a sweet kid clearly destined to do great things. Samira walked to the edge of the stage, just out of the limelight but enough to give Nico a good view of his dad. Samira gently rubbed Nico's back and began to watch Ricardo's speech offering him supportive smiles whenever his gaze caught hers.
Ricardo made an effort not to look at her, but no matter how hard he tried, his eyes kept landing on her. To him, The Samaritan was always just so irresistible, and right now, she was holding his baby so delicately. Every time their eyes locked, she gave him a smile. Everything she did was just so much softer than he’d ever seen her. Her looks of support held such a different weight than her looks of hate. It was almost nice having her watch and listen to him rather than having her try to fight him.